Living Stones
Ten years ago this month, I arrived in Canterbury to take up my appointment as parish priest. For me it was the first time working and living outside London. I jokingly said to friends, in my first few weeks, that one of my favourite things in Canterbury was the High-Speed train to London. I now see things very differently.
As we move into Autumn and restart many of the familiar parish activities, it is good for me to reflect where God has been in all the events, activities and lives of the people of this parish community. I need to ask myself, ‘Have I responded to what God has asked of me as a shepherd, teacher and sanctifier.’ I was formed after the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) and now, more than ever, I have come to understand the words of the Vatican Document on the Priesthood: Priests, in common with all who have been reborn in the font of baptism, are brothers (and sisters) among brothers (and sisters) as members of the same Body of Christ which all are commanded to build up. I thank God for the wonderful ways you have been living stones that, through your prayer and service to others, have helped to build up the church. It is heartening to see that all of us have a life of faith and that, in many and various ways, we have grown in faith and closeness to Jesus.
We have all heard many times the oft-repeated sentence The Eucharist is the source and summit of the life of the church. For us at St Thomas’s, well-prepared liturgy, prayerfully celebrated, is a blessing beyond measure. Thank you to all of you who so willingly give your time and talents, freely, to enable us to celebrate Mass and the other sacraments with love, dignity and joy. The Eucharist, for you and for me, is the centre of our spirituality and I pray that it will continue to transform our parish community.
The challenge that constantly is in the forefront of my mind is the question, ‘Who is not at the table?’ Together we need to include all those who are scattered. We can’t be a holy huddle, but need to have the courage to open our hearts and lives to the poor and marginalised. I am aware of those who are already doing this in their quiet way. Thank you.
One of the unique features of St Thomas’ is the availability of the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Wednesdays as well as Saturdays. I have celebrated more confessions here, in the last ten years, than in any other parish. The priest is called to be a practitioner of Christ’s mercy. Our spiritual life is predicated on the awareness that all of us need Christ’s tender mercy. For all of us, conversion of heart is the endeavour of every Christian; I pray that we will encourage one another on this shared and lifelong endeavour.
