When good things happen, then people of good will rejoice. There is no doubt that the establishment of the St Kieran's Toastmasters Club is a good thing and so there is cause for rejoicing within our community. in addition, the quick manner in which the Club received its Charter is testimony to the quality of the Club and of its founding members. Congratulations!

A Toastmasters Club seems to be a particularly appropriate group to be operating in a parish, which is guided by members of the Order of St Augustine. Augustine is credited as one of the great thinkers of the Western influence on the shaping of Western Civilisation.

Augustine was trained in rhetoric, he taught rhetoric and, before his baptism as a Christian, was the rhetorician to the imperial court in Milan. After his baptism he spoke and wrote passionately using the skills of rhetoric to promote good. As we know, one of his written works, the "Confessions" is still widely read. In this book we observe his speaking skills one paper.

This year we mark the 1650th anniversary of Augustine's birth. May the St Kieran's Toastmasters club last as long.

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Fr.Peter