At this time of the year we have received the eagerly anticipated 'thank you' letter from SISTER PATRICIA MACKENZIE, at The Carmelite Convent in Yorkshire. It is with great difficulty that I select extracts for you now; space permitting I would print the entire letter! Those of you who contribute to the Christmas Hamper Fund will have enjoyed the letter in full. I shall put out some copies at the Reunion.

Carmelite Monastery, Trip Lane,
Linton, Wetherby,
Yorkshire. LS22 4HZ

January 2006.

"Dear Everyone,

We can never thank you adequately for the super - abundance of gifts you shower upon us every Christmas. All we can do is pray harder for you and your families in their various needs - some of which, I'm sure, will be urgent and distressing.

My special thanks go, of course, to JEAN WALSH and MARGARET SIMPSON. The latter rang me well in advance to enquire whether the items sent by Morrisons were acceptable, and for any further suggestions. The results were admirable, not just the traditional Christmas fare of puddings and mince pies etc. but items we find very useful at this time, such as salad vegetables, cheeses, crisps etc. all appreciated at supper.

Morrisons were lavish in providing fruits which we cannot grow, e.g. pineapples, melons, bananas- even mangoes came. Cooks fall upon mushrooms with glee I could fill the letter with more details but I'm sure you would rather read a resume of events in 2005.

In February we had the joy of Sr. Pam's Final Profession. Last year I had mentioned our looking forward to this, as it was an unusual journey from the Anglican Sisterhood to Carmel. Pam had been Sister in Charge of Anglican nuns and had travelled widely giving talks and retreats. Now she made her vows as a Carmelite in a packed Chapel, many of her Anglican friends being here with us to support her.

The Episcopal colours were much in evidence as there were two Anglican Bishops and three Catholic Bishops present.

A very relaxed and joyful celebration of Sister Philomena's Ruby Jubilee followed soon afterwards.

Sadly, this year we have had to part company with two of our older sisters, who were in need of day and night care such as we could not provide. Sr. Mary Cecilia (best known as our most skilful organist and composer) decided to remain in the excellent Jewish nursing home in Leeds, where she had been sent for rehabilitation after falling and breaking her leg.

From here we can visit her often. The local parish has taken her under its wing and she gets very good pastoral care.

Then Sr. Joan Elizabeth, after increasingly worrying falls, asked to transfer to the Carmel at Sclerder near Plymouth. This has an excellent unit for caring for the elderly Infirm.

In May Sr. Philomena (The Prioress) flew to the U.S.A. with another Sister from the Carmelite Council to represent the British Carmels at a meeting of the Carmelite Communities Associated. She then went on to visit the Carmels of Baltimore, Elysburg and Cleveland.

Somehow she managed to send us a fax every day, so we could learn of the warm welcome received and feel we too shared in the events as they happened. Our founding Monastery at York celebrated the Golden jubilee of its move from Exmouth Carmel to York in 1955. Four of our sisters had been involved in the setting up of York Carmel so we were all invited to celebrate with them.

At a big Mass Sr. Catherine of our community gave an account of their early days of pioneering and hardship in getting the house, Thicket Priory, habitable, after several years of standing empty. Incidentally it got its name from being built where there was a. pre - Reformation Augustinian Priory.

In November, when all our schedules were less crowded, we invited the Thicket Sisters over to Wood Hall. We had Mass together, our Choir being somewhat packed. Several of their Sisters are talented musicians (though they don't have as we do a lyre accompaniment for Vespers.)

In the afternoon there was a presentation in which old, usually sepia, photos of Exmouth were projected on a screen, towards the end lists of names of previous Sisters were displayed, and then came the foundation of Wood Hall from York Carmel.

I saw my own name appear as the first to enter here, on 1st January 72, having no previous connection with Thicket or Exmouth! So many years ago - it scarcely seems possible - but time does fly when you are happy.

My previous letters have often concerned different aspects of nature, which is scarcely surprising as we are situated in the midst of fields and woods. I have told of what I dubbed The Year of the Slug, then last year that of the Snail. I think 2005 merits the title Year of The Badger.

A young badger, turned out of its sett to make room for the new brood, discovered our carpentry hut, which also serves as a residence for our 3 ginger cats. We were puzzled to discover each morning a state of utter chaos.

All the food trays were licked clean, baskets upturned, tools & paint tins scattered here and there; a dispiriting sight to greet one at 6.15 in the morning. One morning a Sister was confronted by a badger clambering out of the cats' sleeping box,he gazed up at her and then, in no hurry, squeezed himself out of the cat flap - squeezed being the operative word!

We then had to devise a way of keeping him out but letting the cats in. It was a long and fruitless battle I We started by putting the food out of reach, but he managed to climb up the leg of the work shelf and get it, even biting through tins of cat meat with his very sharp teeth.

The cats did not seem bothered by him but some of us were verging on neurosis. I think some prayed he would get too bulky to negotiate the flap! Finally we got our carpenter to fix a cat flap four feet up on the side of the hut, no great problem for young felines (the carpenter thoughtfully built them a landing shelf) a challenge to a badger who can't jump - or so we hope!

We now appreciate what lies behind the phrase- "Don't badger me"

The sheep continue to do good work in keeping the meadows cropped. We had hoped in 2005 for a thoroughbred Shetland ewe lamb born from our Shetland mother. Alas, she gave birth to a large ram lamb! Eventually we bought two pedigree Shetland ewe lambs from a local farmer. As Sr. Philomena feeds the Ginger Triplets about 4.30 p.m. and is now frequently away, I get the job.

This is the first time in my life in Carmel, though of course I always had cats at home. I remember to feign delight at the revolting offerings to the Top Cat laid on the mat where I enter. Later I get a dustpan and brush & chuck the remains down the precipice, unseen by the Trio!

May the New year lead us all in Christ's ways of peace and to an ever deepening trust in God's care for each one of us.

With my love and our thanks.

Sr. Patricia."

Thanks to your generosity we had more than sufficient to pay for the Hamper. The committee felt that we could afford to send another gift, this year. After much discussion Garden Furniture was considered a good idea.

CHRISTINE BROCKLEHURST investigated the possibilities and found just what we wanted. Six stackable, green, plastic chairs, with a slightly higher back than usual, a matching table and a parasol with stand.

There were cushions to match the parasol. These were delivered shortly after Easter - all they need now is lots of hot sun ! Sr. Patricia wrote to say how delighted they are with the gift.

"I noticed the term given to the furnishings was Sorrento, which does suggest the carefree relaxation of the Mediterranean and the heat of summer. I can't thank you enough. we love taking meals outside in our August week's "in-holiday." But we also celebrate outside, weather permitting, on big occasions such as 16th July, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, or June 4th Sr. Marie's birthday.

We enjoy barbecues with soya substitutes for steaks and sausages, and fried eggs, onion rings etc. All the cats are very interested and join in.

I will hope that the July Reunion will be a happy occasion for you all."

Sr. Patricia.

Now that there is no longer a mammoth coffee morning for the BROTHER LIONEL FUND, "REACHING THE UNREACHED," BETTY SAVORY & CHRISTINE THACKRAY (BROWNING) hold Coffee Mornings in their homes and gardens (weather permitting.)

This is a well known, very worthwhile cause; Brother Lionel, a former teacher at St. Peter's School from 1948 -'52, has spent many years in India caring for, 'the poorest of the poor,' mainly homeless children. The fund was started by the St. Peter's Old Boys' Association (as it was then known), in 1973.

BETTY SAVORY'S COFFEE MORNING WILL BE ON SATURDAY JULY 22nd from 10.30 - 12.30 at 4 WICK FARM, WICK GREEN, WICK LANE, SOUTHBOURNE . DORSET.

CHRISTINE THACKRAY'S COFFEE MORNING WILL BE ON SATURDAY AUGUST 12th from 10a.m. until 12 noon, at 4 ELM AVENUE, CHRISTCHURCH, DORSET.