Thank you to everyone who joined the meeting with Fr. John O'Brien recently. Fr. John's wonderful insight provoked an interesting discussion about our parish and our thoughts for the future. It was agreed by those present that now is a good time to come together to revisit our parish identity and our aspirations to develop the "best of times." In preparation for this, there will be a planning meeting on Wednesday 6th December at 7pm, in St Joseph's Jubilee Room. All parishioners who would like to be involved in planning a day for the wider parish community are welcome.
We continue our follow up to our initial meeting on moving forward as a parish. Our first meeting led by John O’Brien was very well attended. John returns in January for the next stage. Our second preparation meeting is next Wednesday the 6th at 7pm in The Jubilee Room. Unfortunately, we can’t celebrate Christmas in St Leonard’s, and so we return the churches, which of course do provide a nice atmosphere but not that sense of community that St Leonard’s always gave us, especially the many young parishioners returning home, when St. Leonard’s space afforded the opportunity to catch up. It is also always a joy to gather as one worshipping parish. Our prayers will be with St Leonard’s at this challenging time. “I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.” Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol Don’t forget the annual Carol pub crawl with Matt Pallister raising money for needy charities. It’s always a great evening when sometimes even the most intoxicated can’t refuse Matt’s powerful tenor voice. Do join Matt’s merry group of Carol singers Friday 15th December .
“Making the House Ready for the Lord” An Advent Quiet Day ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ~Isaiah 40:3
Making the House Ready for the Lord by Mary Oliver Dear Lord, I have swept and I have washed but still nothing is as shining as it should be for you. Under the sink, for example, is an uproar of mice - it is the season of their many children. What shall I do? And under the eaves and through the walls the squirrels have gnawed their ragged entrances - but it is the season when they need shelter, so what shall I do? And the raccoon limps into the kitchen and opens the cupboard. With the dog snores, the cat hugs the pillow: What shall I do? Beautiful is the new snow falling in the yard and the fox who is staring boldly up the path to the door. And still I believe you will Come, Lord: you will when I speak to the fox, the sparrow, the lost dog, the shivering sea-goose, know that really I am speaking to you whenever I say, as I do all morning and afternoon: Come in, Come in.