Fr Frank writes:
My Dear Friends,
Today’s Feast recognises and celebrates the fact that we are a truly Catholic Church, made up of many nations and languages.
It is in the power of the Holy Spirit that the early Apostles were able to speak so eloquently and boldly. No longer uncomprehending, no longer afraid, they proclaim the Truth of Jesus Christ and many more come to believe as a result of their testimony. Times can seem tough for the Church in the world of today. But the Holy Spirit is still our Advocate our Comforter and our Inspiration. Let us pray ever more fervently that our Church may grow in holiness, conviction, confidence and strength.
My thanks to our volunteer readers today. Across the two parishes we will hear readings in three different European languages and, in the case of Frinton, in Arabic and Tagalog as well. Thank you Inge, Maria, Marianne, Najat and Valentina.
I thoroughly enjoyed baptising the bell at Our Lady Queen of Heaven last week and it was good to have representatives from the Town Council, the Harwich Society, former members of St Paul’s Parkeston and the Catholic Guild of Bell Ringers present. My thanks to Chris Drury, Ann Duggan and all those who have worked to support the restoration of Paul, our bell.
Next week I celebrate my 70th Birthday. I am actually ‘on holiday’ from Friday (25th) and the whole family have rented a house in Thorpeness for the week. But, so that I can celebrate with you as well, I shall be here for next weekend’s Masses. Following the Saturday evening Mass at Frinton we will be meeting in the Presbytery (garden, I hope) for cake and Bucks Fizz (do come along even if you intend to come to the Sunday morning Mass – we will begin at about 7.15pm). On Sunday morning there will be cake and Bucks Fizz in the church hall at Dovercourt. I am looking forward to this – please come along if you can and share my joy.
May God the Holy Spirit be your strength and comfort.
Frank ofs
Sunday Smile: The pastor of a small country chapel in the North of England asked his deacons if they would consider installing a chandelier in the chapel. They met at length to discuss the issue, and reported back to him that they had decided against the idea for three reasons:
- The secretary didn’t know how the spell it in the minutes
- If they bought one they had nobody who could play it
- They thought that the money could be better used improving the lighting in the church.