RENEWED THANKS:

I wish to renew my thanks to all those who helped prepare and celebrate the First Communion Masses this year. It is the first time since the pandemic that we have been able to return to something closer to normal. I believe it was providential that I was able to share the recorded meditation from the devastated Basilica in Chile: it seemed to touch many hearts and set the scene for each Mass. For this I am grateful for the cooperation of both schools: Bishop Eton for making the large screen available and Much Woolton for helping to transport it to St Mary’s.

Now we turn our attention to the Sacrament of Confirmation for our young people in the middle of next month. Unfortunately, because of the large numbers, it has not been possible to arrange for both parishes to participate at the one ceremony and my timetable is such that I will not be able to be with the group from St Mary’s. However, I do hope that in the autumn we may be able to arrange some kind of joint celebration for both parishes, reassuring all those who have chosen to make this commitment of how important they are to our parishes and indeed for the future of the Church.