Almost take-off...

Just doing last minute prep. before flying off to Italy tomorrow to begin my Sabbatical proper. The excitment mounts, tho' tempered by Chris not being able to come with me...

Today we celebrated our second 'Friends and Families Sunday' at St. Andrew's. This has become a tradition and is clearly popular, with over 140 people present at Mass. It's Suzanne's 'baby', and she delivers well!! Lot's of people involved and a hoard of kids, visitors, brass band etc...
And, at the end, we re-hallowed a statue of Our Lady of Walsingham which I will present to our twin parish of St. Bede, Venice Beach, Los Angeles. Michael Creasey has restored it and the statue looks wonderful. It was given by those members of St. John's, Mawney Road who have made their home with us since the closure of their church.