Dear friends,
This week coming, we will celebrate two saints who were instrumental in the stories of others: Blessed Dominic Barberi (whose commemoration is on Wednesday) received St John Henry Newman into the full communion of the Catholic Church; and St Monica’s tears (whose saints’ day is on Thursday) won her son St Augustine of Hippo from heresy to the Lord. As we take care to hold fast to the Faith in our own lives, let us also be mindful of how our example to, and influence on, other people can directly impact their journey with Jesus – and let us therefore ensure that our words and actions are such as will draw others ever closer to Christ.
Please note that Fr Richard will be on retreat Sunday afternoon – Thursday evening, and will therefore be uncontactable: this is the only period in the year when his ‘phone is turned off completely! There will, in consequence, be no public Morning Prayer on Tuesday or Thursday next week: in case of pastoral necessity, please contact Fr Mike; and for any other urgent church matters, speak to the churchwardens.
Next week, the parquet flooring in the church will also be sanded and resealed, as part of our beautification of the building in time for its ninetieth anniversary, in December. Access to the church may thus become temporarily more complicated: please take care, and follow any instructions given. A fundraising campaign to underwrite this work will be launched next month.
The coach to Walsingham for the Pilgrimage for Healing and Renewal (on Bank Holiday Monday, 31 August) is fully booked: those taking part should arrive at church on the day no later than 7.15am, and bring a packed lunch (or money to purchase something to eat and drink, either at the services, or in the village). Although seating is provided for the Mass, it may be helpful also to bring a camping stool, or a picnic blanket.
The funeral service of the late Phil Edwards will take place in church on Thursday, 3 September, at 11am: all welcome. May the Lord grant him rest with all His saints, and comfort those who mourn.
Please spread the word about next month’s Macmillan Coffee Morning, in the Hall on Saturday, 12 September (11am-4pm) – fliers available in church. Please let Denise know if you can contribute a cake: help will also be required to set up the Hall, on Friday 11 at 6pm.
We will celebrate our Patronal Festival (in honour of Our Lady of Walsingham) on Sunday, 27 September – when our guest preacher and principal celebrant will be the Rt Rev’d Tony Robinson, Emeritus Bishop of Wakefield. This Mass will include Sprinkling with Walsingham well water, and will be followed by a bring-and-share parish lunch in the Hall: please let Denise know what you can bring, to share. (There will be a very brief planning meeting to discuss this parish lunch, after mass on Sunday, 6 September.)
And we congratulate the Rev’d Canon Clive Jones SSC on his appointment as the next Vicar of St Andrew and St Francis, Willesden Green: Fr Clive is currently the Vicar of St John, Higham with Merston in the Diocese of Rochester. He will be inducted to the parish by Bishop Jonathan on St Andrew’s Day, Monday 30 November – and we assure Fr Clive, and our friends in Willesden Green, of our prayers.
I thank you, Lord, with all my heart,
Fr Richard