Leigh Pastoral Area

Saturday, December 27, 2008

NEW YEAR IN THE PASTORAL AREA

New Year’s Eve Mass
If you would like to welcome in the New Year in church, there will be a Vigil Mass at 11.15 pm on New Year’s Eve at Holy Family, followed by the chimes of Big Ben (live), a New Year Blessing, and drink or two at the back of church. 

New Year’s Day Mass
On New Year’s Day, there will be a New Year’s Day Mass at 12.00 noon at Holy Family.  Everyone welcome.

Prayer for the New Year
Wherever you are on New Year’s Eve, you might like to
welcome in the New Year with this prayer:

Holy God,
as we enter this new year,
we thank you for your presence with us
in all the years of our lives. 

We have known joy, and also sorrow,
success and failure,
and through it all, you have been with us
– the companion of all our journeys. 

Much of life is fleeting
and so we thank you for things that endure: 
the love of faithful friends,
wisdom gained from experience,
the reliability of nature,
and your steadfast love. 

We thank you for this new year which awaits us. 
Take us by the hand and lead us on. 
Amen.

PASTORAL LETTER FROM THE ARCHBISHOP

My dear people,

Old age: Abraham: Sarah: Simeon: Anna: old men and women: no doubt what I must write about this year on the Feast of the Holy Family: old age. No problem about what: easy.

Then I remembered: a psalm says: “our span is 70 years, and 80 for those who are strong.  I was 70 in November. I have my Senior Rail Card, State Pension, Bus Pass and Winter Heating Fuel Allowance.  Am I really an OAP?

I look at photos of my father and uncles and aunts when they were only 60 and wonder: do I look as old as that? And I have to admit: twice, in London, when I was not wearing my dog collar I’ve been offered a seat on a crowded tube.

First of all I do not want to wear rose-tinted spectacles about old age.  I remember with gratitude what my mother once said when the arthritis was bad and instead of her once boundless energy most days were spent in a chair: “Well, Patrick, I know our Lord was crucified, but at least he never knew what it was like to be old.

But next: I have no idea if I feel or look 30, 50, 70 or 80.  I just don’t know.  So my first lesson for any real conversation with others, especially those who are older: watch: listen and learn how they see and feel themselves to be.  No hasty: “snap out of it” or “we’ll soon have you on your feet again.  Enter their life with respect: receive them as they are to themselves: in a phrase, so often repeated: “God loves us as we are?  But then I think of the scene in the film the Lord of the Rings: Wormtongue, by whispering bad news, gloomy tales, suggesting frailty and helplessness has made King Theoden into a bent, fearful, timid, helpless old man. Gandalf brings light, and challenge and courage and Theoden’s face becomes young again and his arm strong.

So, while we begin full of respect, we will not allow anyone to be old, afraid, alone, helpless before their time.  It is the same for us as it is with God: it is true that God loves us as we are, but he loves us far too much to leave us as we are.  We will not be to anyone a Wormtongue: whispering dark rumours and frightful tales to bring them down. We will love others too much just to leave them as they are. I am never quite sure what I may be asked to do when I visit our High Schools: some of our School Chaplains and Teachers of RE have wicked senses of humour. But I do not mind: they will not let me be just 70, a “twirly? when it comes to buses, allowed to sit in an armchair wearing slippers.

And this year when families are afraid and anxious about mortgages, employment, pensions, I suggest we receive this invitation from Saint Paul: “Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Christ, so that each family and our family, the Church, upbuilds itself in love.

I have no way of knowing what 2009 will bring: I do not understand what is happening in the economy or where it will all end; I have no solution to suggest. But I am certain: all may receive the blessing proclaimed when we come to Mass on New Year’s Day, the Day of Mary, Mother of the Lord:

“May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord let his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord uncover his face to you
and bring you peace.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

+ PATRICK A. KELLY
Archbishop of Liverpool