11th May 2025 - Thought from Fr. Colm

A momentous time for the Church. The first American Pontiff. A quicker than usual decision by the College of Cardinals. Our prayers are with Pope Leo XIV. It’s an understatement to say there are challenging times ahead. These are positive times for the Church, especially in this country, where we’ve seen a noticeable increase in church attendance, particularly of the younger age groups. This positive upsurge has been noticed at our own services over Easter.

Thank you all who contributed to making our Easter Services so special. We have much to look forward to also.

Our concert to celebrate the life of St. Godric is on Monday the 19th May. Traditional music and reflections on the saints’ life, and dating back to the Middle Ages, will be a part of the evening’s programme.

“The foremost duty, therefore, of the rulers of the State should be to make sure

that the laws and institutions, the general character and administration of the

commonwealth, shall be such as of themselves to realize public well-being and

private prosperity. This is the proper scope of wise statesmanship and is the work

of the rulers. Now.”

Pope Leo XIII

Food for Thought

Who are those people ? Who are these clambering to enter our land, our homes, our hearts ? Why are they here disturbing our peace ? What do they want from us who have more than enough for ourselves ? Where do they come from, speaking such foreign words we do not understand ? We suspect they come to steal, harm or kill, to spoil our culture taking advantage of our good will. We fear most what they themselves flee : hunger, poverty, disease, violence, war, oppression. Most of all we dislike the truth they reveal about ourselves, who put conditions on God's unconditional love for all. God, it's your face we try not to see, your voice we strive not to hear, your word we'd rather not obey. Help us to recognise they are you and they are us. Joseph Veneroso MM