FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY – 8^th /9^th JULY 2023

Dear Parishioners,

In the Gospel today, we hear again the consoling words: “Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me …”

Jesus is not telling us to come to him and all burdens and problems will be removed. No, we are to face up to the challenges; Jesus is already carrying our burdens for us and with us; we are not alone in our journey through life.

Jesus is aware of our challenges in life. The idea of being weighed down, of being burdened and ground down by work, or lack of work; by the cost of living; by the uncertainty of life; we can get overwhelmed by never-ending tasks with little chance of rest … He is inviting us to “come to him” with all our troubles and “he will give us rest.” This is the clear and simple message, reserved not for the learned and the clever, but us who are children of God.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!  

How can I thank you all for the wonders of last week-end? Your cards, gifts and generous donations have been beyond all expectations. I’ve been slowly reading all your message of love and gratitude in appreciation of my 20 years with you. It has been a privilege and an honour for me to serve you as your Parish Priest. Over those 20 years, your love, support; encouragement, challenges, and devotion to the parish, is what has inspired me and helped me to do the best I could.

So many of you mentioned in gratitude, my homilies at Mass. I would consider myself the least capable at preaching when I see others who can speak so eloquently … there I am grasping for words and half-baked ideas! I can only put it down to the words of the Holy Spirit.

I appreciated all the messages during the Masses at the week-end. The reception in the hall was beyond belief. So many of you gave your time, energy and many dishes of food … it was all unbelievable. The entertainment too was delightful.

I have so many fond memories of my time here at St John Vianney. They will sustain me in the years ahead. My one request is to support the priests who replace me; the Verbum Dei Community and all who are in a leadership role in the parish. Hopefully, there will be occasion for me to return now and then. I extend a welcome to all who wish to come to visit me in the Uxbridge countryside. Get yourselves organised in little groups – don’t forget how my doorbell works!! I have one more weekend before I go to Ireland for a 3 weeks holiday.

Thanks again and God bless you all.

Fr Joe