The Eucharist is at the centre of our lives. As we gather together to receive Jesus in his Word and his Sacrament, we grow into the One whom we receive, in order to share him withour world. And that “togetherness” is an essential part of being his follower.

For the first summer or two when I came to the 3 Churches, we followed a “summer schedule” for Sunday Masses in our 3 Churches. This was done to avoid having to bring in priests from outside, and therefore to enable one priest to celebrate all the Masses on summer weekends. We moved on to welcome visiting priests, but now the picture has changed, and there are no longer as many – if any – priests “out there” to assist us. We are very grateful to those who have helped in June, but not all can assist beyond this month.

Therefore from the weekend of 4/5 July we will follow a summer schedule this year with 5 Masses instead of our usual 7 over Saturday evening and Sunday. Principles in deciding how to do this included the availability of Fr Leyshon, and possibly others, to help in the earlier morning “slot”. This factor suggested 2 Masses at 9 and one at 10.30. As our 3 churches are roughly aligned north to south it seemed to indicate that the two 9 o’clock Masses should be at Christ the King and St Paul’s and 10.30 centrally at St Brigid’s. Secondly, as Christ the King and St Brigid’s are the larger churches, it suggested one Saturday evening and one Sunday evening Mass at each of those two.

So this is the timetable for July, August and September (or until further notice). I know we will all work together at the very centre of what we are about.