Monday 30 June 2008

Ad multos annos...

The last ten days has been a busy time. In the Diocese of Northampton we have taken part in the priestly ordination of Fr Andy Richardson and Fr Simon Penhalagan. It is my prayer that God may fill their ministries with grace and joy as they work to bring others to Christ Who has called them to His service.
Here at St Martin's we also celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Fr Neville Mc Clement, a former Parish Priest here. With him (from l to r) are Fr Brendan Killeen, Mgr Tony McDermott (a native of St Martin's Parish) and my self. The Mass was attended by over 200 people, both present and past parishioners and people from other parishes in which Fr Neville has served. People came from far away as the East Anglian Coast and from Blackpool to take part.
It was a great celebration and a reminder to all of us of what the priesthood is truly about. Celebrating Priesthood is not simply about celebrating ourseles because a Sacrament is given to us both to help us to our own sanctification and to assist others likewise. To celebrate Priesthood is to celebrate the whole Church, both clerical and lay.
Since we are all good Catholics there was also a party after Mass with food and drink in a suitable abundance!

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