Dear brothers and sisters,

What is your favourite quote from the Bible and why?  (Isabella, Serena, Sophie – SJW)

This is a very good question – and a very hard one to answer because there are so many.  One I love at the moment is Psalm 130: “My soul is longing for the Lord more than the watchman for daybreak.” The watchman has been alone for what seems an eternity, in the cold, in the darkness – yes he never doubts for a moment that the sun will rise: that would be silly. How much more silly it is for us to imagine, when things are dark and cold and lonely for us, that God will not come to my help: the difficulty will certainly end, and God will certainly come. It’s a great way for us to become more patient and hopeful and joyful even in adversity – for it is sure that our saviour will sort it out, and sort it out soon!

Homilies

I love talking about the homily after Mass, so always feel free to raise it with me. We sometimes get hung up on something the priest didn’t actually say – or get encouraged by something he didn’t say. Please expect some homilies to be uncomfortably challenging – if they aren’t, I’m not doing my job, as all of us have much to learn and change from what we have usually done and thought: that’s what a life of humble conversion, of being a Christian, means. So if you didn’t understand or agree, or if it was helpful – please speak to me: there are few things more beautiful than a pastor and parishioners going deeper into the Word of God. 

Healing Masses

As we explored a few weeks ago, and as for any sacrament, there are conditions we need to verify in order to receive the sacrament of the anointing of the sick fruitfully. To help clarify who is to be anointed at the monthly healing mass, please come and speak to me personally sometime before the healing mass so we can discern together. While all are welcome to the Mass, currently I am aware of only one person who will be anointed.

Saturday Masses

In order to help people’s planning, and to pastorally help people maintain their spiritual rhythm, we are introducing an 8.00am Saturday morning Mass, followed by adoration and confessions, every Saturday morning, in addition to the monthly healing Mass at 10.00am.

Confirmation Classes

We have started our 4-week series of confirmation classes with our candidates, whose names are on the walls of the church. Our young people are lucky enough to be formed each session by our Dominican sisters, while the parents, under the watchful eye of our sacramental coordinator Sophia, are being formed with an innovative new methodology called Sycamore. Please pray daily for all of them! 

Christmas Luncheon

You will have seen notices about our annual Christmas luncheon for those who would like to celebrate Christmas with others. We are looking for donations, and volunteers to cook beforehand, and to help on the day. Thank you for whatever help you can provide!

Carols

For the parish carols this year we will be doing a service of nine lessons and carols at 6.30pm on the 6th of December: Please block it in your diaries now, to enjoy a night which promises to be a very beautiful and deeply prayerful entry into the mystery of the joy of Christmas.

Roof

Stage two of the roof work has now been completed: all the old roof has been removed, and for the last few days our roofer has been measuring up each individual zinc sheet. The new roof will start to be laid from next week, starting from above the church entrance and proceeding towards the school. Each sheet will be lowered into place by a mobile crane.

Yours in Our Lord,

J+