Fr Tony writes.....

I wrote a few weeks ago about setting up a new Social committee. I have recently met with the people who replied to my letter. You will find an insert in this week's newsletter inviting your ideas about developing the social life of our parish. It would obviously be good if social events could raise some money for the Parish, but the main concern is to provide more opportunities for us to get together socially. We are looking at various ideas, but would very much welcome any thoughts that you might have about things that we could do. I hope that you will reply to the newsletter insert, and that we can develop this important aspect of parish life.
We are going to begin in a small way with a social evening on Wednesday July 15th. As it happens, this will be just a few days after my 38th anniversary of Ordination on July 10th. I am inviting you to join me for a social gathering in the Parish Centre on July 15th to help me celebrate this anniversary. I am not quite sure now what form it will take, but I will let you know nearer the time. Meanwhile, if you would like to come and join the party on July 15th, please put this date in your diary.

One of the great concerns of the 2nd Vatican Council was to emphasise the importance of the Laity in the life of the Church and in the world. The idea of the “Apostolate of the Laity” was not a new one: It had been given great impetus by Pope Pius XI back in the 1920's, and later by Pope Pius XII. At that time it was seen as something lay people undertook in order to help the Bishop and the Clergy. Vatican 2 rightly saw that the vocation of lay people comes from the very fact of being baptised. The years since the Council have seen a much greater involvement of lay people in Church life, but not always, I think, as much in the world of public affairs, in business, commerce, and the unions. Pope John Paul was very concerned that lay people should be actively involved as Catholics in the world where they live and work. It is there that ordinary Catholic people are called to witness to Christ and the teaching of the Gospel. On Friday June 19th the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pope Benedict chose to mark the beginning of a special year dedicated to the priesthood. The new emphasis on the place of the laity does not mean a lessening of respect for the priesthood.The Pope wants to invite the whole Church to reflect on the gift of the priesthood. The role of the priest is vital to the health of the Church in so many ways. I will come back to this subject more than once during the next year, but today I would ask you all to pray for your priests.
We need your love, your support and your prayers.