Thought from Fr. Colm - 16th August 2026

Two Magnificat Poems by: Amy Scott Robinson

SONNET:

My soul is shouting that the Lord is great,

my spirit is rejoicing: God is best!

For he has seen me in my low estate,

from now on, everyone will call me blessed.

For mighty God has done great things for me,

his mercy is for those who love his name,

for he has shown his strength and majesty,

the proud in heart have all been brought to shame.

The mighty have been toppled from their thrones,

the weak and feeble seated there instead:

The rich sent off with nothing, all alone,

the poor and hungry welcomed in and fed.

For God remembers what he said before:

His promises to Israel, evermore.

ACROSTIC:

My soul magnifies the Lord,

And my spirit rejoices in my saviour!

Generations will call me blessed,

Naming God as holy and mighty.

In strength he has scattered the proud,

Fed the hungry and left the rich empty.

Israel will see his mercy again.

Children of Israel, you know what he promised

Abraham and his offspring for ever?

This is happening now.

Thought from Fr. Colm - 19th July 2026

Last Sunday’s Mass at St Leonard’s was enjoyed by all. The new school looks wonderful. Thank you to all the staff and students who made us so welcome. The weather added to our enjoyment of the occasion.  As a first after Covid, the school Mass allows us the opportunity to come together as one parish. This is an ever growing expression of need on the part of the part of so many of you, which I appreciate. Thank you.

The summer holidays are upon us now and it’s a time of much needed, and much deserved rest for our the staff of all four schools in our parish. You have all been a credit to your profession.

We had a Core Group meeting on Wednesday, and the minutes will be forthcoming.

As announced last weekend, the Wednesday Community Summer Club begins soon ( see bulletin). This will fill in the void usually left by school summer closures. It is hoped to pitch this to include and beyond, the regular attendance of our ever depleting numbers at the weekly Wednesday lunches. It’s time to throw the net wider.

Thought from Fr. Colm - 5th July 2026

A Poem by Susan Mazanec

Heavy-Laden

Within his sacks were sins of many kinds.

The heaviest of all, the type which binds.

Why did he cling to them? Why were they kept?

 Beside the road, he stumbled, fell and wept.

An injured man approached, “I’ll take those now.

 I see your heavy-laden, burdened brow,

below which hangs the scales that cloud your eyes,

so they cannot tell truth from clever lies.”

The man could scarce believe he picked them up.

 "You cannot handle these, they're not your cup!”

 “I’m taking them to Calvary,” he said.

 “I’ll drink the cup, for I’m the Living Bread.”

He watched him disappear around the bend.

The Saviour!  The Massiah! knew he then.