SAINT MARGARET'S CATHOLIC CHURCH HUNTLY

 

NEWS LETTER FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING 27th APRIL 2008 Parish Priest: Bishop John Jukes OFM Conv., 30 Chapel Street Huntly AB54 8BS

Te1.& Fax: 01466792435 E-mail:

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER MONDAY -SATURDAY THURSDAY THE ASCENSION

MASS 9.45AM MASS/COMMUNION 9.00 AM MASS 7,00 PM

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Dear Parishioners, About a year ago I decided that because of increasing infirmity I could not properly serve you as parish priest. I feared that it would be difficult to impossible for Bishop Peter to fmd a priest for your service. It was with great joy that I learnt that Bishop Peter had approached Fr James McCurry OFM Conv, Superior of the Conventual Franciscans in the British Isles, to ask for a Community of Friars to serve in the Aberdeen Diocese. The Minister General of the Order gave his consent and invited Provinces of the Order to help with this return of the Friars to Scotland after they were driven out at the time of the Reformation over four hundred years ago. Fr Simon from the Krakow Province has been with us since December.Fr Patrick from St Bonaventure's Province USA arrived yesterday. Fr Jakob from Krakow is due in May. They will constitute the first Community of Franciscans in modern times in this diocese.

I ask your prayers for this infant Community. Pray that its members will be faithful to the spirit of St Francis of Assisi whose inspiration led them to take their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Pray that their lives in community s~e as a beacon illuminating the people who live in the diocese of Aberdeen with the message of the Good News who is Jesus Christ the Lord,. The friars with all faithful Catholics face a great challenge in our society that in many ways is hostile to the truth of the Gospel. May the spirit of self denial and loving service of others shine out in their lives leading others on the same path that brings peace and justice to our world Pray that they do not become discouraged by the indifference that they will encounter but persevere with St Francis as their example to preach brief sermons on "virtues and vices punishment and glory".

The friars I hope will earn your love and support of which I have received so much over the past seven years. The way of the Church is to proclaim and live in the love given tothe human race by our Lord Jesus. St Frands evidently lived in that love, He insisted that his followers had always to be faithful to the Catholic Church and to the Pope. With this in mind I pray that the coming of the friars to this diocese of Aberdeen will result in an increase in the gift of the Holy Spirit so that many will be moved to become Catholics and so join in the sacramental life of praise with the Church Keep the friars in your prayers.

+ John Jukes OFM Conv.,