June is the Month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
July is the Month of the Most Precious Blood
Dear Friends,
In the midst of the recent heatwave, which, by the time you read this, is now in abeyance, it occurred to me that Christmas is merely six months away. How time flies, is it time to start the preparations?
Perhaps not yet, but the realisation that half of 2026 has passed by in a flash may well remind us to be well prepared for what is to come.
Speaking of preparation, last Wednesday we celebrated one of only three birthdays in the calendar of the Church. This was the Nativity of St John the Baptist. Along with Our Lady and Our Lord, John is honoured with the observance of a Solemnity on his birthday. His role was so pivotal. As the forerunner or precursor, he went before the Lord to prepare his way before him.
On that Solemnity, I reflected a little on the merits of good preparation in life generally. I suspect most of us know that when we fail to prepare well then things tend not to go so well, or we are surprised by unforeseen events. John is the Patron Saint of good and sensible preparation.
As well as in the mundane things of life, such as setting out on a journey in the heat—be sure to take water—good preparation also applies to our spiritual lives. How well do you and I prepare for Mass, for example? How about looking at the readings beforehand, and/or making a proper examination of conscience as part of our preparation for receiving Holy Communion? St John the Baptist would surely approve.
With prayers and best wishes,
