| Letter from Fr Mark McManus (1st May - St Joseph the Worker Feast Day) |
| Dear Parishioners of St Joseph's & St Charles, |
| Happy feast day!
Today's feast of St Joseph the Worker reminds us of the importance of human labour – even children have found that they miss school not just for friends but for learning also. For the Christian our understanding of work is underpinned by the realisation that it is a participation in the work of Creation; the mighty works that God has done. Much work is not getting 'done' at present and the pandemic has left many victims not just physically sick but economically crippled also. Today would be a good day to remember and pray for all those who are suffering hardship in our present crisis and to offer practical help, no matter how small, wherever it may be possible. I have attached a pastoral note from Bishop Ralph for this Sunday and our parishes newsletter also. Finally, Pope Francis has encouraged us to pray at home, especially as a family, and has provided two prayers to Our Lady that we can recite at the end of the Rosary in this month of May: http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/letters/2020/documents/papa-francesco_20200425_lettera-mesedimaggio.html Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us. St Joseph, pray for us. St Charles Borromeo, pray for us. With my prayers, Fr Mark McManus |