Next week the children finish school for the long summer holidays. We’d like to wish them and the teachers a restful break so that they may return in September raring to go. Let us also pray for those children who are leaving Our Lady’s to go to the ‘big school’. May they continue to ‘aspire through the love of Jesus they may have life and have it to the full.’

God has truly blessed us in this parish, and we have a lot to be grateful for. Abbot Brendan has asked me to pass on his thanks for the very warm welcome he received last Sunday. He enjoyed his visit to the parish and was particularly impressed by how welcoming everybody was as well as the number of young people and children we have in the congregation and in the children’s liturgy (the suitcase was a highpoint ). I also want to say a big thank you for all those who made the coffee morning on Tuesday such a roaring success. It was wonderful to see so many people there, enjoying each other’s company while eating the delicious cakes and biscuits, some of which had been made by the children from the school. It was great to see the year 4 children mingling with the people who were there, and I know everyone had a most enjoyable time. Many thanks to everyone who made it happen.