Canon John's farewell

The Archdiocese of Birmingham - The Parish of the Immaculate Conception

Sunday, 22nd July 2024.

Canon John's farewell Mass and reception in the Saint John Paul II Centre.

Notes of Canon John's final Sunday homily at the Parish of the Immaculate Conception. Listen to the actual emotional delivery here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phoVzJTKCN8&t=10s

At about 30 minutes and 45 seconds from the start.

After 11 years, this is my final Sunday in the parish. It is fitting that the sacred action that began my time here, ends it: the celebration of the Mass, the source and summit of all that we are as individuals and a community. It is here that the mystery of the living God becomes real and truly present to us: Jesus Christ, His grace and eternal life.

This also serves as a reminder that this is not the conclusion of our pilgrim journey together. Think of it as a spiritual “pit stop” for a change of priests that also provides an opportunity to give thanks to God for bringing us this far before we gather ourselves, rise and press forward with the promise of future glory lying ahead of us.

I have been so blessed to be your priest and companion along this stretch of the pilgrim way. Accompanied by Christ, we have shouldered each other's burdens, cupped each other’s tears, delighted in each other’s gifts, witnessed miracles and learned to praise. We have found that God's grace is mightier than our weakness. These are not small things. They have certainly left a deep impression on me. Have plenty of memories to carry with me. Especially my silver jubilee celebrations, the visit of Saint Bernadette’s relics and the threefold jubilee celebrations.

There are three things on my mind on this last chance I have to celebrate Mass with this amazing parish.

Praise.
Sorry.
Thanks.

Praise to God.

So, as I've been anticipating this weekend, and praying for all of you, and for what it is that the Lord has done here over the last 11 years, and thinking forward already anticipating the 200th anniversary, bicentenary celebrations, which will be celebrated in five years’ time, I set off passages have come to mind.

One of them is 1 Corinthians 3 where Paul writes:

“I (Paul) planted Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So, neither he who plants no he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”

So, I've been thinking of all the priests who've served here before I have and thanking God for the gift that they've been to this parish community and the gifts that they were for me.

Thinking of Father Craig as he prepares to assume the mantle on 23rd August and I'm thinking back to all these encounters that I've had with countless people in our parish. What Paul says is what I feel.

I don't know if I've planted anything in anybody. I don't know if I've watered anything that somebody else planted.

What I do know is that whatever it is that's happened in our lives, it was caught that gave the growth. And so, the praise goes to God.

Which is all the more remarkable given what it is he has to work with, namely, like me. And you.

Answer, I imagine Paul often times reflecting on the day after he was done preaching or doing all the mission work that he was doing talking to the Lord and simply saying,

Lord how in the world is it possible that you can shine through a man like me? And yet such is God, that he can do that. That he can use broken vessels, earthen vessels, like me, like you, to reveal himself.

Yes, God is so extraordinary, so remarkable, so amazing, so wondrous, that he can shine through people like him and through me. So, praise to God.

Which leads me to the second word: Sorry.

It's really not so much sorry. It's really more like repent. Not you repenting, but me repenting. So, I pray often the passage that Peter wrote. 1 Peter 5 where he says:

“So, I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed. Tend to the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock.”

To be a priest, and especially to be a parish priest, is to regularly come under scrutiny. People say all sorts of things. But trust me, I don't know anybody who's more critical of me than I am.

And I am painfully aware of who I am, of all my faults, all my failures, all my sins, all my selfishness. And so, for all the ways and all the times that you have experienced my unkindness, my impatience, my lack of charity, my simply not being there, if you and when you needed me, I want to sincerely repent very humbly and ask your forgiveness.

It brings me to my final third word: thanks.

Thanks to all of you, and this whole parish family, but thanks in a particular way to a remarkable set of people.

If I can express my thanks to our parish and centre staff and volunteers … (parish office Lucia Hattam, John Paul II Centre office Sister Sani and Frankie, volunteers for so many years supporting me so generously, Sister Rose for taking care of the sacristy, Deacon Michael, Deacon Nick, Father Pat, altar servers, catechists and pastoral and finance councils) choirs, fund raising, church flower ladies and cleaning teams and many other groups in the parish.

[Handwritten note inserted: “Pandemic – live streaming – 2020 – year of live streaming”]

And the one goal is: to bring every person in our community into a life changing encounter with Jesus. I have never worked with a people like this. This is an extraordinary body of people and I don't know that it can be replicated. And they sometimes never get the gratitude, the acknowledgment, the appreciation, the love, or the support that they deserve. So, I would ask you to join me in showing them our appreciation.

[Applause]

So, I'm of the mind - I'm fairly certain, time will tell that the future of our parish in a very real way is connected with the future of our Parish School. Given all that's going on and the culture in which we live, Catholic schools should continue to provide serious education, and face formation. Catholic schools exist so as to make disciples. Has been a blessing and satisfying working closely with the school, hard difficult times and the Lord has guided.

I have cherished my stay here in Bicester: my induction mass, priestly super jubilee celebrations, visit of Saint Bernadette’s relics, and three-fold jubilee celebrations and many other occasions.

So, my prayer as I leave here is that the Immaculate Conception, Our Patroness, moves us to understand that it is her Son, our Lord has done for us and our hearts and our hands and our minds and our lives are more open than they ever have been before.

I have loved these 11 years. Though there were times I could have given in full stress and be depressed but the Lord has been my strength, who continues to give me courage to make decisions for the good of the Church and community. Thank God for good friends.

And I know you will welcome Father Craig and love him the way those of you who were here 11 years ago when I came loved and welcomed me because that made all the difference in the world.

I beg you the first time you see him simply to tell him “We are so happy you're here and we look forward to following the Lord with you and walking with you”.

It is also true that I have keenly felt the loss of fellow travellers who decided to leave or drift away from the way of the Lord for the highways of the secular world. While their absence is a cause of sorrow for me, they remain my brothers and sisters and appear often in my thoughts and prayers. Many others have joined us and worship with us. I thank God for their faith.

Thank you for your patience with me; for putting up with me. Thank you for your prayers and practical support; your warmth and good humour; the witness of your faithfulness and the countless acts of kindness, friendship and its generosity that you have personally shown me.

What I have learned in my life is that “No matter how generous you are, you will never satisfy an ungrateful person.” That is why I have always tried to do what is right in the sight of God and Church and what is good for the parish. Never tried to please people and only to please God.

No matter how good you are, there is always one person who hates/doesn't like you for no reason. So simply continue to do what you always do. I can truly say that the last 11 years comma I have given myself completely to this parish and now I leave being satisfied been doing God's mission. God bless you all.

Thank you all who have supported me generously in every sense. Some of the parishioners have become very good friends and I cherish their friendship.

Pray for me, as I will for you as we continue the journey and make our way home.

[Prolonged, rapturous applause].

Pleace click on the thumbnails below for thr latger version of each image.