Thought from Fr. Colm - 21st May

The Novena in preparation for Pentecost has so far, been a revelation. To see the gifts of the Spirit manifested in the lives of participants is truly enriching. The simplicity of the evenings also add to their enjoyment. The real strength has been the stories, the life journeys on pilgrimages we all take. Those moments of change, conversion, call it what you like, when the Spirit touches our lives and we are redirected. “Conversion is not the smooth, easy-going process some people seem to think… It is wounding work, this breaking of the hearts, but without wounding there is no saving… Where there is grafting, there will always be a cutting, the graft must be let in with a wound; to stick it onto the outside or to tie it on with a string would be of no use. Heart must be set to heart and back to back or there will be no sap from root to branch. And this, I say, must be done by a wound, by a cut.” John Bunyan. On Sunday, 11th June, we will host a return of our International Meals. What is particularly good about this is that the request is coming from you – that is our growing International Community that is The Durham Martyrs’ Parish. Thank you for choosing to make this parish your home, and for bringing such gifts to us – you.