Our Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ, my Friends, my Dear Parishioners and warmly welcomed visitors,

My heart overflows with thanksgiving for each one of you: for our Parish Family, for the gift of faith that unites us and above all for the Lord Jesus, truly present among us in the Holy Sacraments, especially in the Most Holy Eucharist, the source and summit of our Christian life. This past week brought many moments of grace and I would like to share some of them with You (I wish I will have space to tell you everything). One of the greatest joys was meeting the parents and children who are beginning their journey towards the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. It was a profound privilege to spend time with these families and to witness something the Church has always taught: that parents are the first, the best and most important teachers of the faith. I often think of parents as the first gardeners of the soul. The Church and our Catholic schools provide guidance, support and nourishment, but it is within the home that the seeds of faith are first planted and lovingly nurtured. It is there that children learn to pray, to trust in God and to recognise His presence in their lives. It is there that they begin to discover that Jesus did not simply leave us a teaching, but gave us Himself in the Holy Eucharist. I was deeply moved by the openness, generosity and enthusiasm of the parents. The response to our gathering has been extraordinary. Many families have written to express their gratitude and their commitment to this sacred journey. This fills me with hope. The promises made at Baptism were never meant to be a burden but a beautiful calling: to lead children towards Christ, who waits for them with love in Confession and at the altar. May the Holy Spirit strengthen these families and may Our Lady watch over every child preparing to receive her Son and our every catechist, who dedicate their time and skills to lead them.

We also give thanks for the beautiful Rosary Procession on the final Saturday of October. Walking together from the Little Chapel to Blanchelande Cemetery beneath an unexpected autumn sun was a wonderful way to conclude the Month of the Rosary and to enter November, the month in which we remember and pray especially for the Holy Souls. On All Souls’ Day (last Monday), Fr Benedict and I were privileged to celebrate three Holy Masses each for the faithful departed. This special permission, granted by the Church on that day alone, reflects her deep maternal desire that the fruits of Christ’s sacrifice may be applied abundantly to those undergoing purification. From the earliest centuries, Christians have entrusted their beloved dead to the prayer of the Church and above all, to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. There is no greater gift we can offer them than to place them into the merciful heart of Christ, who alone saves and sanctifies. We are equally grateful for the people who gathered at Le Foulon Cemetery to pray for the deceased. Together we blessed graves, remembered loved ones, prayed for priests who served the Church in Guernsey before us and honoured the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy who rest there. It was a moving reminder that death does not break the bonds of Christ’s family. We remain united in Him: one Church in heaven, on earth and awaiting glory. After a full and busy day, it was a grace simply to rest in the presence of the Holy Spirit and to allow the Lord to renew our hearts through prayer and song, with our Holy Spirit Group, who gather every Monday evening. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude for the many Mass cards, prayers and messages I have received since my installation as your Parish Priest. Knowing that Holy Mass is being offered for me in churches and chapels across the world is a gift beyond measure. In the Eucharist there are no distances. We are joined together in the one sacrifice of Christ and in the communion of His Church. Thank You for praying that I may always strive to be a faithful and holy priest according to the Sacred Heart of Christ.

Finally for this time, last week we welcomed the Diocesan Estates Team for a three-day visit to our Parish. Together we reviewed our churches, presbyteries, schools, halls, meeting rooms and all the buildings entrusted to our care. They assessed their condition, identified future priorities and helped us gain a clearer understanding of the work that lies ahead. As they walked through our Parish properties, I found myself reflecting on the image of the faithful steward from the Gospel. A wise steward does not think only of today; he prepares for tomorrow. Our buildings are far more than bricks and mortar. They are places where children learn the faith, where families gather, where the Sacraments are celebrated, where the lonely find comfort and where countless souls encounter Christ. This visit has given us a clearer picture of both our blessings and our responsibilities. In the coming weeks, our Finance Committee will present a fuller report so that together we can understand our situation and discern the next steps. Yet none of this is simply about buildings. It is about people. It is about you, dear friends. For you are the living stones of this Parish. You are the ones who pray, who serve, who give, who sacrifice, and who keep the faith alive from generation to generation. The Diocese offers its expertise, the Estates Team their professionalism and the Finance Committee its guidance, but it is the whole Parish Family that shares in this sacred responsibility. We care for these buildings not for their own sake, but because they are instruments of God’s work among us. We preserve them so that future generations may find here what we ourselves have found: a home in Christ, a place of prayer, a community of love and a pathway to Heaven through the Holy Sacraments.

These coming weeks we’ll commend to God’s mercy beloved parishioners who have been called from this life during this time. Their places in our pews may seem empty and their voices may be silent among us, yet they remain close to our hearts and present in our prayers. As Christians, we do not simply say “goodbye” rather we say, “Until we meet again.” In Christ, who conquered death and opened the gates of eternal life, every farewell is transformed into a hope-filled promise. We entrust our dear Valerie De La Fosse RIP and our dear Helen Dyke RIP to the loving embrace of the Father.

With our love, our prayers and our gratitude – Fr Marcin & Fr Benedict