HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL
I’m sure that many of you like me cannot think where 2016 went. It was a very busy year especially celebrating the jubilee year of mercy. This is traditionally the time of year to make resolutions to improve, to do this, to stop doing that and usually along the lines of lose weight, take more exercise, etc!
This year the parish will have two threads running through our worship and work. Firstly, this year, 2017, is very important for the Josephite Fathers and the Daughters of Mary and Joseph for it was 200 years ago that both communities were founded by Venerable Constant Van Crombrugghe in 1817. So it is party time for our jubilee! There will be various events from March onwards focusing on the history, the life and the future of our two religious orders. Secondly, we will be growing through the year our understanding of stewardship of our parish. There is so much untapped talent and good will in the parish that needs to be given release for the glory of God. So we will grow in our knowledge and understanding of what each and every one of us can do for the Mission of the Church here in the parish and beyond. Ours is an expanding parish, from January 1st there will be another Mass, our tenth per weekend, at 3pm for our Hispanic community. We also, it has to be said, need to take an honest look at our finances which are not failing but are far from buoyant and not sufficient for the hopes and aspirations we have to do God’s work here and now in the parish and further afield.
So I ask you very clearly to consider making one of your New Year resolutions to be to give a priority to serving the Lord more in 2017 with the gifts of your talents, your time and if possible your treasure.
May 2017 be graced with joy, hope and prosperity for you and your families and be blessed with peace and justice for all.
God bless 2017,
Fr Aidan Peter CJ
May God bless you, your families, and the week ahead,
Fr Aidan Peter