I am delighted to welcome you all to this Mass of Thanksgiving to mark the 50th anniversary of the blessimg of the Chturch of the Immaculate Conception, Bicester. I am particularly grateful to His Grace The Archjbishop of Birmingham and to priests concelebrating the Mass with him, as well as to the Mayor of Bicester, Councillor Dan Sames, and to civic reprasentatives and friends of the parish who are honouring us with their presence.

There are many people here today who have had a long association with this church and parish. They include thwe Presentation Sisters, who once taught in St. Mary's School. This year their community celebrates the 60th annivesary of the the arrival of the first sisters in BIcestyer. There are parishioners who actively supported Fr. Thomas Foynes in bringing about the buiulding of the church. Some of them even received the Sacramwent of Confirmation on 23 March 1963, the actual day on which the Church was blessed by Archbishop Francis Grimshaw.

An occasion of this kind is an opportunity to look back with gratitude, but also to look forward with hope and confidence. The achievements of the pasdt are an encouragement to embrace the future. In today's firts reading, God speaks to us through the prophet Isaiah, urging us to look forward and to trust in his providence.

"No need to recall the past, no need to think about what was dine. See, I am doing a new deed, even now it comes to light; can you not see it?"

So we jourbey on in faith, supported in all our ebdevours by God's enduring love for us and by the prayers of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, whose patronage as a parish we are privilaged to enjoy. We may live in challenging times but the parish is well equipped to continue its mission. We have nothinmg to fear. Jesus and Mary are on our side.

Thank yoiu all for coming today. I hope you enjoy this celebration and please keep the parish of the Immaculate Conception, Bicester, in your prayers.

Fr. Paul Martin.

Parish Priest.