Fr Frank writes:
My Dear Friends,
Today, in the readings with which we are presented, the Church encourages us to choose Christ always.
At times when we come to a crossroad in our life we can become confused because we need to make a choice, a choice that will make or mar our future. The First Reading and the Gospel present us with two choices; to abandon or remain with God. Using the analogy of marriage, Paul, in our second reading, reminds us that just as a man or woman chooses wife or husband out of love so Christ chooses those who remain a faithful part of his Church. The sensible, and wise choice is always to follow Christ, the one who embodies and presents us with the message of eternal life.
We look forward to welcoming Bishop Alan to the two parishes in September. He will visit Frinton and Walton parish on Wednesday 12th September where he will celebrate a Mass at 7.00pm marking the second anniversary of the Dedication of the church following the installation of the new altar. This Mass will be preceded by a visit to St Philomena’s school at 2.00pm when he will speak to the children at a special assembly, and to the school staff at the end of the school day. On the following Wednesday (19th) he will visit the Harwich and Dovercourt parish where he will celebrate a special Mass at 7.30pm, at this Mass Rachel Twumasi will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Prior to the Mass Bishop Alan will visit St Joseph’s School for a special assembly with the children at 2.00pm and a meeting with staff before the end of the school day. The Bishop will also take time to meet with Fr Bill. On both occasions there will be a reception after Mass giving the Bishop the opportunity of speaking to parishioners.
I am hoping (and praying) that both Masses will be memorable and special occasions, please put the date in your diary now and make sure that, if at all possible, you will be present. We will, of course, need as full as possible complement of musicians, ministers and servers on both dates.
May Christ, the Way the Truth and the Life, bless you now and always.
Frank ofs
Sunday Smile: W. A. Spooner, an Anglican clergyman, was at one time warden of New College, Oxford. A nervous man, he had difficulty in getting his words out, resulting in numerous verbal blunders (which came to be known as Spoonerisms), to the delight of the undergraduates, who undoubtedly added to the range.
Addressing a group of farmers, he intended to great them as “sons of toil”, but instead began, “I see before me tons of soil.”
In another sermon he said, “There is no peace in a home where dinner swells.”