4th January

2nd Sunday Of The Year A

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

May I begin by wishing you all a Very Happy and Blessed New Year. Also, I hope that Christmas has gone well and that you continue to enjoy the season which officially ends next Sunday with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. If you enjoy your Christmas decorations then you can celebrate up to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Monday, February 2nd.

Tuesday 6th January is the important Feast of the Epiphany, the visitation of the Magi, the three Wise Men. We are transferring the School Mass to that day for 9.15 a.m. There will also be an evening Mass at Ashley at 7.15 p.m.

I wish to renew my thanks for all the help, support and co-operation of the past year. Thank you also for your cards and generous Christmas gifts and Christmas offerings. May my health and well-being allow me to continue in the privilege of being your priest for a few more years. Your working together as a blessed community will ensure the wellbeing of our parishes of Ashley and Clayton.

The Lord calls us all to renew and strengthen our Faith and Worship as a sign of a New Year. As we seek consolation from our Sunday Eucharist, we are also called by Christ to witness to our faith and his mission to the world by our continued commitment to our Sunday worship. Faith is a gift and is not given to everyone so let us look after the Christmas gift of Christ in our lives.

Please continue to pray for the repose of the souls of Pauline Capper and Marian Thompson whose funerals will be taking place over the next few weeks. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord!

Let us also pray every day for peace in the world, that justice and kindness will reign and the grace of Christ will be with us all.

Once again, many thanks for all you love, care and support.

Happy New Year and God bless,

Father Anton s.c.j.