A very sincere thank you to those who worked so hard to make last Tuesday’s Farewell Mass for Father Terry Phipps such a moving occasion: everything combined to give Father Terry a splendid departure, and I know how effected he was by the warmth of the feelings expressed. It is invidious to mark out anyone for special mention (when so many were involved) but the serving in the sanctuary was impeccable, the hospitality afterwards generous, and the music glorious. I hope that there will not need to be such an event again for a very long time!
I know that many of you were able to visit the Relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux while they were in Westminster Cathedral. We must hope and pray that great graces (“a shower of roses”) will come down on many people to reinvigorate their Christian lives. The Scriptures talk of “having nothing yet possessing everything” and Thérèse is the perfect example of that truth. A cloistered nun who died aged 24, the product of the limitations of a late 19th century French upbringing, who catches the imagination of millions of people through the posthumous publication of her spiritual diary. Thérèse remains a contemporary figure in her struggle to find meaning (and God) through the pain of terminal illness, but it is her teaching about the “Little Way” which shows that the road to Heaven is open for each one of us if we are faithful to the small things of our daily routine. For me, almost more powerful than being close to the Relics, was the prospect of thousands of people, of all sorts and conditions (including many children) queuing quietly and prayerfully to be with St. Thérèse.
It seems unlikely, in the present climate, that there will be a full-time Assistant Priest at Spanish Place. This is sadness for us all but it would appear to be a reality we have to face. I am exploring the possibility of two other priests coming to live at the Rectory: these will have responsibilities within the Archdiocese (as does Father Kavanagh) but will be able to help maintain the rhythm here at St James’s. We do need to do all that we can to encourage fresh vocations to the priesthood. This autumn, again, sees the number of Westminster seminarians increasing, but it will be several years before these men feed through into the parishes. In the long term, I do not doubt that labourers will be forthcoming, but in the next decade or so the harvest will, necessarily, be thinner than it should and ought to be.
I think you will already have heard that Pope Benedict has appointed Bishop Bernard Longley – who has episcopal oversight of Spanish Place – as the next Archbishop of Birmingham. His enthronement will take place in St Chad’s Cathedral at Midday on 8th December. Those who have had the good fortune to work closely with Bishop Bernard know that he is a sound teacher as well as a gentle pastor. Westminster’s loss is very much Birmingham’?s gain: we shall miss him very much but, alongside Archbishops Nichols, Archbishop-elect Longley is well-fitted to provide the leadership needed for the Catholic Church of this country. Ad multos annos!
As you read this weekend’s newsletter, I will be on pilgrimage in Southern Germany (I return on Wednesday) and remembering you all especially at two of the best-loved Bavarian shrines - Eichstatt and Altotting.
It is good to be your Rector.
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