Dear All.
Following on from last week.....the adventures continue. From New Year's Eve through to
Sunday 3rd
. January we had a very cold period of ice and nnow. Black ice first and then the
snow. By Thursday 31st
. December I decided it was high time for some H & S for Fr. P and I,
and so a daily dose for four days of shovelling snow and grit salting commenced. I called it my
snow work-out, as a real glow followed the back-breaking labour and a red flush followed on the
face. Everything was safe for our faithful flock of parishioners on 1st
. January after the 10.00am.
Mass, and also for 3rd
. January for Car Park Communion (roughly 40). The night before school
returned, did it snow?! The escape routes were obliterated and the Winter Wonderland returned.
There was no way I could do all that again before Staff, pupils and parents returned, and so it
had to be left to the Head and the Site Supervisor; both of whom are much younger than I am.
By 5.00pm. On Monday 4th
. January, we all knew what was inevitably going to happen; the
writing was on the wall; Lockdown 3. “Stay at home” was the critical instruction for me, and the
major one to abide by, as we did in March 2020. As the week progressed, we all knew that
things were not the same as previously; dare I say, hesitantly, sloppy, and the simple request
for the good of all was being flouted, and quite openly. Now this I consider totally irresponsible,
especially with numbers and cases soaring sky high, and C19 Variants at wild un-measured
liberties. “Flying in the air,” said Fr. P on his Streamed Masses. My heart goes out to our
beloved NHS and all others at the chalk-face, front line. One word is constantly being uttered at
the moment........FRIGHTENING.
Christmas is officially over in our churches, and all the trimmings, flowers and lectern falls are
packed away for another year. It is back to green colours and Ordinary Time for Year B. The
phone calls and Emails to keep in touch and boost morale have increased once more,and
ideas/suggestions are being thrown out to stimulate brain, body and activity. I decided to do
another “Bottoming” of the Presbytery for a spring clean.
Sydney Sausage Dog has found a new friend, Fr. Mayne, our elderly Deanery Veteran. He is
now fully acquainted with this dear gentleman, and upon arrival goes promptly into 'doggie
watch' on the bed as a form of protection and after a joint lunch 'one priest and the dog' return to
bed for afternoon naps. Meanwhile, in the bungalow Gary the Budgie invented out of the blue, a
raucous squawk which does not impress my Brother Pat at all, amidst all his other twitters,
squeaks and burbling. He is the most absolutely fabulously blue budgie with a vibrant yellow
crown. Pat sent me a video Recording of him and now Fr. P is plagued by my repetitious playing
of the Little Fella.
And to finish, the deer crept back on to the back lawn in the fresh snow and I genuinely declare
the place looked as if there had been a Nature's Football Match. There were prints everywhere,
particularly by my precious Heather Pot Plants.
We have at last caught up, and we all move together towards a hopeful God-filled New Year,
with faith and trust. May Our Lady and her Rosary carry us on safely. Dear St. Joseph, Patron of
so many causes; our Parish and our Archdiocese, look after us please.
God bless.
Love and prayers.
JANE
