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

24th August 2025 - Thought from Fr. Colm

The Narrow Gate

by Deborah Ann Belka

If we’re to get through

the narrow gate . . .

we need to work on

our stance and gait.

We need to keep

our heads held high

we need to keep

Jesus in our eyes.

We need to run

with endurance,

we need to walk

with assurance.

We need to hold

our shoulder’s back,

we need to ward off

satan’s every attack.

We need to keep

sin’s weight off

we need not care

if others scoff.

If we’re to get through,

the narrow gate . . .

we must keep our souls pointing straight.

10th August 2025 - Thought from Fr. Colm

A Poem by Deborah Ann Belka

Soon the Lord will be coming,

at any time He could appear

and with Him those who believe

in the clouds will disappear.

Until such time we hear,

the trump that will sound

His return for us . . .

we must hold our ground.

For this world is becoming,

more and more of a place

where it’s harder for us

to stay in the faithful race.

For all around the globe,

no matter where you go . . .

being a Christian today

irks and irritates others so.

Soon the Lord will come,

in the clouds He will appear

so until then good works . . .

we still need to do while here!