Friday 27 June 2014

The Laity and St Wilfrid`s



We hear a lot about the role of the laity nowadays. This is sometimes backed-up with quotes from Christifideles Laici. Never in my experience is reference made to later documents such as The Priest, Pastor and Leader of the Parish Community of 2002 and before that in 1997 On Certain Questions Regarding the Collaboration of the Non-Ordained Faithful in theSacred Ministry of the Priest. I would have imagined these would be key to any discussion of these matters.



Anyway, I decided to write this because at present the laity of St Wilfrid`s are working hard to save their church. I`ve never seen lay activity like it. A lot of time and effort has been put in as well as financial support. Death concentrates the mind and the threat of closure has galvanised the congregation of St Wilfrid`s. The church looks the best I`ve seen it with lots of decorating being done on the exterior. Even the wilderness that is the huge garden is being tackled. I only hope that it turns things round and St Wilfrid`s will get a reprieve

3 comments:

  1. The faithful community of St Wilfred's deserves success. My own parish, St Joseph's Highfield finished up with no church, no priest, and the only Sunday Mass is on Saturday evening at the Anglican church. Really, despite the sterling efforts of a few, a parish without a church, priest and presbytery is not a parish.
    St Wilfid's parishioners are an inspiration.

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    Replies
    1. I thankyou for your comments and I'm sorry about the situation you find yourself in,we have a lot of support behind us,we Thank God for everyone helping us,however we cannot thank enough a recent bequest from a much-loved Parishoner who basically wiped the Parish debt out.I know that she is behind us every step of the way!!!

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  2. Father,
    Thankyou most sincerely for your comments!!! Yes we are doing our utmost to save our beloved St.Wilfrid's Church.During these difficult times I often remember this;one priest said at a funeral in St.Wilfrids a few years back that in everyday life you can walk with Saints,I believe that I have in these months of uncertainty and I also believe that those wonderful Parishoners that have gone before us have been walking with us too.

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