Monthly Archives: August 2017

Newsletter for Sunday 27 August 2017

25 Aug

Dear Parishioners,

This is my first newsletter to you as Parish Priest of St Mary’s, and some of you reading this will inevitably be new to the parish, and you are most welcome. So, for those of you who don’t know me, I had better say a little bit about myself. I am a priest of only two years, ordained for the Institute of Charity or the Rosminians in July 2015. I formerly worked as a professional musician in London before joining the Order in 2007. I did my priestly studies at the Beda College in Rome, and since ordination I have been Assistant Priest here at St Mary’s which I have much enjoyed, being under the very capable leadership of Fr Philip Sainter from whom I have learnt a lot.

However, after only two years as a priest, it is a rather daunting prospect to be asked to be a Parish Priest.  However, “with God all things are possible”! (Matt 19:26). I look forward to ministering here in this role and working with you. Please feel free to contact me at any time. I am available and would like to hear from you.

While reflecting on one’s seeming inadequacies for the task, St Paul’s words in Second Corinthians come to mind: “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses… for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10) and “I can do all things in Him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13). I ask for your prayers and support as I begin my new role at St Mary’s.

God bless you all.

Fr Paul Gillham IC

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Newsletter for Sunday 20 August 2017

18 Aug

TWENTIETH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Jesus said, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.’ But the woman had come up and was kneeling at his feet. ‘Lord’, she said, help me.’  He replied, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the house-dogs.’ She retorted, ‘Ah yes, sir, but even the house-dogs can eat the scraps that fall from their master’s table.’  Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, you have great faith. Let your wish be granted.’ And from that moment her daughter was well again.

The ability to really benefit from and enjoy one’s vocation in every respect (be it as a priest, religious or lay person) does not come without work, commitment and dedication (not to forget kenosis).  Touching people’s lives with one’s own requires risk-taking, transparency and honesty; it requires authenticity: being oneself – being the person God has called and chosen; it requires generosity, constant conversion, openness and spiritual renewal!

For the past three decades I have been strongly influenced by the writings of Bernard Lonergan.  One of his famous phrases: “Man achieves authenticity in self transcendence” made a deep impact on me and on my pastoral ministry.  To allow God’s all-embracing, transformative love to work in and through one, fills us with tremendous joy and satisfaction. Sharing in Christ’s mission to ‘the lost sheep of the House of Israel’ and to those who may feel excluded or barred, is what our lives should be all about.

I thank God for the past five years I have spent with you and for the opportunities he has given me to minister to you.  I also thank God for all you do, in your homes, with your families and friends and here in this parish.

I thank YOU for assisting me in my ministry.

Let us constantly acknowledge the great things God can do in us and through us as we pray the words of St Paul:

Glory be to him whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine; glory be to him from generation to generation in the Church and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20)

Fr Philip Sainter

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