A message from Fr John

Dear Friends

Good morning - getting time for the central heating?

Yesterday’s thoughts about prayer were from two men, each profound in their own way. Today we turn to a woman who in her sheer simplicity opens up a whole new dimension of prayer for us.

St Therese of Lisieux who says:

'For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned towards heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.'

St Therese knew about the ‘surge of the heart’; she always wanted to go on the missions but knew she probably wouldn’t. However, she prayed every day for missionaries and was made patron saint of missionaries. Let us too pray for all missionaries - those who have left these shores and those new missionaries whom we welcome here.

Pope Francis says:

'We are called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves’

Each one of us therefore is a missionary disciple in the ordinary events of our life.

St Joseph, guardian of those who leave their home, pray for us

Every blessing

Fr John

PS I received a thank you letter form CAFOD acknowledging our donations this year of £931.00 - a tremendous total given the circumstances. Well done