It`s sometimes hard to believe
that six years have gone by since I arrived in this parish to take up the
position of pastor. On that first
weekend, and for a few weekends following, I wore a monastic alb complete with
a cowl (a kind of hood that is sewn on the back and meant to keep the head warm
during winter months). With the chasuble
worn over this alb though, I was told that the cowl made me look like Dracula. I didn`t want to scare anyone away, so I
retired that alb and have used others since.
During the initial weeks of my
presence here in this parish, I spoke of my dream to live among you, to be
present in times of need, and to do what I could to help as many as possible to
come closer to Jesus. In the words of
the first reading we have listened to today, I suppose you might say that my
hope was then, and is now that others would look to this parish and say: surely these great people have a god who is
near to them. Over these past six
years, I have come to believe this about those who gather here, but first we
had to get to know one another: you had to get to know a bit about me, and I
had to get to know a bit about you.
The process of coming to know
people begins with outward appearances, hence the initial reactions to the
priest who looked like Dracula, but Jesus calls us always to go deeper, to look
beyond the surface and to dare to befriend the person. This is why he always challenged the
Pharisees and scribes to look beyond the outward appearances and observances,
and to truly understand that faith is a matter of the heart.
Discovering faith in the hearts
of the people who gather, and fostering the gifts of each one who is part of
the parish; this is the job of the pastor who is asked to walk in faith with
those who gather. During my time among
you, I have tried to do this by praying with you, by calling some to serve on
various committees, and by encouraging as many as possible to lend their
talents and gifts to continue the long tradition of building this parish which
was begun by Father ?? when the doors of this church were first opened, and
which has been continued by each of the pastors and Associate pastors who have
had the privilege to serve in this parish since.
It is thanks to the dedication
and commitment of countless individuals that I will remember the years I spent
here at Christ the King as having been characterized by the love, devotion and
faith of God’s people who call this place of worship home. Your generous
acts of giving have truly borne fruit in a long tradition of service to the
people of this city. Among these
generous acts, we have together witnessed the establishment of the Beech Street
Community Kitchen, which welcomes young mothers who are income insecure and
gives them a place where they can begin to trust, and to believe in
themselves.
I will always remember and pray
for the young street kids who have come to cook with us, bringing with them
their own particular brand of vim and vigour.
A few weeks ago, I was walking by
the tracks on Elm Street and two of the youth who have worked in our program
came running up to me: Hi Father, they
said, how are you. Not so long ago,
these youth would probably have passed me by, they may have wondered to
themselves about who I am; they may even have conjured thoughts and opinions
about who or what I represent, but now these youth and some of their friends
have learned to see the Church not as something to be feared, but rather as a
place where they got back on their feet, and I’m humbled to think that together
we have played even a small part in that miracle.
Every day of my life, but
particularly at times in my life when I am asked to accept a new appointment, I
am reminded that the work and ministry of priests is not our own. It is part of a plan that is much larger than
any of us. When all is said and done, it
is God who calls, and we who must answer.
It is God`s work that we participate in when we celebrate the baptisms
of infants who are brought to the church, or of adults who have discerned the
call to worship and pray in the gathered assembly with us. It is God`s call that we answer when we help
young people to prepare well for the celebration of Reconciliation, Eucharist
and Confirmation. It is in Christ`s name
that we are present to couples who ask us to witness their weddings, and it is
in Jesus’ name that we are privileged to stand at the bedside of those who are
anointed with oil as we pray them into eternity. Finally, it is an act of faith that we
observe when we gather to celebrate the funeral of a loved one, to give thanks
for the ways in which he or she has contributed to the life of our parish, but
most of all to celebrate the fulfilment of a promise first made on the day of
our baptism: that we will all one day know the fullness of life and love in the
presence of our God.
When the last Mass is complete
tomorrow (today), we will begin a new chapter.
My journey will take me to the parishes of Saint Peter and Saint
Elizabeth. Next weekend, Bishop Plouffe
will be here to install Father Brian Dixon as the 16th pastor of
this parish, and to formally introduce Father Brendan Doherty who will also
live and work among you. Thank you dear
friends for the great privilege of walking with you in faith over these past six
years or so. Continue to pray for us
priests, and pray too for our young people, that they may listen for God’s call
and generously answer it.
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