My Dear Friends,

Every year I am deeply touched by your extraordinary generosity towards me, and the mountain of gifts I receive are testimony to that. I wish it were possible for me to write to thank each and everyone of you personally for your gift, but even if I started now I would not be finished before Easter!! So please accept these few words as my heartfelt thanks. God bless you all.

No doubt many of you will have heard our Archbishop speak on Christmas Day about the sanctity of marriage and he speaks about it again today in his pastoral letter. Further to this every priest has been asked to share with you a statement by Abp. Vincent and Abp. Peter Smith about this, and I am very happy to do so. They write:-

The meaning of marriage matters. It derives that meaning from its function as the foundation of the family. The union of one man and one woman for love and mutual support and open to procreation has over the centuries formed a stable unit we call the family. Marriage is the enduring public recognition of this commitment and has been rightly recognised as unique and worthy of legal protection.

The government has chosen to ignore the views of over 600,000 people who signed a petition calling for the current definition of marriage to stay, and we are told legislation to change the definition of marriage will now come to Parliament.

We strongly oppose such a Bill. Furthermore, the process by which this has happened can only be described as shambolic. There was no electoral mandate in any manifesto; no mention in the Queen's speech; no serious or thorough consultation through a Green or White paper, and a constant shifting of policy before even the Government response to the consultation was published.

We urge everyone who cares about upholding the meaning of marriage in civil law to make their views known to their MPs clearly, calmly and forcefully, and without impugning the motives of others. We urge all parties to ensure their Members have a free vote. It is not too late to stop this Bill.

I know that many of us are deeply concerned about this issue and are grateful for our Church's firm response. Do consider writing to your MP as soon as possible - I have already done so.

Finally I pray that everyone is having a truly wonderful, holy and blessed Christmas, and may I wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year.

God Bless.

THE GIVING TREE

LAST WEEK'S COLLECTION

DON'T FORGET! THERE IS COFFEE IN THE PARISH HALL AFTER THE MORNING MASS ON SUNDAY.
SEE YOU THERE!!