When Jesus pitched His tent among us, He dignified family life forever. If proof is needed of the significance and sacredness of the family, let us gaze once more at the crib. As we do, the words of Pope Francis echo in our ears: ‘family is the most beautiful thing God made; without family humanity has no future’. Today’s feast is well-placed, coming as it does, in the season of the family, and on the threshold of a new year. It’s a moment to remember with gratitude the cradle from which we came. We salute our parents. Every word and deed of a parent is woven into the fabric of a child’s character. The parent’s heart is the child’s schoolroom. We give thanks for our grandparents. They hold the memory of the family, and convey to the young in a unique way the meaning of life’s journey. We pray for our children. May they always feel cherished and loved. May they know God and be happy. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, guide us in the year ahead. ‘If you want to bring happiness to the whole world, go home and love your family’. (St.Teresa of Calcutta)

NEW YEAR GREETINGS
We wish all in our parish family, at home and abroad a happy and hope filled New Year. As we thank you most sincerely for your unfailing kindness, warm friendship and generous support during 2024, we offer you the words and sentiments of an ancient Irish blessing: ‘May joy and peace surround you, contentment latch your door, and happiness be with you now and bless you evermore’. Rath Dé oraibh sa bhliain úr.
Fr. Peter, Fr. Michael, Mgsr. Pat, Sr. Joseph

2025 - YEAR OF HOPE
On Christmas Eve Pope Francis formally opened the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome to herald in the special Jubilee Year centred on the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. The theme is well chosen. The year is welcome. It is a moment of grace for the Catholic family worldwide. Christian hope is the confident affirmation that God is faithful and will complete what He has begun. He has our best interests at heart. He will provide for us when we are in need. He will never leave us. Hope is the anchor of the soul. Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness; that there is something more beautiful beyond the chaos of a broken world dominated by stories of fear and calamity. The person who has hope has everything, and to live without hope is to cease to exist. In his letter announcing the Jubilee Year, the Holy Father called on all Catholics to ‘fan the flame of hope that has been given us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision’. Hope smiles on us then from the threshold of the year to come. May we seize this moment of grace.