A message from Fr John

Dear Friends

Good morning - did you enjoy the extra hour in bed?

Today’s gospel is the great commandment - Love God and your neighbour as yourself

We know from our own experience of life that the exchange of love - being loved and loving - is central to our whole sense of self. Our parents teach us love - unconditional love - not just by their words, although they too are important  but by what they do, their affection,  their openness and, yes, their forgiveness too. They help to build up a treasury of capacities and memories which sustain and nourish us through all the ups and downs of life.

They teach us that love only has meaning if it can be shared and in that very intimate sense they are teaching us about the love of God, the love which is boundless, encompassing the whole of creation and humankind especially - but it also a unique love for each individual child of God: a love which touches us at the very core of who we are.

Find time today to reflect on all those who have loved you and all those whom you have loved - and find space to allow any imperfection to pass. And give thanks to God.

This bears repeating …

‘I’ve realised why we are here,’ whispered the boy.

‘For cake?’ asked he mole.

’To love,’ said the boy.

‘And be loved,’ said the horse.

Please remember the Food Bank - extending love to those who might be hungry.

St Joseph, pray for us

Every blessing

Fr John

PS please refer to yesterday’s newsletter for the opening of church for Mass