And so it starts! A brand new Blog for S. Barnabas’ parish. Several times a week I shall try to add news, views and trivia that might be of some interest to all friends of S. Barnabas’ church. Ignore today…that is just to get us started!I owe a special thankyou to Father Ivan (S. John’s Sevenoaks) for inspiring me to give this a go…I shall equally blame him when I am addicted and typing away into the wee small hours…….he did warn me!
So today’s news. Well -we had a good turn out for the 10.30am Mass on this the feast of S. James the Great. I offered a private prayer for the parish of S. James’ – Colchester and for Fr. Peter Walker SSC. This was the parish I attended when teaching in Colchester- my ’sending’ parish before I left for seminary. The Mass was followed by refreshments. Our usual host (Andy) is still away (trying to pass his kidney stone- ouch!!!) so we must pray for him. Our prayers are also with Ruth, recovering from her virus and Mandy who has had a fall.
This afternoon I worked on the parish magazine and Sunday’s pew sheet- whilst Daniel (our ordinand on placement) took the Sacrament to Sid Scarrett and polished the brass in church- and before you accuse me of using him- he offered!!!
Tonight Hayley and I are off to (belatedly) celebrate her birthday at a restaurant (chez JJ) with friends. So I shall leave you with a prayer for S. James’ and my very best wishes…….click the link at the end to see a very spurious photograph linking this great apostle with my charming daughter. (for the photo was taken on our family pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella)
O Glorious Saint James, because of your fervor and generosity Jesus chose you to witness his glory on the Mount and his agony in the Garden. Obtain for us strength and consolation in the unending struggles of this life. Help us to follow Christ constantly and generously, to be victors over all our difficulties, and to receive the crown of glory in heaven. Amen.
