Thought from Fr. Colm - 7th December 2025

There are some parish events the are standout occasions, and last Saturdays Parish Fayre was one such occasion. It was an event that went beyond the parish and into the heart of the local community. There was a feel good factor that had depth of connection to so many. I met a cyclist this week who dismounted to ask two simple questions: How did the Fayre go?…and when was the next one? Thank you so many who contributed.

 The many groups who simply exist to help and make this world a better place for so many, especially those who are vulnerable. In a world of negative news, events like last Saturday lift our spirits. I must add a special word of thanks to Cynthia and Erica for their hard graft behind the scenes. Believe you me , they put an enormous amount of time and effort into it. Roll on next year.

“The community stagnates without the impulse of the individual. The impulse dies away without the sympathy of the community.”

William James

Wednesdays PC meeting discussed :

Live streaming. Though I have reservations about it, perhaps it’s time to bite the bullet. How do we (the Parish Council) support the many parish groups? How do we support our stretched school teachers? We had a brief but extremely lively sharing of thoughts and reflections between members of the Parish Council and our BOP group on the Bishop Stephen’s recent Pastoral Letter.

Also discussed were some concerns for the senior members of our society especially regarding enabling them how to access welfare entitlements etc. ( This is the blessing of having a council member who was on the front line for many years with Age Concern).

We also discussed the attendances at all our Masses,  and noticed the changing profile ie the absence of so many familiar faces from St Joseph’s Saturday Vigil especially. The legacy of Covid still looms.

On a positive note; there is a noticeable increase in young people coming to both Sunday Masses.

How do we support the increased number of students who come and who don’t participate in the main chaplaincy facilities . Updates were given on Safeguarding and buildings. My thanks to our Council members.