Author: Jacky

We spent the month of November praying for those who have died and whose names are in the books of remembrance. During this Advent we prepare our hearts for Christ by turning away from sin and giving ourselves completely to God so that when Christ comes, or when we are called from this life, we are ready and prepared. What better way of doing this than making a good confession receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation which Fr Rory is always willing to give – just as we should all remember during this season of Advent that in Bethlehem, God was born. That the Child came to save us from sins. That His name is called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace. Although he was born in an obscure village and in humble circumstances, and although He would write no books, and live publicly for only a brief three years, no person has left such a mark on human history as He did. . Let us be like the German mystic Angelus Silesius who said:  “Christ could be born a thousand times in Bethlehem – but all in vain until He is born IN ME.” When we show real love, kindness, mercy and a spirit of forgiveness, we are announcing the truth that Christ is with us. 

I finish with a suggestion for Advent action: if the opportunity presents itself, play the part of a secret Santa by delivering a small unexpected gift anonymously to a friend or relative or someone in need, this week.

With my love and prayers for a happy and holy Advent.

Many of you already know that Fr Rory had a fall on Wednesday this week and has broken his left arm just below the shoulder. As a result he has been told to rest it completely for 4-6 weeks to allow the bones to mend. This week we have been able to ask Canon Paul Jennings to supply for us and he has said ‘yes’. Our thanks for this are sincere and we are very grateful for this. At this time of writing we do not know what will happen at the weekends between now and January. It is a bit like Advent – wait and see! While waiting please keep him in your prayers.

Bishop Richard wrote this in a letter today: In this first part of Advent, we reflect on our hope in the coming Kingdom. This carries a particular          resonance this year, perhaps, as we enter the final month of the Jubilee Year of Hope. Advent calls us to be open to the gift of hope. Hope is a virtue. Hope is a gift. It is a mark of the Christian, for our lives are a preparation for the coming of the Lord. We proclaim, every time we profess our faith in the Creed: “I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.” The Christian life looks forward all the time – in hope – to the wonder of the experience of total love in the Kingdom of the Father. This hope must inform our actions, our encounters with others, our words, our prayer. It is this hope that enables us to live our Christian life, sometimes in the face of opposition and not without suffering and difficulty, here and now – to be Christ’s people each and every day, as we await His coming.

May this season be a time of renewed hope for us all, bringing us to be ever more effective in the work of mission that the Lord has given to us as   beacons of hope, witnesses to the coming Kingdom of Our Lord Jesus Christ.   With every blessing + Richard.