Welcome -

                                                   AUTUMN 2009

Dear Parishioner

I hope that you have had a good holiday and that the weather was kind to you. I must admit I had plenty of rain during my holiday in Ireland. But I suppose that is why it is so green and why so many people enjoy going there.

This September we appear to be seeing a very early Autumn. The apples and plums have ripened earlier than usual and there is an autumnal feel to the early mornings and late evenings, with the nights already closing in.

September sees parish activities gaining momentum again after the Summer break, and the beginning of a new school term also heralds a start to the Autumn and Winter Schedule for the Church. This includes a programme of teaching on the Faith of the Church; each year we look forward to sharing our faith with a new group of adults. And not just adults, I should say, as we generally have a group of children between the ages of 8 and 14 who want to prepare for Baptism and the Sacraments.

Other activities include Monday afternoons for Senior Citizens, Tuesday mornings with the Friendship Group, Wednesday afternoons with the new Craft Group, and Friday mornings with the Pop In. There is something there for everyone, and not just for parishioners – all are welcome.

Two things I would like to draw your attention to are the visit to England of the relics of St Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower. Since her death in 1897 an extraordinary number of miracles have been attributed to her inter-cession. Please join in the Novena prayers, on your own or at the church. Details are included in this Newsletter. Secondly, this Parish has always been a firm supporter of CAFOD and this year we are hoping to raise enough funds by Christmas to enable CAFOD to provide wells with clean water for many, many people, so that their Christmas will be happy, too.    

                                           Father John Joe Maloney

                              (Parish Priest)