Hi Ann,
It's really sad, isn't it - sending Limericks into the Mail. (thank God you've never read the ones in the Sun!).
Anyway - just for you........

When sentenced the burglar started to whale
“Dear God, not that! I’m only a male.”
“Take him down,” snapped the Judge. “It’s what you deserve.
Some time with those ladies will weaken your nerve.
Lots of black lycra, aching and pain.
A night down in Langley and you’ll not thieve again.
Those healthy young ladies will sort out your plight
You’re sentenced to a UCM exercise night.
Visit the UCM pages

27/3/05
Dear Webmaster,
Visiting Langley over the past week we were very impressed and touched by the Holy Family’s interpretation of the Easter Services. I found the Saturday evening service especially moving. Good luck for your Jubilee Year.
James & Francis.

Thank you for your kind comments. There was obviously a lot of thought and rehearsing required to produce the week of services – and it certainly paid off. And well done to Mrs. Jones whose poor old kitchen must have been sinking in cakes as she frantically baked away for the Easter Sunday service. (they were scrumptious!)

28/3/05
Happy Easter dear Bernard,   I just want to say a few BIG THANKS TO Frs. KEVIN, STAN, KIERAN, RONI and everyone concerned for the wonderful Easter Services. really meaningful and uplifting.
Not forgetting your good self for the pompt publication of pictures in spite of your recent illness.  Our heartfelt prayers are with you and may God bless you and Teresa for your dedicated work - long may it continue !
Forgive me for sending this to you personally but I am having difficulty in getting through to the Guest Book.   Every good wish for the future, Gemma and Ron.

Hi, Gemma & Ron,
Nice to hear from you. As I said in the previous letter the whole team put a lot of work into preparing for the week and it certainly showed. The Saturday service lasted two hours and ten minutes, yet it only felt like ten minutes it was so interesting and absorbing.
I've tested the guestbook link below and it is now working ok. Keep in touch. - B.

9/4/05
Well done to the parish again for such a well presented Deanery Mass on Friday 8th April. It was wonderful music headed by Kieran and others.
I found the place just buzzing with closeness and tributes to his Holiness Pope John Paul II.
What would we do without our Cannon Hazel who with all the other priests (our own of course) made the Mass. WELL DONE!!!
Ray/Mary and family.

Hi, Folks,
I'm glad that you put in writing what many people have been saying. Our Trelawney lot certainly know how to tug at the old heart strings. A superb local ending to the planet’s most emotional day. - B



4/9/05
Yes Bernard, the start of an avalanche of appreciation letters after the most wonderful celebration Mass and reception on the 3rdSept at 6.30 pm !   What a great evening, uplifting Mass with our new Bishop Peter, Fr. Stans celebration 30 yrs. to the priesthood and to top all that the very well deserved Bene Merente presented to our dear RITA SHAY .... 
The organisation throughout the Mass was faultless, the singing just as uplifting and of course the concelebration with some of our previous dear priests most welcome.   The reception after was indeed a 'feast' and each and everyone who participated deserves our vote of thanks.  Bless them all.
Last but not least Bernard we look forward to reliving our memories through your pictures on the web page.  Great to see you in action as usual and in good health.
Grateful thanks to all concerned, Gemma Meik.

Hi Gemma,
Thank you for your e-mail. I agree 100% with you, the whole evening was outstanding and very emotional. The continuous rehearsals that everyone was involved in certainly paid dividends. Our music team should get together and make a CD they are brilliant. And Jeanette, our Club manager, her cooking is out of this world. Anyone who loves food please buy a ticket for the club’s next Barbie and experience that Jeanette moment. (well, that should guarantee me a few extra samosas) - B

5/9/05
Today I located the Holy Family website and was very impressed, such a helpful site for any visiting catholic to the area.I pray you will have a glorious Sunday for your Golden Jubilee Celebration.
I would have loved to attend the service, but unfortunately will be out of the country.I remember so clearly and have such fond memories of Father Crawford, Mass at 137 Trelawney Ave,then the opening of The Holy Family church, the processions, seeing and reading your website bought back such lovely memories of my childhood in Langley.
One suggestion you might be interested on your website , maybe a parishioners reunited .
My best wishes are with you for the future
Yours, Irene Blades (Scanlon) 

Hi Irene,
Sorry, I got your e-mail ages ago but the last few weeks have been hectic. Thank you for your very kind comments and I hope that you will continue to visit our website and keep in touch. Does your local Church have a website that we could list and have a look at?
It would certainly be a good idea to have some sort of parishioners’ reunited event or web link-up. Is there any ex-par’s out there who might be interested, please let us know. I’ll mention this at then next parish council meeting and maybe we might get something rolling after we get the Jubilee celebrations over with.
Thank you again and please keep in touch.- Bernard

9/9/05
Greetings from NYMO.
I’ve just had a look at your wonderful pictures and account of WYD inCologne.  Really brilliant! Well done Suzanna and all the pilgrims from Holy Family : Liz

I'll second that about the pilgrims, Liz. They were a great bunch and they'll feature again at our Jubilee Mass on the 18th. Sept. Of course, Suzanna's the Holy Family's answer to Kate Adie! Keep in touch.- B. NYMO . . Holy Family off to Cologne.. . . Jubilee Mass

10/9/05
Dear Rev. Frs. Kevin and Stan and not forgetting my dear Son in law Kieran,  I was really pleased to follow your celebrations, even though I am not on your side of the world very often, I always feel very welcome and I enjoyed your celebrations via the internet.
How wonderful for Rita, a truly lovely lady.  Congratulations all around, If I had been there a few days longer, I would have joined you on this wonderful occasion.
Kind Regards Betty Knight   Australia/

Hi Betty,
I wish I'd known you were visiting us I've have got the camera out. In fact if you have any photos..?? Rita certainly deserved her award. She was certainly the perfect choice. Thanks for writing and please keep in touch. - Bernard . . . .Rita

19/9/05
Well they done it again !!!
Well done to the Holy Family Parish. They really know how to put a party together.
Today's 50th celebration of the Parish with the Mass and then the picnic was brilliant.
A special “well done” to our wonderful Fr Kevin. He really makes you feel welcome and relaxed. The service was wonderful and the choir too - yes we all heard you Rita! The Lord was also with us all as he kept the fine weather on our side.
We are looking forward to seeing some great photos from our Webmaster .
Well done again GREAT DAY!!!
The Mengham Family.

Hello There,
Thank you for writing and I hope that your letter is the first of many!
Yes, it was a lovely moving service and all the rehearsals have certainly paid off.
I don’t know about great photos but there are certainly plenty of photos on display.
I’ll be 112 at the next one so there'll be more camera shake then.- B

19/9/05
Dear Webmaster,
I am quite sure you will have many e-mails about today's wonderful event. A beautiful mass shared with, I would imagine, over 1000 members of our community. My family thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the Mass. It was wonderful to listen to the special 'Jubilee Year' events experienced by other people in our parish.
It made me reflect on how lucky I was to also have memories of Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation and my own 'Sharing Our Faith' experience.
We were unable to stay for our picnic afterwards as my Son was still recovering from a nasty viral illness and was feeling unwell.
Today for me will remain a wonderful memory for a long time.
Our thanks go to Father Kevin, Father Stan and Kieran and everyone else involved in making the day so memorable.
Thank You all
Jane Manning

Dear Jane,
Thank you for your e-mail. Even the weather was just right. Any warmer and it would have been too uncomfortable. I think everyone involved in the build up to it has now gone to lie down in a dark room to relax. I’ll be joining them as soon as I do this.
Thank you for your e-mail and I hope that your son is well again. Please keep in touch - B.


22/9/05
WOW - what an absolutely wonderful day - such happy memories will be with our family for the next 50 years! I'll be 95 and Molly will be 56! I wonder where we will all be??? Thanks to a Great Parish for making the day go so well - even God was with us!!
Father Kevin your devotion to this parish shines through to us all and having 1000+ of your flock there is proof. Kieran your hard work was just brilliant also...can we do this every Sunday? Just kidding!!!
Thanks to one and all,   Catherine, Martin, Amy, Lucy & Molly Euden.

Hi folks,
Thank you for writing to our guest book. It's good to know that you enjoyed the day. I think that the whole team involved in “Operation Jubilee” did a brilliant job. The trouble is – how do you follow that? I hope that you’ve got your competition entry in.
Good luck from question 4

4/9/05
Dear Webmaster,
I have just read the parish newsletter and was lost for words. How can we sell photos from a different source when we should be purchasing yours from your website? Over the years you have been everywhere for us, Northampton, etc. and all for free. Come on parish, get your act together.
A very unhappy parish family.

Dear Friends,
Thank you for your comments. There is a display of photos in the Church independently photographed and provided by a professional photographer and available to purchase. I think the photographer will be giving 10% to the Church.
All photographs displayed on our website were taken by me as webmaster and available to purchase and all profits made from the website photos will also go into Church funds.-B

25/9/05
Congratulations Holy Family on a wonderful outdoor Mass. I was visiting in Slough for two weeks on business and had asked at my hotel reception about Mass times and locations and fortunately the receptionist directed me to your outdoor service.
I sat beside a lovely family who told me all about the Church and the area, plus I received your beautiful magazine.
When I returned to Norwich we managed to find your website and I couldn’t believe it – I’m in a photograph! I shall certainly keep returning to your site and when I am sent to Slough again in six months I shall have to find and visit your Church.
Once again congratulations to everyone.
Elizabeth Davis.

Hi Elizabeth,
Thank you for writing to our guest book. It’s good to know that you enjoyed your visit to our Jubilee Mass. I intend to start a feature soon on our website where we visit different Churchs’ on line so if your local Church has a website send me it’s name and I’ll get in touch with the webmaster. Next time you’re in Slough let me know in advance.
Many Thanks, Bernard

25/9/05
I would also like to add my congratulations to Father Kevin on his anniversary.
Hi Father Kevin. Congratulations and well done. Here's to the next thirty.
My name is Mary and I am Martin's cousin. Maureen sent me your web site. Congratulations also on a lovely web site and beautiful photos.
From myself and my Husband Jim, in Australia, keep well and keep up the good work.
Kindest regards, Mary and Jim Smyth.

Dear Mary and Jim,
Thank you for your e-mail and for your nice comments. All mail comes directly to me as webmaster to put onto the guestbook but Fr. Kevin is a regular reader of this page and will find your letter soon.
It is great to receive letters from outside our parish and even better - from outside the country, so, no matter where you are, please drop us a line.
Thanks again.- B.

26/9/05
Having moved to Plymouth I do enjoy keeping up to date by your web site.   I was pleased to be part of the big surprise of my mother Rita Shay recieving the Benemerenti .   Rosemarie Sullivan (Nee Shay)

Hi Rosemarie,
Thank you for your e-mail. It was wonderful to see Rita getting her reward. It was so well deserved. I have the pleasure of working along with her in the club every other Sunday night and she certainly keeps me on my toes! A marvellous lady. - B

26/9/05
I would like to say how much I was moved on the 3rd September when my mother-in-law Rita Shay was awarded the Berne Merente medal. My religion is Church of England and it was the first time I had attended a Mass, I was overjoyed with the celebration.
Stanley Sullivan

Hi Stanley,
Thanks for writing. It was nice to know you enjoyed your evening. I was actually watching Rita in action earlier today when she read a very moving passage at a friend’s funeral. May she go from strength to strength. – B.

3/10/05
Dear Fr.Kevin,
I would like to express my sincere thanks to you, and all the people who worked extremely hard in their efforts to arrange and support such a wonderful Jubilee Mass held in the grounds of St. Bernard's on Sunday 18th September 2005.
It was a most moving, spiritual and exhilarating experience, that will live with my family and myself for the rest of our lives, it was truly inspirational.Well done Holy Family Parish, and we wish you many more years of success, in achieving all your requirements.
We all feel extremely proud of belonging to such a caring, and sharing parish, and being members of such a lovely community.
Keep ongoing with all the good work that you do.
Kind regards, John Flavelle

Dear John.
Thank you for your very kind e-mail. Your message will eventually be read by Fr. Kevin and everyone involved in the Jubilee Mass. It’s good to know that you got a spiritual high from the day. The overall vibe of so many people blending together with wonderful music in beautiful surroundings, experiencing an incredibly moving service, carried us all to a new level of spiritual awareness. It was great to be part of it all. Please write again soon.- B.

18th. December, 2005
Dear Webmaster,
after giving you and our readers a break from my ramblings I just can't let this Holy Season pass without wishing us all a VERY HAPPY AND HOLY CHRISTMAS and festive season.
We now await Fr. Kevin's inspirational Christmas Masses to end what has been the MOST MEMORABLE YEAR for HOLY FAMILY PARISH may the good Lord continue to guide and Bless him and I would like to offer our (Ron and my!)heartfelt thanks to him and his 'backing team'.
We also have some regrets bidding farewell to our dear genial Fr. Stan.  Please God he will be very happy in his new Parish. and I feel sure many of us will be paying High Wycombe more visits in the future !
Grateful thanks and good wishes to you Webmaster for your faithful service and advance weekly e-mail Newsletters.  THANK YOU.
God bless you and grant you the best of health.   Gemma and Ron.

Hi Gemma & Ron,
It’s a lonely life sitting here gazing at an empty screen waiting for someone to write in so thank you for your e-mail. It’s nice to hear from you again. It’s been a great jubilee year at Holy Family and we all owe a great deal of gratitude to the team of organisers who put it all together.
Maybe in a few months when he has settled in, I must do a photo report on Fr. Stan’s new scene. Have a very happy Christmas and no doubt our paths will cross at the Church very soon - Bernard

21/12/05
Hi Everyone,
I visit your parish church whenever I stay with my son who lives in Slough.  I was sad to read that the two priests will be moving elsewhere.  I always enjoy Father Kevin's sermons. I feel very welcome  when I attend Mass at Holy Family, I have been visiting for the past 5 years and I feel I belong in your church as much as in my own parish church.
Unfortunately I was not able to attend your Jubilee Mass (I came back home the weekend before) but here at St Mary of the Angels, Cardiff we will be celebrating our centenary in 2007.The proposed alterations to the church look very impressive and I look forward to watching the progress.
I will be visiting on Sunday 1st January probably at 11am or 6.30pm if the previous nights festivities prove too much for me.
Wishing everyone at Holy Family a Happy and Holy Christmas.
Pam

Hi Pam,
Thank you very much for your very nice e-mail and for your very kind comments. We’re only losing Fr. Stan. He’s moving about 30 miles away. Although Fr. Kevin has been appointed Dean of St Peter’s Deanery, Slough, he’ll still be staying put in Holy Family. Four of us from Holy Family were dangerously close to you last week when we went to visit an ex-Langley couple who have returned to Wales and to Pencoed.  If we had got this in time we’d have been around for a cup of tea. Anyway, if you’re clear headed enough on Sunday, get that son of yours to bring you around to our club, based at the side of the Church, and come in for a drink. If it’s at night, mention my name and I’ll sign you in. All the best for Christmas and the New Year and keep in touch. – Bernard


23/12/05
Dear Father Kevin and everyone,
We decided to spend Christmas this year in Goa.  We have attended a few weddings before Christmas. It is very very hot from about 8.30 am to around 6.30 p.m. We also enjoyed a few barbies on the beach in the evenings sampling the excellent cuisine here.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE.
Look forward to seeing you all in the New Year. Hope you liked the cake.  Had to leave it with Kieran.
From the Jones Family - Graham, Mary, Anthony, Michael & Philip.

Hi Folks,
Thank you for your e-mail. Unfortunately Langley doesn’t do hot anymore. Fr. Kevin thanks you for the cake and says that he shared it with the staff from Holy Family school. We all hope that you have a good Christmas and write in to us in the New Year and tell us all about Goa and include a few photographs. – Bernard, webmaster

27/12/05
Dear Holy Family,
As an occasional visitor to Fr Kevin, I read with interest the article in the January edition of The Vine on Bernard Stanley's Holy Family parish web site.
I visited the site and was so impressed.  It is the best parish web site that I have seen and gave me such a very full picture of the activities of a loving and thriving faith community.  The only drawback was finding a picture of myself on the site.
Congratulations to Bernard and all concerned.  I will visit the site again to keep in touch with all that is going on at the wonderful Holy Family parish.
Kind regards for the New Year, Michael Phelan.

Dear Michael,
Thank you for your e-mail and for your very kind comments. I’ve moved our site to a larger web package which means we can archive more stories rather than have to wipe them to make room for new items so hopefully we’ll continue to expand. If you ever have any stories, articles or features please send them in and above all, keep in touch.
Regards, Bernard. Michael talking with Canon Hazell

4/01/06
Dear Father Kevin and Father Stan,
I have just seen the plans for the church on your website, they look marvellous!!!!  I am sure the parishoners will be delighted by the final result.
Maria Esperanza Jimenez and Family

Hi Folks,
Thank you for your e-mail. It's going to be an exciting year watching all the changes taking place. Keep revisiting our website for up to the minute news and as things change please write in and give us your opinion. - B. plans

8/1/06
Hi Bernard
We have been quiet for a time but that doesn't mean that the UCM has not been busy!  For a start, we have seen our membership rise to thirty members - with the promise of more at our next meeting on 12 January.
We were asked by our Diocesan President to try and contact one of the many parishes in the New Orleans area hit by the hurricane Katrina.  The idea was to convey to them that they were in our thoughts and prayers.  As it turned out, I think we were the only UCM Foundation to undertake this task.
We held a Bring and Buy at one of our normal meetings and raised £70.  We were put in contact with Trish Bond, who is Stewardship Development Director of St Ann's Catholic Missionary Church.  We understand that Trish and her fellow workers co-ordinate all the assistance given to the many parishes which suffered so badly in the hurricane.  We elected to help a parish in Biloxi - St Michael's - they were desperately in need of chairs in order to have a Mass at Christmas.  This appealed to us especially because we had recently had our wonderful Jubilee Mass at St Bernards and we thought of all the chairs that we had!
I received a lovely E-mail from Trish when she received the money and also from a guy called John Scott who is the man who actually goes to St Michaels and helps the parish in practical ways. He was SO grateful for our help and said that this parish had lost everything in the hurricane. 
We felt so humble and so grateful for what we have in our Parish that we approached Fr Kevin and asked his permission to involve the Parish in a fund-raising activity.  He (lovely man that he is!) allowed us to hold a Bring and Buy at the 9.30 and 11 am Masses just before Christmas when we raised just over £330.  We were overcome by the generosity of our parishioners for their custom and their donations. 
I E-mailed Trish to say the cash was on the way and I believe that she may be writing to our web-site to keep us up-to-date with events in Biloxi.
Happy New Year to you Bernard and when are you coming to see us again?
Love, Ann xxxx

Hi Ann,
Sorry for the long delay in replying but I’ve actually been updating the UCM pages. Your Red Cross night should be very interesting. I know Ann Denton from years ago though if she’s wise she’ll deny everything. Hopefully you’ll send me a report on the evening that I can put on your UCM pages. Keep sending stuff in! Everybody - have a look at the new UCM pages – B. UCM

18/4/06
Dear Webmaster and readers,   What a great Easter Tridium we have had the privelege to celebrate - sincere thanks to Fr. Kevin and everyone who helped to make it possible.  I hope all concerned are having a restful Easter Monday.   Congratulations to all who were baptised, received into the Church, made their first Communion and confirmed - most moving and wonderful to be part of it.  I'm sure all our prayers will be with them in future.   Sincererly Gemma Meik.

Hi Gemma,
Thank you for your e-mail. As usual our Holy Family team did a wonderful job and they all deserve our thanks including the ‘backstage’ people who helped in the preparation and rehearsals. The music was incredible and hopefully we can round up the singers and musicians for a feature soon. - B. holyweek photos

24/4/06
Dear Father Kevin,
The new facade of the building will be very close to the pavement and though it is not made clear, it appears that there may be vunerable glass in that area so close to passing pedestrians.
Will the glass be armoured/heavy plate, as I expect the local lads will be testing the quality regularly.
At my last parish even with windows high up, the final solution was to fit very un-attractive steel mesh. Hope this has been given a little thought.   Kind regards,  Ted 

Hi Ted, Thank you for your e-mail. I put your question to Fr. Kevin who has replied -
"Dear Ted
The drawings make the narthex look as though it is most glass, but that was just for the sake of giving people an idea of the whole project. Most of the narthex is brick, with light coming through glass in the ceiling. Any glass that is in the narthex will have to be strengthened, of course. With best wishes Fr. Kevin" plans

4/5/06
Hello Father;
As you will know, I am a  past parishioner, who started my life attending Holy Family Church, and now return for the odd wedding & funeral (including my mothers in 1993; who was yet another instrumental person in the building of the church in 1955-1957-my parents had a whist drive every week in Nash Road to raise funds), so please forgive me but I feel I must finally comment about the 'grimness' of the church which so many of my contemporaries have felt too; practically all our lives.
Of course our parents always defended the fact there was not a lot of money around when the church was built and the best was done at the time-we all remember Fr Crawford's instantiating determination to get the job done...
However.. The benches are awful; utilitarian and have all our names carved from 1957 onwards!  Please get the parish to put in a few extra pence and get them changed!
The unplastered walls are also a sight-despite them being painted quite a few colours in the churches history they still look so cold.
And finally.. how about some stained glass to add some ambience to the church? It really might help the rather 'grim feeling'.
I know Fr. Crawford and all of our parents did their best but now it is time to forget the frugal years of the late 50's and reflect the more affluent times of  today!
Personally, as they did with Holy Redeemer, which site is so much younger than Holy Family, I think the Parish should have decided to go the 'whole hog' and build a brand new church on the site.
However..at least  finally something is being done and  for that we should be grateful! (I know I will be attending at least one wedding next year and of course who knows what funerals!).
It would be lovely to walk in and have a different feeling about the place that holds a vast amount of memories- I would love to be able to feel happiness instead of shivering.
Thanks for your attention Father-I mean no offence!
Regards   Annette O'Connor

Hi Annette,
Thank you for your e-mail and I have forwarded a copy to Fr. Kevin who will no doubt reply personally.
Although I only came to the parish in the mid 80’s I have read a lot about the early years of the parish and about the blood, sweat and tears that went into the creation of the Church in Langley. It is a fantastic achievement and we owe an undying gratitude to all those involved.
And now we are about to give it a well needed and deserved face lift that will reflect our present congregation’s love for their Church.
Unfortunately, and this only my opinion, the difference between us and the older generations is that we cannot seem to be able to put our hands as deeply into our pockets as they could and financially help to achieve our goals.
I do hope that you will keep in touch throughout the year and let us know what you think about the changes. - Bernard

5/5/06
Dear Webmaster,
I totally agree with Annette in that last published letter.
My wife and I have lived within the parish for 26 years. We have been blessed with three wonderful children and from the moment they started school we put our mind, body and soul into nurturing them along their winding path through school. We were continually involved in various school and parish activities.
Now, as the children are rapidly growing up we feel that we would both like to give some of our time to help others within the parish but we come across a very disturbing element – a closed shop. We feel that we are constantly being ‘shooed off’ when we approach a group that has probably been running since Day One, and is reluctant to accept change and welcome new faces and ideas.
This negative attitude must change if the parish is to move forward.
When I was taking instructions to become a Catholic 14 years ago with the help of dear Fr. Clarke, he asked me what I visually thought of the Church. We were outside the building at the time and I remember saying to him that I’m always expecting a fire engine to rush out at any moment. Amazingly he still allowed me to convert.
But, seriously, I do think that the new building will improve things immensely, and certainly not before time. Plus, I certainly agree with Annette – plenty of stained glass windows please!
I also think, as the webmaster said, that people years ago dug into their pockets deeper, but remember, pockets are only so deep!!
It's also great to read in Fr. Kevin’s letter that the parish club is at last putting some of its profits into the Church’s regeneration.
The UCM (God Bless Them) was I should imagine a well needed group in the parish in it's time, but times change and now we have both parents working to pay the bills. So now we need kindergartens, crèches, nurseries, etc. Times certainly are changing.
I only hope that the various groups within the parish loosen up a little and allow this change to happen.
A very supportive Parishioner


Thank you for your letter.
As well as the structural improvements to the building, hopefully there will be a good restructuring within the operational aspects of the parish.
Being in a few committees within the Church I am aware of occasional clashes of interest when one group wasn’t aware of what another group was organising and both lots eventually suffered as a result.
Probably some of us do hold a committee post for so long that we tend to treat it as our own personal right rather than remembering the real reason for being in that post.
Hopefully the parish council might start looking into ways of improving communications within our various groups.
On the plus side - as a club committee member I can safely say that things are certainly improving by the minute. The fact that the Church was able to prise some cash out our tightly zipped up wallet to use outside of the club is very definitely a first - B.

9/5/06
Hi Bernard
The letter from 'the very supportive parishioner' (why so shy, I wonder?) was rather patronising so say the least about the UCM.  The implication that we were good in the past (God bless us!) implies that we are no good today.
Our Foundation is one of the most thriving in the Diocese and one of the most active.  Perhaps this parisioner (I suspect it is a female) might like to drop in on one of our meetings and expand on her views.  She will leave unharmed.
Ann!

Hi Ann,
Thank you for your e-mail. With most of the letters I receive for the guestbook I edit and tighten them up a little before publication while keeping to the writers original idea and maybe in this instance I may have rephrased that comment out of it’s correct context. -B
However, supportive parishioner, has now responded to your letter - and writes -

Dear Ann,
Thank you for your response to my letter in the guest book. My comments were misinterpreted. The point I was trying to make was that people don't seem to make the time like they used too, they are to busy leading their own lives. When I commented (GOD BLESS THEM) I really meant GOD BLESS THEM.
I feel you do a wonderful job within the Parish fund raising and so forth. Please keep up the good work.
PS. I think the webmaster must have just came back from a rough committee meeting!!!!!!!! 'supportive parishioner' UCM Page

11/5/06
Dear Holy Family,
I was searching for the Belfast Holy Family website and somehow ended up looking at yours. And I’m glad I did. What a marvellous active parish you have, so much going on. In fact I’ve spent the past hour drifting through your pages. I read your Giants Causeway story so I assume there’s a bit of Northern Ireland in your blood.
Good luck and God Bless you all.
Jean Loughery, Belfast.

Hi Jean,
Thank you for your e-mail. It’s great to get letters from outside the parish. Yes, I was born 54 miles from you in Castlerock. There was a gang of us from Holy Family did a quick tour of the Antrim coastline last year and a few others threatened to go over this year to watch the North West 200 bike race. Please keep in touch soon again.
This link might help you link - B

17/5/06
Dear Bernard
I just wanted to officially give my thanks to everyone involved in the Confirmation mass on Friday 12th May (and I know that there were many people who gave up their time to prepare our children).
It was a wonderful mass for everyone who attended to see my daughter, Keri and the other 52 candidates being confirmed. I can tell you that at least two of my guests shed tears, they were so moved.
Once again, many thanks. As always, Holy Family parish shows how to do it in style.   Regards Anita Mitchell

Hi Anita,
One of the main things that adds that extra edge to our services is our detailed rehearsals, plus, our backstage team of willing helpers who put so much of their time into the preparations. I’d love to do a feature on them some time if we could round them up. Some of them are pictured at the start of the confirmations page. If anyone has a photo of anyone confirmed who doesn’t feature on that page please send it in and I’ll add it to that feature. - B confirmation

21/5/06
Dear Webmaster,
Kindly convey sincere thanks to Fr. Kevin, Stuart, Architect, and Kieran for the very interesting power point illustrations and explanations re: proposed plans for our dear Church.  It is all very exciting and helpful to hear all the details and be able to discuss them fully.
What a pity there were only 12 parishioners present to benefit from all this important information!   Sincerely, Gemma and Ron (Meik)

Hi Gemma & Ron,
I had been involved in a few earlier meetings re the project but I found this one to be the clearest and most detailed presentation to date. It certainly cleared up a few doubts that I had been having. As you say, it’s a pity so few parishioners turned up. I had advertised the meeting for several weeks on the website so at least everyone had been offered the chance to participate.
Maybe their lack of interest means that they’re happy enough with everything –
dream on Stanley!! project meeting

11/6/06
Hi!
Re the Mystery Worshipper visit to Holy Family.
Why this person didn't make themselves and their business known after their visit, I think, would have been a more jolly or lighthearted way of doing the study maybe.

However, the comment about which part of the service made you feel you were in heaven was a good'un and I think should have swung it into a nine out of ten!!  Maybe you should be focus on the content of that and let the rest go into soft focus ... you can't please everyone in this world.

I think your masses are just fine.... too much happy clappy maybe gets in the way of reflection and doesn't allow for the moments of peace and tranquillity that the catholic mass has always provided for me. Those moments allow a time for meditation that can drift you away to your own space with the questions and focus of your faith and then the chance to pick up and join in the singing is cool.

Anyway that's just my impression of how a catholic mass should be maybe.  Being brought up in the catholic faith and having been to some happy clappy versions of other branches of Christianity.  One I recall, when visiting for a friends baby's celebration, was so happy clappy that I kinda nearly didn't go in... people waving flags and singing and clapping and following the words on a screen with a bouncing ball!!    No it wasn't Wembley and the FA Cup!!
Hope you enjoy the football and the sunshine.
Best wishes
Annie Shardlow

Hi Annie,
Thank you for your very interesting e-mail. I agree with your comment that too much happy clappy gets in the way of personal reflection. I think the physical actions are negative and destroy the meditative mood of that moment.
The nature of my work takes me into many Churches and having read the reports from some of the ones that I’ve been at I think that we came out of it very well. Is it worth Holy Family considering starting a cuppa and chat facility in St Joseph’s after a Mass? - B
Mystery Worshipper

13/6/06
Dear Bernard
I would like to say a big thank you to everyone involved in organising the First Holy Communion mass on Saturday 10th June.
Lots of people put in a great deal of work both before, during and after the event. It all resulted in a beautiful and special mass (which involved my son) and we will remember it for a long time.
I hope everyone has recovered from the heat!
Best wishes, Helen Critcher
PS Were you there taking photos? I didn't see you!

Hi Helen,
Thank you for your e-mail. I’ve heard good reports about Saturday’s First Communion Mass and it seems that all the intense preparations and rehearsals have paid off again.
No, I didn’t do the photography on the day. As soon as there is the slightest possibility that there is money to be made the professionals are invited and I am moved to the side to handle the freebie jobs only. - B

20/6/06
Hola Bernard, once again I am up-to-date on Parish news in La Nucia from the Holy Family web page through your good self, thank you.
My goodness, been spied upon, quite a shock BUT how gratifying to read that we have done so well !   I think it is quite wonderful for a complete stranger to 'drop in' at such a special time and admit  he/she is in the 'presence of God' .
This proves that they have captured the whole essence of the Midnight Mass and please God will go away with great blessings which they will be able to spread through their work.
Stand by Holy Family for more curious visitors, even before your face lift !   Best Wishes to all at Holy Family, Gemma.

Gemma de los saludos de la iglesia santa de la familia, Langley. Still roughing it out there in La Nucia I see. Back here in the Costa Da Langley we've got the Spanish sun at the moment - long may it last. Not that there's many bodies for it to shine on as everyone's huddled around the TV's watching football. We did come out of the mystery visit very well in comparison to some other Churches so well done everyone.
Enjoy the rest of your stay in Spain (any jobs going in La Nucia for a mature 60+, well built male with perfectly honed physique?) Well, that rules me out – senor Bernardos

28/6/06
Hi Bernie,
I met you a few years ago in your church club. I was over from Limavady visiting my son in Iver and he brought me to the Holy Family Church for Mass.
We went into your club afterwards and you and I started talking at the bar, recognising each others similar accent. Since then, I log into the Holy Family website every few weeks as it makes me feel nearer to Gerald, my son. Your parish seems to have an incredible amount of things going on, I wish our crowd could do the same over here. About the first communion; it seems a bit mean that they don’t offer you the profitable work also. Good luck to Holy Family and good luck to you. – Jean Williams

Hi Jean,
Thank you for your e-mail. I do remember us meeting. I think I might have been there for a christening as I don’t normally go in there for the lunch time session. Try and find out if your church has a website that we can have a look at.
To be fair to Holy Family Church, as the same thing happened last year, the 1^st holy communion is organised by the school, who unfortunately are oblivious to the real community life within the parish. Please keep in touch - Bernard

8/7/06
Hi,
I used to light candles at the Sacred Heart statue and I miss it. I now light candles at the statue of Our Lady but I'm still saying my prayers to the Sacred Heart.
Why can't we light candles at a statue of the Sacred Heart anymore?
Mary B.

9/7/06
Hi Mary,
Thank you for your e-mail. I can’t actually picture the previous layout of the Church with the Sacred Heart statue so I’ve forwarded your letter to Fr. Kevin. He will probably reply directly to you. I hope you will like the ‘new look’ Church when the work is completed this year and look forward to your comments. - B


9/7/06
Greetings to you all. I stumbled across your website whilst researching my family name.
I should like to contact Fr. Peter Craddy, in all the information I have garnered of my extended family I did not know of a priest!, but all that I have found, like me, are Catholics.
My parish is at www.christchurcheltham.org.uk
God Bless you all. Nick Craddy, London. SE9  Send any replies to nick@craddy.com.

Hi Nick,
Thank you for your e-mail. I do not personally know of anyone of that name is this area but hopefully some of our readers might be able to help you. Your Church has a good website. Well done to your webmaster.
Browse through this link and see if it helps. http://www.northamptondiocese.org/
Let us know how you get on with your search.- Bernard

31/12/06
Hello Bernard
I am sending this message before 1 January 2007 when my New Year Resolution (to be nice to everybody) kicks in.
Your reference to me as 'the sulky woman' in the photograph on the UCM web page was very brave of you.  I have now got my glue stick back again and I am happily dreaming up scenarios as to which parts of your anatomy I am going to attack with it.  Beware!
Ann

Hi Ann,
Thank you for your e-mail. (you know I was only joking) I’m afraid there’s so much of me falling apart at the moment that it would take a few tubes of evostick to help pull me together! Keep me up to date with UCM functions. Regards, Bernard.
Christmas cards. . . U.C.M.

Any comments on the opening of the reordered Church?

3/2/07
Back again Bernard after a long silence but after the wonderful opening Ceremony of our re-ordered Holy Family Church last evening Friday 2nd February I would like to offer heartfelt thanks to Fr. Kevin and Kieran and everyone involved in the achievement of our beautiful new Church, absolutely perfect in every way.
I can't even begin to imagine the agonising hours of thought and preparation that must have gone into achieving this project down to every detail !
THANK YOU FATHER.
Over to you now Bernard for lovely pictures recording this wonderful event !
Gemma Meik

Hi Gemma,
Thank you for your your letter and I hope it has kick started the guest book again. There was certainly a lot of very hard work and organisation went into the opening night - and it showed. The photos I took will be on line in a few days and hopefully along with any photos that parishioners care to send in. - B.

3/2/07
Hi Bernard
I agree with Gemma's view on our beautifully re-ordered church.  It is a pleasure to see.  I personally felt a real inner peace when I visited.  Also I have spoken to some of our younger people and they are really impressed with it.
This can only be a positive response as we as a community need our young people to be more involved.   Well done to all concerned for all the hard work that has gone into the preparation and opening ceremony.
Thank you Bernard for all your hard work with our site.  Keep up the good work.  We are always well informed on what is taking place within our parish
Kindest regards Mary (Mengham)

Hi Mary,
There is a nice peaceful serenity in the Church now and the next few months should really finish it off nicely, particularly outside when the shrubs and flowers start growing. If we could only kick start the club into organising a few things of interest for the young ones and get them more involved in the parish. – B.

7/2/07
Hello Bernard,
Just to say how moving and wonderful the evening went.  Words cannot express the event.  It went off like clockwork and also to sing Happy Birthday to Kevin (??)
Ann Saunders.

Hi Ann,
I though the birthday song really relaxed everyone as it was so unexpected. - Bernard

7/2/07
Congratulations on such a wonderful transformation   sr Angela Grant, Daughters of st Paul

Dear Sr. Angela, Thank you for your kind words. Bernard -webmaster


A few letters have been received.

This group of letters were send directly to Fr. Kevin who sends his sincere thanks for your kind words :-

8/2/07
Dear Fr Kevin,
I hope you aren't completely exhausted after the last few days & I hope you don't mind me adding to your in box but I really want to say that the church looks absolutely amazing (not that you need me to tell you!).
Not having been inside it since last August made for a real WOW moment this morning. I had been excited about going to church all week and the experience did not disappoint.
Many thanks for everything.
Helen Critcher


Dear Fr Kevin

 Hello Father,
Just to compliment you on how wonderful our church looks.  It was worth the wait & inconvenience.  I am going to send the website details to my brother & sister who now live in Ontario, Canada - they were parishioners for 10 years.
Bye for now.
Edith Gomes

I just felt that I wanted to add my congratulations to you on the new Church. It has a real 'wow' factor. The altar, lectern and font are works of Art and the mural above the altar is quite splendid. I was fortunate enough to be in the organ loft for the service on Friday, and felt very privaliged to be able to see the whole spectacle unfold. I thought that Bishop Peter judged the atmosphere perfectly and the whole Service was a wonderous experience. I swear that there was a clearly audible gasp when the lights came on.
It was just as fantastic to be there on Saturday evening when the church was again packed. It was wonderful to see the excitement on peoples faces (especially well established parisioners) as the lights came up and they tried to take it all in. The sound sytem with the music was also such an improvement on what we had before.
Having spent the last four months working with engineers and builders, I can

appreciate the planning and discussion that have taken place to achieve this end result. I trust that I can be as sucessful in bringing in a project on-time with such a perfect outcome.
I am looking forward to all the Easter services in the new building and must admit to being quite envious of the group being accepted into the Church this year. What amazing memories they will have.Well done.
Graham

Dear Father Kevin.
My Sister Bernadette sent me the link to your web site.Congratulations on the re-opening of the church. As Keith would say, Its "fantastic".It brings a new meaning to "all things bright and beautiful". It was great to see you over Christmas. We had such a blessed time.
Sean Moran. (U.S.A.)

Dear Father Kevin and Kieran
I shudder to think how much work over and above normal commitments went into transforming the Church, but it's truly beautiful. I'm not quite sure what to say next, but perhaps best just to finish with a "thank-you".
James

Dear Fr. Kevin,
Just a note to say thanks to you, Kieran and all of your team, for really making Holy Family Parish such a wonderful Church, and for giving the people in Langley and Slough (& surrounding areas) a Church, which is truly inspirational not only from a spiritual perspective, but from an architectural one too.
The Church is now a reborn building returned to its full glory and splendour! Again many thanks for delivering such a worthwhile project, and for most of all special thanks to you and everybody who made it happen.
The opening mass on Friday 2nd February 2007 will always be remembered. We are all so happy to be part of this loving and caring community.
God Bless,   The "Flavelle" family.

Hello Father
I have just seen the website and the remarkable transformation of the church!  It is spectacular!  The Parish seems to have had a wonderful evening celebrating the opening.  I am very sorry to have missed it.  It is occasions such as this that makes being so far from home harder to bear.
But we will be back in Langley for Easter, and look forward to seeing the new church in the 'flesh'.
With greetings from sunny, if rather cold (OK 25C feels cold!) Riyadh.
Love , Karen (Neal Family)

Hi Karen,
Thank you for your e-mail. Fr. Kevin tells me you sent this to him from Saudi Arabia – the wonders of the Internet. Keep in touch when you’re over at Easter and I’ll grab a photo for our site. – Bernard, webmaster

You’ve annoyed me now. I’ve just had a look at Riyadh. So, you look out at the view on the left while I have to look at the other one. Though I bet you don’t have the state of the art dustbin that is in the bottom left of my picture - B

Margaret and John Galvin's diamond wedding Anniversary. photos

Congratulations and all the best to you both - Bernard Stanley.
 

22/1/08
Hi once again Bernard, I have just read every word of the Holy Family webpage and saddened to see it appears to have come to a STOP - how sad!  Well, here goes, after a lot of thought I have decided to take the risk and 'make contact' to wish your goodself, Fr. Kevin and all parishioners a VERY HAPPY AND BLESSED NEW YEAR !  I expect the final achievement of our beautiful re-ordered Church has made all of us complacent and sit back and enjoy all the wonderful Masses and services Fr. Kevin continually blesses us with - how very fortunate we are ! However, it would also be nice to convey our feelings through our Guest Book.  Of course time is of the essence ... but, poor Webmaster must feel a bit left out !?  So New Year resolution is to try and make amends.
Hopefully we have all had more ups than downs in the past year and look forward with a little apprehension to what '08 will bring?  My UPS  depend on how many times I can go to Lourdes each year (twice being hopeful) so I try to arrange this asap.
This year I have come across a DVD - LOOKING BACK 20 YEARS, which is Teresa Mynet's Handicapped Pilgrimages every two years, I have had the privilege to go on these several times so I was delighted, and have bought a copy.  It is very interesting and well constructed record of these  memorable pilgrimages and unfortunately it may be the last  It was made by our good parishioner Raymond Mengham and if anyone is interested I would certainly recommend it.  The Pilgrimage this year is in May.
We are spoilt for choice this year as there are several pilgrimages planned to various shrines, and the first one of the year, Holy Family annual Pilgrimage by coach to Lourdes for the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes is completely booked!
Well, all for now, and God bless us all and grant us peace, health and happiness in 2008.
Gemma Meik.

Hi Gemma,
Thank you very much for your e-mail. It is indeed very sad that people have stopped writing in to the guestbook. It could become a valuable communicative tool for the community to discuss, argue, praise or criticise parish events. Hopefully we can give it the kiss of life and rejuvenate its pages again.
It’s sad to read that this will be the last pilgrimage to Lourdes for the Langley Special Needs group. We owe an incredible debt of gratitude to Teresa, Fr Bosco and their team for their past 20 years of commitment. Hopefully the pilgrimages can continue under new leadership.
Ray Mengham has burned the midnight oil for many months putting together an interesting DVD and it’s available for £3.00 or a donation. Absolutely all money raised from it will go to the Special Needs Group. Hopefully over the coming months we’ll get the personal feelings about the group’s history from Teresa, Fr Bosco and Ray.
Gemma, as you are my Kate Adie of Langley keep the material flowing in – Bernard
Lourdes and DVD

29/01/08
Hello Bernard,
This year will be our last big Pilgrimage but certainly not the end completely. Sadly we have lost a lot of our original members over the years, but the group still remain in regular contact including the bereaved families.
Ray’s DVD reduced me to tears as it brought back many wonderful memories, some happy some sad but it also reminded me of how privileged I have been to have known and worked with so many truly wonderful people over the 23 years I have worked in Slough.
Unfortunately time marches on for all of us and our energy levels reduce as time and family commitments move on.
One of the children from our very first pilgrimage is 21 on February 1st, when we took her to Lourdes we were told that she had only months to live, she is in good health and hopefully may join us in May.
Joanne who many people will remember went to Lourdes in a coma in 1990 celebrated her 21st birthday last August, we have had our share of miracles along the way; most of the parents who have taken children over the years have talked of the peace of mind Lourdes has given them and the wonderful feeling of belonging.
My 4 year old grandson Jacob was diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes on November 20th. 2007, he will be making his 3rd. pilgrimage with us, our prayer will be that his mummy Melanie will be able to continue to have the strength and peace of mind that will allow her to continue to cope with his condition.
Without the support of the people of Holy Family Parish over the years much of our work could not have happened. So it’s a big thanks to all who have helped us, in particular Ray, Mary and Carmel who have ensured that my sanity will always be in question.
Thank you,
Teresa

Hi Teresa,
Thank you for your e-mail. I could sense the sadness you were feeling as you wrote it. However, hopefully, as you say, it is not the very end and will continue in some form.
We can all shed a few reminisive tears when the May pilgrimage is over. Hopefully you, Ray, Carmel and everyone involved can plunder their photo albums and we can create a webpage of happy, and sad memories of the past years. I know I speak for all the families and friends of all the pilgrims in offering you and the team our sincere gratitude and thanks.
And remember that the Group and the spiritual aura of Lourdes will have taken the minds of many of those pilgrims to a new level of peace and awareness that will help them throughout their lives.
Keep us updated on the progress over the coming months - Bernard

1/2/08
Hello webmaster,
It’s been a long time since I wrote to you and I’m glad to see that the guest book is alive again.
It was nice to get so many comments regarding the DVD of Lourdes. It bought back so many unforgettable moments to me as I was editing it and it was sad to see so many faces that have now left this world for a better place. They will always remain strong in our memories and may they all rest in peace.
Thank you Teresa for your lovely write up. Yes, it bought a few tears to the eyes when making the DVD and thanks again to Maggie and Graham Wheeler for their photo's that were used throughout the compilation.
(Necessary Plug! There are plenty of DVD’s available to buy - see website for details. Every sale will help as all cash raised will go into the fund)
I actually enjoyed making the disc and I also think it will be a great idea to eventually have a webpage of stories and pictures devoted to the Group as a permanent memory. Mary and I have plenty of albums from the past years and would only be to pleased to help put some thing together in the near future.
Can't wait to meet some of the old gang from past years. Mary and I would like to take this opportunity to invite everyone to our home in the summer for our garden party which we always held after our trips. Even if you don't have the chance to be travelling with the group this year you are very welcome.
Best regards Ray

Hi Ray,
Wow, three different letters in a row to the guestbook – will it last?  We all must pool our resources in the summer and create a good webpage to the group – could there be a 'Looking Back 2'?
My ears pricked up at the magical words – garden party! Bad move on your part as you may not realise that the reputation of your Quality with Quantity eat-in gigs have generated at least a thousand ‘Mengham Munchies’ throughout Berkshire and beyond who will saturate Talbot Avenue on the day. Black market invites will be sneaking around the pews on Sundays for weeks before it. Tell you what – bung in an invite with each disc and charge a tenner and it will still sell out. - Bernard

6/2/08
Hi Bernard, ,
It would be great to do a looking back piece for our group.  I’ve loads of photos taken over the years, some from Lourdes, the strawberry teas and many other occasions. Also lots of memories that I’d love to share.
The Pilgrimage planning is well under way, just waiting for the stragglers to make their bookings then I’ll know how many places we have left.
At present I’m trying to raise funds to pay for two carers, one for a young lady who has a life threatening neurological condition, the other for one of our original mothers, she had two profoundly disabled sons and now she has developed Parkinsons disease which has sadly progressed rapidly and she is now wheelchair bound and dependent on carers for most things.
I’ll have plenty of time on my hands or should I say hand to organise things as I’m having surgery on my right hand on Feb.26th. that means an enforced holiday for a few weeks.
I’ll keep you updated on the progress of Lourdes.
Teresa

Hi Teresa,
Good to hear from you. We’ll certainly put something together as a lasting memory to the group later in the year. Keep me up to speed with the progress and I’ll publish it on this page. Good luck with the hand on the 26^th    - Bernard.

7/2/08
Hello again Webmaster, I feel congratulations are in order as the letters to the Guest book are truly meaningful and touching, I am of course referring to Teresa's - bless you Teresa for the many years of memories you have re-awakened.  I am so privileged to have been a part of several of these.  May you and your team always be in Our Lady of Lourdes loving care and protection.
And you Webmaster, what a truly wonderful opening to the Holy Family Web page for the Season of Lent - your picture immediately captures the whole meaning .... thank You.
Another thank you to Fr. Kevin and everyone concerned for the joyful celebration Masses for the 1st anniversary re-opening of Holy Family - each one so special and bringing in the crowds !Thank you Father Kevin and may the good Lord keep 'topping' you up with inspiration !  Gemma.

Hi Gemma,
Thank you for your kind comments. Teresa is certainly a lady bursting with energy and enthusiasm.
There’s one thing I’ve said before – our Holy Family team certainly know how to awaken our emotions. I wish we could book them to kick start our Holy Family club into life. It’s had a beautiful refurbishment – the new lounge looks brilliant, all we need is the enthusiastic input – and attendance - from the parishioners – it was built for them!
Gemma, Keep in touch. -  Bernard

10/2/08
Hi Bernard
It's a while since I've written to you but I felt I have to today.  This morning I attended a Reconciliation Service at our Church and was delighted, on arrival, to discover that our children from Holy Family School were to make their first 'Confession' - as we used to know it.
However, this was SO different from my first experience of this Sacrament.  We had to go into a dark, confined space and speak to a priest of whom we were terrified.  Today, the children bounded up onto the altar with smiles all round - it was a really lovely service.
We continue to get things just right, don't we?
Ann Budd

Hi Ann,
Nice to hear from you again. I agree with you. I dreaded the queuing up and the sneaking into the dark box to hear ‘the voice from behind the grill’ And picturing everyone outside with their hands cupped to their ears listening ..... ‘oh dear, and he seems some a nice little lad’ ‘and from such a lovely family’ ‘his mother would be so angry’.
Our Reconciliation Services are much more humane and a magic way for the children to accept the Sacrament as a pleasurable experience. As you say – we continue to get things right.
Keep in touch. Bernard

11/2/08
Dear Holy Family,
I was very impressed with the improvements made to the club. We were there several times for our memberships and found the atmosphere very pleasant. But we dont go as often as we used to because of our annoyance with the various procedures. Staffing is our main complaint. We have several teenagers in our family circle and a few years ago I made inquiries about casual work etc just to be brushed off with a few ‘we don’t need anybody at the moment’ comments. Fair enough that was probably correct then but over the years new staff keep appearing behind the bars without one iota of an advert appearing on the notice board. Not only is this unfair to members children but I’m sure it is actually illegal to do this. It just seems to go to the ‘families’ relations and friends. Sorry, had to get that off my chest. Any comments?  - Breda

 Hi Breda,
Thank you for your e-mail and it is good to know that you like the new look in the club. As I said in an earlier letter now that we have these great facilities we want to start a major operation to get our members back again. I will pass your complaint on to the committee to be discussed at their next meeting and will publish their reply in ths page. Thank you for your interest and write in again soon -  Bernard

28/2/08
It’s me again Bernard, but I feel I must make comment on the two new features, truly moving, to our website.
The virtual Stations of the Cross are so inspiring and appropriate at this season of Lent and hopefully I shall try to add it to my Lenten resolutions.
I also was touched by the much needed feature on the St. Thomas a Becket Foundation.  I tried to write in the Guest Book page a couple of days ago but unfortunately it was not yet in action.
Congratulations and thanks for your continued contributions and additions to our website which attracts readers to keep in touch regularly.  Gemma Meik.

Hi Gemma,
Sorry for the delay in replying but my computer has been fighting back as past week – and winning. I don’t know what sort of glitch happened to the STAB guestbook. I’ve sent a few test messages and it now seems to be up and running. Perhaps you would like to have a go and be the first to launch that page. Many thanks for your kind comments and keep in touch. - Bernard

Here is a reply from Sean Hayes, Holy Family Parish Club in response to a published letter from Breda on the 11th Feb, 2008

21/3/08
Dear Breda
In response to your letter may I say first of all I am pleased to hear you were impressed with our recent refurbishment of the Holy Family Parish Club. The alterations and decor have been given a very positive response by all who visit and especially by our members. It is also reassuring to note you found a very pleasant atmosphere in the Club and that is something we always strive for.
I am also sorry to hear you do not visit as often as you once did because of your annoyance with various procedures, namely staffing, as you feel your family circle of teenagers could not secure casual employment. When you were told 'we don't need anyone at the moment' I am sure this would have been the case and which you accepted yourself as probably correct.
For your information, in the past, we have advertised in the local newspaper, at Langley College, in the Trade newspaper and also in our Church news Letter, for staff when we could not recruit within the Club.
The Club steward and his wife have the responsibility of running the bars and they have the task of ensuring the Club has enough staff to run the bars efficiently and effectively. It is thanks to the efforts of Alan and Jeanette, our Steward and Stewardess, we have not been short of staff over the last few years.When vou sav it is 'families' friends and relations that seem to set the opportunities to work behind the bars I find this difficult to understand because Alan and Jeanette have a free hand as to whom they employ and they have a friendly, helpful and courteous young team at present and yes they are friends, simply because they live hi the locality and attended the same schools. As Chairman of the Club I am custodian of the Club rules and would not and have not allowed anything illegal to take place in contradiction to those rules.
If you would like to discuss this any further please feel free to come along and see me at any time.
Scan Hayes Holy Family Parish Club

3/4/08
Hi Bernard
I have just come home from the Lenten Liturgy arranged by staff and pupils of St Bernard's.  It was a fantastic production including readings, meditations, singing and dance and was a really moving experience.  It was lovely to see St Bernard's pupils in our church (this never happened when my three daughters were there) and their performance certainly added to my personal preparation for Easter. Many, many congratulations to all concerned.
Ann Budd

Hi Ann,
Sorry for the long delay publishing your letter but I was away. We got a great response from lots of people and hopefully I’ll try and gather them together for a special feature soon. Thanks for writing. - Bernard

You can request that your published letter remains anonymous but you must include your full name and a valid e-mail return address when submitting it. Holy Family reserves the right to remove, edit or reject any letters.