Many of us will be glad to see the back of 2020 because of the Pandemic which has affected our lives in countless ways. When our churches have been open for Mass and the Sacraments we have tried to keep everyone as safe as possible. Many thanks go to all those who have stewarded our Masses to ensure safe procedures have been observed and that necessary cleaning has taken place when people have left. These people command our utmost appreciation and respect for their tireless work. Several of these volunteers have been continuous in this responsibility since churches reopened after then first lockdown in April. Several of the same people are volunteers elsewhere within the life of our parish and fulfil vital functions to keep things moving and developing.
In the calendar of faith we continue in the Christmas Season. Behind us
are the Nativity and the feast of the Holy Family, before us, as well as
today, lie the feasts of two Epiphanies of the Lord.: The Epiphany to the
Maji and then the Epiphany of the Lord’s Baptism. Although we will
continue into ordinary time soon after then, as Bishop Paul reminded us
in his Pastoral Letter for Advent, the ancient tradition of the faith is that
Christmas celebrations conclude with the feast of Candlemas on
February 2nd. We will be keeping our main crib figures in place in both
our church buildings until then. Pray them: Enjoy them: Savour them!
To all our volunteers whatever their task in hand...Thank you!