Fr Rory Writes

Having plenty of time each day to hear the word of God, and to celebrate the Mass knowing that it is “The Lord’s Supper“, bringing home in a vivid way that “On the night Jesus was betrayed, He carried out this action to be a memorial forever for our salvation”. 

The greeting from the Gospel “Alleluia Alleluia” accepts the message for what it really is, God’s message and not some human thinking “Alleluia”.   From the letter of St Paul to the Romans 5.12-15 – we know sin entered the world and spread through the whole human race.  If it is certain that through one man’s fault, so many have died; it is now more certain that divine grace coming through one man, Jesus Christ came to so many as an abundant free gift.

On Saturday morning, a meeting with one of our parishioners as part of planning preparation for opening our churches, was an expression of our experience of this time on account of the coronavirus.  As in the larger world of business, or for our daily world of life, there are two important elements:

Survive, survive, survive.

To prepare for a fresh start, a new beginning.                                                                                                                       

So first it is important to isolate, to protect, to safeguard, to be responsible.  Secondly, prepare for a future that will be different.  So many things have changed everywhere, and people will have more options and choices.  It will be important to appreciate the great gift that our faith brings.  The opening of our churches for prayer gives us an important focus.  Jesus present in the Holy eucharist in the tabernacle waiting to welcome us back, always present, waiting for us and our attention.  To listen to our prayers and to hear our afflictions.  So please God, this will begin, and as time goes on, we can adapt to our circumstances.  So far anything to do with churches and schools has been slowly, slowly.  By necessity as the business world resumes, yes problems may increase, but the need to return to work is essential.  I have had my first enquiry about a wedding and a baptism and the question of First Holy Communions, a welcome change from funerals.