Parish Day
We were blessed again with a wonderful day last Sunday when between 600 and 700 Parishioners gathered in the grounds of Cardinal Newman School for our annual Mass followed by BBQ and picnic.
The sun shoe all day enabling us to relax and meet with friends until we made for home at 4pm.
This was our 9th Parish Day when we were blessed with wonderful weather and a great cross section of Parishioners. There is always the worry that Parishioners may come to the conclusion that they have seen it all before.
I had a letter from one very loyal Parishioner who couldn't see the purpose of moving away from the beautiful Church of St Peter's to celebrate Mass in the middle of a field. I invited him to come along and have a look but he declined. It isn't easy to give reasons that will reassure everyone but when Jesus was questioned about what he was doing he said "Come and see". No we do not expect to attract every Parishioner but neither would we if we had a Church big enough and adequate grounds attached to celebrate afterwards. I know it is not easy for people who are not attached to a special group to sit in the middle of a field having a glass of wine. It is also true that some people don't want to be attached and are happy on their own. The best way to get attached is to do something whether it be helping with coffee on Sundays, cleaning the Church, joining the chior, coordinating one of our Masses. The Church is a different place when you are involved. You recieve and we receive. Thanks for all you do.
Fr. Jerry
See the Photos here