This Friday 22 July marks another stage in our return to a more normal way of life in our 3 Churches – for the first time in three years our Archbishop visits us. And we are delighted that it should be our new Archbishop, Mark O’Toole.

Confirmation is always a very happy occasion, and we enjoyed a “home-grown” celebration last year as I celebrated the sacrament myself, according to the directives of Archbishop Stack. However, there is something special and of course appropriate when we welcome our bishop among us.

Whenever priorities in church life are discussed, youth always come near the top. So this is an occasion when we can really show our support for our young parishioners at this important stage in their journey.

So I would like to invite all of us to come to this special Mass – special for those to be confirmed, special because it is our first opportunity to welcome Archbishop Mark here to our part of his diocese. I’ll see you there!

Fr Matthew