14th September 2025 - Thought from Fr. Colm

“Where words fail, music speaks.”

Hans Christian Andersen

Last Saturday’s concert at St. Godric’s was excellent. That seems the unanimous opinion of those present. Unfortunately, I wasn’t one of those present, as I had a wedding commitment. Well done to all who participated. A special thank you to Matthew Grehan-Bradley for his energy and inspiration. Here’s to the next concert.

A letter will be read out at all Masses this weekend asking for Governors in our schools. First, let me thank all our present Governors for their time and commitment. The role of Governor has changed in recent years with the development of the Multi Academies, and the role of school governors has had to adapt. This has been a real challenge. However, clarity is emerging on this new role. The importance of the Governor role is more vital than ever. In the past there was often a family connection, and while understandable, we still need that connection, but more. A big thank you to all the present governors.

As I write I’m looking forward to our parish pilgrimage to Holy Island this Saturday. Your prayers please for a successful outing. 

"Leave me alone with God... Make me an island, set apart, alone with You, God, holy to You”

St. Aidan

7th September 2025 - Thought from Fr. Colm

The new windows at St Joseph’s will be installed the week beginning the 15^th September. Obviously, there will be a need to cease weekday Masses in the main body. Weekend Masses will be as usual and weekday Masses in the Jubilee Room.

There are a couple of seats available for pilgrimage to Holy Island. Looking forward to it.

We had a very informative and hopefully productive fundraiser for Refugees from Albania at Mary McHugh’s with an excellent presentation from Sr. Imelda. It brought home the very personal stories of pain and loss of those anonymous Refugees.

“The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.”

Albert Einstein

31st August 2025 - Thought from Fr. Colm

And so it’s back to school. I hope all our teachers have enjoyed a good summer break: the hottest on record and so while long distance travel may have been part of some of our plans, I’m sure those who stayed home were not disappointed.

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” – William Butler Yeats

Our Holy Island pilgrimage will be a great day and I look forward especially to celebrating Mass for the first time on the Island.

St. Joseph’s cleaning. Can we have volunteers for a church cleaning rota ? It’s your church.  

We gave the go ahead this week for the new windows at St. Josephs. As you can see, it is also in need of painting. 

Worth watching Pope Leo’s response to recent Trump administration’s migration handling. They are on YouTube, but also on parish website. A prophetic message for us all, especially in these days of misinformation.

Also worth watching is Historian William Dalrymple’s damning indictment on western leaders’ lack of response re Gaza. See his 5 minute speech at St. James’s Church, Piccadilly. ‘Historian William Dalrymple Speaks about Gaza’

The end is in sight of the most blatant act of vandalism I have witnessed in my time in this parish, when access will be restored to us to the Sherburn Road next month. Deo Gratias. May it never happen again.

Finally I quote  the Stoic Philosopher, and sadly relevant :

‘And don't consult anyone's opinions but your own.’

Persius