Llandudno -
Our Lady Star of
the Sea
Parish
Priest: Fr Antony Jones STL - Telephone: 01492 860546 [Email]
Sunday July
30th
2006
Dear Parishioner,
Away last Sunday, I was unable to tell you about the success of the
concert we held in the church on Sunday 16 July. It was simply
magnificent.
Composed mainly of young people (the lead violinist, for example was
nine, with the trumpeter the venerable age of fourteen) the group, the
Amici del Canto, consisted of choir and mini orchestra. The
quality of the singing and of the playing was simply superb, beyond my
wildest expectations.
They were giving us a preview of the programme they would play before
the Holy Father in Rome, the monies raised going to fund the
trip. I was so impressed with the youthfulness of the choir and
their expertise that I gave them all the takings, half of which was
supposed to have come to the church. It was wonderful to see
local young people involved in such activities and so enthusiastic and
competent. I have invited them to accompany one of our live
Sunday Masses. Much religious music was composed especially for
the celebration of the Roman Mass and today finds itself played out in
the concert hall, far from its rightful context. I hope they take
up my invitation. Congratulations to their leader and conductor,
Nigel Shaw, and thanks to the Romeo Italian Restaurant for sponsoring
the concert and providing the cheese and wine party afterwards.
Last week saw our first efforts at teaching English to the incoming
members of our parish. A lot of young people turned up, so many
that we decided to divide ourselves into two classes, myself taking the
utter beginners while Sister Mary took those with a smattering of the
language. I don’t know whether they enjoyed the evening, but I
certainly did. What I do know is that they were very
grateful. Spare a prayer that the lessons will provide them with
the basic tools of language for their prosperity here, as well as
keeping them close to the Church, coming as they do from cultures much
more Christian than our near pagan society.
I received an email from Sister Jean earlier in the week. In it
she says: “Please tell your parishioners that they provide a life-line
to many sick and poor women and children. Ask them to pray also
for Darfur, which is getting worse instead of better. The women
in the camps live in fear of reprisals and the government is adamant
that the UN peacekeepers will not enter the area”. Sr Jean is
reminding us to pray; that prayer must always go hand in hand with our
almsgiving, as we support the baby-feeding programme as well as the
Women and Children’s Clinic. It is satisfying to know that our
money is really helping people desperately in need, making their lives
just that little bit more bearable.
Father Andrew is off to America for his holidays. Didn’t I tell
you this would happen? He leaves us on Wednesday and will be away
for a fortnight. He has been working very hard this year, with
his responsibilities at Blessed Edward Jones School on top of his
parish duties. He deserves a good holiday. We wish him
well…in Florida. The Parish priest will be going later in the
month to Pwllheli!!
On Wednesday, last year’s Catechumenate will meet at the Pen y Bryn
restaurant in Upper Colwyn for a reunion meal. We had a great
year together.
God bless you,
Fr Antony Jones
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