Dear Friends in christ

The Readings at Mass this weekend show a continuity between the Old and New Testaments. They manifest the centrality of divine love as the first of all the commandments. God loves us unconditionally and He expects of us, His children, to love in the same manner. We show our love for God and neighbour in the smallest of ways: the time we give to prayer; a genuflection well made, a loving look at a crucifix or holy picture; the prompt way in which we respond to the needs of others, a smile when we are feeling down…all these manifest a desire to love. He looks at the intentions of our hearts, and with the smallest of acts we can show how we are trying to live the two-fold commandment of love: towards God and our neighbour.

During November we are thinking more intensely about the things of the next life. Next weekend we shall recall the centenary of the end of the Great War and we will pray in particular for all those who lost their lives, or those affected by, the loss of loved-ones in armed conflicts. Prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory should permeate our devotional lives during this month. You can visit the Memorial Garden beside the church here and pray for those parishioners who have been buried there over the recent years. We keep our departed ones close, spiritually and physically, as we pray and offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for them daily.

May God bless you all!

Msgr Kevin Hale

Priest@LourdesLeigh.org ✚ 01702 478078
Homily available at LourdesLeigh.org