Sixth of Year A
February 2011
Over the past few years there have been discussions at parish and diocesan levels, and between parishes and the diocese. The results of these discussions were given in the booklets ‘a people of hope’ and ‘parishes in communion for mission’ which were widely distributed and available to all at parish level. (And still are available.)
Since then, following the findings published in these booklets, the parish pastoral councils, in all parishes, have been focused on implementing these findings insofar as they are relevant to the situation of each parish.
For us here in St. Patrick’s the most obvious change (but not necessarily the most important) is that we begin to consider and implement cooperation between St. Patrick’s, Corsham and St. Anthony’s, Melksham at all levels.
This will eventually culminate in the two parishes becoming one canonical (or legal) parish.
When this happens it does not mean that either of the churches will be closed. It means that eventually it will be one parish with two churches and two worshipping communities, each with its own particular charism and identity.
This is what the phrase ‘Parishes in Communion for Mission’ means.
The catalyst for these changes was, as we all know, the present and steadily worsening shortage of priests. But as we gradually implement these changes a new and better understanding is gradually emerging. We are beginning to realise that inter parish cooperation and communion is a good thing and should happen anyway even if the country were overrun with priests.
Most significant change results from some catalyst. The shortage of priests was the relevant catalyst on this occasion.
This will be implemented fully only when a priest is not available for either Corsham or Melksham, but everything needs to be in place and operational by September 2014.
In this way the transition from one priest for each place to one priest for both places will be smooth and friction free.
The biggest and most important change for all of us, both priests and people, will be, and always is, a change of mind, a change of attitude. It is an opportunity for us to think outside the box. For you, our parish community becomes our parish communities. For me, who has been running parishes on my own since the nineteen sixties, it will necessitate taking the wishes and attitudes of another priest into account.
For you and I this change in outlook is the most important step, but only the beginning.
We have had a number of meetings between representatives of both parishes last year and this year. These exploratory meetings have had two aims; firstly to start getting to know each other and secondly to pin down areas where cooperation is presently desirable and possible. The next meeting is going to be on Monday 14th.
We must look on all these developments as opportunities for personal growth, for personal development, for personal change.
We must pray that these changes well take place under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.