Fr. Aaron Writes : 25th September 2021
Dear Friends!
It is also very good to see more and more of you at Mass with numbers holding up well, and with lots of new parishioners, there is palpable feeling of a fresh start in the parish. Do exit via main doors, unless you use the contactless machine at the side exit, so I can say hello!
SVP – Our parish St Vincent de Paul group will be making their annual appeal this weekend, please be generous in your appreciation of this vital apostolate in our community.
Hymn Books – From this weekend, we will begin to use our hymn books again! To be able to sing will enhance our worship of God and will be another step towards ‘normality’! However, always remember to sanitise your hands when you arrive at church and pick up a hymn book and as you leave.
Adoration and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament – from next Saturday we will recommence adoration after Mass and Benediction after Confessions are over. To facilitate this, we will re-commission the confessional for Saturdays only. On Fridays I will continue to hear confessions in the Sanctuary. This will help those who prefer to make their confessions anonymously.
House Blessings – If you are new to the parish and would like to have your house blessed or if you are a long-standing member of our community and have never done so, do get in contact via email and I would be delighted to come to your homes and even share in a meal or light refreshment!
Induction of New Headteacher at St John’s –Mrs Finula Farr’s Induction Mass will take place at St John’s Church on Wednesday 13th October at 4:30pm. Bishop Richard will celebrate the Mass. Do please keep Finula in your prayers.
First Holy Communions – Classes begin on Saturday October 2nd between 1 & 2pm; and 3-4pm. A compulsory session for parents takes place on Monday 4th October at 7pm in the Church.
Altar Servers – We now have number of new cassocks and co]as, although we are still awaiting some sizes, these can be collected from the Presbytery from this weekend. If, you could arrive in good time (20 mins before Mass) and pick yours up. Please look after the cassocks and co]as, washing them and ironing them when necessary so as to look crisp and pristine for service at the Altar of God.
Restart – Again I make an appeal for those who would like to help with certain parish activities and ministries. Perhaps, you might consider using your time, talent or treasure to assist in one of the following areas of parish life:
• Evangelisation/ Catholic Teaching Programmes
• Children’s Liturgy
• Parish Socials
• Refreshments after Mass
• Coffee and Chat Mornings during the week
• Visiting the Sick or assisting them.
• Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Prayer Groups
• Singing at Mass
• Altar Serving
• Welcoming
• Pro-Life Group
• Justice and Peace Group
• St Vincent de Paul
In the coming weeks, I would also like to establish some form of Pastoral Council in which I can get together a small number of parishioners to assist me in the growth and sustainment of the parish’s activities, to help me hear and understand the desire and needs of parish families and individuals; and also to help me facilitate new projects that will help us grow in our Catholic Faith and be the beacon of hope to those in our town.
With my very best wishes and prayers for the week ahead.
Fr Aaron
