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.

Thought from Fr. Colm - 28th June 2026

With the First Communions behind us, we are reviewing our catechesis programme for all schools. My personal thanks to catechists and teachers for their support.

Our Journey in Faith concluded with a social gathering to say thank you to all who participated.

Thanks for supporting our fledgling Youth Group at their cakes sale after all Masses last weekend.

Safeguarding: Gillian Mc Arthur has a major task in taking responsibility for the entire parish, and will be receiving assistance in this important role. Areas needing immediate attention are names of all altar servers, ages, parents consent, full names of all participants in the training day for Eucharistic Ministers on the 25^th July. The sooner we receive responses to Gillian’s requests, the sooner we can move forward on all areas of Safeguarding. Please forward that information to Gillian, or Marjorie, as soon as possible. Thanks again.

The Camino was as wonderful as ever, despite minor setbacks and despite the high temperatures. A surprising number of young pilgrims, especially young single pilgrims.

Thought from Fr. Colm - 21st June 2026

Beneath the Sparrow’s Wing

The wind moves softly through the olive leaves,

a whisper older than the stones we stand upon.

Fear clings like dust to the hem of the day,

yet the sky holds its blue without trembling.

A sparrow drops into the courtyard,

its small heart beating against the silence—

and I remember: not one falls unseen,

not one is forgotten in the gaze that made the light.

The shadows lengthen, but they do not own the earth.

The voice that called the sea to stillness

calls my name in the marrow of my bones,

and courage rises like bread in the warmth of His hands.