My dear Friends and Parishioners,

I wish to use this opportunity to inform you that I have returned home from my short trip to Nigeria. My parents were delighted to have me and I was so pleased to see them too, especially my father who is really struggling with his health. During the period, I had the privilege to officiate at the funeral of my cousin, Mr. Donatus Okoro, which was a sad one as he died at a young age of 55 years, leaving behind his poor wife and children.

Back home here, I am delighted that there was no emergency situation in the parish that required the urgent attention of a priest, and all of you are doing well, finding ways to survive the national lockdown and restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. As you all know, having arrived from an at-risk country which is not exempt from the current national Covid-19 quarantine rules in Scotland, I am legally required to quarantine for up to 10 days. I will observe it as required by law.

Meanwhile, I am not displaying any of the Covid-19 symptoms, and I am beginning to read just gradually, trying to get into the rhythm of things again.

As we are not yet permitted to celebrate Mass with a congregation, I will be celebrating privately while you would have to continue participating virtually wherever you can find it. But I will be at the other end of the phone should anyone want to contact me for anything. While I thank God for granting me journey mercy and for keeping you safe, I look forward to the lockdown being eased off soon so that we can return to our community worship and services.

Until then, let’s continue to keep each other in our prayers. With kind regards.

Fr. Tobias O. Okoro.