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What a wonderful day it was.  First the “Good Lord” sent a beautiful sunny day.  Mass at St George’s & St Wilfrid’s was very special and started off this very extraordinary occasion.   Celebrations all day in both halls suitably decorated.     Fr Rory enjoyed it all on his very happy day.  It was so lovely to have his family around him.  The banquets of food were overwhelming and the entertainment; Storyteller, Magician, Irish Dancers, Indian Dancers and Great Band where we all let ourselves go! With singing, some dancing and the “conga” , others taping our feet under the table.  The atmosphere was electric. A very big thank you to all the committee who organized the event and an extra special thank you to Sandra (amazing party planner) and her family for making the day run so smoothly.  We are blessed in both communities with many good helpers and we do appreciate all the work that goes on behind the scenes and on the day itself, without your hard work and time given freely, none of these wonderful celebrations would happen.  Well done all of you, Fr Rory himself was so happy and proud of all the work that was done on his behalf.

A Big Thank You to our Fr Rory.  You may not be the most practical person! But to us you are a wonderful priest carrying out your duties from the day you were ordained.  You have a special gift of making a person feel special and when saying mass the person thinks it is said just for them.  Please continue to be you Fr Rory and stay with us for as long as our Bishop will allow.  God bless you always.

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

“Superb” was my immediate response on the day.  I was overwhelmed and more conscious as the day was going on, my failure to give sufficient recognition and thanks to those who were contributing to the day.  The music was a blast from the past, the Irish dancing from early days and a new contribution from the Indian community.

One name stands out among many, Sandra, but a great big thank you to so many to make it such a great day.  Please God, it will provide inspiration for the challenges ahead, and I think a good return to the music; without a colossal amount of work would be nice to see on the horizon.

This is a polite reminder that when the hall is in use by a hirer, no access is allowed for any reason. Please respect those who have paid to use our hall and, when in use as a Polling Station, it is illegal to enter unless you are voting. Thank you.

Don’t forget no tea in July, back again Thursday 29th August, 2pm.  Theme is French of course “oo la la”.  If you would like to join us please see Joan 07873390944.

Love Speaks (Messages to the Heart)

By Mary Harrington

Love Speaks is a timely book, appearing at a time when all God’s people are asked to embark on a spiritual journey marked by two important elements:  listening and sharing.  This journey is the synodal path that Pope Francis has  proposed for our times so that the Church can listen profoundly to what the Holy Spirit is saying to us.  However, an aspect of this listening which can too often be neglected is attentiveness to the inner voice in our own hearts, that still small voice of the Spirit in us.  Our author has shared generously the fruits of such attentive listening and by so doing invites us to ponder the words of love that sustains our journey in the spiritual life.

Grace and Peace

A heart felt thank you for all your care and kindness over the years

Father, Son and Holy Spirit                                                      Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

I deeply appreciate all the care and kindness over all the years that I have been here, and these celebrations are the icing on the cake. 

Please God, over the years to come, this will provide us with a source of strength and the grace to persevere through the trials of life.

No Cross No Crown, so may we all continue to persevere until we enter Our Fathers house. Our true home kept for us in heaven.

I received a very generous M & S gift voucher for my recent birthday, but the donor did not sign it.  If    anyone can tell me who the donor is, please phone 01323 483504.  Many thanks  from Margaret (N).

Seafarers and fishers play a vital role in all of our lives, but they often work in difficult, hazardous conditions.  Sea Sunday is Sunday 14th July.  It is when the Church prays for all those who live and work at sea.  Your support will make a big difference to seafarers and fishers in need.  You can donate in church, by visiting www.stellamaris.org.uk/donate, or by texting ‘SEA’ to 70460 to donate £5.  This collection is vital to enable Stella Maris to continue its important work, so please give generously.  Thank you.

“On the horizon a Golden Jubilee”

When God’s glory is revealed, then our joy will be full. 

On my journey of life this has always had a fixed and most important focus for my faith.   A focus when many times the hard reality of trials and tribulations left be living with all my weaknesses, faults and failures as a parish priest.  Triumph by the power of Him who loves us. 

For many, this is much more embodied in the words “pie in the sky when we die”.  When I reflect upon this response I can understand those who would more honestly continue to reflect this as being more authentic.  It is not what they find in the world of religion we bring to them.  It is a real challenge.  Our call to be disciples was fundamental to the message we received from Fr Seamus Ryan, with other very important contributions from professors while we were at the seminary.   Leaving us with an anchor that is important.  Confronted with the present situation, so far from our hopes and aspirations the challenge remains.  This has received powerful expressions for me in the music and verse:-

“We come to share our story,

  We come to break the bread, The divine bread that has come down from heaven.

  We came to know our rising from the dead”.

Truthfully and sincerely this is what I find in our parish community.  I am privileged to be here and look forward to working together.   Let us continue.

Margaret Nevill would like to thank the parishioners of St George for their lovely card, kind Birthday   wishes and very cute present.  Margaret and family are looking forward to a lovely weekend with their Hungarian relatives.