The musings of one of God’s smallest creatures on events in and around the Parish over the past seven days . . . . After his holiday away Fr D has now returned back to us, we thank Canon Tony for ‘stepping into the breach’ and looking after us over the past few weeks . . . . Fr D actually arrived home about 21.30 on Saturday evening. First thing he did, of course, was to make himself a pot of tea (which spread to two pots of tea pretty quickly). He opened the ‘box on wheels’ and sorted the contents into four piles: ‘dark,’ ‘coloured,’ ‘ w h i t e , ’ a n d ‘ u n u s e d , ’ before taking one pile upstairs again and then taking the other three into the utility room and playing with the big white boxes! Afterwards he had a sandwich and sorted out the various bits of mail that had gathered whilst he was away ready to look at on Tuesday morning. Then he took himself off to bed, having had a long day travelling. Fr D says that he had a really lovely time whilst away in Crete, it is one of his favourite Greek islands (he likes holidays on the Greek islands, so long as the island has it’s own airport - he has no intention of getting on a Greek ferry!). He finds the island people very welcoming and always delighted that he has a little Greek to show willing when he talks to them - his restaurant speaking is quite passable (certainly to the extent that he manages to get what he wants!). Whilst away he stays in a villa with his friends and they always have one with its own pool. Typically he spends the morning saying his prayers (along with a pot of tea) before the first swim of the day, any shopping required then gets done to include the fresh-baked bread that will be the base of lunch (cheese, tomatoes, olive paste, hummus, kataifi cake). In the afternoon there is either more time around the pool (Fr D hiding from the sun and reading under a shade) or a trip out to visit/see something. Eventually another swim and then getting ready to go out for the evening meal. Fr D has got quite fond of Greek island food (except for fish) which he has discovered bears little resemblance to what Greek restaurants here in the UK serve up!  There are not all that many Catholic churches on the islands compared with Greek Orthodox churches on nearly every street corner and square. However the group manage to get to Mass, usually on Saturday evening before continuing on to a restaurant. Fr D finds that being in the congregation is a sobering experience, particularly when the Mass is celebrated in Greek (or sometimes in very exotic English!). There is always an interesting selection of ‘ex-pats at Mass, but Fr D does not ever tell them that he is a priest!

PARISH CHRISTMAS BAZAAR 2026, SAVE THE DATE - Will be taking place on Saturday 5 th December i n the Sacred Heart Parish Centre between 10.00 and 13.00. All of our favourite stalls will be present as usual: Books, Glass & China, Cakes & Biscuits, Gifts & Fancy Goods, Jewellery, Toys & Puzzles, Bottle Tombola, Crafts & Handmade, Children’s ’Pick a Stix,’ Grand Draw - along with Repository Goods and Refreshments. If you have missed the distribution of Grand Draw Tickets on previous weekends please collect yours as you leave Mass this weekend; we would like ALL households to take FOUR books of tickets to try and sell to friends, family and work colleagues (more will be available should you sell out)!

Traditionally the month of November is dedicated to the Holy Souls in purgatory. The Church commemorates all her faithful children who have departed this life, but have not yet attained the joys of heaven. St Paul warns us that we must not be ignorant concerning the dead, nor sorrowful, “even as others who have no hope . . . . for the Lord himself shall come down from heaven . . . . and the dead who are in Christ shall rise.” The Church has always taught us to pray for those who have gone into eternity. Even in the Old Testament prayers and alms were offered for the souls of the dead by those who thought “well and religiously concerning the resurrection.” It was believed that “they who had fallen asleep with godliness had great grace laid up for them” and that “it is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.” We know that a defiled soul cannot enter into heaven.