My Dear New Parish Family,

There is an old story told of a traveller who came to a little village high in the mountains. As he approached, he saw an old man sitting by the roadside, so he stopped and asked: “Tell me, what are the people like in this village I am about to enter?” The old man looked at him gently and said: “Tell me what the people were like in the place you left behind.” The traveller sighed and said: “Oh, they were cold, selfish and difficult I was glad to leave them.” The old man nodded and said: “Then I am afraid you will find them much the same here.” Another traveller came along a little while later, carrying a bundle on his back and a smile on his face. He too stopped and asked the same question. The old man looked at him and asked once more: “Tell me what were the people like in the place you left behind?” The traveller’s eyes lit up: “Oh, they were wonderful so kind, generous and loving. It broke my heart to say goodbye. I only hope I may be blessed to find such good people again.” The old man smiled warmly and said: “Then you will find them much the same here.” Because, you see home is not simply a place you arrive at. It is a place you build together, one gentle step at a time, and that is exactly how I feel as I arrive among you.

It is with a heart full of gratitude and a little bit of holy excitement that I write these words to you your new parish priest, arriving from across the water, stepping onto this beautiful island and into the warmth of your welcome. Thank you from the very depth of my soul for making me feel so at home already. Your kindness has touched me deeply and I know already that I have come to a good and holy place. I want to say a special word of heartfelt thanks to Father Inna, who have loved and served this parish so faithfully. Thank you for handing on the torch of faith so beautifully you have laid a good foundation together with all the previous priests ever served here and I pray I may build upon it with the same care and devotion. Also to our wonderful, hardworking secretaries thank you! I already know that you are the heartbeat of this parish and I am so grateful for your help, your wisdom and your patience already. You are truly a gift to us all. As we begin this journey together, I ask you simply for a little patience. Think of me as someone walking through a beautiful garden for the first time I need to walk slowly, to look closely, to learn the names of the flowers, to understand the soil and the seasons, before I can help tend and grow it with you.

I want to get to know you slowly, genuinely to meet the wonderful people who serve God here in so many different ways: in our pastoral work, in our schools, in our care for those in need of God and peoples love and in our friendship with other churches and communities across this island. I will come, I will listen, I will learn and in time, please God, we will walk forward together. Most of all, I ask for your prayers. Because I know, with Jesus, what Saint John wrote is true: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

That is my prayer for us that we may be branches firmly rooted in Christ, connected to one another and bearing fruit that lasts. We are not perfect gardeners, but the Gardener Himself walks among us and that is enough. I beg you to pray for me, for Fr Benedict and for all the priests we have ever met on the journey of faith. May Mary, our Mother, hold us all close in her heart and keep every one of us faithful to her Son, Jesus Christ – True God and True Man. So here I am your brother, your priest, your friend – with open heart and open hands. Let us walk together, pray together and grow together – one gentle step at a time. Welcome home to all of us. With my love, my prayers and every blessing,

Father Marcin Drabik

A big thank you to all who came along to Fr Inna’s Mass of thanksgiving and making it such a joyful parish occasion. Special thanks to all who worked so hard on the evening in so many ways. The servers, welcomers, musicians and those who prepared the garden and served our food and drink. A special thank you to Ron for the incredible cake and to Helen Paul for embroidering our message to Fr Inna on behalf of us all on his Stole. Both the cake and Stole can be seen on the Parish Website or Facebook Page.

The Holy Spirit Prayer Group will be meeting on Monday 14th September from 7:30pm-8:30pm in St Joseph’s Parish Room.

Tea/Coffee available from 7:00pm.

Everyone is welcome! For more information contact Frank on 07781 108394.

Orbital Gathering on Sunday 20th September from 6:30pm-8:30pm in St Joseph’s Church Hall.

Lots of fun, games, food and discussion.

We’ll be focusing on welcoming the new Y7s, helping young people get to know each other and we’ll have a panel of different youth leaders sharing about why they love reading the Bible in preparation for launching our Bible Course in the Spring (Yrs 7-13).

A time to recognise and celebrate farmers and workers in developing countries and reflect on the issues of underpayment and exploitation.

It is a good time to try some new Fairtrade products that are on sale in the supermarkets.

Laudato Si’ Season of Creation Mass on 24th September at 6:00pm at Delancey, with refreshments after. More details to follow.

Have you or do you know of someone that has considered becoming a Catholic? Perhaps you have never got around to being confirmed? You may be Catholic but have been away for a very long time and now feel called ‘home’? You may have questions or simply wish to find out more.

Please contact Shelley via the parish office – Tel: 720196 / E-mail: office@catholic.org.gg

Our first session starts on the 13th October 2026.

If you, or any of your family or friends are in hospital or due to go to hospital, please let the parish office know.

This is currently the only way that the clergy are aware of a Catholic being admitted.

Do you have a child who is turning four during this academic year? Have you applied for their Reception place yet? Applications are now open for children starting Reception in September 2027 at: Notre Dame du Rosaire Catholic Primary School & St Mary & St Michael Catholic Primary School. Both schools provide high-quality teaching and learning within welcoming, inclusive communities where every child is known, valued and encouraged to flourish. Our strong Catholic ethos is at the heart of school life, helping children to grow academically, personally and spiritually. If you are considering a school place for your child, we would be delighted to welcome you for a visit so that you can meet our staff and see our schools in action. Please also share this information with any Catholic families you know who may have a child starting school in September 2027. To find out more, email the schools or pop your head into one of the school offices to ask – we would be delighted to help.

Emails: ndp.office@educa on.gg / mmp.office@education.gg

Le Platon results of the August draw –

1st – 41 – £100

2nd – 74 – £50

3rd – 21 – £25

Dear Beloved Parishioners,

As I prepare to leave Guernsey on Wednesday 9th September and begin my new ministry in Bournemouth, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to each and everyone of you. These years among you all have been a great blessing to me. Thank you for your kindness, friendship, prayers, encouragement and for the many wonderful memories we have shared. I will miss you all very much and will carry you in my heart and prayers. May God bless you, your families and our parish community always.

With Love Father Inna

The Holy Spirit Prayer Group will be meeting on Monday 07th September from 7:30pm-8:30pm in St Joseph’s Parish Room.

Tea/Coffee available from 7:00pm.

Everyone is most welcome! For more information contact Frank on 07781 108394.

The UCM will be meeting on Tuesday 8th September at 7:00pm in St Joseph’s Parish Room for their Film night.

The film is entitled “I swear”

New members are most welcome. We will be holding a raffle.

Coffee Morning on Wednesday 09th September in St Joseph’s Parish Room and on every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month.

Drop in any time between 9:30am-11:30am for tea/coffee and cake. Everyone is welcome.

Ecumenical Pilgrimage from Lihou to St. Appoline’s on Saturday 12th September, meeting time is 2:00pm and the walk starts at 2.15pm.

We cross the causeway to Lihou, visit the ruined Priory then re-cross the causeway to walk up the coast to Le Trepied dolmen and then on to St. Appoline’s chapel to conclude at 4:30pm with a short service followed by refreshments at the United Reformed Church.

If you would like to join please contact Pierre Paul – Tel: 01481 236636 / E-mail: paulfamily@guernsey.net

Posters are also up in all three churches for more information.

Laudato Si’ encourages those who are able to consider using active or alternative travel to Mass on the following weekend September 12th/13th.

If it works well for you why not continue in between? Water will be available at all churches.

Blanchelande College Open Morning on Saturday 26th September from 10:00am – 12:30pm. Come and visit Guernsey’s Catholic independent school for boys and girls from age 2 to 18. The Principal Mrs Alexa Yeoman will give a brief presentation at 10:00am followed by guided tours. Prospective families and parishioners are most welcome. For enquiries please contact Sonia Hollowell (Registrar) – Tel: 232744 / E-mail: hollowells@blanchelande.sch.gg

We are very grateful to all our musicians, but we are now desperate for players to join a rota for the Saturday 6:00pm Mass at OLSS. Perhaps you could help us once a month?

Hymns are already chosen so can be given for practice in advance. Please if you can help contact the Parish Office or see Cathy Greening after mass. Thank you

The altar crucifix and candles along with the new sanctuary lightuig in St Joseph’s were donated in memory of Jean Savage.

May she Rest in Peace +

The Guernsey Welfare Service are currently in need of these tinned foods –

Tinned meat (corned beef, hot dogs etc)
Fray Bentos Pies
Meals in a tin

If you can help to put food on the table for all those that are in need. We have three foods banks in the back of all of our three churches.

Please do help if you can. Thank you so much.