Dear friends in Christ

Whenever we come to Holy Mass we are fed by God’s Word and His Sacrament. When God’s Word is proclaimed in church it has the same freshness and vitality as when it was first written. Remember that the first reading and Gospel are thematically linked in some way and it is helpful to try to see the connection. We stand to listen to the Gospel as if in readiness and attentiveness to what is being proclaimed. Often we may find that Jesus is speaking directly to us in one of His teachings or miracles. We should really listen to the Gospel as if Our Lord in person was addressing us. We get to know someone by speaking to them and getting to know their life. The best way to deepen our friendship with Jesus is through reading and listening to His words, studying His life and imitating His virtues. May the words we say at the end of the Gospel: Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, be an expression of how we want to praise God in our life. God is not content with words alone, He wants to be praised in our deeds.

Work to clean, restore and repaint the Rood Beam and Calvary begins this week. This is the completion to the work done on the Reredos two years ago and will harmonise the artistic merits of the east end of the church. As with the Reredos, this will restore the Rood and Calvary to it’s original splendour as it was first seen when erected in 1925. This work can be carried-out thanks to the generosity of benefactors who have made donations specifically for this work and for which we are very grateful.

I wish you all a blessed week ahead!

Msgr Kevin Hale