My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ
One of the most moving ceremonies of the Year was witnessing the pastoral visit of Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI to the remains of the concentration camps of Auschwitz - Birkenau in Poland in May. The extended news showed the visit live and providence permitted me to watch it. The silence as the Pope prayed at the execution wall and at the Holocaust memorial plaques moved me to tears. The power of a German Pontiff praying at these sites where so many people were executed was a witness to Christ’s reconciliation. Earlier Pope Benedict had prayed in the cell where St Maximillian Kolbe, and many others, had died and he also met with survivors of Auschwitz who had their striped uniforms around their shoulders. The Pope was clearly moved and on more than one occasion he, not they, kissed their hands in a true act of humility and tenderness.
It is important to remember. To live in the present. To look forward. To embrace all things in prayer.
As a Church we do this whenever we celebrate Holy Mass. "Take this, this is my body". Words of the priest - words of Jesus Himself. Pope Benedict said in his homily at St John Lateran on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi this year:
"...the entire history of God with humanity is recapitulated in these words (above).The past alone is not only referred to and interpreted, but the future is anticipated... What Jesus says are not simply words..(it is) the central event of the history of the world and of our personal lives... These words are inexhaustible.." (L’Osservatore Romano 21 June 2006)
This means that our whole life: past, future and present is caught up in Christ in His offering to the Father in the sacrifice of the Mass. This includes every detail, known and hidden, local and global. It is therefore a great relief to know that every aspect of our life and parish is known to God. This includes all that is in our 2006 parish report and all the groups that are included in it. Please take a copy of the report and consider getting involved. I would like to thank everyone who contributes to the life of our parish. God knows it and receives it!
WE TOO HAVE AN IMPORTANT DATE TO CELEBRATE SOON. In 2008 the Church celebrates the 150th anniversary of the visit of Our Lady of Lourdes to St Bernadette (11 February 1858). On 10 September 2008 we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the consecration of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Rottingdean. We should prepare for this date.
Firstly, we should act upon the recent architectural survey recommendations to ensure the fabric of all the buildings at Our Lady of Lourdes and also for St Patrick’s. Then we should redecorate the internal of the Church at Rottingdean. This will cost money and I am grateful for all the increased general giving, standing orders, Gift Aid and fundraising that will help us pay for it. We will need more. Please think how you could contribute.
Secondly, we should prepare for this anniversary by giving more attention to our souls. I hope that we will be able to treat 2008 as almost a "Jubilee" year when many graces will be bestowed on us individually and as a whole parish. I hope that we will have opportunities to grow in prayer and faith, to celebrate the history and present life of the parish and to go on a pilgrimage together. The future is in good hands - they are God’s!
I am conscious that in the midst of this preparation and celebration our diocese is already implementing Bishop Kieran’s plans for the year 2010. This document was published in the A&B News earlier in the year. It is the template that Bishop Kieran is working towards as priests are deployed around the diocese and parishes are combined and become bigger. We may become part of the "East Brighton" parish which has previously been our "cluster" of parishes. This may not change our mass provision, but it will certainly change the way we see ourselves. As Catholics we gain our unity through our Bishop. In this document he is providing for our future pastoral care and celebration of the sacraments that we might be empowered for mission.
Pope Benedict said to some Bishops on their Ad limina visit to Rome that "..diocesan reorganisation is an exercise of spiritual renewal..". As such our parish preparations for 2008 will put us in good stead and lay firm foundations. So please commit all these thoughts to your prayers, especially family prayer, the Holy Rosary and Divine Mercy.
Thank you for your continued support and prayer for me and my family. Be sure of my prayer for you all.
May God bless you.
Fr Graham Ricketts
Sixteenth Sunday of the Year 2006