Active Participation

Last Wednesday, I joined other priests and deacons who are celebrating Jubilees this year, in participating in a sung Mass at the Cathedral. Archbishop John was principal celebrant and he invited us to share in a fine meal afterwards in his house.

2025 is indeed a special year, not only for me celebrating 50 years as priest, but for all of us here at St Thomas of Canterbury. We continue to mark 150 years since the building of the church. Next Saturday, 1st November at 12 noon, we will continue our parish 150th Jubilee celebrations with a special Mass celebrated by Bishop Nicholas Hudson. Bishop Nick’s first appointment after ordination was as assistant priest here at St Thomas of Canterbury from 1987 to 1991. Last Tuesday, the Vatican announced he has been appointed as the new bishop of Plymouth. Bishop Nicholas will be joined on Saturday by some who served you here as priests. It is our opportunity to give him a warm welcome and to thank all our priests who have served us as shepherds for their dedication, inspiration and service.

Now is a good opportunity for us to remember that, as baptised people, we all share in the priestly, prophetic and royal office of Christ, and therefore we all have our own share in the mission of the whole people of God. As such, we must understand the entire church to be the body of Christ in which each member participates; thus “no part of the structure of a living body is merely passive but has a share in the functions as well as life of the body.”  As lay faithful you are not just ‘done to’. You are active participants in the life of the church as expressed in her service, witness and worship. This “life of intimate union with Christ in the Church is nourished by spiritual aids which are common to all the faithful, especially active participation in the sacred liturgy.” [From Apostolicam Actuositatem (2nd Vatican Council).]

So what better way to acknowledge that we, with our priests, are missionary disciples than by joining in Saturday’s sacred liturgy. There will be refreshments in the parish hall afterwards and an opportunity to give thanks for all the blessings God has bestowed on the people of this fine parish over the last 150 years.