Again, thanks be to God.
We had a lovely, lovely evening which took place at St George’s church last Saturday. The Southdown Singers presented us with very enjoyable singing, music and stories most appropriate to the Advent Season. Also, they left us with a beautifully decorated church to enhance our worship prayer and commitment. After the long term effects of covid, windows of opportunity for enjoyment are much appreciated. We have a baptism here at St George’s this Saturday and for all of us this weekend the sacrament of reconciliation; an opportunity to experience one of God’s most special gifts – His forgiveness, His pardon and His peace.
Repetition has a great value in leaning, so I return to the idea of sowing new seeds. Please, please God, we will really sow some new seeds. So that is why I mention “co er” groups. I suggest that you give some thought to this and say we could form a “co er” group. As the pandemic has had a major influence on our actions, the opportunity that this “Synod” is of the greatest importance. A real challenge confronts us in the life of our church.
In response to this, various groups should give it the care and attention that it deserves. Again, these two questions:-
Why do we need it? And what is the best outcome for the future, for the life and witness for the catholic church?
This could be a tick box exercise in futility, on a memorable opportunity in the life of our church.
When I left the seminary almost fifty years ago as a young priest, I had hopes of a new Pentecost, and while some aspired to it, the church in general allowed itself to be laden and overburdened – so no great fruits. The challenge always goes on; and people always try to accept a challenge. We had in our time an excellent effort from the Liverpool Diocese and with Cardinal Hume providing his authority, more was expected of it. To outer eyes it was shelved, and here we are like St Peter; who has fished all night and caught nothing. With the inspiration of Jesus……. St Peter was prepared to set out once again with the message of salvation, that he had received from His master. In keeping with what he said we set out once more in obedience with the words “I have come to save the lost”.