My dear friends,

October begins with the traditional observance of Harvest Thanksgiving. In Church on the Sunday we shall also be able to enjoy a themed Parish Lunch, the relevance of this was renewed for me when in preparation for the School Celebration I revisited the instructions in Deuteronomy on the keeping of the Feast of Tabernacles. After a week of collecting in School the offerings will all be brought to Church for the celebration at 9.15 on Friday 6th: while this is not a Mass I would still encourage you to experience a more informal School Worship. This year we are collecting dry food for the City Mission Foodbank together with toiletries and laundry products for the First Base Homeless Centre.

Last month I drew your attention to the Diocesan Walsingham Celebration to be held at Saint Bartholomew’s on October 14th. The full details of this are printed on the Sunday Bulletin. Two and a half weeks on from that as we begin the month of November the Wagner Group will be gathering at S Barnabas’ Hove on November 1st at 7pm to celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints Day. (There will be a said Mass here at 12.30 for those unable to join the principal celebration in the evening.)

This leads me to note that the All Souls’ lists will appear as the month proceeds. There will be a Solemn Mass at 12noon on November 2nd and a said Mass at 7pm. Please print the names of your loved ones on the list for the Mass you intend to attend. If you truly cannot be present at either it is of course our privilege to pray on your behalf.

With my love and prayers,

Fr. Trevor