Christmas is upon us. Much to reflect on in these uncertain times. Thank God we are back to normality after so much disruption. Sadly, the Christmas Mass is unable to return to the normality of Mass in St Leonard’s because of the Raac problems. We are fortunate having the Capuchins now, which helps me greatly as we return to 4 Masses at Christmas.
The Journey in Faith is picking up pace now and I would encourage anyone thinking of becoming Catholic, or simply wishing to enrich their own understanding of Faith, to join us on a Thursday night.
Can I take this opportunity to wish you all a very peaceful Christmas, and dare one hope for a peaceful New Year. Thank you all for your support over the past year, which has been a constant readjustment to normality, or should I say; a new norm. I hope that you have an opportunity to meet up again with Family and friends over the festive period.
“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” Hamilton Wright Mabie
The Meeting by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
After so long an absence
At last we meet again:
Does the meeting give us pleasure,
Or does it give us pain?
The tree of life has been shaken,
And but few of us linger now,
Like the Prophet’s two or three berries
In the top of the uppermost bough.
We cordially greet each otherIn the old, familiar tone;
And we think, though we do not say it,
How old and grey he is grown!
We speak of a Merry Christmas
And many a Happy New Year;
But each in his heart is thinking
Of those that are not here.
We speak of friends and their fortunes,
And of what they did and said,
Till the dead alone seem living,
And the living alone seem dead.
And at last we hardly distinguish
Between the ghosts and the guests;
And a mist and shadow of sadness
Steals over our merriest jests.