Past Events

Hendon’s 21st Birthday

Monday 8th February.

Marie Ryde, our National secretary made the lovely celebration cake.

30th Anniversary

Thursday 13th May 

 Mass of Thanksgiving 12 noon at Our Lady of the Annunciation Addiscombe Surrey by Bishop Emeritus Howard Tripp VG.

About 60 people attended the celebration. Plenty of happy faces as the participants enjoyed a lovely party lunch afterwards. The climax of the day was an entertainment by each group. It was a pot pourri of fun and Bishop Howard enjoyed each moment.He kindly led the toast as the 30th Anniversary cake, made by Mrs Ross Roberts of the Addiscombe parish, was cut by Mrs Paula Conrad of Upper Norwood and Keith Hunter of Maidstone.  These two groups in the Diocese of Southwark, were the first to be set up in England

York groups

Thursday 13th May

celebrated the 30th Anniversary of Life Ascending. In the morning Caroline Dollard led a Reflection and this was followed by a Mass of Thanksgiving which was celebrated by Fr Pat Smith, parish priest of Our Lady’s York and Canon Michael Ryan who first started Life Ascending when he was at Our Lady’s, having been encouraged by Bishop John Crowley.  Caterers provided a delicious lunch.  The day finished with music from one of the York Central group. and everyone singing to the guitar accompaniment. Fr Pat contributed a Scottish song and the Canon joined in the dancing.  It was a very happy celebration

SOUTHWARK REGION

Wednesday 4th May 2011

12.30pm Mass at St.George’s Cathedral Southwark.

Followed by lunch, a tour of the Cathedral and/or a visit to The Imperial War Museum.

Fr John Diver celebrated Mass for the Feast of the Forty English Martyrs in the Lady Chapel.

Picnics enjoyed in the refurbished Amigo Hall and a number ventured into the Imperial War Museum.

An interesting talk and guided tour finished off a very happy day.

Aylesford retreat – Life Ascending (south)

‘Listen to the Lord’    27th June – 30th June 2011

Fr Michael Manning explored the lives of Elijah and Elisha and helped the 49 people on the retreat to

see how these great figures in the Old Testament related to their  own lives.

Monday 13 – Thursday16 September Retreat at the Briery, Ilkley led by the Cross and Passion Sisters.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

 Thursday 14 October 2011 “Hope for Life Ascending – Past and Future”

30th Anniversary celebration for Westminster and Southwark region members. This event took place at The Focolare Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Herts. Mrs Paula Conrad traced the history of the movement in England and Mgr. Vladimir Felzman’s talks covered the present and future. About 134 people attended the day and Bishop Howard Tripp was the main celebrant at the Mass.     

 Westminster Region 

 15th September 2011 Shrine of Our Lady of Willesden

 Southwark Region

 Thursday 24th May 2012

St Jude’s Shrine Faversham

12 noon Mass

Aylesford Retreat 25th – 28th June 2012

Fr Michael Manning – “Our Lady and the Carmelite Saints’

40 people enjoyed four beautiful days at Aylesford Friary. This year we had a main talk at 

10am each morning and tried to create more time for relaxation and meditation. 

Life Ascending Day at the Kairos Centre  Roehampton    Thursday 16th May 2013   

The day was beautiful as about 57 Westminster and Southwark members were able to enjoy both convent and sunbathed garden.

Fr David Standley, a recently retired Southwark priest, led the day.  Father reminded us that throughout our long lives, God has been with us at each moment. The Church is 2,000 years old yet through the power of the Holy Spirit it remains ever young and ever fresh. We should have an openess and a wilingness to share and should realise that we have a contribution to make as older people in the church.  After our mid-day Mass our members enjoyed a relaxed lunch and later enjoyed Father reminding us to “keep the child within us alive”  Turning to a couple of people near us, Fr David suggested we share a special childhood memory that we still hold dear.After Exposition and Benediction we said our good-byes and happily, made our way home.

Aylesford Retreat 10th – 13th June 2013  “You are the Salt of the Earth’ led by Fr Michael Manning

28 members enjoyed a spiritually uplifting and informative few days together.  Although dull the weather was kind and enabled everyone to enjoy the beauty of this ancient Kentish shrine.