Dear Brothers and Sisters

The Church invites us in Advent to slow down, rest, refocus our energies. You may think that the frenzy of the Christmas Season, the busyness of life, militates against a prayerful approach to the Feast. It need not.

Christmas above all is about hospitality. Welcoming Jesus in our midst; learning to recognise Him in our family members, our colleagues and the poor and opening our hearts in welcome.

Hospitality is an attitude. It can be practised in all circumstances of life, even in the busy pre Christmas Season.

Fr. Richard

Dear Brothers and Sisters

The Church ends the liturgical year with the Feast of Christ the King. This is a reminder that our life here on earth is a journey. It has a beginning and it has an end. The journey is a journey to a sacred place – it is a pilgrimage.

If we accept the Kingship of Christ, we accept His Rule. We ready ourselves to be citizens of the Kingdom even here on earth.

In our families, in our schools, in our places of work, in any of the groups or sub communities to which we belong, let us be positive forces for good . . . and let us always remember our youth who are prey to so many temptations, but equipped so badly to fight the good fight.

May our prayers be their strength and protection.

Fr. Richard

Dear Brothers and Sisters

St. Paul tells us in his letter to the Thessalonians that "Faith is not given to everyone . . ." and he says to those who believe, “May the Lord turn your hearts towards the love of God and the fortitude of Christ.”

There is in that little sentence a direction for our efforts, and a warning that the path ahead requires strength and perseverance. As we come into the winter months, let us not be overpowered by the darkness, but let in a metaphorical candle by our good works. As the Chinese saying goes, ‘Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness’.

All the best,
Fr. Richard