A NEW YEAR GREETING FROM THE REDEMPTORISTS

Fr Andrew (our Rector) and all the members of the community join me in wishing you every joy and blessing for 2024. The Christmas celebrations in both parishes were blessed occasions and I can only reiterate my personal thanks to you all for your continuing support, encouragement, and generosity. Fr Beverley Ahearn’s condition has been a cause for concern over the past few weeks and we were prepared for the Lord to take him as the great Feast approached. However, he has survived and is now in the Royal, receiving intravenous antibiotics to try and remove the serious chest infection, which has been at the root of his recent problems. Sadly, the pressure on the health service at present is such that he spent well over 24 hours on trolleys in the corridors before finally getting a place in the Medical Assessment Unit, where he remains as I write these notes on Friday morning. His family members have been wonderful in helping to accompany him through these difficult days. Please pray for us all as we try to cope with everything that is going on.

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family: let’s pray that the Lord will watch over our families and keep us united and at peace. We welcome the New Year with the Solemnity of the Mother of God, and I suggest that we renew the dedication of our two parishes to Our Lady at the Masses we will have at noon in BOTH our churches on New Year’s Day.

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR