Two weeks ago I had a meeting with a large group of parents wanting to present their children for baptism and last week six couples came for a meeting as part of their wedding preparation. In October we will be welcoming the families of the children who will be preparing to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and the Eucharist as part of the sacramental programme this year. This is a time for growth in parish and we need to embrace this opportunity with both hands. I am making it very clear that I expect people to show their commitment to the sacramental programme, baptism, and marriage preparation by regularly attending Sunday mass.

At the same time I want to make it very clear how important it is to make people welcome. When they come to mass they need to be made welcome and see a community that is gathered together in the peace of Christ. This is also a great time to invite people back to the church who have stopped coming for whatever reason. If we are to do this then we need to people of prayer and reconciliation. We need to leave any divisions at the door in the hope that they will be transformed by us gathering together as one around Christ in the Eucharist.

We are all equal in the eyes of God and equally in need of God's love and forgiveness. When we experience this in the Eucharist then we are called to share that peace and reconciliation with those around us. Perhaps we can begin by saying one 'Our Father' for someone who needs our love and forgiveness at this time and see what a spring time that will bring in the parish.