From Mr Anthony Lawrence
I thought it was about time I put pen to paper, since it is now a year since I moved away from St Mary's to the still island! I am very grateful for the parish mag as I do like to know what is going on back "home". However, I feel I must put over a word about the daily Eucharist. When I attended mass at St Mary's almost every day in the morning, I was always upset to find very little attendance. In fact I was nearly always one of three, and now I read Fr Leslie Irving has died so sadly the numbers now are probably less. However, my point is, when I moved to the I-o-W I found most, if not all, churches only have a Eucharist once every four Sundays and the priests are so thin on the ground most churches are not even open from one month to the next, so I have now to travel into Ryde from Newport (5-6 miles one way) to Quark Abbey, a large but very tranquil place (ask Fr Stephen) which holds mass every day, mostly in Latin chants (which is out of this world). I have become a "regular" now and I am getting to know the Brothers well, including having coffee after mass and staying for lunch. I am now in the process of learning Latin!! But back to my point!! I never realised until the daily mass was not there how much I missed it and needed it. I feel for the St Mary clergy, when they arrive at church to celebrate in our Lord's gift to us, and there is no-one there to give it to. Please don't let St Mary's turn into an I-of-W church and only open once a month. God is giving us a daily gift of his Son, turn up and take it!I keep you all in my prayers daily when at mass.
Great news on the website, I can hook up at my local library and keep up with the news.
Take care, stay safe.
"Dominus vobiscum"
Tony
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