RARELY A DULL MOMENT:

I think you will all be aware that the past couple of weeks have kept us on our toes here in the monastery. Unfortunately, the viruses and infections that are plaguing the country have taken their toll of both the Redemptorists and our staff. Fortunately, Fr Andrew was able to keep going once he had begun a course of antibiotics, and we have managed to fulfil all our commitments so far. The latest casualty in the community is Fr Philip Jones, who was experiencing severe abdominal pains and who is now in the Royal: he was admitted in the early hours of Wednesday morning, which tells its own story. Please keep him in your prayers. Although there is no great anxiety about his condition at present, he is struggling with his memory, which sometimes makes it difficult when it comes to health issues. He retired to Bishop Eton a little while ago, having cared for the Carmelite Sisters at Dysart Monastery in Scotland for many years. He comes from Liverpool and was ordained at Bishop Eton in 1967. Indeed he attended Bishop Eton School in the 1950s when it was still St Anthony’s!