Category: Fr Rory Writes

Fr Rory Writes:

Thanks be to God.  We had a wonderful evening in Upperchurch for the launch of my Sister Mary’s book “A Mother’s Love”.  A very good night’s music with appropriately chosen themes and passages from the book:  No speeches, just a recitation or two.  The subtitle to the book is “An Angels Wings”.  The moment captured in the song “I believe in angels, something good in everyone”, is at the heart of this book.   Mary’s testimony to her personal experiences brought home, deep consolation and great inspiration for her to grow in prayer, and to become an active witness to our catholic faith.  She has spoken to us before .  I have got some copies, but for the true readers it is available on Amazon.

Unfortunately, I picked up a dreaded lurgy on the flight back from Ireland. I have a very nasty cold, and even though over the years I have become philosophical, three days brewing, three days here and three days going.   I know it will pass.  But sadly bereavement for us remains a constant.  The death of Ann Winter is our recent sadness and our sympathy goes out to John and her family.  Her funeral will take place at St George’s Church on Friday 27th September  at 2.30pm.

Fr Rory Writes:

On the first Friday of the month we will have a special service with the Sacrament of Healing with Mass and Veneration of the Blessed Sacrament at St George’s Church.  The Sacrament of Confession/Reconciliation is always available on request, and I am usually available for an hour before Mass on Sundays and for half an hour on weekdays.

We are now going ahead with the Memorial Plaque for the Garden of Remembrance at St Wilfrid’s, and at this stage we have received names from the Parish Community that will be added to this plaque.  If you think that there are any outstanding names that should be included, please let us know.

Deacon John Writes:

Fr Rory wrote a few weeks ago about two deaths that had occurred recently in our communities. The following are two articles which are about how we might cope with tragedies in our own families. I hope you find them helpful and give food for thought: The first is Sister Joan Chittister’s response to a reporter who asked her how she kept going after her family tragedy: “Birds sing after a storm. Why shouldn’t people feel as free to delight in whatever remains to them? Mourning what we have lost in life only obscures the beauty of what remains.” Sr.Joan is an American Benedictine nun, theologian, author and speaker. She has served as co-chair of the Global Peace Initiative of Women.

On the same theme, the Right Reverend Monsignor Roderick Strange, a Visiting Professor at St Mary’s University, having previously been rector of the Pontifical Beda College in Rome, wrote: “We never get over the wounds we have received; our defeats are always defeats. However, if we allow ourselves to become completely absorbed in our own misfortune, if we cut ourselves off, then the defeat creates a crippling selfishness, and is death-dealing indeed. But if we resist the whirlpool of selfishness, and turn outwards, determined to show care and generosity and love where it is needed, if we keep our hearts open, then the transforming change can and will take place.”       

Fr Rory Writes: 

Thanks be to God for a special moment of grace.  There was an ecumenical service in memory of Judith Kinnison Burke, at All Saints Church in Herstmonceux on Monday.  The large church was full to the brim, a tribute to Judith and her commitment to life and faith.  She played a large part in “renew” thirty years ago, when she was new to life in our church.  The Requiem Mass that was part of the ecumenical service is possibly the first said since the reformation.  She was a great friend to many.

Next Tuesday at St Wilfrid’s Church, at 12noon, we will celebrate with a Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of William O’Rourke.  This occasion will also have many persons wanting to attend.  Car parking is likely to be difficult, so if alternative arrangements can be made, this will be helpful.  The Knights have offered to help with parking.   Deep sympathy is a prayer that we all make, because of the great loss that Bill is to our church and his family.

Fr Rory Writes:

Thanks be to God:  I have been given the green light to return to ministry, and for this I am very grateful to God.   Bishop Richard and with him the Diocesan Care Team have given me incredibly good support, and I have been blessed.

My experience has caused me a great amount of painful soul searching time, especially three weeks on the Island of Alderney.  The Lord is compassion and love; but that means we share in His passion.  I had a lot of time to review my faults and my failures, and when you come to that moment in the Gospel when the beam in your eyes needs to be removed, before you can attempt to do anything different,  I was indeed drained and strained.   Then from the Lord came very clearly the message that with the Lord there is mercy and fulness of redemption.  So I seek that mercy and I ask those who have their misgivings for a season of grace.  For those who have been so happy to see me back has been such a help.

When I and others were in the Seminary quite a while ago, we had a time of great hope and expectation.  The 2nd Vatican Council had taken place; a promise of new life and spirit in our church with much involvement by lay people.  I truly believe Bishop Richard’s challenge of what the church will be in 2030 is most important.  Now with the shortage of priests this challenge has to be faced, and with the help of God, though different; the life in both our churches will be strong.

Fr Rory Writes: 

Greetings from the Island of Alderney where I have been filling in for a friend of mine.  It has a Franciscan Convent of four Sisters and a hermit, so it has been a very good spiritual experience.  I am truly grateful when I hear all the events in the parish are continuing so well.  “A body made up of many parts”, working together is key to the future of any parish with the number of Priests in such decline.

Looking forward to meeting you all, and ever so grateful for all the concern and support.

Canon Michael has now returned and it is a real tonic, we are having a good time catching up on so many years of friendship.

Fr Rory Writes:

Just a lovely night.  There is something very special about the Easter Vigil.  Admittedly it is focused upon the gift of belief Jesus Christ has entered into our human experience.  He has shared our lives, especially our sufferings and afflictions.  But the mystery remains.

With the beautiful singing of the Exultet, and other voices raised in psalm and song, this Holy Night was truly a night full of joy.  So often life brings you down to earth again with a bang, and then you are left with options and choices.  Do you deal with them in a manner that reflects Christ and His example to us?

Looking back at my piece last year, I think it is worthwhile to repeat “good trees bear good fruit”.  High moments and Holy moments are quite rare.  It is in living our daily lives in a way that brings help and hope to others that is most important.