"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Parishioners, Happy Birthday to you!"
Dear Friends,
I wish you all a Happy Birthday! We are God's chosen and anointed people and on this great Day of Pentecost, the Church (ie: you and me) celebrates her coming into being with the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, gathered in the Upper Room, and the beginning of the proclamation of the Christian Gospel. Pentecost, (the Greek word for fifty), coming as it does 50 days after Easter, is a day for remembering with confidence that God always keeps his promises! Jesus has risen from the dead as He said He would. He said He would send the Spirit of truth, and He has, and He promised to "be with us always, yes, to the end of time". With that assurance, no wonder Peter and Co. went out with joyful hearts and the courage to shout to all the Good News that, in Jesus, God has shown that he cares for each one of us, and that, best of all, we are loved!
Today, let us try to proclaim the same Good News in every way possible; "Come Holy Spirit, fill OUR hearts with joy and enkindle in US the fire of Your love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created and under your guidance and power, the face of the earth shall be renewed".
The Archdiocese has sent us a very comprehensive guide regarding cleaning of the church and the steps we must take in preparation for the re-opening of St Kenelm's. However, there is as yet no indication as to when it will be possible for the church to be open either for private prayer or for Mass and we must wait for instructions from Boris and Co. for that. We'll let you know as soon as we hear anything. Stay safe!
Fr Gerry x"