The inspiration of Our Lady’s love.
One of the wonderful things about the church being open everyday is that Fr. Josiah and I get to meet a great number of people who just happen to wander past and something encourages them to come in.
There are many long conversations about many topics. There are many referrals for help, there are many discussions about God, about death, about lost love and about life in general.
It amazes me how this place seems to welcome people in and allow them to open up.
But one of the greatest things I get to see is the power of love in action that is driven in principle by Our Lady.
Let me give you an example. This morning I have watched as a young couple came into church. They came in and did the usual pause at the door and then saw the statue of Our Lady. They made their way over and stood in front of her, smiling.
They both crossed themselves and then the gentleman reached his arm around his wife and they smiled deeply. He touched her tummy and they kissed.
I don’t know what they were praying for but the love was obvious and the connection between then was infectious. I smiled. My son sat in the sacristy with me smiled. I gave him a cuddle and told him I loved him.
All that from a simple prayer in front of the statue of Our Lady.
Mary inhabits a special place in our faith that seems to burst open the door to love in it’s many forms.
As we celebrate her birthday this week, I wonder how she can encourage you to love more? I wonder who in your life would be encouraged by a cuddle, a kiss, or simply telling them that you love them?
Fr. Matthew
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There is Sunday School THIS WEEK at 11:30am-12:30pm. Please invite and encourage your children to come.
Don’t forget it’s Thursday Fun & Fellowship every Thursday. A great time to share conversation, play games and quietly get to know new people.
Do you know somebody who would like to run our new coffee shop? Adverts for the position will be going out this week and will be in next weeks Hayes news. If you know somebody who would like the oppertunity to start their own business with full support and funding… please contact Fr. Matthew
We are looking for volunteers to help serve food on the 2nd Thursday of each month and to learn how to operate the coffee bike. If you’d be interested in helping please speak to Fr. Matthew.
Please sign up for Parish Giving (which is a wonderful way to support St. Anselm and helps us claim more money from the government) Go to www.stanselm.co.uk/giving or call the Parish Giving Team directly on 0333 002 1271 quoting our parish number, which is: 230 623 503.