Please God, a real ray of light is appearing with the announcement that a vaccine for protection against the coronavirus, which is fit for purpose, is on the horizon. This vaccine has received the necessary assessment of its potential and the pitfalls that surround it. Having heard much of the commentary, my compass remains firmly…… Please God.
Live and learn; the capacity to never learn is real. When a final post-mortem on this episode with the coronavirus is carried out, it will reveal that some major afflictions might have been avoided. Some great sense of loss and emotional damage and injury will be a legacy. From the beginning I have recognised the reality of evil that accompanies this and indeed all of the viruses. The capacity to turn all things to good is part of the legacy that has been left to us by Jesus. Conscious of my failures makes me very sad. Our failures as a parish community gives us a real opportunity to live and learn together. Let us begin to reach out to prepare for, and to embrace the opportunity that will now come our way.
When I came to this parish, I introduced “Leaven Groups”, which I hoped would serve our parishes and build up our communities. I still believe that this is possible. For different reasons, and the loss of some great parishioners, has left us with a lot to do. We reached a place where “A Missing Link” to help with communication was being prepared. Prior to this lockdown progress was being made, and we will return to this. During lockdown the Great Feast of Christ the King will pass and Fr Kieran will help me with the celebration this year. Then a new Advent, when I hope and pray we can begin again to live a new life of faith.
Speaking of prayers; and with my heart and soul focused upon them, a great, great sadness. Noelle, a real treasure in our parish has died. After a long, long battle with cancer, shared by Marianne Patel, who died two years ago. They were outstanding witnesses to our faith and above all life. They battled for the greater part silently with it, with strong mutual support. Noelle had just accepted to be chair person of our Leaven Group, and then she received this devastating news. She quietly battled; and what a battle this year has turned out to be. Consolation, she has united with her own and our family of saints, who have reached their true home which awaits us in heaven.
Her husband, Brian, and children, Aiden and Rosin (only again for the pandemic) would have celebrated her First Holy Communion this year. Please God, a legacy of inspiration is left to us from Marianne and Noelle that will inspire us to build better liturgies and to communicate the gifts that faith can bring. At this time I know you would just want me to let them know that we want to offer all the love and support that our parish could bring to them at this most difficult time.