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The conclusion of The Year of Saint Paul was celebrated in
Southwark with a gathering at Aylesford Priory where Archbishop
Kevin welcomed the bishops, priests, deacons and people from
every corner of his diocese. The theme for the day was 'Proclaim
the Good News' (Mark 16:15). The open-air shrine was filled to
capacity - happily, the threatened storms did not
materialise. The gathering of over 3,000 people expressed the
ethnic and cultural diversity that enriches our diocese, as did
the vibrant liturgies, which included African and Latin chants,
hymns both traditional and modern and Bidding Prayers in
English, Spanish, Ghanaian, Polish and Amharic (Ethiopian).
Archbishop Kevin presided and preached at the noon Mass, at the
end of which he gave the Apostolic Blessing. In his homily, he
spoke of Paul's conversion: 'His faith, his conversion was not
the result of a long process of reflection and discernment at
the end of which he concluded that Jesus was the Messiah. No,
his conversion was the result of the direct action and and
intervention of God.' 'Then as today, the important issue is the
choice, the initiative of God and we should all draw strength
from that when we're discouraged or tempted to give up on things.' He
reminded us 'God's ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not
our thoughts. His choices are not our choices and that is
crucial for understanding the mystery of our faith which Paul
explored so deeply. Personal choice which is so central in our
culture is an entirely secondary consideration within the
providence of God.'
The full text of
Archbishop Kevin's homily
At 3:30 pm, the Archbishop presided at a moving Celebration of
the Word of God. Father John O'Toole gave the homily and
students from Saint Paul's Academy led a reflection on how to
live out the teaching of Jesus (summarised in the Beatitudes) in
the spirit of Saint Paul. All who are involved in proclaiming
the Good News were invited to give thanks and to dedicate
themselves anew to the ministry of the Word: parents, carers,
grandparents, godparents and sponsors; catechists and teachers;
readers and cantors; bishops, priests and deacons; religious
brothers and sisters; all who are ministers of the Word as
beloved sons and daughters of God. Each group was represented by
the lighting of a candle.
The full text of Father
John O'Toole's homily
The Missionaries of Saint Paul arranged that the Sacrament of
Reconciliation was available throughout the day with other
priests, including the Carmelites, assisting them.
First page of photos - The Mass
Second page of photos - Celebration of the Word of God and the
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Third page of photos taken
before, between and after the liturgies |
