Newsletter 3 September 2021
Hello again, dear reader!
As the children return to school, and all of us try to find our lives again as best we can, it is well to reflect on our relationship with God: has it somehow been cemented and strengthened by the restrictions and isolation of the pandemic, or have we forgotten how to pray or to worship our maker? Both are possible. We might have grown closer together as a community, being more thoughtful and considerate to one another; or without meeting, the bonds have become slack and it will take a long time for them to recover. We keep on asking God to show us all his loving care, and plead that the Holy Spirit will lead us along a sure path if we flounder a bit in the darkness.
It was good to celebrate weekday Mass with a congregation again. We will try the same again this week, with Exposition on Tuesday at 7.00pm followed by 7.30pm Mass, then Mass again on Wednesday (Our Lady’s birthday) and Thursday mornings at 9.15am.
I offered Mass for Betty, RIP; for John Wright; for Susan del Mastro, and for a private intention (AB).
There is a cremation service for Tony Price of Statham Avenue in Altrincham on Thursday. Please pray for the repose of his soul.
Congratulations to Francis O’Rourke and Francesca Sproats who were married today. We wish them every happiness together.
In the readings at Mass on the 23rd Sunday in ordinary time, there is a very optimistic passage from the book of Isaiah, promising changes for the better in the fortunes of the Israelites, including healing for the deaf people and the dumb. Mark’s gospel tells of Jesus himself restoring speech and hearing to a deaf and dumb man, a sign of the coming of the saviour God. St James’ letter warns against prejudice in favour of those who are wealthy enough to dress well. I knew a rich and generous but shrewd lady who told me how she would ‘dress to the nines’ when she was going on a serious shopping expedition, because she knew she would get preferential treatment! Christianity has to be revolutionary.
It is hoped that the various people who had kindly undertaken positions of responsibility in the parish are reading this, and can soon find the freedom to return to weekly Mass and hopefully be willing to take us their chosen duties again. We think of the coffee mornings, the children coming to religious lessons, the contact group, as well as servers, readers, musicians, ministers of the eucharist, cleaners etcetera. If people enquire about confession, they can receive the sacrament on request any time, and if enough people want the regular confession times restored then we will find a way that is hygenic and safe.
Fr Tony
