A message from Fr John

Dear Friends

Good morning - these cooler nights do make for a better sleep, don’t they?

If you were at Mass yesterday, you would have heard me read a passage from St Bernard of Clairvaux’s sermon on the Song of Songs. It’s a wonderful reflection which merits further thought and prayer.

And so…

'Love is self-sufficient; it pleasing to itself and on its own account. Love is its own payment, its own reward. Love needs no extrinsic cause or result. Love is the result of Love, it is intrinsically valuable. I love because I love; I love in order to love.
Love is a valuable thing only if it returns to its beginning, consults its origin and flows back to its source. It must always draw from that endless stream. Love is the only one of the soul’s motions, senses and affections by which the creature in his inadequate fashion may respond to his Creator and pay him back in kind.
When God loves, he wishes only to be loved in return; assuredly he loves for no other purpose than to be loved. He knows that those who love him are happy in their love.'

Happy contemplation!

Church opening
Obviously, we are thinking about opening our churches for Mass. One thing that has been made clear by the Diocesan planner is that we will need teams of stewards in each place - not for cleaning but to assist people to find a comfortable and safe place to sit, and to help ensure a steady progress through well ventilated churches. Space is limited and so we will have to find a way for people to ‘book’, to ensure that others are not turned away at the door. At the moment it sounds a little complicated but we’ll soon get into the swing of things.
Please consider volunteering - age isn’t too big an an issue but health must be a serious consideration.

The reports I am getting on the distribution of the Newsletter are all positive. Please think about your neighbours and who might appreciate staying in touch with what’s going on in the parish.

St Joseph, guardian of our parish, pray for us

Every blessing

Fr John

PS. On a completely different tack … The Dispensary shop in Walkden town centre also sells ‘wholesome food’ for veggies and vegans. The encircling is how I received the image - not a recommendation; I’ve not tried any of their food. Don’t forget your own containers.