2nd February 2025 - Thought from Fr. Colm

There are some questions being asked about Liturgy in our churches. From welcoming people at the door, to coffee at the end of Mass. All questions revolve around, ‘how can we make it better?”. In between the welcome and the coffee there are the readings, the homilies, the Intercessions, and the Eucharist. We have comments on the sound system, the music, the distribution of Holy Communion. The list goes on. Throughout, there is a genuine effort to make attendance at Church more relevant to the life of all who come (I include sacramental activities within the church here: Confession, baptism, and we can add Exposition and funerals).

We face a real challenge into the future…but an exciting one.

“Recent surveys reveal that younger people, especially Generation Z ( born between 1997- 2012), are less likely to be atheists…and living some form Faith much more than the generation before them.”( Canon Emeritus, Angela Tilby , BBC radio 4, “Thought for the day” , Wednesday, 29th January).

We now have a new Lectionary (scripture readings). There are some challenges in adjusting to this . Do we sing the Gospel Acclamation more regularly ? Ministers of the Eucharist again present new challenges. New Ministers? And then there’s the area of succession! Anyway, over the next two Saturday mornings I will try and clarify some of this greyness….with some positive actions. Next Saturday 8th February at 10.00, we begin with the Ministers.

Please do make time. Thank you again for all your support.

Thought from Fr. Colm -26th January 2025

Perceiving Human Dignity by Sandra Feldman

Do good,

Don’t harm others.

Love, Nature

And protect it.

Respect all life

Without exception.

True human perception,

Coming to us,

Charitably, naturally.

Helping those in need

Not using others

To promote our greed,

Perceive the Beauty

Of our Planet blue,

And please, respect it

Lovingly, too.

Do not try to control

The innocent,

With lie after lie

And above all,

Spread love and kindness,

Do not make others cry.

Thought from Fr. Colm -19th January 2025

The Wedding at Cana

The mother of God spoke to her son as the laughter and singing began to die

(Though the feast had hardly just begun) and the guests began to sigh.

“These people are waiting for something more” She whispered to him.

“These people pine to drink as they’ve never drunk before—

They have no wine.”

“Oh woman”, the Son of Man replied, “What is that to me? It is not my hour.”

But his mother still stood there by his side and spoke a little lower.

“The singing and dancing have almost ceased and the bride is shame-faced.

Oh, son of mine, the guests have come to the wedding feast

And have no wine.”

And, looking down on his princely face, she remembered what Simeon prophesied

As he held the child in the holy place: A sword shall pierce your side.

“Oh blood of my blood” the Virgin said, “The drink they thirst for is yours and mine.

They came to see a bridegroom wed

And they have no wine.”