Month: January 2023

Dear Parishioners,

Once more it is good to be able to send you the Newsletter and the Readings for Holy Mass this weekend.  

Attending a recent medical appointment with my father (on a Monday !) I was asked by the Receptionist if I was his Carer. I responded that I was his son. When the question was asked a second time, I repeated my initial answer, after which we were told to go and sit in a waiting area. I may well offer some care provision for Dad, but it is not the sum total of our relationship. Indeed, I see it very much in terms of a pay-back experience. 

This weekend’s Gospel presents the followers of Jesus with a template of how to live: the Beatitudes, or attitudes of being a Christian. It is a list of ideals for self in our engagements with others. None stand alone, nor is any one the entirety of perfect discipleship, just a facet. Nor is the list total or complete. In fact, if truth be told, that which St. Paul refers to as being the greatest virtue – Love – is not actually mentioned yet is presumed to be the basis for all. A gentle reminder that life is complicated and despite the best attempts to compartmentalise it, it is having none of it ! With its many pieces it forms a mysterious puzzle, whose many parts have the potential to eventually produce a minor work of art. Put together by two pairs of hands, our own and those of God. 

In my case Carer maybe, Son always. For others Parent for life, Primary Educator long before school. Follower of Christ from the day of our Baptism in church, called to live this unique call always and everywhere – at ease and in challenge.    

With an assurance of prayerful remembrance, kindest thought and affection.

As ever, Fr. Nicholas       

Dear Parishioners,

As a people of Faith I suspect that we do not always appreciate the gift that we have until someone makes a comment such as “I wish I had your Faith !” We are indeed fortunate to have Faith. It doesn’t take the knocks and bumps, traumas and tragedies out of life’s journey, nor does it mean that we are untouched by times of questioning and straight-talking with Almighty God. However it does give us a different way of viewing the world, and of living. Journeying with a confident Faith, we have a deep down belief that we face nothing alone, and ours are not the only hands called upon to deal with the unfolding scenarios of life. Our companion is a God who loves us beyond any human imaginings, the hands of whom are large enough to lift and carry all our worries … if we let Him.

Many stand in need of our prayerful remembrance at this time not least the sick but also those who have been bereaved and those recently handed back to God for their life in eternity. I’m sure that they will all be supported by our prayers.

With an assurance of prayerful remembrance, kindest thought and affection.

As ever, Fr. Nicholas

Dear Parishioners,

Somewhat unusually this week I attended a Funeral in which I had no role to play, except that of being part of a large congregation paying their respects to a lady who had touched all of our lives in a variety of different ways but which also overlapped as we celebrated her giftedness as a human being. For myself she was a life-long neighbour, one of the first, my mother always said, to visit our home after my birth. Our homes were separated by a main road which, until our family home was sold last year, was frequently crossed in both directions. Neighbours who did not live in each others’ pockets, but were always there for each other. 

The Funeral took place at the Bridge (United Reformed) Church in Otley. It stands directly opposite the Catholic Church – separated by the main road leading to the river Wharfe. A former Minister of the church described the town’s Catholics affectionately as “Our friends across the road.” At prayer in the church, I was grateful for two friendships: that of our neighbour, and the friendship of God expressed in a place of worship familiar to her. For both – that day – a road had to be crossed.

Our beautiful churches are the spiritual homes of so many. Let us not hesitate to cross the road to delight in the friends we meet there and in the unconditional friendship of a God made real in what is shared in conversation and food around the tables of both Word and Eucharist.

With an assurance of prayerful remembrance, kindest thought and affection.

As ever, Fr. Nicholas