Fr. Aidan Writes:
Robert Frost, a 20th century English poet wrote, “Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they take you in’.
As I flew down from San Francisco to SLO, Tuesday night, I enjoyed seeing the rugged Californian coastline, Big Sur and all, unfolding beneath me and I realized that I’m coming home….and as I type this I realize that I am not quite there yet because the spell checker keeps insisting that I spell realize with a “z” not an “s’!!!
Frost’s remark can be taken in many ways; I choose the positive. For nearly eight years, you have accepted me as this mad Englishman dropped in to take on the pastorship of the parish. Whilst I have been away, I have had some time for reflection, and I am profoundly grateful for the welcome, acceptance, and at times the forbearance, you have shown me. Whilst I have been away, some of you seem to know that I had some health issues. This is true, but I am working on them to try and find a solid solution for my ongoing health. I can function, but not quite at the efficiency level I would like to have. I’ll be OK. The concern and care you show me here is another aspect of the feeling at home too.
So, I’m back and we really must get things moving along, so “watch out” because I will be asking us to step up a gear or two in several aspects of parish life! As you know, our Holy Father has appointed four new auxiliary bishops for LA. We do not know which one we are going to get as our Santa Barbara Region Bishop, whoever it is will be most welcome, but we do not want him to find us limping along or failing to be the beacon of hope for the world in our little piece of it.
God bless you and your families,
Fr Aidan-Peter CJ
May God bless you, your families, and the week ahead,
Fr Aidan Peter