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Sign No 3. If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.
SUCCEED ANYWAY.

When God’s Glory is revealed our joy will be full.

It is the Glory of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit.

As we celebrate this Great Feast, we will have a celebration of baptisms at St George’s Church.  This is very appropriate for them, as it bears fruit from their children’s liturgy.  A corresponding amount of work has provided us with our parish council.  Embedded in its foundation are the goals that are established to develop our ministries, our liturgies, our maintenance, and fundraising and social activities.

Early memories of this Feast Day in my time in the diocese was “Youth Gather”.  Memories of the weather favourable for a youth ramble and social activities, and made for a very successful event.  Memories of meeting people, and plans for the future.

It now leaves me on the eve of my Golden Jubilee as a priest.  Tempus Fugit.  So please God, as the new year unfolds we will lay out our plans for the future, focused upon the lighting of our advent candles, as expression of our plan for developing ministries.  So please God, our new year will present opportunities and challenges just as new formed plants do.

Thank you to all those who prepared the church and hall for our Memorial Service last weekend and the Rosary Group who provided prayers incorporated into the Mass. It was disappointing that more people did not attend and missed out on a beautiful Mass and a lovely social gathering afterwards. Please, do try to support these events if you possibly can.

A special thank you to Lesley Crowe from St Wilfrid’s who came to our rescue when several of us were struck down with Covid and needed help getting the order of service together in time. It was so appreciated Lesley and demonstrates how well we can work together as one parish.

2. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.   DO GOOD ANYWAY. 

Mother Teresa taught her young charges to love and respect for one another.

Remembrance Sunday – Yes we will remember them.

Help, I need help.  It is a constant need.  In the wider wilder story of life it is easy to acknowledge.  A good example for me is when coming to England, my first introduction to Remembrance Sunday.   The Sunday liturgy was well prepared for this event.  The question always remains, “how to do what is best”.  A body made up of many parts working together is most helpful, since I have come here Deacon John has always been a big help.

A parish community working together is a most important criteria.  The Synod as it takes place has a great importance.  How we address the future life of our church is critical.  Our present situation, with the dire shortage of priests in our diocese, brings to my mind what is most critical.  The failure of our response to the 2nd Vatican Council.  As part of our seminary training, we were greatly inspired by the council.  It remains a source of great inspiration.  The Holy Spirit at work in the laity.

This week we had a very welcome visitor from our diocese, her name is Cathy Bergin.  She looks forward to helping us, as we had a very fruitful meeting with her and members of the parish council and children’s liturgy.  Soon we will be beginning a new year with the lighting of the first Advent Candle – the candle of hope.  I have real hope that the first shoots of our work are beginning to emerge and with God’s help will develop and grow.

The first session in Rome has ended. A summary of proposals can be found at https://www.synod.va/en/news/a-synodal-church-in-mission.html

A big thank you to Joan and Annette for giving us such a wonderful monthly tea for the over 50’s.   So much work goes into making this event so enjoyable for us all.

Thank you to all who continue to support the last Sunday Charity breakfast at St George’s.  The October breakfast along with 50% of the months table sale has raised £124 for CAFOD.  Special thanks to Teresa’s friend Richard who offered to fill the role of chef and  enjoyed it so much he has volunteers to continue which is great. Him and his brother were also most welcomed at clear up doing some of the heavy work putting away all the tables.

When the idea of the breakfast developed over a year ago, it was always hoped it would be a full community event, not just for our Catholic parishioners.  We want to open our doors to all and so far it is proving to be just that.  If anyone has friends or family that may wish to attend future breakfasts do invite them along, it is open to all and a great way to socialise together and meet new   people on a Sunday morning.  The next breakfast will be held on Sunday November 26th at 10am in aid of Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.  

The second collection on 12th November will be for Christmas Flowers. It is possible to claim Gift Aid on this donation so please use a special second collection envelope or a one off Gift Aid envelope which can be found in the church porch.  Many thanks for your continued support.