Newsletter 27 August 2021
Hello again, dear reader!
I only received one message asking me to continue with the web-site weekly newsletter, and that was from a person who attends church every week. However, undeterred, we plough on! I was away visiting family the last two weeks, and had a refreshing break, without seeing too much blue sky. I trust you are able to use this ‘holiday’ time in a relaxing way, not watching TV news, praying a bit, and maybe looking forward to a more normal way of life in the autumn.
Next weekend (the first in September) we have a wedding and three baptisms, welcome signs of normality. This week I plan to have weekday Mass in church on Tuesday evening at 7.30pm, with a half hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament exposed from 7.00pm. Perhaps you might care to join me in thanking God for helping us to cope with Covid, and to ask God’s help and blessing on our attempts to rebuild our lives. There will be morning Mass at 9.15am on Wednesday and Thursday. All are welcome.
Thanks to Fr Tony Myers who celebrated Mass of the Assumption for us last week. Mass intentions offered include the repose of the souls of Joan Austin, Margaret Coffey, John Wright, G.P. Barnes, Thomas Burnside, and Jack and Elsie McQuillan, and private intentions of L Barnes.
On the 22nd weekend in Ordinary Time, the readings at Mass take up again with the gospel of Mark, in chapter 8. Our Lord is spelling out his theme of purifying religion, making our worship less hypocritical. ‘This people honours me only with lip-service’, he says, and gives a long list of what he considers real moral issues. We read in Deuteronomy about Moses glorifying God, asking ‘What great nation is there that has laws and customs to match the Law that I put before you today?’ Having completed reading from Paul to the Ephesians, we begin a few passages from the letter of St James, which is full of practical and wise words to keep us on the straight and narrow.
On a practical note from me – having less contact with you than usual, it is sometimes possibly to neglect some of those most in need. If you are unable to get to church, and you are willing to accept a visit, please get in touch (by phone) and I will endeavour to bring you Holy Communion and especially the Sacrament of the Sick, though I am advised to go only to one home per trip. It is somehow much easier to respond to requests that to ask if you would like a visit.
I wish to thank on behalf of all of us the handful of willing helpers who made it possible for us to hold services during the various degrees of lockdown over the last year. Without them it would not only have been illegal but also dangerous to worship God week by week.
I am sure God will have noticed and reward you in his usual generous way. But thank you anyway. It will be appreciated if any of you can be vigilant and ensure that the church is ventilated and clean, and left in a tidy state after the Masses, returning books etc. to where you picked them up, and taking leaflets home with you.
Fr Tony
