I leave the parish this Sunday afternoon and Canon Paul Brindle will take up residence on Tuesday.  I’m confident that you will make him feel really welcome in the Parish of Our Lady of the valley.  He faces a challenge in transferring from a parish with one primary school and Church to our somewhat scattered three communities, churches and schools with a total Sunday congregation of around 440, whereas his present Sunday congregation is 900!

Thank you all for the help, cooperation, generosity, tolerance and forgiveness that you have extended to me over these past exciting eleven years in one of the best (and certainly among the most progressive and active) parishes of our diocese. Though I leave this Sunday, I shall be back next weekend to introduce Fr Paul to our three communities and churches.

Please pray for me, as I shall for you.  Fr John