Reflection
It’s easy to love at a distance but not so easy to love at close quarters. It’s easier to give a few pounds to relieve famine in Africa than to relieve the loneliness of someone living next door. It’s easy to love people who are far away but not always easy to love those who are close at hand. Yet, these are the people Christ asks us to love. We must begin by loving the people near us. That is where our love must start. But, of course, it doesn’t have to end there. And it shouldn’t.
Parish Development Strategy
At Mass this weekend, you will receive a leaflet about the Parish Development Strategy (PDS). Since it began in March last year, groups from each parish in the deanery have been meeting to reflect on our situation and to plan for the future of the Church in our area. They have looked at both the strengths and the challenges in our parishes, as well as the number of priests and people we have now and in the years ahead.
The vision that has come from this work is both hopeful and challenging. It asks a simple question: How can we share the Good News of Jesus in our communities, and how can we support our priests and volunteers in the future?
This means building up our parish communities, working more closely together, and making good decisions about how we use our resources to support the mission of the Church. The leaflet includes two proposals: linking parishes more closely through Families of Parishes; and developing synodal teams across the deanery. Between now and 20th September, we invite you to have your say. The leaflet explains how you can do this, and there will also be parish meetings led by members of the deanery.
Please don’t leave it until the last minute—your voice matters.
Feast of Blessed Lawerence Johnson our Deanery patron
To celebrate our Deanery patron, Blessed Lawrence Johnson, Rt Rev Bishop Tom Neylon will celebrate Mass on Friday the 29th May, 7pm at St Mary's church Little Crosby. Mass will be followed by refreshments in St Mary’s hall. This is a wonderful opportunity for us all to come together as a deanery to celebrate Mass and meet socially for the feast of Blessed Lawerence Johnson, our Deanery Patron. Please make a special effort to attend and join our deanery parishes for this great occasion. (Please put the date in your diary.)
Funeral
The funeral service for Joan Pratt will take place here in St James’ on Tuesday 5th May at 11.45am.
Pease remember Joan and her family in your prayers.