THE ASSOCIATION OF CATHOLIC NURSES

Welcome to our quarterly newsletter aimed at keeping you informed of the activities and issues within the Association of Catholic Nurses.

Prayer is an important part of our Catholic life and you are asked to remember the Association daily in your prayers. Here is our own prayer.

“O Lord our God, gracious, patient and of much compassion, mercifully regard our humble work.  Strengthen us in our holy vocation and make us ever faithful to our calling.  We humbly pray that by the grace of Your Holy Spirit we may so serve you in Your sick in this world that we may see You forever in Heaven” Amen

Our Lady Health of the Sick, Pray for us.

Report from our President

Thank you to everyone who has sent me messages of goodwill and support while I have been nursing in Afghanistan. The whole experience has been one of great humility and wonder.

The patients I nursed were from 2 years old to adults in their late 40’s who presented with a variety

of illnesses, from renal colic to head injuries.

The temperatures we endured were 35 degrees Centigrade when I went out there in October 2007 and went down to -20 degrees when I left in late January 2008. Needless to say that was also an experience in itself! So was this experience in a helicopter!

We were very fortunate to have Padres from a variety of Christian Faiths out there, so it was good to be able to still have a focus for prayer.

Jacqui Hall

Dates of Interest.

Our pilgrimage to Walsingham 2008 takes place on 10-11 June.

Details of the days can be found in your Christmas Journal or on the website. Please remember to book your accommodation in plenty of time so you are not disappointed.

Our AGN takes place on Saturday 25^th October 08 in Carlisle Place London starting at 11.00.  Please make every effort to attend and support our new executive committee

Obituary

Eileen Lamb (RIP)

It is with sadness we inform you of the death, earlier this year, of our loyal member Eileen Lamb. As a faithful member and past President of the Catholic Nurses Guild of England and Wales, Eileen will be remembered for her unfailing support to us as an association, and her commitment to C.I.C.I.A.M.S as a past European President and International President of C.I.C.I.A.M.S. She represented the association of Catholic Nurses fervently. Eileen never failed to join us at Walsingham having arranged the very first pilgrimage over 25 years ago,

which has continues ever since. As National President she led us into the future of nursing and when her term of office was completed she continued to give advice and support to subsequent presidents. Representatives of the association attended Eileen’s funeral in February and a donation was made to the charity of Eileen’s choice at her request. May she Rest in Peace, Amen

Bishop Kevin Dunn (RIP)

Another great loss on 1 March 2008, was the loss of Bishop Kevin Dunn, Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle .

Please pray for the repose of their souls.

Lent

Lent can be more than a time of fasting; it can be a season of feasting.  We can use Lent to fast from certain things and to feast on others. It is:

Fasting form judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling within them.

Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of life.

Fast from the apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light.

Fast from thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God.

Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.

Fast form discontent; feast on gratitude

Fast from anger; feast on patience.

Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.

Fast from worry; feast on divine order.

Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.

Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives. Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.

Fast from hostility; feast on non-resistance.

Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.

Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.

Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth.

Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.

Fast from facts that depress; feast on verities that uplift.

Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.

Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.

Fast from shadows of sorrow; feast on the sunlight of sincerity.

Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.

Fast from problems that overwhelm; feast on prayer that under girds.

From a member.

 CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS NEWSLETTER IN PDF FORMAT