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Something New is Happening. Remember those words?, Remember the postcard of the beautiful sunshine replacing the darkness? well its begun to happen. To date close to one hundred parishioners have responded to the invitation to express their thoughts and have their voices heard. Five “Listening Evenings” under the title of Parish Conversation have been held. More are planned, will you be part of it ?. Those who have attended have found the evenings to be relaxed occasions . In a supportive and prayerful atmosphere all have been encouraged to express their views and feelings about our church and parish. Most would report them to have been positive and worthwhile gatherings, enhancing our community spirit, while still leaving thought for further reflection. The goodwill and positive spirit expressed despite the background of troubled times can be a source of encouragement for all.
The future of our parish is far from clear. With fewer priests and an ageing parish community things will not stay the same. Many express concern about our young people and the passing on to them of the faith. There are of course signs of great hope, there is great pride in our parish, there is energy and enthusiasm, new strengths and talents, and among many a deep sense of faith. These conversations are also a sign of great hope. They are the start of a process. After Easter there will be more of these occasions for others who would like to participate. We want as many people as possible to be heard, including people who are not regular attenders. |







