Fr Aidan's last Mass - 08/08/04

Today was Fr Aidan's Farewell Sunday Mass before he moves to Our Lady Star of the Sea, St. Annes.
No formal sermon today, Father just gathered the children round him, as he so often does, and spoke of 'Treasures'.

Father spoke about his treasures which he'd been looking at again as he packed them up to take to his new parish. He showed the children his special treasure - a small penknife that had been his Dad's. It was 'special' because it reminded him of his Dad and explained that it was only 'special' because it reminded him of the person who it had once belonged to, not because of its own value. Father said people were the real treasures, and that he would take all of us to Our Lady's with him in his thoughts and prayers. We were to remember to treat others as God's treasure because we are all precious to God.

At the close of Mass Paul Kelly, chairman of the Parish Development Team, spoke on behalf of the parish to Father Aidan. Paul opened by recalling the last time he had had to say farewell on our behalf, which was when Father Michael left us to take up his first appointment as curate in the Lancaster parish. Little did we all know that he would so soon be called on again. Paul went on to say that when we lost Father Michael Turner we as a parish knew that whoever came after would have a hard act to follow. Father Aidan did this, over the 51/2 years that we have known him, in his own style and so successfully that he earned our respect and affection - so much so that he is now the hard act to follow!!

Two weeks ago Fr Aidan said don't blame the Bishop for moving him; just as his priestly ministry is a sign - Christ made visible amongst us - Paul said that for him Father's move was a symbol, a visible sign to us all that none of us is in absolute control of our destinies or the stages on our journey. The Development Team themselves are sad to lose Father Aidan at a time when, after two years, they have become cohesive and are beginning to think about the wider mission of our parish, but they are grateful for the help and guidance that he has given to them over the past 2 years. If we were to write anything to the Bishop regarding how we felt about the time we have had Father as our Parish Priest, then let it be a letter of thanks, outlining how he has helped us individually during a specific episode in our lives. That would be a fitting tribute to Father's ministry with us.

Paul, on behalf of everyone present and those who couldn't attend, wished Father a fond farewell and good luck in his future ministry. To conclude Paul informed us all that a special 'Thankyou' evening has been arranged so that we can formally mark Father Aidan's departure, when our new Parish Priest will have found his feet and Father Aidan has settled in at Our Lady's. This will take place on the evening of Saturday 11th September - all are invited. Make a note now in your diaries.

Last but not least our new parish priest takes up his appointment here at St Joseph's on Tuesday 10th August - his name is Fr Harry Holden. Please give him a warm and friendly welcome, he's only come from Morecombe, even so, he may feel a little lost for a while.

©Kitabu Web Design