Your letters

You may find this question odd. Yet not so, when considering that my son, Sebastian, has severe leaning difficulties. He is a life-long baptised Catholic of 21 years of age. I have accepted him lovingly from God, and brought him up in the practice of the faith. He is going forward for Holy Communion (adapted catechesis) this year. I have received many signs that he is ready and thank Our Lady, especially, for them. He recently said, cutting through swathes of theology and inspired from the heart, ‘Mary happy now Jesus rise again. Jesus best my friend’. This is not the least of his recent words. Our third visit to the Aylesford Day of Celebration for the Disabled inspired us to go forward too.
You may, then, ask why do I ask you, Fr Murtagh and Deacon Philip to welcome Sebastian among you.
Simply, I don’t want him to miss Mass when he goes into respite care once a month in a centre in your parish. Sebastian behaves impeccably at Mass, but, as he can’t sing properly, waves his hands to the music or the rhythm of the words. That is his participation. I also want Sebastian to be less isolated and meet more fellow Catholics.
Sebastian has the same right of access to the Sacraments as we all do. He has a ministry too. He is a bringer of joy to all he meets but does need 100% supervision. Will you welcome my son among you when, finally, he is able to come to Mass at St Columba’s?
Thank you so much,

Frank Keen

Have you ever wanted a greater understanding of the Bible?

At the fortnightly meeting of the parish Bible Study Group we read the Gospel for Mass on the Sunday following, both aloud and silently. Then we spend some minutes considering what it means to us as individuals before discussing it as a group. We try to achieve a deeper understanding of the reading. It is surprising how often there is a moment when all becomes much clearer. I have benefited frequently from others’ insights. We are not budding theologians and no great knowledge of biblical data is necessary. Our meetings are not intellectual exercises but exercises for our minds and hearts. We offer a welcome to anyone who would care to join us for our one hour a fortnight meeting. Why not give it a try?

Judy Freegard

Congratulations to Jacqueline Aldous for the work and performance she did for the carol concert in December. It was a splendid evening and I know Jacqueline worked hard to make it a success. The solo artists were great and of course the evening finished with the UCM providing mulled wine, tea, coffee and mince pies. The sum raised was the icing on the cake. Several people I know who were there from around the area, and not necessarily church people have said let’s hope it will happen every year. Everyone likes singing carols, and I am sure that there are other local charities who would like some help.

On the subject of the week of services for Christian Unity– while the one at St Columba’s was well supported, at the one at St John’s the attendance from our church was very poor. Just six Catholics. I felt sad that we could not have made more of an effort. The Rev. Hugh Norton who conducted the service said surely if more people really believed in Christian Unity the church would have been packed, not just about 30 people there.

Maureen Sullivan

All letters should be sent to the Editor, Tricia Steel at tricia_steel@hotmail.com, or via the Presbytery. All letters must be accompanied by the sender’s name and address, though we will not print the address, nor the name if requested                                                       

Back to Contents page