PPlog

Wednesday 11th June

There arrived a large flat pack – was it a self-assembly Eucharistic Minister (or worse still a deacon)? No, they said, it’s a Sacred Heart picture. What would we want with a picture of the sacred heart that stood taller and wider than me? It turned out to be a Divine Mercy picture and it makes a fine adornment to our Baptistry.

Saturday 14th June

Went to an ordination in the morning at Upper Norwood. A new priest for the diocese. Good news, especially as we seem to have lost 2 recently in quick succession. It was a lovely ceremony. The missionary priest arrives in the evening for the appeal. Felt quite tall next to him. He said the evening Mass and preached. He also said one of the morning Masses. ‘Have a nice weekend,’ people say. ‘Shut up,’ I say – but not this time. Fr Paul spoke very well and was very easy to listen to, even when he suggested that people give not just from their surplus but actually till it meant they had to go without something this weekend. And give they did – to the tune of over £750. Wonder if I can get away with a similar appeal this weekend. Second thoughts, perhaps I’d better wait a week or two. It’s amazing the amount of money people have in their pockets; the secret is charming it out of them. The problem is I’m no charmer.

Monday 16th June

Had the finance meeting in the evening. Looks as if we are going to have to raise about £150,000 if people want to keep a roof over their heads while sitting at the back in church (or even the front). Perhaps I’d better make that appeal sooner rather than later. Wish me luck. We’re having trouble getting people to agree to changing the Mass times. Moving the Saturday evening Mass forward means people who work can’t get there – fair enough. Moving the Sunday morning Mass back to 9.30 means some won’t be able to watch their grandchildren play football and others will miss out on the omnibus edition of the Archers. Now that is serious.