SHRINE MINISTRY AND THE DEDICATION OF OUR FAMILIES TO ST GERARD:

I was very happy with the way we celebrated our Triduum in honour of St Gerard and the positive response to the blessing ceremony which entrusted all our mothers and their families to his care and protection. Devotion to Our Lady and the Saints brings with it that sense of belonging and helps to nurture the tender side of our spiritual lives. I hope that the development of our Shrine Ministry will foster these devotions among many more people. Accordingly, I want to thank our Shrine Ministry Team for all their efforts: I hope you have noticed the beautiful new board by the archway! The notice on the board simply states that the church is open for prayer, and I dream about the day when more and more people will get back into the habit of simply popping in as they pass for a few quiet minutes.

Understandably, times have changed and so many churches are unable to remain open all day, but we are blessed to be able to keep Bishop Eton open all day every day. There is something very moving about watching a mother or father with their children, lighting a candle and kneeling down for a few quiet moments before the Shrine of Our Lady. May I gently nudge our parents who use the car park when taking their children to and from school to see whether they might give themselves the few extra minutes to get into such a habit. Just think about the untold blessings this would bring to all of us!