I took this trip for a priest friend of mine's silver jubilee which was celebrated in style with a lovely Mass followed by a garden party in the church's lovely English garden. No end of trouble had been spared to make the celebration one which will be remembered for many years to come by these parishioners. Obviously they wanted to give my friend ( their parish priest) a beautiful celebration to express their gratitude to him for all that he means to them, which by the way, is enormous.
As a guest of the parish priest and never having been to UK to this parish, it was a little daunting for me as making small talk is my strong suit. However, the amazing part about the whole day for me was this feeling of belonging there as if I had been .in their parish all my life. This is significant because I have been in my own parish many decades. This is not meant to be a downer on my own parish but just an expression of how I feel at this moment in time whilst I am on holidays.
What is also gratifying for me is to see how much his parishioners love him. I have had many parishioners share with me their thoughts about their lives and how my friend, as their pp has impacted for the greater good in their lives. It is beautiful to hear for me for so many reasons- especially as he is my very good friend. When there has been so much scandal and negativity about the priesthood in general and catholic life, it is great to see a parish who is displaying catholic life in a parish at its best.
Obviously there had been a lot of preparation for the big day and all went beautifully, My priest friend was actually overcome and overwhelmed with so much love. It was a delightful sight.
Still although it was a fabulous day, it was obviously to me that this parish have put in a lot of hard work at so many levels to make their parish what it is. Something like I experienced does not happen if it is not already there.
Anyway last night and today, I went to his Masses to experience his parish yet again. At the family Mass, I have never seen so many young children. This was not any school Mass or special Mass- no, just an ordinary Sunday Mass- but nothing ordinary about it. For me, I am on holidays- so no responsibility of playing the organ or singing or playing and singing these last 2 weekends. It was interesting to hear a different repertoire of hymns and part of the Mass. I am lapping up the nurture for my soul as well- so important to regroup and soak up something for myself. It is not only a holiday but turning out to be a retreat for my soul.
So I have shared something of my experience here. I would love to share so much more.
However I want to say how important it is to make parishioners welcome- something sometimes we can overlook, how vital it is to be connected as a parish and to work together as a community. all it takes is a smile, a nod, a hello to start with to the person in the seat next to you or in front. That nod can be everything for someone feeling down, out of it, confused, worried or a visitor. I found it was taking the risk too- stepping out of my usual comfort zone and saying hello. I asked myself whilst I am here how I would feel if I walked into my parish for the first time? Would I feel the same belonging as I have had the privilege to experience here in this lovely parish? Daunting question but a necessary one, I think, to consider what we, as a parish could embrace in a tangible and centred manner.
It is vital it seems to me that if the parish priest/ pastoral council have a vision to try your best to embrace it and to support him as much as possible in the way that you can. What ever you can to build up your own faith and the faith of others by your presence and support of your parish, the more we reflect Christ and his church in a beautiful way.
I do support my own parish in many ways but this holiday has given me time to appreciate, reflect, reenergise myself so that when I go back, I can commit once again with an enthusiastic and energetic heart. In the light of today's Gospel, sowing the seed in whatever way I can is important. God asks of us to sow in whatever proportion we can.- if we are capable of 100 fold, then we must do that, but if 60 fold or 30 fold is in reach of our capacity, then we must do all we can to reach our true potential in sowing the seed. I ask myself what is my true capacity and in the light of the seed types, what do I need to do to encourage growth in myself, in others and in my parish.
Perhaps this post might help you reflect on your commitment to your parish. Perhaps too, it fits in with today's Gospel of sower and the seed. I always like to ask myself when I hear this Gospel as to which seed am I right now. Obviously we can be all seeds but at different times in my life, I resonate with a particular seed type. It is always useful for me since it is like a photo or snapshot of my soul- perhaps it is like a selfie.!!!
So why not this weekend as you listen to today's Gospel take a selfie of your soul. Ask yourself which seed are you right now? Which seed do you want to be and what will you do this coming week to move towards becoming that seed? What seed/s could you sow for your parish?
May your soul selfie be an opportunity for change and growth in you.
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