Today we celebrate St Bridget, one of the co-patrons of Europe. During her life St Bridget focused her meditations on the salvific effects of the Passion of Our Lord. During Mass this morning we prayed that like St Bridget we too be made worthy to contemplate this eternal and purest love Incarnate and spent and given on the altar of the cross. Mass was offered for our church cleaners and it was good to see their leaders present for the Holy Sacrifice.

After Mass Fr Mark prepared for the school leavers assembly in church. All the school leavers have received a Bible from the Parish, our prayers are with them as they move on to start their secondary education.

On my part I went to London for a special meeting for all clergy of our tradition with some of our Catholic bishops. After what seemed to be the initial shock from the point of being formally rejected, our constituency is coming together. I was encouraged by the calls from the bench and the floor for the need of prayer, of intimacy with Jesus. One of the brethren spoke about the need of learning the prayer to St Michael the Archangel by heart.So we enter a time of praying, of added faithfulness, of listening, of stock taking, of working with and under our Fathers in God as we seek God’s will. It was an encouraging meeting that fills us with joy as we see our united bishops inspiring us to follow them forward in faith, hope and love.

Saint Michael the Archangel,defend us in battle.

Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;

and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host

-by the Divine Power of God -

cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,

who roam throughout the world

seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.

This blog offers prayers and congratulations to Fr Robin Jones SSC who tonight will be inducted as Vicar of St Luke's in Shepherds Bush, London.