As you know the week before last Father Steve had a bad fall at Aylesford Priory; he has had surgery and is recovering well but is on sick leave; and Father John goes back to Nigeria this weekend for his mother’s funeral. Our prayers are with Fr Steve; and we pray for Mary Olaniran’s soul and for Father John and his family. This means that some changes have been made to our programme for this month; also as you know I have responsibilities for teaching on the diaconate formation programme (next weekend), and the teaching of students at Allen Hall Seminary and St Mary’s University, which are part of my ministry as a priest. Consequently the separate Family Masses in the hall will not take place for the next three weekends and we have had to cancel the 6pm weekday Masses for the next few weeks; the annual Mass for the Bereaved has also been postponed. We are fortunate to have two deacons in this parish and on some occasions a weekday Mass will be replaced by a Celebration of the Word and Holy Communion led by them. I am also grateful to other priests in the deanery for their support.
Fr Ashley