It is good to be back! After my trip to Rome, Belgium and England I have returned hoping to be firing on all cylinders; unfortunately the jet lag this time has been very strong but I’ll survive. Whilst in Rome, I had the great joy of joining maybe 10,000 people in St Peter’s Square for the Holy Father’s midday Sermon and Angelus. The Holy Father spoke on that Sunday’s Gospel about the Widow placing her last two coins in the offering at the temple. She gave everything, not just spare money. Last weekend we introduced the “Treasure” element of our stewardship drive to move the parish forward in 2019. Many of you will have received the brochure and commitment card in the post. Please pray as a family and make your discernment so that you can commit to the life of the parish financially. Thank you. At all Masses this weekend we will place our commitment cards before the altar as a sign of our active commitment to the mission and life of the Church.
As we gear up for Christmas, keep your eye out for pre-Christmas events such as the Penance Services on 18 and 19th of December, the Pastorellas and the Carol Service, but especially the Advent Reflection evening on the 14th with Fr. Garcia our former pastor.
Advent is a time of growing excitement, filled with expectancy; let us keep all Moms-to-be in our prayers as they, like Mary, carry their babies to birth.
The Works have been delayed because of the rain but hopefully we will be able to pour the new concrete this coming week. You can’t pour concrete in the rain! So we have the blessing of rain but the inconvenience for our local project at the same time!
May God bless you, your families, and the week ahead,
Fr Aidan Peter