From Your Own Correspondent ...

The weather at Walbundrie recently has been of concern to our farming parishioners, all of whom have newborn lambs on the ground. The blast from the Antarctic was cause for concern, with one parishioner just finished shearing the day before it arrived. However, all was well as the lambs snuggled up with their mothers during the big freeze and all survived.

The Ice Box at the Church of the Good Shepherd at Walbundrie, commonly known as the sacristy, has been well and truly at it this year causing Father John, only in his second Howlong winter, a hard time. Your own correspondent swears he saw icicles appearing but it has been put down to failing eyesight and too much imagination. However, last week, an anonymous parishioner donated a fan driven revolving floor heater, for which Fr John and the tea ladies are truly grateful.

The parishioners at Walbundrie are hard done by in winter as there are only three wall heaters in the church. Consequently, everyone gravitates to the side with two heaters and late-comers freeze on the side with only one. Your own correspondent has reported that the foundations on one side of the Church are sinking due to the uneven weight distribution in winter (then again. it may be put down to failing eyesight and too much imagination). Accordingly, in summer we will all sit on the other side.

'Twas pleasing to see eight children at Mass last week with five participating in the Offertory procession. The other three are slowly coming around and when all eight participate it will be photo time.