A message from Fr John

Dear Friends

Good morning - it’s certainly cooler this morning, even the courgettes are struggling

Our teachers are resuming their preparations for schools re-opening. They have a tough task in trying to interpret the various notes of guidance coming at them from all sides. Please pray for them, for our children and their parents. It will take courage and wisdom on all parts to get through the first few days.

Today is the beginning of The Season of Creation during which we’re asked to think about our relationship with our God-given world. Here is Pope Francis’ prayer for today:
We are squeezing out the planet's goods. Squeezing them out, as if the earth were an orange. Countries and businesses from the global north have enriched themselves by exploiting the natural resources of the south, creating an "ecological debt." Who is going to pay this debt?

In addition, this "ecological debt" is increased when multinationals do abroad what they would never be allowed to do in their own countries. It's outrageous.

Today, not tomorrow; today, we have to take care of Creation responsibly. Let us pray that the planet's resources will not be plundered, but shared in a just and respectful manner.

No to plundering, Yes to sharing.

I can’t promise that I won’t talk about fishing again, but for now I would like to go to the last few pages of The Compleat Angler by Izaak Walton, where having considered all the types of fish, bait, tackle, ponds and rivers he ponders what it’s like to be a person who has had the time to reflect on life and on humankind’s relationship with God - generally at the side of water.

He says, ‘For it is well said by Caussin (John Cassian?) “he that loses his conscience, has nothing left that is worth keeping”. Therefore be sure sure that you look to that. And in the next place, look to your health: and if you have it, praise God, and value it next to a good conscience; for health is the second blessing that we mortals are capable of; a blessing that money cannot buy; and therefore value it, and be thankful for it.’ …

'I have heard a grave Divine say, that God has two dwellings, one in Heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart. Which Almighty God grant to me.’

All that from the banks of a pond!

However, there is a down side -
Give a man a fish, and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man how to fish, and you can sell him tackle for the rest of his life.

Sy Joseph, pray for us

Every blessing

Fr John