May 5

Dear friends,

 

A few days ago, after sending out another message to parishioners, I received an email from a gentleman who asked me to take his email address off my mailing list. He said that he thought my regular emails to parishioners were a good idea and he would like me to continue with it – but since he lives in Cork, Ireland, he didn’t really think the messages were for him! Obviously a mistaken email address.

 

This prompts me to ask you to let me know of anyone who would like to receive the regular messages, but is not presently on my list. Please do share my messages with friends and neighbours and those you know are members of our communities, and pass on to me any messages from them – including email addresses. I would very much like to reach as many members of our communities as possible.

 

During this week we welcome John and Jo Southern, who are moving into the parish of Our Lady of Victories & St. Alphonsus, Lutterworth. Unfortunately it will probably be some weeks or months before we can welcome them in person. We look forward to those times when we can celebrate together again, even if we still have to maintain some measure of ‘social distancing’.

 

Thank you again to all who have sent in ideas for how we might celebrate when we can meet together again. If the commentators are correct, some relaxation will be announced this weekend, but we are probably some way from being allowed to worship together in public. Meanwhile, it is most important that we continue to pray together, even though separated in space. I know many of you access celebrations of Mass which are available via the internet (in various guises); and I celebrate Mass each day, and have you all in mind as I do so.

 

We hear of so many people who have found ways of helping others during this time. It is very important that we not only maintain, but enhance, our community spirit. When we can meet together again, we will have much to celebrate!

 

At the same time, we know that there are those who try to take advantage of these times for their own benefit. I have received notification of various internet ‘scams’ to be aware of; and I have become very practised in the art of slamming the phone down on people who want me to give them my credit card details. If I have mistakenly slammed the phone down on any of you, please accept my apologies!

 

Please pray for  Joan Lamyman, Mary Dunne, Ranjit Mann, Juanita Zaman, Ian Cahill, and Francis and Sally Watters (all parishioners or relatives of parishioners) who are seriously ill; and for Pauline Grummett, Peter Gibbon, Joyce King, Jessica Lowndes, Anne Murray, Maureen Condon, and Assumpta Cummins, and all who have died recently.

 

This week I will celebrate Mass at approximately 9am each day for the following intentions:

 

Sunday Dermot O’Gorman RIP ; Monday Intentions of Sylvia d’Araujo; Tuesday for the people of the parish (Mass in time of pandemic); Wednesday Intentions of Anne-Marie Burton; Thursday Gordon & Bridie Bryan RIP; Friday Canon John Berry RIP; Saturday Margherita Butler RIP; next Sunday Joyce King RIP.  If anyone would like me to send again the prayers for the Mass ‘in time of pandemic’, please let me know.

 

Meanwhile, please know that I am thinking of you all and looking forward to meeting you again in person. I pray for you, and ask that you pray for me and for all members of our two communities.

 

I hope you are all keeping well, happy, and virus free. If there is any way that I can help, please do let me know. Please remember to pass on these messages and my best wishes to anyone from our communities who may not receive emails from me.

 

I have received the following ‘May’s Prayer with Pope Francis’, which I finish with, in the hope that you will find some encouragement in it.

 

Father John

 

May’s Prayer with the Pope

Daily offering: 

We pray for deacons, faithful in their service of the Word and the poor, that they may be an invigorating symbol for the entire Church.

With Jesus in the morning

Father of Goodness, I know you’re with me. Here I am on this new day. Place my heart once more next to the Heart of your Son Jesus, who is giving himself for me and who comes to me in the Eucharist. May your Holy Spirit make me your friend and apostle, available for your mission of compassion. I put in your hands my joys and hopes, my works and sufferings, everything that I am and have, in communion with my brothers and sisters of this worldwide prayer network. With Mary I offer you my journey for the mission of the Church and for the intentions of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network for this month.
Amen.

With Jesus in the night

God, good night.
Thank you for the day.
The good bits were good.
The tough bits are over for another day.
Help me to sleep well tonight.
Help me to face into another day tomorrow.
Bless and protect all my loved ones this night.
Bless and protect all those, too, with whom I
disagree or with whom I don’t get on – they’re
you’re children too, I know.
May tomorrow bring about your will for the
world – peace, love, joy and mercy.
May I play my part.
For now, good night God.
I love you and know you love me, warts and all. Amen.