Sunday April 8th. 2012 Charity registration No. SC002876   Part of the colour in celebration of the season is the blooming of Christmas roses.  While a variety of plants over time have come to be  called “Christmas Rose”, they all are steeped in a legend that dates back centuries  The 15th century Legend of the Christmas Rose speaks of a young girl named Madelon who wanted to come to worship the Christ  Child.  Seeing the gold, frankincense and myrrh brought by others who were drawn to the humble birthplace, she despaired that she  had no gift to bring, for Madelon was poor indeed.   In vain she searched the countryside for a flower that she might bring, but the winter had been cold and harsh – and there were no  Christmas Flowers to be found.  Saddened, the girl began to weep.  An angel passing over her stopped to provide comfort and smote  the ground that was wet from her tears.  There did spring a beautiful bush that bloomed of white roses.  The Legend of the Christmas Roses   We welcome all our visitors to St. Margaret’s who are spending the weekend in the area, and we hope they  enjoy the invigorating weather!  Snow at this time of the year is not unusual and is known to farmers as the Lambing Snow :-  (April Seachnaidh duin' a bhrathair, ach cha).     If it comes late, the new-born lambs can be badly affected by it. The Lochaber lambs are not due for another few weeks, so we hope by then, the magical spell of warm  weather will return and they will be quite safe and bask in lots of sunshine.  Easter greetings and a warm welcome to all our visitors (Despite the wintry weather!) Bishop Toal leaves on Easter Sunday evening to join the annual Youth HCPT to Lourdes, which lasts a week.  It demands a lot of  intensive and caring  work among the disabled and sick youth, but is very rewarding when you witness the wonderful example which   these youths give — their courage, their cheerfulness and the challenge they accept to face the daily difficulties of life.   Their carers are devoted men and women, doctors and nurses and many young people, who give up their free time to accompany the  youth at their own expenses and help to look after all their various needs.  It means a very early start in the morning to attend to their  toiletry, help them with their breakfast and have them ready to be at the grotto for Mass. The rest of the day is taken up by caring for them until time to go to bed.  May God bless them all for their great charity. HCPT Pilgrimage for disabled youth to Lourdes, Bishop Toal accompanies the pilgrims Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Main Menu Page 4 Notices Notices 2