A Blessed Christmas to all . . .

Wishing you all a very Happy, Holy and Blessed Christmas.

And another version here for all Irish-speaking readers of this blog:

Go mbeannaithe Dia dhiobh uile.

What's in a kiss . . . ?

Sex, love and marriage . . Good, now I've got your attention . . . Have a look at this:

In the pink . . . !

Well, we're definitely feeling 'in the pink' here in Banstead.

"Gaudete in Domino' So says the Introit for Gaudete Sunday. "Rejoice in the Lord always'.

Advent, like Lent is a penitential season, so normally I would be wearing purple vestments, but tomorrow, if you happen to be in the area, you will see me wearing a very tasteful pink chasuble, or, as we prefer to say at St Ann's, 'rose' vestments.

We've passed the midpoint of Advent and so we have a slightly lighter mood. This change gives us encouragement to continue with our spiritual preparation for Christmas.

As with the vestments, so with our Advent wreath; we shall be lighting the pink/rose candle.

Rejoice!

Phew - What a Week! . . .

What an exciting week I've had. I've been visiting 0ur parish school of St Anne's to hear Confessions and also a local secondary school.

This is always a very joyful experience and also quite humbling to hear the simple, honest Confessions of our children. What an inspiration they are to us.

I've been visiting the care homes in our parish and the sick and housebound who are still able to live in their homes.

I am always greatly encouraged by the time I spend with the housebound. Their faith and prayerfulness is marvellous to witness and, I know I've said it before but they really do represent a powerhouse of prayer in our parish community.

I would like to thank them for their prayers on behalf of our parish family.

Our Lady, Health of the Sick,

Pray for us.

Snow Day . . .

Did you have a 'Snow Day' today? I think many of our parishioners did. Our parish school, like many others across the country, was closed and there were just 6 of us at Mass this morning. Well done to those intrepid parishioners who braved the elements to walk to Mass.

Please spare a thought and a prayer for those who are really badly affected by this weather, especially those sleeping rough.