Dear Friends at St Alban’s,

It was a great joy to return to Sunday Mass last weekend and to see so many familiar, friendly faces after being away. I am very grateful for the warmth of your welcome and the sense of our parish gathered once again around the altar.

It seems that the winter virus finally caught up with me and my family. Sadly we have been ill for much of this past week. Thankfully, things are looking much better now and I am hopeful that we will be well and truly back on our feet for this weekend.

As the Church, we return once again to Ordinary Time, that liturgical space between the great seasons of Christmas and Lent. It is a time that reminds us that God is present not only in the high feasts but also in the ordinary rhythms of our daily lives.

We look forward to celebrating Candlemas on Sunday 1st February. We also begin to think about how we might make a good Lent from Ash Wednesday on 18th February. Yes, I know — I’ve already said the “L” word! But, the better, more faithfully we keep Lent, the more wonderful and joy-filled our celebration of Easter will be.

This Sunday we will hear the words from John’s Gospel, “Behold the Lamb of God.” Familiar words from the Mass. As we hear them, we look up to behold the presence of Christ in the Eucharist — the Body of Christ which feeds us now, in Ordinary Time, in Lent, and in all our days to come.

With every blessing,
Fr Sean