Surprised by Charity

And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? (Lk 1:43)

I had a similar expression when Msgr David Forde knocked on my door 21 years ago.  He explained that it was his practice - as parish priest- to visit new members of his flock. (Luckily I was at home and tidied up!) We talked about the Holy Week celebrations in the parish, the religious practices at home, etc. He was surprised to find out that in a big parish in the Philippines, there would be nine Masses on a Sunday! He encouraged me to participate further in the life of the parish. A few months later, I became a Mass reader. He took time to proofread and supported the publishing of the "Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys of St Joseph" (sevensorrowsandsevenjoysofstjoseph2015print version.pdf) in the parish and beyond.

There were other instances when Monsignor surprised me.

In one Mass where I was about to read the Prayer of the Faithful, he asked people to pray for Filipinos affected by the eruption of Mayon Volcano. I felt ashamed because, until that Mass, I never knew of this tragedy in our country despite having a Filipino channel in my telly.

On another occasion, as I was finishing my prayers in front of St Joseph's statue, he approached me to say that he would like me to become a foundation governor at St Margaret Clitherow Primary School. I was about to say no, but Monsignor assured me that I can do it.
When he was assigned to Holy Cross Parish (Hucknall) and later retired, I kept in touch with him via e-mail. Sometimes I also assisted him when he provided cover for our parish priest.

I was still in the US when I received an e-mail from him offering his sincere sympathy on the recent death of my father. He also told me that he will say Mass for the happy repose of Papa's soul. I don't recall informing him of Papa's demise. His message and prayers were much appreciated by the family. This was Msgr Forde's last surprise to me.

Like the Blessed Mother whose visit to the hill country of Judea surprised her cousin Elizabeth,  Msgr Forde's actions surprised me. I believe that Monsignor mirrored the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He made such moves because his heart, like that of Mary's, was filled with charity.  And when the heart is filled with charity, that charity is meant to be given away, to be shared. And what a surprise those good deeds are especially for those who cannot repay them such as "the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind..." (Lk 14:13).

Msgr Forde, many thanks for those surprising moments. Your gestures have affirmed my faith and strengthened my hope. I'm pretty much sure that others have a similar experience. Rest assured that we will continue your legacy. May Jesus the Eternal High Priest along with the Blessed Mother, angels, and saints welcome you into His kingdom. We love you!

A Priest of Mercy

Ever since retiring from active ministry and moving back to Bulwell in September last year, Fr Anthony Dolan has made his presence felt in the community. He would often concelebrate Mass whenever he could. During his first few months, I haven't heard him deliver the homily.  A few friends of mine told me that he actually did during Christmas Morning Mass. Too bad, I attended the Vigil Mass. It took a few weeks later - the feast of the Lord's Baptism to be exact - when I heard him preach to the congregation. 

His homily during that celebration focused on Jesus as the Lord's Servant. Being the Servant, Christ manifested in His life the Father's Mercy. Indeed, as Pope Francis once wrote, "Jesus is the face of the Father's mercy."

Since then, I had the chance to attend a few Sunday Masses with Fr Anthony presiding and preaching.  And in all of these instances, he would always remind people of God's mercy and of how we should celebrate the Year of Mercy.  In one of those Masses, he recommended that we assign a holy door of Mercy in our own homes. He suggested that it would be the door where we could pray as we enter and as we leave. He even gave as an example the main door of his house as his own holy door of Mercy. 

There was one instance when Fr Anthony didn't preach, but only read the Bishop's Pastoral Letter in observance of Safeguarding Sunday (24 April 2016).  What caught my attention in that Letter was the Bishop's story of "Maria" (not her real name) who was a victim of human trafficking in our own diocese.  Furthermore, I noticed Fr Anthony so much affected by such an incident that he invited us to spend some time in prayer after Mass for "Maria" and other victims of human trafficking. He told us that he too would stay for a few minutes in church to pray. Listening to him speak, I felt as though he was almost in tears.

At a time and age when mercy seems to be archaic, when we give more emphasis on "Me, mine, and myself", when we seek more independence from rather than trust in God, when our battle cry would often be "Justice!" (as though justice and mercy are completely divorced from each other),  Fr Anthony's emphasis on God's mercy comes as a wake up call. 

I think there are three things that we could learn from Fr Anthony if we wish to "Be merciful just as our heavenly Father is merciful". First, remember. During the Mass, Fr Anthony and his brother priests across the world would quote Jesus' words "Do this in memory of me". It's to our best interest to remember how merciful God is to us otherwise we won't be able accept the invite to be merciful like Him. By remembering, comes being rooted. As a priest, Fr Anthony has shown how it is to be rooted in God. As a son of Bulwell, he has shown how rooted he is in the parish which, like a mother, nurtured him in the faith.

Second, devotion to Our Lady. One thing noticeable about Fr Anthony is that he would kneel in front of the image of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour for a few minutes before proceeding to the sacristy to get himself ready for Mass. Next to Jesus, Mary stands out as our model of how it is to be open to God's mercy and to share that mercy to others. Apart from that, Mary is a good teacher on how we should treasure in our hearts the great things that the Lord has done for us.

Third, action.  As we were leaving the Poor Clare Monastery Chapel, after the Taize prayer service held in June, Fr Anthony quipped "We have been praying all the time!". I took as though Fr Anthony was telling me, "Now that you've prayed, it's time to put that fully charged heart, mind, and soul of yours to work and bear fruit."

Happy 50th sacerdotal ordination anniversary, Fr Anthony, this coming Saturday (23 July 2016)! Thank you for your inspiring words and faithful service.  Keep on proclaiming the Lord's mercy to all! God bless you always.

Ad Multos Annos!

All roads led to our parish church last Monday evening, 18th of September. The church was almost full of people as I came in. Our Parish Priest, Msgr David Forde, was celebrating his 50th Anniversary as a Priest. Rt Rev Malcolm McMahon,Bishop of our diocese led a handful of priests in the Mass. I was earmarked (if I can borrow what John Staniland, our 'Sacristan Mayor', used) to do the Second Reading.

I have known Msgr Forde since 2003. As we were preparing to move to our new home, I found out that there was a nearby church. I searched the Yellow Pages and rang the parish office. He was the one who took the call and and gave me instructions how to reach the church. I later called again to query their Christmas activities. He took our address and sent us a Christmas card - it was nearly the Yuletide season then. I am touched by his dedication in serving the community (at present he is serving two parishes due to a shortage of priests), his skill in relating God's Word with daily living, and his ability to unite the people.

Fifty years as a priest is indeed an achievement. To have actively remained in serving the Lord for that long is truly a mystery. I was listening intently to Msgr Thomas McGovern, the Homilist that night, who revealed three outstanding qualities of Msgr Forde: joyfulness in serving, loyalty to the diocese, and generosity in forgiving.

These qualities have truly endeared him to the people. The lack of these, however, would certainly put off people from the Church, its ministers, and its members. You may have heard negative remarks made against some leaders and members of our religion due to the absence of such virtues.

Msgr Forde's Golden Jubilee is a time for us to thank God for the gift of the priesthood. It is also an occasion to ask Him to strengthen the Church so we can all be joyful servants, loyal labourers, and (the most challenging one)forgiving followers.

Ad multos Annos! To many more fruitful years!