They called it ‘Freedom Day’, and it’s been a long time getting here. Covid is still about but we hope not too close to us.
The mantra “With Freedom comes Responsibility” is and must be foremost in our lives. What does this mean for us? As Christians we seek to follow Christ by caring for those around us. This should involve continuing to be cautious and curtailing some things that could make us vulnerable and propagate the spread of the infection and possible variants. We know now that Covid, like Flu, is not stopping. Our situation now will be a matter of controlling rather than eradicating the infection.
One way we can be responsible is to get vaccinated. If we can weaken the prevalence of Covid world-wide, the more freedom we can gain for those at risk and ourselves. Now this effort has been passed on to us by government and if we ignore advice we’ll never get the ‘Genie back in the bottle’!
The efforts and sacrifices of those working in the health sector must be applauded and the way we can surely do that is to take our responsibility seriously – then we can really be free.
As our churches evaluate how this affects Mass attendance and new changes being allowed by the Bishops, we can see if there is something we might do to help; does someone need a lift or visiting, can I support the choir or play an instrument, could I join the cleaning team? Start now and be free to choose.
Calendar for August, Ordinary Time I, Year B
4th St John Vianney
5th Dedication of Basilica of St Mary Major
6th Transfiguration of the Lord Solemnity
7th St Sixtus II Pope and Companions Martyrs
9th St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)
Martyr
10th St Lawrence Deacon, Martyr
11th St Clare
13th Ss Pontian Pope and Hippolytus Martyrs
14th St Maximilian Kolbe Martyr
20th St Bernard
23rd St Rose of Lima
24th St Bartholomew Apostle, Martyr
27th St Monica
28th St Augustine
30th Ss Margaret Clitherow, Anne Line,
Margaret Ward Martyrs
31st St Aidan and Companions National Calendar
Deacon Michael Baldry