A message from Fr John

Dear Friends

Good morning - I hope you’re staying staying safe and well - and wearing face masks whenever you can. This pandemic is not going away very quickly and we need to take every precaution we can - for our own sakes and the sake of each other; it’s the most respectful thing we can do.

We are obviously concerned about opening our churches for Mass and the sacraments and we will do so as soon as we can - but safely and observing all the necessary precautions. Whilst we miss Mass enormously this has been an opportunity for us to reflect on our Eucharistic theology - our sharing in the body of Christ at every level. The Body of Christ is who we are not just what we receive; we don’t ever stop being the Body of Christ; the gift once given is never retracted.

Some of the questions which are around at the moment are what will Church be like when the restrictions are lifted
- will people still want Mass on camera?
- will those who have been drawn back to Mass through live streaming come back to the ‘real thing’?
- will those who have lost the habit of Sunday Mass stop coming altogether?
- what will Church look like?
- now that we have been forced to look at what really matters, what will be our priorities as individuals and as a parish?

There’s a Catholic parish in the North East which has a sign outside the church which reads:
‘Young or old, married, single or divorced - and whatever your sexuality - there is a place for you in our parish’

I hope everyone knows that about Holy Trinity anyway but that sign makes a particular kind of statement about welcome doesn’t it. What kind of sign would we, hypothetically or really, want to put outside our churches?

Would we want to say something about different cultural and ethnic backgrounds?
Would we want to be more ‘evangelical’ and proclaim Jesus with a quotation from scripture?
What about our commitment to climate change issues?
What about reaching out to the most vulnerable in our society?

We know that things can’t/won’t/shouldn't go back to the way they were and so … What do we really want? Really, really

Have a think and share with us, please.

Can we please remember in our prayers all our parish family, especially those who are part of the frontline, doctors, nurses, carers and essential workers of all kinds:
Joseph, Lisa, Patrick, Chris, Catherine, Anne, Terry, Mark, Theo, Clare, Richard, Anthony, Jane, James, Andrew, Mary, Francis, Ruth, Tony, Sue, Dan, Fiona, Katy. Ian & Bethany

Thank you for all you are doing to support the vulnerable and isolated during these times. Please remember our support for the Food Bank - even more essential during these summer months.

Thank you for your financial support for the parish - it is much appreciated

St Joseph, guardian of our parish, pray for us

Every blessing

Fr John

PS don’t forget Demi’s Fudge - a delicious treat