9th February 2025 - Thought from Fr. Colm

As you know, we have a new translation for the Sunday and weekday readings. New Mass books may be a necessity. They don’t come cheap (£5 each approximately, three volumes for the churches liturgical cycle). Donations, sponsorships more than welcome.

More involvement of young people in our Sunday Masses are being planned. Essential. Confirmation group is great. Thanks to Sarah and Ciaran for their great leadership.

Journey in Faith goes very well too. Great input followed by excellent discussion.

Thanks to our schools and catechists for last Sunday’s Mass for those receiving First Communions in the Summer. Indispensable link between schools and parish obvious, but we can’t take for granted anymore.

2nd February 2025 - Thought from Fr. Colm

There are some questions being asked about Liturgy in our churches. From welcoming people at the door, to coffee at the end of Mass. All questions revolve around, ‘how can we make it better?”. In between the welcome and the coffee there are the readings, the homilies, the Intercessions, and the Eucharist. We have comments on the sound system, the music, the distribution of Holy Communion. The list goes on. Throughout, there is a genuine effort to make attendance at Church more relevant to the life of all who come (I include sacramental activities within the church here: Confession, baptism, and we can add Exposition and funerals).

We face a real challenge into the future…but an exciting one.

“Recent surveys reveal that younger people, especially Generation Z ( born between 1997- 2012), are less likely to be atheists…and living some form Faith much more than the generation before them.”( Canon Emeritus, Angela Tilby , BBC radio 4, “Thought for the day” , Wednesday, 29th January).

We now have a new Lectionary (scripture readings). There are some challenges in adjusting to this . Do we sing the Gospel Acclamation more regularly ? Ministers of the Eucharist again present new challenges. New Ministers? And then there’s the area of succession! Anyway, over the next two Saturday mornings I will try and clarify some of this greyness….with some positive actions. Next Saturday 8th February at 10.00, we begin with the Ministers.

Please do make time. Thank you again for all your support.

Thought from Fr. Colm -26th January 2025

Perceiving Human Dignity by Sandra Feldman

Do good,

Don’t harm others.

Love, Nature

And protect it.

Respect all life

Without exception.

True human perception,

Coming to us,

Charitably, naturally.

Helping those in need

Not using others

To promote our greed,

Perceive the Beauty

Of our Planet blue,

And please, respect it

Lovingly, too.

Do not try to control

The innocent,

With lie after lie

And above all,

Spread love and kindness,

Do not make others cry.