RECHARGING THE BATTERIES:

Fr Andrew’s suggestion that our Redemptorist Community has a kind of staycation during the month of August is proving very effective. Psychologically, we all need time to relax and take stock and I am hoping that everyone, whether you are getting away on holiday or not, will be able to recharge the batteries during these few weeks. As I write the weather has become more summer-like, although the outlook does not look too promising. It reminds me of summer holidays in the south of England as a child, when my father would be constantly checking the weather bulletins and planning accordingly. My mother was more sanguine about it all. Indeed, I recall one particularly wet afternoon in Ilfracombe when my mother insisted that we should go for a walk in the rain. I was the only one to respond to her invitation and duly donned my sou’wester. It proved a surprisingly enjoyable afternoon: one of those treasured childhood memories which taught me that we don’t have to allow adverse circumstances dictate to us. Indeed, I suspect this is a lesson that all of us need to keep re-learning throughout our lives! This Saturday afternoon

Fr Andrew is working with a Cursillo Group, and I have to go to London for the day on Provincial Council business. We are blessed to have Frs Casey and Henesy willing to step in on these occasions. Fr Jim has graciously agreed to cover the Evening Mass at St Mary’s and, likewise, Fr Michael the Confessions at Bishop Eton on Saturday afternoon.

In my recorded message this week I mentioned a few truly encouraging developments, among them the fact that our Shrine Ministry Website has now gone live. The address can be found on the top of the bulletin.  (www.ourladyshrine.org)

Enjoy the coming week.