Well the parish website refuses to work properly today so it cannot be updated. We await the help of our technical advisers!

Blogwise, I can tell you that we have a new parish priest. It has been decided that Father Joe, who has been with us for the past four years, is not well enough to return to the parish. He is currently recovering in Toronto, Canada but will be coming back to the UK in a while.

The Rosminians have decided to appoint Father Ted Mullen to become parish preist at Sacred Heart, providing this appointment is approved by the archbishop. This is good news as Father Ted is already a familiar face at Sacred Heart and a popular figure. He said he was delighted to be taking over and it was a dream come true for him.

We wish Father Ted well, and send our best wishes to Father Joe for a speedy recovery.

The parish picnic is not far away - Sunday September 16th at midday at St Marie's Junior School. Everyone is welcome for some fun and games.

Also, the Living Faith series of talks will be beginning towards the end of September. There is still time to sign up. See the parish website for details.

During the week, vandals had been at work - damaging at least four large stained glass windows near the church entrance. The cost of repairing them is likely to be quite high as the work is very specialised.

With Father Joe still away, Father Paul was today's celebrant. As one would expect, the congregation is a little smaller than usual, but there was still a good attendance and some impressive singing.

There is a baptism in the church today - Aemil Joseph Perkins. Congratulations to all involved.

Father Ted Mullen will be in residence at the presbytery during August.

Although the holidays had officially begun, there was still a good attendance at mass on Sunday July 22 - the 16th Sunday of Year C.

The celebrant was Father Philippe. It has been announced that Father Joe is to be away from the parish for 'several months' so he can get well again. He is currently in a Rosminian parish in Canada. Our best wishes and prayers go to him.

A summer pastoral letter from the archbishop is read out today on the theme of enjoying ourselves, and personal responsibility.

Yesterday was a new beginning for two parishioners - Tracey O'Callaghan and Ricki Smith were married in the church by Deacon John Burrows. Best wishes to them.

Brian Davies made an annoucement at mass about the Living Faith talks which take place in September and October. There are four talks and they will be looking at our relationships with other faiths. A challenging subject and a fascinating one. It costs £20 to attend the four talks which include a meal. See the story on the parish website for more information.

Ever tried a random act of kindness?

Today, the 15th Sunday of Year C, was a chance for us to reflect on the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The children, in their final special liturgy before the summer break, watched the parable being acted out, and returned with a display and balloons.

Father Joe is still away on a special mission to Canada, so Father Paul, a fellow Rosminian, was the celebrant. At the end of mass, Brian Davies spoke briefly about the social product being undertaken by Churches Together in Bilton in September which will be trying to help Bilton's elderly, its young people, and the environment. Anyone interested can sign up in the Narthex or let Brian know.

On Thursday of this week, there is a mass and gathering to mark the closure of Bishop Wulstan School. Everyone connected with the school is invited.

The sun made a brief appearance in an otherwise torrential week. Today was a Day for Life, decreed so by the church to help us reflect on a number of issues connected with the preservation of life.

Here is an excerpt from Father Joe's hardhitting sermon.

This weekend, we are asked to reflect on the meaning and value of life, Father Joe said today.

He said there is a great need for such a reflection at this time in the light of recent car bombs in London and Glasgow, atrocities in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Sudan, racial strife in our cities, the abductions of adults and children, and the fact that this year marks 40 years since abortion was legalised in the UK.

"It is interesting that during these last 40 years, the UK and many countries have abolished captial punishment. I believe that is right and good - but it is odd indeed that the same people who want to preserve the lives of those found guilty, have no great problem with terminating the lives of the innocent within the womb," he added.

Father Joe is leaving us briefly to carry out Rosminian duties in Canada. We wish him a safe journey.

The UCM will be leaving us too this week - off to Walsingham for their annual pilgrimage. Don't forget Grease at Bishop Wulstan School, and to check out the forthcoming events section of the website for a number of new dates in the Autumn.

Father Joe was the celebrant and preacher for Father's Day at Sacred Heart.

He referred back to the time when people were taught that God was like a policeman taking down all our faults and sins, and saving them up for judgement day. People felt negative about the idea of God, he said.

Now things have changed. But have they changed too much? he asked. The philosophy now is to do what we want and don't get caught.

The truth is that we are all sinners and in need of forgiveness. We need the Lamb of God. We should look back on each day, give thanks to God for the good things, and seek forgiveness for the things that have gone wrong.

Today was Father's Day and there was a big attendance in church - and the sun finally came out after three days of torrential rain. There were special prayers for Fathers, and Fr Joe received a chocolate present as well.

There were prayers for Eric Langham, Alan Langham's brother, who died this week. May he rest in peace.

The parish feast day was a success on Friday night, despite the terrible weather. Between 40 and 50 people came along and had a good time.

Names are being sought for confirmation and first communion in 2008. Anyone interested is asked to sign the list in the narthex.

Today was the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. There was another good attendance, especially plenty of children and young people which is always great to see.

The guest speaker was Cyprian Blamires from the St Barnabas Society. This is a group that supports people who have decided to convert to the Catholic Faith. He told his powerful story about being an ordained minister in the Church of England then having a crisis of faith and finally deciding to become a Catholic. Many who make the journey discover financial hardship and the society exists to give them some support. He brought along books called The Path To Rome and there was a collection for the society.

There was a final reminder about the Parish Feast Day on Friday when there will be a mass at 6.45pm and a barbecue afterwards with games on the field if weather permits.

Details are announced for the First Communion and Confirmation programmes for 2008 (we've only just finished the 2007 ones!).

And the draw takes place for the £1,000 first prize in our Holiday Club. The winner is A Kite. Congratulations! Why not join the club giving just a £1 a week? What a good way to support the parish.