A message from Fr John

Good morning - I hope you rested well

Pope Francis will, today, publish his latest book - Let us Dream. It received a very good review in this weekend’s Observer and it is so good that the reviewer said that he read it in one sitting. I’ve ordered my copy via the South American river company. I have had a sight of one of the passages from the the book; a poem from the Pope’s favourite poet whose name I don’t recall. I simply look forward to reading the rest of the book.

When the storm has passed

and the roads are tamed

and we are the survivors

of a collective shipwreck

With tearful heart

And our destiny blessed

we will feel joy

simply for being alive.

And we’ll give a hug

to the first stranger

and praise our good luck

that we kept a friend.

And then we’ll remember

all that we lost

and finally learn

everything we never learned.

And we’ll envy no one

for all of us have suffered

and we’ll not be idle

but more compassionate.

We’ll value more what belongs to all

than what we earned.

We’ll be more generous

and much more committed.

We’ll understand how fragile

it is to be alive.

We’ll sweat empathy

for those still with us and those who are gone.

We’ll miss the old man

who asked for a buck in the market

whose name we never knew

who was always at your side.

And maybe the poor old man

was your God in disguise.

But you never asked his name

because you never had the time.

And all will become a miracle.

And all will become a legacy.

And we’ll respect the life,

the life we have gained.

When the storm passes

I ask you Lord, in shame

that you return us better,

as you once dreamed us.

Wonderful - the implications for the Church are challenging to say the least.

In practical terms for this week:

Wednesday Mass on Zoom: 9.00am

This weekend we will probably be able to open our three churches for Mass

Saturday: 12.30pm OLLM; 5.00pm CTK

Sunday: 9.00am SE; 11.00am Zoom

PRE-BOOKING WILL BE ESSENTIAL - sorry!

I will confirm later in the week but, in the meantime, could all volunteer stewards please get in touch with Maureen.

Please pray for David Lewis and Brendan Anderson whose funerals we celebrate today

St Jospeh, guardian of our parish, pray for us

A message from Fr John

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