Thursday this week saw us having a sunny weather. It was already early evening, but the sun was still up. As we were preparing dinner, Chiara was outside the garden playing. Later on she began to sing "Let it go" (a famous song from the movie "Frozen"). As she was belting out the song, the little girl from next door happened to be outside their garden too. As she heard Chiara singing, she sang too albeit struggling to enunciate some of the lyrics. Chiara sang even louder. The little girl didn't let her guard down.
A few minutes later, they began to talk to each other in spite the tall hedge which separates them. Chiara volunteered to go to the neighbor's garden, although she expressed her reservations as she was scared of their dog. Later on, we found Chiara and the girl (her name is Siena and is of the same age as our daughter) playing in the swing in our garden. Chiara found a new friend.
How do we make friends? It seems that as we age, befriending gets more difficult. We have reservations for various reasons. Perhaps some would have told us something negative about this person. Probably we're happy with our comfort zone and any 'disturbances' aren't welcome. Or we just don't want to.
Seven years ago, our parish had a new parish priest. Like any parishioner, there were some 'fears' in me. A few thoughts crossed my mind. Will the new person be good? Will he effect any changes? If so, will these be beneficial to us? What will he do with what has been the 'norm' in the parish?
In his first Mass, Fr Paul Newman dispelled those fears. He came across as a friendly and accommodating person. This impression became more evident as days, weeks, months, and years went along. There have been moments that I have expressed delight, gratitude, fear, or concern to him and in all of these he listened and gave words of encouragement and comfort. He was also a man who was generous in giving praise and appreciation to people's contributions to the community. Because of the respect and care he showed to parishioners, they in turn supported him. Bulwell and Bestwood parishes, in my book, found a friend in him.
The last time I saw Fr Paul was in May last year when there was a diaconal ordination in the parish. I was on the queue where he was distributing Holy Communion. As I received the Body of Christ, I felt his touch. A touch of a friend whom I missed a lot.
Fr Paul may have left us (in 2011), but the friendship that he made with me and my family remains cherished in my heart. I am sure fellow parishioners share the same view. Tomorrow, 20 July, he will be celebrating his 25th year as a priest!
May God bless you, Fr Paul, as you reach a new milestone in your priestly vocation. Remain trustful in Jesus who called His disciples (that includes you!) as friends, not servants (John 15:15). Continue to be a blessing to others, wherever the Lord of the harvest sends you. Keep up the good work of affirming people's faith, reassuring their hope, and kindling their charity. It's a shame we won't be in Chaddesden to join the celebration, but you would be one in our prayers and thoughts. Thank you, my friend!
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