A message from Fr John

Dear Friends

Good morning

I came across a lovely little poem which helps one to put these strange times into a brighter context:

from Dedicatory Ode - Hilaire Belloc (1870 - 1953)

From quiet homes and first beginning,
Out to the undiscovered ends,
There’s nothing worth the wear of winning,
But laughter and the love of friends.

Or, as the conversation goes between the Boy and the Horse:

‘What do we do when our hearts hurt?’ asked the boy
“We wrap them with friendship, shared tears and time, till they wake hopeful and happy again.’

Or as St John has it (15: 12 - 13)

Jesus said, ‘this is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’

St Joseph, friend and companion of those whose hearts hurt, pray for us

Let us remember Marina Luke whose funeral we celebrate to day

Mass today is at 5.00pm

Every blessing

Fr John