John

Dear Friends, For quite a few people, myself included, lockdown and social restrictions have encouraged us to take a greater interest in our gardens. Growing vegetables, fruit and flowers has been a learning process with the added benefits of fresh air and exercise. The readings for this Sunday are full of images of agriculture. They show that the production of the harvest … [Read more...] about NEWSLETTER 13.06.21

Dear Friends, Today we celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi - the Body and Blood of Christ which is given to us in the Eucharist. In today’s readings the significance of blood as the source of life is developed. When Moses casts the blood of sacrifice towards the people (1st reading) it ratifies the Covenant that God has made with them. But the blood of the New Covenant is … [Read more...] about NEWSLETTER 06.06.21

Dear Friends, In the Bible we find how God is revealed through his words and his intervention in the lives of the Jewish people. Paul says that this relationship is an intimate and personal one that gives us access to the inner life of God. The gospel command to make disciples of all nations extends that relationship to ‘all peoples’. What today’s feast seeks to do is to … [Read more...] about NEWSLETTER 30.05.21

Dear Friends, Today we celebrate the powerful gift of the Holy Spirit to the infant Church. The timidity of the apostles was replaced by a new confidence that enabled them to tell the world the good news of Jesus Christ. That same Spirit enables us to witness to our faith fearlessly and with confidence.  As part of the gradual easing of Covid restrictions in our … [Read more...] about NEWSLETTER 23.05.21

Dear Friends, As the early Church grew out of its Jewish background and spread into the pagan world it had to develop new structures and new forms of organisation. It also kept a sense of continuity. Peter is seen as the leader of the community - as is his successor today. The pagan world will prove to be an immense challeng and will try to silence the good news of the … [Read more...] about NEWSLETTER 16.05.21