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in the late 1940s Eastwood became home for very many refugees from eastern Europe, known then as displaced persons. They found safety and eventually a home in this town, married and had families. Many years on and again Eastwood has become a refuge for people fleeing war and oppression, this time the war in Ukraine. Many of these people have found comfort peace and friendship in the Churches of our town. Once such family are Halyina and her daughter Angelina who have fled their home in Zhaporiza, they were staying in a monastery in Holland for a while before they came to England. When leaving the monastery the abbot gave them a candle and told them that when they reached their destination to find a Church and ask if they could light the candle, they found our Church, we lit their candle, and they had found their home. The parishioners have shown to them and other families who have found homes here, great kindness and generosity with donations of furniture, clothes and more. We first were introduced to the musical talents of 10 year old Angelina, at a cafod coffee morning when she asked if she could sing, she sang Ave Verum, and held everyone spellbound with the purity of her voice and her confidence. Father Paul asked if she would sing at the vigil Mass for Christmas, she learnt the piece in 2 weeks,and sang in a duet with Fr Paul. Everyone in the Church was moved, many to tears. Angelina has now settled in at Priory School and is starting music lessons after Christmas,all she wants to do is sing and play piano and her greatest ambition is to sing in the Vatican, we wish her well in her studies. We are blessed to have Angelina and her talents in our parish.