Dear Parishioners and Visitors,

            This weekend we celebrate the Feast of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven.  It was the subject of one of the very few (four) infallible statements made by any Pope.  It was in 1950 that the long held teaching which had its origins in the Easter Church from about the 5^th Century (in Syria).  The understanding among the people (sensus fidelium) was that Mary died and was buried in the area close to the Mount of Olives which became known as Mary’s Tomb.  One of the features surrounding this doctrine (teaching) from early times was that no person or group claimed to possess Relics of Mary from the tomb.  This was allied to the fact that the faith of people could not countenance the thought that Mary who bore Jesus in her womb could possibly end up as a decayed corpse like the rest of human kind because she was without sin.  Today Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholics celebrate the falling asleep (dormitio) of the Mother of God.  If Jesus’ Mother was not unique we would have lots of re-thinking the message of the Gospel to do.

• It is great to see Fr Steve Darcy, he will be with us into September.
• Please pray for all getting married this year especially; Alison Ridley and Camberon Lloyd, Sinead Fleming and Carl Symington, Joanne Byrne and James Archer .
• Confirmation:  Please enrol using the green sheets in the porch if you wish to be confirmed and are in year 10 or above.
• Make an effort to come to the BBQ next Sunday.  £1 only for adults, children Free.

God Bless,

 Father John