Dear friends in Christ

The Gospel parable this Sunday is the Workers in the Vineyard. It is a symbol of those who are called to be part of God’s Kingdom, part of the Church on earth. On first hearing, there seems to be a grave injustice going on! Those who come into the vineyard at the eleventh hour are rewarded in the same way as those who had been there from the beginning in all the heat of the day. God’s justice is not like ours. He chooses to give what He decides, and He often gives equitably. We might think of this in relation to those who enter the Church. Some of us have been Catholics since the cradle; others come into the Church in later life; the reward is the same! There is room for everyone in the vineyard of the Lord: young and old, rich and poor, men and women, be they in the prime of life, or in the sunset years, whether they have time to spare or no time at all. God has created us to be with Him in the vineyard of His Kingdom. Let us strive to do all we can to attain the reward.

This leads me to remind you that the Journey in Faith—RCIA—has started this week. This weekly session is for those interested in becoming Catholics or learning more about the Faith. Monday evenings, 8pm in the Newman Room of the Parish Centre.

Now that all of the Apostles have been restored and returned to their proper places in the nave—complete with the symbols of their martyrdoms—I would like to thank all those who have given generously towards the work of the restoration. The Apostles are the foundations of the Church and the manner in which they adorn our walls reminds us of this in a most artistic, noble and visual way.

Next Sunday marks the completion of my second decade as Parish Priest here! I invite you to a modest gathering after 11.30am Mass next Sunday in the Gilbert Room, to mark the anniversary. I thank God that I have been able and privileged to have been an instrument for the grace of God in the Sacraments and beyond, to so many during these years. Above all, please do continue to keep me in your prayers.

With every blessing!

Msgr Kevin Hale