My dear friends,
My new 2026 pocket diary arrived in the post a few weeks ago. For me, this is always a slightly magical moment (if I am allowed to put it that way). To begin with, the diary is full of blank pages and the next twelve months seem to stretch ahead empty. What will they bring? Happy experiences? Challenging experiences? Boring experiences? Usually, a mixture of all three. But the exciting thing is that God is present throughout, invisibly active in the world, gently (and sometimes not so gently) nudging us along on our pilgrimage through life.
‘Think how much God has invested in you’ remarked Bishop Timothy Bavin, the bishop of Portsmouth who ordained me. Indeed, God has invested deeply in every man and woman, boy and girl. He has made us in His image, redeemed us with the blood of His only Son Jesus Christ, and sent His Holy Spirit to fill us with His grace and guide us day by day.
God has wonderful plans for each of us; and if we have the eyes of faith, we may catch glimpses of Him at work in our lives during the coming year, 2026. A new diary may be full of blank pages, stretching ahead until 31 December, but there will be no blank days. God will be busy during every moment of the coming year, using us in His service and fitting us for heaven.
As we enter a new year, we Christians might like to make the wonderful words of the Blessed Virgin Mary our own, and pray: ‘Be it unto me according to thy word.’
May I wish you and your families every happiness and fulfillment in the year of Our Lord 2026.
With love and prayers,
Father Robert.