Category: From Father Peter’s Desk

THE GUATEMALA FILES II: The Road to Damascus (kind of) One of the outstanding memories embedded in the trip was rather unexpected. We decided to go to a nearby town for Mass. As we sped along an empty highway we saw a bicycle coming towards us. Sitting up front on the crossbar was a very… Continue reading From Father Peter’s Desk: 30th January 2020

The Guatemala Files, Part I:   We left Guatemala City with the temperature at 14 degrees but by the time we reached Santa Barbara (where Father Pablo’s church is) we had managed to get to 34 degrees. The countryside was lush and beautiful but the threatening volcanoes poked their heads above the clouds and issuing… Continue reading From Father Peter’s Desk: 10th January 2020

“The House of Bread”  Not a very Christmasy title, let us recognize from the outset. We are more used to the tinsely words that herald in this season. “House of Bread” just doesn’t catch our eye or our ear. It’s not mentioned in any carol or Christmas hymn but that is what Bethlehem means.  Pope… Continue reading From Father Peter’s Desk: 22nd December 2019

The First Week of Advent 2019     Sunday saw the DTIM organize a beautiful family Mass with the lighting of the First Advent Candle, the distribution of the Sheep who will make their trip to Bethlehem representing the children in first communion class and the dressing of the Jesse tree; the family tree of… Continue reading From Father Peter’s Desk: 5th December 2019

This Week: The Feast of Christ the King marked the last week of the liturgical year. The Family Mass team highlighted this in the introduction and reflection made at the 10.00 Mass. It was also the week when the Altar lists of the Dead were opened and read. 208 families sent in lists of the… Continue reading From Father Peter’s Desk: 27/11/2019

This Week: The liturgy of these weeks points to the end of times and the final victory of Christ the King. You can feel a build up of activity around the Parish; Family Mass team meetings, Christmas events being prepared, choir practices, team meetings but above all the daily effort of the community to come… Continue reading From Father Peter’s Desk : 21/11/2019

A new WhatsApp group has had its first use. This Urgent Parish Information group is an answer to those people who have asked to be informed about funerals in the Parish (and other important news). Some members of the community have been upset when they missed the Requiem Mass of a neighbour or of a… Continue reading From Father Peter’s Desk: 13th November 2019

At the 10.00 Mass on Sunday the young people who are to make their confirmation participated actively in the Mass. They introduced and processed at the beginning of the Mass, they read the prayers of the faithful, brought forward the offertory gifts and read the beautiful prayer of St. John Henry Newman. All this a… Continue reading From Father Peter’s Desk: 22nd October 2019

Meetings and special meetings, choir practices and group gatherings… bridge and more bridge.. the Parish is definitely back up and running after the lovely Summer. The Parish team, the Finance Committee and the Board of Management continued their efforts to guide the Parish in its activities and ensure that everything is done according to best… Continue reading From Father Peter’s Desk: 15th September 2019

There was no doubt that the Family Mass Team were back at their stations this Sunday. We had the “blessing of the schoolbags” as many children brought their backpacks, schoolbags and lunchboxes for the blessing at 10.00 Mass. A great beginning to the school year as a recognition of the presence of God in all… Continue reading From Father Peter’s Desk: 6th September 2019