News from the Grotto and Thought for the Week (06/08/09) 08/16/2009 by: Shari parkhill - I received my mother’s church magazine this week. It’s full of all sorts of interesting articles, but I’ve learned to look forward to the columns by Karen Stiller entitled “Generations”.
News From The Grotto - Thought For The Week - 2nd Sunday in Advent 12/14/2009 by: Shari Parkhill - Recent events in my life have forced me to think about changes, and how they can catch us unawares.
Our Lady and Heritage Day 08/31/2008 by: Shari Parkhill - The Grotto of Our Lady of Ascension was filled with Island folks who wanted to be a part of remembering the Americans who have contributed so much to the history of Ascension Island, especially those who lost their lives here during World War II.
Heritage Day Report 08/31/2008 by: Shari Parkhill - On the 30th of March 2008, the Ascension Island Heritage Society held a Day of Remembrance to commemorate the contribution of Americans to the history of Ascension.
From the Grotto Thought for the Week (07/09/08) 09/07/2008 by: Shari Parkhill - As usual, this past week I’ve been doing a lot of hiking. Wandering around the heritage sites of this island is fascinating.
Battle of Britain Sunday 09/21/2008 by: Shari Parkhill - Again, on this island with a British military base, Battle of Britain Sunday has come around. It is a day of remembrance and of giving thanks, no matter how much time has gone by since the actual event.
News from the Grotto - Thought for the Week 09/28/2008 by: Shari Parkhill - Once again, it is time to say good-bye to a couple of good friends.
Latest News from the Grotto 10/05/2008 by: Shari Parkhill - This past week I was privileged to hear Dr. Bill Hardy, our locum doctor speak on his personal experiences in his home country of South Africa with the terrible scourge of HIV and AIDS. Unfortunately there were not a lot of people in attendance, mostly medical personnel.
News from the Grotto of Our Lady 10/12/2008 by: Shari Parkhill - This past weekend, I had the opportunity to observe the ship operations up close. I was asked to take photographs for an article in the Wideawake News, the recently resurrected US Base newspaper. I readily agreed, since anyone who knows me well knows that I love the water, and being on any type of boat or ship.
News From the Grotto (16/10/2008) 10/19/2008 by: Shari Parkhill - This island is always inspiring, and I love walking around it, or diving in the waters that surround it, but sometimes it’s hard to put those feelings into words.
News from the Grotto 23/10/08 10/27/2008 - It is about a man, Jean-Dominique Bauby, the editor –in-chief of Elle Magazine.
Thoughts from Our Lady of the Grotto 11/06/2008 by: Shari Parkhill - This weekend I was hiking with a couple of friends. We were in Goat Hole Ravine, the site of one of the new letterboxes being established by the Heritage Society. On the way back I had a bit of tumble.
Thought of the Week from the Grotto 11/10/2008 by: Shari Parkhill - It was a devastating event that came as a shock to everyone. It shows us just how fragile life is, how we never know when we will be gone from this world, and leave our friends and loved ones stricken with a grief that is painful to see.
Thought for the Week from the Grotto 11/20/2008 by: Shari Parkhill - This week we held Remembrance Day ceremonies at St. Mary’s Church. This is a tradition that has been going on since the end of the First World War. It is a tribute to those fallen soldiers who gave their lives in the cause of freedom in all wars.
Thoughts for the Week from the Grotto 11/30/2008 - This past week, I was once again watching a documentary about my eldest daughter (which has been nominated for a rather prestigious award – how proud am I??). This was made as she went through a very difficult time in her life, and in the family’s. It is hard to watch, but it reminded me once again of how very proud I am of her, and my entire family.
News from the Grotto and Thought for the Week 12/15/2008 by: Shari Parkhill - This past Sunday was the second Sunday in Advent.
News from the Grotto and Thought for the Week (12/21) 12/21/2008 by: Shari Parkhill - Third Sunday in Advent - The following was sent to me by a friend. It is from an interview with Rick Warren, the author of “A Purpose Driven Life”.
Weekly News from the Grotto 01/04/2009 by: Shari Parkhill - Just as we have all been looking forward to the arrival of Christmas where we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus, my family has been eagerly anticipating the birth of our special little baby, the child of my son Ryan and his wife Jessica.
Thought for the Week from the Grotto 01/11/2009 by: Shari Parkhill - It is a good time to reflect on our own families and how much they mean to us.
News from the Grotto (05/02/09) 02/08/2009 by: Shari Parkhill - Well, it is certainly nice to be back on Ascension. I had a wonderful visit with my family, especially baby Dominik, but it is a bit of a shock to the system to leave Ascension and end up landing in Bangor, Maine in -30 Celsius weather!
News from the Grotto (26/02/09) 03/08/2009 by: Shari Parkhill - This is one of the most difficult homilies I have had to write.
News from the grotto (Lent - 2) 05/08/2009 by: Shari Parkhill - I should have gone diving. I’m sure this is what everyone thought last Sunday when we ran into trouble on a hike.
News from the Grotto ( Lent - 3) 05/08/2009 by: Shari Parkhill - On Saturday I was, as usual, at the museum. I was going through some files on the computer and came across a wonderful letter from a lady who arrived on Ascension many years ago when she was just a baby.
News from the Grotto (Lent - 5) 05/08/2009 by: shari Parkhill - This week, I’m heading off island for a short leave. I have to attend a recertification course, and I decided, due to the circumstances in my family, to go home and spend some time with my daughter Maggie.
News from the Grotto (090501) 05/08/2009 by: Shari Parkhill - I’m back on Ascension after a whirlwind trip to the mainland. These quick vacations are always so busy, especially when work is added into the mix.
News from the Grotto (14/05/09) 05/17/2009 by: Shari Parkhill - This is another of the stories I received via email. As I have said before I don’t know if it’s true, but it doesn’t matter. It’s the thought that counts. Especially on Mother’s Day for those of us from North America! Here it is:
We Approach Ascension Day 06/07/2009 by: Shari Parkhill - This week, we are getting close to the day of Ascension, when the Lord completed his forty days on Earth before ascending to heaven. He spent this time visiting with his friends.
News from the Grotto (18/06/09) 06/28/2009 by: Shari Parkhill - Well, I’m back from a wonderful, but busy vacation, followed by a week working in Antigua. After so much traveling, I am hoping to be able to sit still for a while. Well, at least stay in one place!
News from the Grotto and Thought for the week (25/06/09)ws from th 08/16/2009 by: Shari Parkhill - At least this is how it seemed to His companions. But Jesus remained calm throughout the gale, the furious wind shrieking and the waves breaking over the gunwales of the boat.
News from the Grotto and Thought for the Week (02/07/09) 08/16/2009 by: Shari Parkhill - Today was a special day for me; the day of the Ascension Island Adventure Run had finally arrived. All the planning, organizing, arm-twisting and cajoling had come down to this. Would anyone show up?
News from the Grotto and Thought for the Week (09/07/09) 08/16/2009 by: Shari Parkhill - I’ve seen it before, but as I read it again, I thought I should share it. George Carlin was a comedian who was big in the 70’s and 80’s.
News from the Grotto and Thought for the Week (16/07/09) 08/16/2009 - I’ve been doing a lot of hiking lately, with various friends. It’s been great to get back out on some of the trails.
News from the Grotto and Thought for the Week (30/07/09) 08/16/2009 by: Shari Parkhill - They say that the third time is the charm. Well, it seems to be right.
News from the Grotto and Thought for the Week 16/08/09 10/17/2009 - Twice in the past week, I have been forwarded communications from people who have tried to reach me at the Heritage Society without luck.
News from the Grotto 10/17/2009 - This is a special day in my family. It is my younger daughter’s birthday. She is celebrating her birthday while on vacation in western Canada.
“You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.” John Wooden. 11/15/2009 by: Shari Parkhill - This quote was posted on Facebook by my niece, Kelly. She was working in the Cardiac Care Unit, looking after an older gentleman, who with his wife had arrived in the city on a cruise ship.
Remembrance 11/15/2009 by: shari Parkhill - This week we solemnly celebrate Remembrance Day in honour of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country.
News from the Grotto and Thought for the Week 12/06/2009 by: Shari Parkhill - With Advent season just around the corner (hard to believe, I know!) it has as always, made me start thinking about Christmas. It will be another Christmas for me on Ascension, away from my family.
News From The Grotto - Thought For The Week - 2nd Sunday in Advent 12/14/2009 by: Shari Parkhill - Recent events in my life have forced me to think about changes, and how they can catch us unawares.
News from the Grotto and Thought for the Week 01/10/2010 by: Shari Parkhill - Today is my precious grandson Dominik’s very first birthday. Last year he was our wonderful Christmas present. He continues to bring a joy to the family that cannot be measured. To his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and extended family he is the light of our lives.
News from the Grotto and Thought of the Week 01/10/2010 by: Shari Parkhill - Well, here it is, the start of a new year, and a new decade. The parties are over, the toasts have all been made, resolutions made, and maybe some already broken! You know, the usual resolutions: eat better, exercise more, lose weight.
News from the Grotto and Thought for the Week 02/06/2010 by: Shari Parkhill - This past week my family followed my daughter Maggie and her husband Aaron’s trip across Canada on Facebook. They have moved over 3,000 miles to a town in northern Alberta to start a new life. Maggie has taken a job as a nurse in the hospital there and Aaron is continuing his studies.