A message from Fr John

Dear Friends

Good morning - I hope you’re responding to the invitation for the vaccine, when it comes.

A couple of thoughts from the Desert Fathers that help us on our Lenten journey.

One of the Fathers said: Just as it is impossible for a man to see his face in troubled water, so too the soul, unless it be cleansed of alien thoughts, cannot pray to God in contemplation.

A Brother came and stayed with a certain solitary monk and when he was leaving he said: Forgive me, Father, for I have broken in upon your Rule (way of life). But the hermit replied, saying : My Rule is to receive you with hospitality and to let you go in peace.

For us then, our prayer must be twofold:
for repentance, turning away from the old ways, to turn ever more to the love of God;
and for the grace of welcoming the stranger with compassion.

Please remember Tom in your prayer too.

St Joseph, pray for us

Every blessing

Fr John

PS please don’t forget the Parish Forum meeting on the Thursday at 7.00pm. it’s a feedback session after our gathering two weeks ago; we have had chance to look at the minutes and also to begin to think through the Diocesan Mission Action Plan - prior to our next meeting with John Griffin on 18th