The story last week of the mother who killed herself and her disableddaughter because of years of bullying by local people was painful toread. The saddest part for me was that as Halloween and Guy Fawkesapproached, things usually got much worse and she could not face it foranother year.

Yet these two events signal for most families happy, fun times in ourcalander events that we look forward. For her however there was adread, and a fear that made life not worth living. Now I know questionsare being asked of the police but surely we all need to ask questions,who are the vunerable in our neighbourhood? Do we listen to them? Do wevisit them and make sure they feel cared for?

There are many people in our communities who give their entire lives todoing just that, and thank God for them, but some of us and I includemyself in this just busy on with our own thing and live in splendidisolation. This story is a challenge to me, Jesus told the story of thegood Samaritan, and I have to ask myself who is my neighbour and am Icaring for them?

"And Jesus concluded,"In your opinion, which one of these three acted like a neighbour towards the man attacked by the robbers?"
'The teacher of the law answered,"The one who was kind to him."
Jesus replied,"You go, then, and do the same."
Luke 10 vs 36-37