The Gift of Priests and Sisters

Transcription

1 The Gift of Priests and Sisters

2 Foreword Dear Reader, As part of our research for an assembly to help primary school children pray for vocations, we asked a number of priests and sisters to respond to a questionnaire about their ministry; many responded with wonderful honesty, humour and generosity, including deacons and Cardinal Vincent Nichols. In fact, there were so many insightful responses that we could not fit them all into the assembly so we have produced this short document which shares a larger selection of responses to a variety of questions. I was very touched by the evident passion and joy each has for their ministry like shepherds, they have made a life-long commitment to serve many, many people in their flock. As we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday, let us remember that priests and sisters are a gift to us, to pray for them and also to pray that more children, men and women will continue to respond to God s call in their lives. For more information, visit: Best wishes, Martin O'Brien Artistic Director, Ten Ten 2

3 Fr Christopher Whitehead With Pope Francis How did you know you wanted to become a priest or sister? A sense of being part of a mission to help people discover life in all its fullness. Fr Andy Graydon I was overwhelmed one summer's evening by the realisation that God was calling me to be a priest. Now don't get me wrong - nothing bizarre or mystical here - just the sure knowledge that this was what He wanted. Fr Dennis Touw Tempelmans Plat From a very early age (3 or 4 years old) I felt drawn to God and that perhaps I was going to be a priest (not that I had any idea of what a priest was or did - but from good examples of priests I had a feeling that it seemed a good thing to be part of) and this feeling or calling never left me for long at any time of my life until at 25 I entered Seminary. Fr Shaun O'Neill Not a road to Damascus experience, more an insistent tug, an irresistible force. Fr John Hindley I knew that I wanted to help the Church but I thought that it would be following my secular expertise. It was my parish priest, a close friend, and finally the Cardinal who prompted me to explore whether I had a vocation to the Diaconate or not. Deacon Neville Dyckhoff I don't think I did ever know for certain, it was a hankering thought that perhaps this is where the gifts I thought I had might be best used. I was never a particularly confident lad and so the decision to try my vocation was quite a big step. Fr Mark Skelton I resisted a 'nagging' voice that was asking me to consider it as a possibility! I was working at the time. However, I decided to 'give it a go' to see if it was 'right' for me. Sr Patricia Mulhall I felt that I belonged to God from an early age. Mgr Keith Barltrop After some years of prayer about what God wanted me to do, it clicked in a conversation with a friend, on the way home from a retreat. Fr Gareth Leyshon "From an early age I loved Holy Mother Church. It was on visiting Lourdes that I felt the call to become a priest." Fr Simon Hall 3

4 How did you know you wanted to become a priest or sister? "When I was going through a difficult time a number of years back, I went to confession and I deeply felt God's mercy. Years later I had this niggling in the back of my head, like a tap dripping, thinking the same thought - that there was more I could do for God." Fr Frankie Mulgrew "I could not think then and I still cannot think of a better way of spending my life than in the service of God - helping people in their journey through life with the Sacraments (especially the Eucharist). In other words helping other people to get to heaven." Fr Francis Coveney "I'm not sure. It was something that I slowly started to realise around the age of I used to be an altar server and I felt close to God especially during Mass. I did not experience God 'speaking' to me. But I felt that God was showing me that this would be what He wanted for me." Canon Luiz Ruscillo I was taught by sisters from the age of 4-18 and I greatly admired them as strong, valiant women who were generous, loving, open-minded, strong characters. Some had worked overseas in mission lands. I saw them as role-models and I had the desire to do something worthwhile with my life as they seemed to be doing. So at the age of 20, I decided to 'have a go' and see if the life suited me. Sr Kay Mulhall God kept on suggesting it to me, so I eventually realised it was His call for me. Sr Cathy Jones I just felt drawn to that way of life. I hadn't been educated by Religious and had hardly met any. I came to a decision that if I believed in a good God then I ought to take him really seriously. This made me want to place myself in a position where I could get to know him better. The bit about service and in particular service of the poor came later. Sr Patricia Byrne I can remember seeing my parish priest (who seemed ancient) when I was at infant school - about aged 6 or 7. He came into school to celebrate Mass for us. I can remember thinking that I wanted to be like him. I was transfixed whilst he was saying Mass in the school hall. I can also remember the way the teachers told the stories of Jesus, the way our priests came into class and talked to us. I used to serve at Mass and so felt 'up close' to what was happening and watching the priest in their prayerfulness. They were good attractive role models. Fr Christopher Whitehead I had first thought about this as a boy but only finally applied when I was in my forties. The notion was always there and at last I had to listen. Fr Gerard Flynn The short answer is: I was sitting on a bus in the middle of France when I suddenly thought 'God wants me to be a priest' and the idea didn't go away. Fr Rob Esdaile I fell in love, deeply into God's love. Sr Imelda Poole 4

5 Fr Dennis Touw s ordination What do your family think of you being a priest or sister? My Mam and Dad were pleased; my four brothers made fun of me! (Brothers always make fun of brothers!) Canon Luiz Ruscillo They are very pleased; they wanted me to be sure and not to rush into a quick decision. Because of this I spent time in prayer and visiting various Orders of Sisters and looking at their works etc. This was useful and helped me to make a decision. Sr Teresa West They are really happy about it. Brother Paul Coleman My Mum said I needed to be sure that it was what God wanted as well as what I wanted so she taught me this prayer to say every night 'Dear Jesus, please let me be a priest but if you want me to be something else I will willingly do it'. I said that prayer every night until I was ordained in Fr Ian Farrell Now they are happy because they see that I am happy, although it was difficult for them at first because they knew they'd see much less of me and they weren't sure what being a sister would involve. Sr Cathy Jones They are not Catholics, so they worry that I have thrown away a good career in exchange for a lifestyle of long hours, low pay, and no life-companion. Fr Gareth Leyshon I am the only one. At first they thought I was mad but when they saw I was happy they began to appreciate my life. I think they are awed sometimes by the work I do. Sr Patricia Byrne Well, one brother's an atheist and my sister's probably agnostic so they probably think I've made a very strange choice - but they've never told me so. My other brother is supportive and my mother has always been ridiculously proud of me, while I found out after he died that my Dad was very proud of my choice, too. (He wasn't the sort of man to talk about that sort of thing, God bless him.) Fr Rob Esdaile 5

6 Brother Paul Coleman What is the best thing about being a priest or sister? Knowing I am doing what God wants me to do. Sr Isabel Having a life which is organised around times of prayer and having the support of a community. Sr Cathy Jones Having time to pray Fr Christopher Jamison Having the opportunity to get close to Jesus and to spread his love and care to all I meet in my daily ministry Sr Margaret O'Shea Being able to celebrate Mass. Fr Francis Coveney "Celebrating Mass, Absolving sins, being alongside the dying, visiting the sick." Fr Colin Patey "Being part of a group who have made a commitment to Christ and His people; being prepared to be surprised by the action of the Holy Spirit in the lives of people." Sr Teresa West The variety and breadth and rapid succession of experiences. Fr John Butchard "I love preaching and or talking about my faith. I love visiting people in their home and popping into primary schools" Fr Shaun O Neill I feel very privileged to be in my present role caring for the new migrants into the country who are often discriminated against, in fear of their lives. Sr Kay Mulhall Every day and every encounter is completely and unpredictably different. I've never been bored in the last 25 years. People are enormously trusting and open with me, often at the happiest or saddest moments in their lives. Fr Rob Esdaile "In many ways this is impossible to answer for there is so much to say, but if I had to sum it up in one sentence, I think I would say it is simply knowing that I am doing God's will." Fr Dennis Touw Tempelmans Plat "Helping others to come to know themselves more fully (and therefore God)" Fr Andy Graydon 6

7 What is challenging about being a priest or sister? Sister Patricia Mulhall What is challenging is that sadly lots of people behave like sheep and just follow the crowd and don't think about their long term future. Lots of people don't think about their eternal destiny. I suspect that this has always been the case. But (as the saying goes) "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." Fr Francis Coveney Trying to cope with unexpected events, situations and people. Fr Paul McGinn "Living by oneself and having to pray by oneself." Fr Shaun O Neill "You don't get much time off when your friends are free." Fr Gareth Leyshon "In my church there is only one of me but nearly 2,000 people. I wish there were more than 24 hours a day and 7 days in a week. That would be a miracle!" Fr Chris Vipers "Many things: learning to living for others and finding the right way of sharing the Gospel are just two of them." Fr Christopher Loughran Living with the other brothers. We're all very different and sometimes we have trouble understanding each other. But because we live together as a family we have to learn to get along. Brother Paul Coleman "We can get distracted by too many different activities." Mgr Keith Barltrop Getting up on time for prayer! Sr Cathy Jones It can be very hard work. There is never a moment when you think 'That's it: I have finished everything that I have to do.' But then again you know that God is doing all the real work so it can be really quite easy. Fr Gerard Flynn The fact that in 2016, sisters are appearing to be a 'dying breed' and there are fewer of us. In this part of the world, we are an ageing group! The life-form is not seen as something worthwhile, fulfilling and can enable a person 'to live life to the full' like any other walk of life or vocation in life. Sr Patricia Mulhall 7

8 Hobbies? Favourite meal? Any pets? Favourite football team? Sporting Figure? Fr. Colin Patey Spaghetti Bolognese, no pets, football and Stephen Gerrard. Sr Teresa West I love to travel, I swim, I go to the theatre and the opera when I can, I love eating out with friends, I enjoy the lighter side of television viewing and when I am away on holiday I love to read - biographies and history and a good story! Fr Dennis Touw Tempelmans I love cars and going to motor shows Fr John Butchard I've had a couple of flying lessons! Fr Gareth Leyshon Sunday lunch well roasted! Fr Gerard Flynn I have a tortoise called Tommie. Sr Cathy Jones I enjoy meeting my great-niece's dog, Honey, when I go home. When she sees me getting off the bus in Glasgow with my luggage she goes mad! Sr Isobel I love reading, gardening, cycling and going to the gym. I am teaching myself German and I am learning to play the cello. I also like cooking and birdwatching... not at the same time... I fill the bird feeders in my garden all the time and I like to encourage plants and flowers to help bees and butterflies, which I also love. Fr Mark Skelton I like to play football when I can; but most of the time I like walking, especially in the hills or the woods. I'm also slowly learning to play the guitar and speak Italian. Br Paul Coleman Yes, lots! I like reading especially, cycling - almost every day, walking every day. I love listening to music, doing the crossword in the newspaper, meeting friends for a coffee or meal, going to the theatre or the cinema Sr Patricia Mulhall I like to play football, although I'm getting old and slow! I like to go fishing on my own for some quiet time; but I don't catch many fish and I get frustrated. Canon Luiz Ruscillo I love sport of all kinds: tennis and rugby are top of my list. I support Liverpool. Sporting figure: Lionel Messi Sr Margaret O'Shea 8

9 What are your hopes for children learning about being a priest or sister in the Ten Ten assembly? That they begin to understand and experience the vast mystery of God. To be ushered in to His presence and feel something of the love and peace of His glory Fr Simon Hall First and foremost that they would consider that they might have a calling in the first place. Falling vocations is due not only to secularism, but because so few priests are willing to share their joy at being a priest with the next generation. Fr Dennis Touw Tempelmans Plat That they would all realise that God is calling them to give themselves to him, some as priests and sisters but most as dedicated lay people. Mgr. Keith Barltrop That they have a feel that God is calling them to be the best Child of God they can be and so have a good openness to what God may be calling them into in their lives - to be a priest, religious, married, etc. Fr Shaun O'Neill If God wants you to follow Him as a priest or a sister, then following His wishes can make you very happy in life. Life as a priest is really great! Canon Luiz Ruscillo That it's a worthwhile way of life for those who are called to it and can open many doors. I cannot remember a time in my life as a sister when I was unhappy. for anyone who has a desire to live the life, it can be rewarding. Sr Kay Mulhall That God is calling them to a wonderful way of life and work, starting today. Fr Christopher Jamison That they will realize it is ordinary men and women who were once ordinary boys and girls who are now their priests and sisters. To be a priest is not to be special or extra good or brave or clever or holy. It is to be a normal person who wants to try to love God and other people and who, like them, will often get it wrong. Fr Mark Skelton I think it is very important to give children information about who priests and sisters are and to awaken in them the desire to put God at the centre of their lives. Sr Margaret O'Shea 9

10 What is your favourite way to pray? Before the exposed Blessed sacrament. Fr Christopher Loughran Kneeling or sitting in front of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and allowing Him to bless me and pour into my soul all his goodness, love and mercy! Fr Frankie Mulgrew I enjoy the Office (prayers I say 5 times a day), but just sitting in silence in Church is okay for me. Fr Shaun O'Neill Meditation - Reflection on the Scriptures and other books on Spirituality. I also like to 'share' with others, especially the Prayer of the Church (Office prayer). Sr Patricia Mulhall I like to be relaxed and comfortable and be in a place where I will be undisturbed. Being able to remain in the presence of the Lord who loves me no matter how many times I have been a disappointment. Sr Teresa West I love to read one of the stories of Jesus from the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke or John, especially one of his miracles (like the feeding of the 5,000). I love to imagine that I am in the crowd and that He meets me there. Fr Chris Vipers With the Bible. I like to sit and read a bit of the Bible and ask God what He's saying to me through it. I also like singing: when we sing to God we use our hearts more. Brother Paul Coleman I just like to get a quiet place and try to be silent and still so that I can be open to what God is saying to me in the events of my life. I like to pray with Scripture too and I find the Rosary very helpful. There are lots of ways of praying and we each have our own way Sr Margaret O'Shea Sitting quietly either in the garden or in my favourite chair and praying the psalms and then stopping and letting God bring a word or phrase from the psalm back into my head. That becomes what He is trying to tell me. Fr Mark Skelton Silently in front of the crucified one who urged us to love our enemies. No other religious leader has ever done this. Sr Dagmar Plum 10

11 Fr Frankie Mulgrew What would you like children to pray for in terms of vocation? Dear God, You love me. Help me to discover what it is you want me to be. Fr Paul McGinn That people will know how loved they are by God, and then be free to ask God what he wants them to do Fr Frankie Mulgrew I would like them to pray for each other - and to realise that we all can make a difference - either in helping people come closer to God, or in discouraging other people from coming closer to God. Fr Francis Coveney Just to ask God to show them their own vocation in life, His plan for them. Fr Chris Vipers For trust in God, courage and perseverance. Sr Isabel That people find a few moment of silence a day in this busy and loud world to hear God whispering to them His hopes for them. Fr Shaun O Neill That they will find what God wants for them and follow their dream. Sr Patricia Byrne To be aware that God is always close and to be prayerful so that they will be able to listen to Him in the daily events of their lives. Sr Margaret O'Shea That the people meant to get married will marry, and the ones God is calling to be unmarried signs of the Kingdom will rise to the challenge! Fr Gareth Leyshon I suggest this prayer I often say: Lord, make me want what you want. Br Paul Coleman That they can find ways to serve God with their gifts and talents sustained by a strong faith. Fr Mark Connolly 11

12 What advice/tips do you have for primary school children for getting close to God? Form a regular habit of praying every day, using your own words and set prayers. Sometimes, say very little and just enjoy God bathing, like sunbathing only you can do it in winter. Fr Christopher Jamison Try to go to church every Sunday. Say a prayer every night before you fall asleep. Always be sure that God loves you so much. Canon Luiz Ruscillo Take some time in your prayer to stop and listen, listen to God speaking to you in your heart. Deacon Neville Dyckhoff Always talk to God about anything at all - maybe even everything. Just talk to God as if he is a mate. That's the way I do it. You can even shout at Him or have an argument with Him. You just have to remember, as I do, that He always wins!! Sr Isabel Pray and live a life of kindness and compassion for others - the way of mercy. Sr Imelda Poole Keep trying and don't give up. God is closer to them that they appreciate. Keep their prayer simple and don't forget to be still, be quiet, and be open to God speaking to them. Fr Christopher Whitehead Our hearts are the same size as a clenched fist, so we can either pray with our hearts tight shut (like a closed fist) or we can pray like this, with our hearts wide open (open palm) like a flower or a hand that's about to receive something beautiful, receiving all that God wants to give us. Fr Frankie Mulgrew It's important to make real quality time for God every day. That's easy to do if you remember you are doing four things that can come very naturally: being thankful for all the wonderful gifts in your life, being sorry for the things you know you have done wrong, asking for the things you need (really need, not just want!), and giving praise for everything that makes your life happy. Fr Gerard Flynn The rosary is a wonderful way of growing close to both Jesus and Mary. So, a decade of the rosary a day is a wonderful habit to get into! Sr Cathy Jones 12

13 Cardinal Vincent Nichols (in response to the Ten Ten questionnaire for primary schools) I knew I wanted to be a priest because God kept prompting me in my heart. I was a bit reluctant at first. The best thing about being a priest is my sense of doing what God wants me to do, of being who He made me to be. I would like you all to know that life as a priest is full of joy and privilege and I pray that God will show you clearly he has marked out for each of you. My favourite part of the Liturgical year is today! Today is the day the Lord gives me. When I celebrate Mass, my favourite part is that Mass is all about Jesus who prays in and through me Jesus offers himself for our sake and gives himself to us and I am just a voice and hands. I like praying in different ways sometimes the rosary, sometimes the psalms, sometimes silence. My favourite saint is Clare she has joy, freshness, simplicity, strong determination and good friendships. My advice for how to get close to God is to pray every day in a place and time that is best for you. Make it a good daily habit and go to Mass every Sunday, even when you don t want to. My favourite sport is football I support Liverpool! I like watching sport on TV and listening to music and my favourite dinner is Shepherd s pie. 13

14 Thank you Thank you to the following Priests, Deacons and Sisters who responded so generously to our questionnaire: Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster Mgr. Keith Barltrop, St. Mary of the Angels, Bayswater Fr. John Butchard, Holy Rosary, Aintree, Liverpool Sr. Patricia Byrne, Religious Sisters of Charity Brother Paul Coleman, Capuchin Franciscans Fr. Mark Connolly, Missionary Congregation of the Holy Spiritans. aka Spiritans Fr. Francis Coveney, St Anne Line, South Woodford, London Deacon Neville Dyckhoff, Holy Rood, Watford Fr. Rob Esdaile, Our Lady of Lourdes, Thames Ditton Fr. Ian Farrell, St Joseph's, Manchester Fr. Gerard Flynn, St Michael and All Angels, Leigh Park, Hampshire Fr. Andy Graydon, St Joseph's, Dinnington Fr. Simon Hall, Our Lady of the Angels, Nuneaton Fr. John Hindley, Our Lady of the Annunciation & St Bernadette, Standish Fr. Christopher Jamison OSB, Director of the National Office for Vocation Sr. Cathy Jones, Religious of the Assumption Fr. Gareth Leyshon, St Philip Evans RC Parish, Cardiff Fr. Christopher Loughran, St Clare's, Preston Fr. Paul McGinn, St Gregory The Great, South Ruislip Fr. Frankie Mulgrew, Holy Family/Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Parishes, Blackburn Sr. Patricia Mulhall, St Edward's Parish, Windsor, Berkshire Sr. Kay Mulhall, Tallaght, Dublin 24 Fr. Shaun O'Neill, St Robert's and English Martyrs Churches, Newcastle upon Tyne Sr. Margaret O'Shea, Poor Servants of the Mother of God Fr. Colin Patey, Ashby and Measham parishes, Diocese of Nottingham Sr. Dagmar Plum, Medical Mission Sisters Sr. Imelda Poole, St Paul's Cathedral, Tirana, Albania Canon Luiz Ruscillo, St Mary's, Hornby and St Joseph's, Kirkby Lonsdale Fr. Mark Skelton, All Saints, Teignmouth Fr. Dennis Touw, Tempelmans Plat St Thomas of Canterbury, Fulham Fr. Chris Vipers, St Lawrence's, Feltham, West London Sr. Teresa West, St Maximilian Kolbe, Runcorn Fr. Christopher Whitehead, Diocese of Clifton Sr. Isabel, Good Shepherd Blackburn 14

15 The National Office for Vocation This document and the accompanying assembly has been produced by Ten Ten Resources in partnership with the National Office for Vocation (NOV). The mission of NOV is to: Build a culture of vocation in the Church in England and Wales Promote the calls to specific vocations, including priesthood, the diaconate, marriage, the religious life and all other forms of consecrated life Offer a vision of the Church as a community of the called whose task is to call others. For further information, visit: (c) Ten Ten Resources 2016 All rights reserved. This material may only be used by a school or organisation with an active subscription licence. The licensee has the right to print and photocopy the material for internal purposes only. No person may distribute the material by electronic, digital or physical means to any organisation or individual outside of the licensed organisation. The material may not be used, in part or full, by an unlicensed person, school or organisation. By material, we mean images, videos, film, sound, music, text, intellectual property and any other form of content or ideas which have been created by Ten Ten Resources. 15