Thought from Fr. Colm - 13th October 2024

Sadly, Deacon Peter Lavery died after a short illness.  Peter will be familiar to all those who participated in pre-marriage courses organised by the Diocese.

He was also very supportive in this parish at both St. Godric’s and St. Joseph’s leading funeral services, baptising and marriages.  A straight talker, he was challenging but fair at clergy meetings.  Always available to help, he will be greatly missed.  He was the model of what the Ministry of the Diaconate is.  May he rest in peace.

The catecheses for the Sacrament of Confirmation are now ready to roll out.  Many thanks to those who are leading here.

Thought from Fr. Colm - 29th September 2024

Greetings from Vigo on the Camino Portuguése. I was warned by two North of Ireland

tourists that the coasts of Portugal and Spain were going to be hit by storms on Tuesday,

Wednesday and Thursday this week. Up to Tuesday afternoon, I thought ‘another

weather forecast error.’ but unfortunately, it was accurate. Yesterday in the beautiful

town of Baiona in Galicia we (my brother Joe and myself), were unsure as to when we

might get out of this beautiful fishing port as the rain and the storms were so powerful

deciding a way forward. Would we progress towards Santiago de Compostela within our

allotted time. Such is pilgrimage – it’s life. This is the coastal route, hugging the Atlantic

coast.

Those of you who have walked the Camino from any of the main four routes will know

that meeting fellow pilgrims contributes greatly to why we go in the first place. They are

a reassuring and blessed presence walking the stormy path of life. Take Brian from Bath,

who is here having lost his wife to a brain tumour whilst returning home some years

before from a holiday in Tenerife. His plane had to make an emergency landing in

Compostela, where she subsequently died. This walk for him is his act of remembering,

and part of the grieving process. Somehow, this pilgrimage allows such stories to be

shared.

Back to my journey. Crossing from Portugal to Spain by small boat was extraordinary. If

stepping into the boat with a beer crate as an aid was difficult, getting off was even more

challenging as we both had to alight by jumping off onto sand dunes. There are pilgrims

from across the world. Many are American, Australian and Canadian. I learned quicky

not to confuse New Zealanders with Australians, and Canadians with Americans. And

political discussions a no no with American pilgrims especially. Many come as a walking

exercise without any religious motivations. It was therefore good to see a senior

Franciscan in his habit and poncho breezing past me yesterday at Capuchin pace.

For many also, this is no gentle stroll. A limping and exhausted looking walker is

not an uncommon sight in the evenings and is a reminder of the purpose of

pilgrimage. I spoke to a pilgrim with a bruised face from a fall who came with

totally unsuitable footwear. Such brief accounts can be a metaphor for life when

preparation is neglected. But they are also stories that bring us together and show

our enduring capacity to move forward in hope and determination.

Simple acts of kindness are so very common on this ancient pilgrimage route (second

oldest) to the shrine of St. James. The kindness of the locals in particular. I see

countless. Too many to mention.

As the weather changes to sunshine, I have the good fortune to ask a Galician out

for his morning stroll to point the direction of our way out of Baiona. He

responded by walking alongside me for the next two km. As we were about to

part, he asked if I would like to see the church. To my surprise he remained outside

whilst I stayed inside. We then parted. I’ll not forget Manuelo’s kindness.

These are some reflections on this pilgrimage which is 21 years after my first

venturing on this ancient pathway. A pathway that goes back to the time of St.

Godric, whom we believe walked it. Another Saint who walked into Compostela

was Saint Francis, whose Feast we celebrate next Friday and I wish our Capuchin

Brothers a very Happy Feast Day.

Remembering you all as I head towards Santiago de Compostela.

Thought from Fr. Colm - 22nd September 2024

I am on pilgrimage from this weekend. I begin walking the Portuguese Way with my brother Joseph, on Monday. This route, familiar to a number of parishioners, begins in Portugal, but quickly crosses the border with Spain. Unfortunately, bush fires have caused havoc in the region over the past week, but I am delighted to see cloudy skies forecast for the coming days. This will be the 21st anniversary of my first Camino. I’m 21 years older, and so a more measured approach may be necessary. We’ll see.

“I sat down on a bridge, and wondered; I saw before me hundreds upon hundreds of

miles, painful and exhausted, and I asked heaven if this was necessary to a pilgrimage.”

Hilaire Belloc, The Path to Rome

My apologies for going on, but I’m now aware of a throbbing sense of unspoken injustice

locally at the road closures leading to the church and school from Sherburn Road. There

is a genuine sense of grievance at voices being ignored, indeed simply dismissed, despite

being told otherwise, and despite Corporate PR efforts at damage limitation.

The Feast of St. Francis is soon, and the Community of Capuchins are planning a

celebration of their patron. Details will be in next week’s parish bulletin.