Newsletter 7 August 2020
Greetings to all our readers!
This weekend we take the plunge and open up the church for the celebration of Mass. Thank you for helping to ensure the smooth operation allocating seats and ensuring conformity with the guidelines. Saturday evening Mass proved the most popular and is a ‘sell-out’. There are about eight places spare at each of the Sunday Masses, but if you wish to attend you must still phone 752224 on Saturday.
Please don’t speak to my ansaphone as that won’t gain you a reservation. Nobody seemed to succeed in finding the ‘see below’ message in last week’s newsletter. It is still here this week under ‘Covid 19’. Despite this, all went according to plan. The same system will operate for next weekend. It will be the feast of Our Lady’s Assumption into Heaven.
Phone between 2 and 10pm on Wednesday to reserve a place. Hopefully in time there will be a simpler system. Remember to wear a mask when you come. It will perhaps be like a ball in Venice or Vienna. Dare anyone wear a ‘lilac domino’? And please tell anyone who hasn’t heard of, or got access to, the website.
For those who can’t come to Mass, a quick look at the readings. St Paul is desperate to share his discovery of Christ Jesus with his fellow Jews. Do you experience this with regard to your unbelieving friends? God still speaks, but in Elijah’s case it was not through earthquake, wind, or fire, but in the sound of a gentle breeze. The Spirit breathes where she will. We keep listening. When we have faith, we sometimes waver. Can it really be true? Jesus sometimes seems to be inviting us to walk on water. Like Peter we manage to step out in faith, but then we flounder. ‘Lord, save me or I perish’ is Peter’s prayer – which he wouldn’t have made if he had no faith. Jesus stretched out his hand and saved Peter from sinking. ‘Why did you doubt?’ asks Jesus.
Commiserations to those of you who geographically come under Trafford, under the lockdown again. The perennial Christian virtue has always been Patience, with trust in God. At Mass this week we pray together for all who are adversely affected by the pandemic.
Thanks to those who have sent in money for their planned giving. It is all being recorded by Mary Trotter. The boxes of envelopes can be picked up after Mass. I have offered my private Mass for Pat Lowe, and special intentions Slattery, Purslow, and Barnes.
I look forward to seeing some of you again this weekend. God bless you all.
Fr Tony Elder
