Weekend Masses

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, When I was growing up we lived within a mile of a railway station. The line was eventually closed only to be reopened many years later as a tramline for commuters. We also lived very near to a fruit farm which employed seasonal workers during the summer to pick fruit. It was hard and they really paid slave wages. During the summer my mother would say let’s go and work for a day at the farm and see if we can raise a few pence to take the train out to Bray( a sea side town) tomorrow. We would gladly work with her for the day and at times eat loads of fruit with all the consequences. Sometimes our trip had to be postponed. My mother would buy a certain loaf and make sandwiches as we took our trek to the sea and hoped that the fund would stretch to an ice cream or other goodies. I look back and celebrate the memories created. Times were tough and money was in short supply and yet with great imagination and ingenuity happy and wholesome memories were created. We learned the values of working together and it was not handed to us on a plate. This summer as you plan your time together try to do something that costs a little but creates memories of time together. Do a picnic in the park or along the river. Chase butterflies or fireflies. Grow a garden together or search for the sheep. Great memories are created in simple ways but above all spend time together to have fun and above all pray together. masstimes.org Come back safe Let the Journey continue Fr Karl  

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Summer has come. I realized that last Saturday when I celebrated the 4.30pm Mass and wondered where are they. Are they at a lake somewhere? Have the kids’ games or have they gone to visit the grandparents? Whatever you were doing it brought back memories of childhood, of trips to the seaside of visits to my mother’s family. The sun always seemed to be shining and even though the food at the beach might only have been bread and jam and an occasional side of fries shared among us they were happy and enjoyable days. They created great memories of family and friends. Whatever you do or where ever you travel, I hope you will do so safely. Yes, there will be the arguments the disagreements, the are we there yet questions, maybe even the who gets the bed or the floor question, but hopefully it will all be done in fun and you come home refreshed. Please do not forget that the church will be open and functioning all summer. Please do not forget us. If you are travelling masstimes. org is a good way to find the Mass time in the area. I know the good Lord would appreciate a visit and a few words. Enjoy the summer and come back safe. Let the journey continue, Fr Karl