Category Archives: Uncategorized

Memoria of St John Paul II Dear friends As disciples of the Lord Jesus, we are forever bound, in a unique way, to the earthly places where our Saviour was born and lived; where He ministered by teaching and preaching, by healing and forgiving; where He suffered His passion; where He died and rose again;Continue reading “EOHSJ Opening Mass – Virtual Pilgrimage, 22 October 2020”

Dear friends I recently re-read the spiritual classic entitled ‘The Practice of the Presence of God.’ It was written by a 17th century Carmelite Friar and explores how, in becoming more aware of God’s loving presence, we can be that presence for others. Those of us fortunate to have known Fr Lawrence Lister can testifyContinue reading “Funeral Homily for Fr Lawrence Lister – 28 Sep 2020, St Mary’s, Halifax”

Dear friends, on this day twenty five years ago I was in the sacristy of St Bernard’s Church, in Halifax. Gathered with Bishop David Konstant, and clergy from the Diocese of Leeds and beyond, with a full church waiting, we were in the last minutes before the beginning my ordination to the priesthood. Bishop DavidContinue reading “Mass for the Silver Jubilee of Priestly Ordination – 29 July 2020, St George’s Cathedral, Southwark”

Jer 1:4-9; Heb 5:1-10; Jn 15:9-17 Dear Dermott, my son and my brother Dear brothers and sisters in Christ Dear friends Chapter 15 of St John’s Gospel begins with the image of Christ the true vine.  Every disciple is a branch grafted onto Christ, receiving life from Him, producing fruit through and for Him. It’sContinue reading “Ordination to the Sacred Priesthood of Rev Dermott O’Gorman – 26 July 2020, St George’s Cathedral, Southwark”

Jer 1:4-9; Heb 5:1-10; Jn 15:9-17 Dear Peter, my son and my brother Dear brothers and sisters in Christ Dear friends Each person’s journey to the priesthood is unique. Your call to Holy Orders, Peter, first came when you were married to your beloved wife Mary. You heard the Lord’s call to the diaconate andContinue reading “Ordination to the Sacred Priesthood of Rev Peter Sebastian – 25 July 2020, St George’s Cathedral, Southwark”

Dear friends, the clear link between this Sunday’s Gospel and last Sunday’s is the image the Lord Jesus gives us of a sower going out to sow. Last week we heard that only a quarter of the seed scattered found good soil and produced a harvest. This week we learn that weeds can also beContinue reading “16th Sunday (A) 19 July 2020”

Jer 1:4-9; Heb 5: 1-10; Jn 15:9-17 Dear John, my son and my brother Dear brothers and sisters in Christ Dear friends Through the solemn simplicity of this Sacred Rite of Ordination John is to receive the gift of the priesthood. He will be moulded into the likeness of Christ, the supreme and eternal Priest.[1]Continue reading “Ordination to the Priesthood of Rev John Howard – 18 July 2020, St George’s Cathedral, Southwark”

Jer 1:4-9; Heb 5:1-10; Jn 15:9-17 Dear Giovanni, caro mio, figlio e fratello Dear brothers and sisters in Christ Dear friends In a few moments Giovanni will be asked some very serious questions about his commitment to the life and ministry of a priest. But before we ask them, and hear his answers, let’s ponderContinue reading “Ordination to the Priesthood of Rev Giovanni Prandini – 17 July 2020, St George’s Cathedral, Southwark”

Dear friends, when I worked as a priest in the Diocese of Leeds I served for seven years in prison chaplaincy. One of the men I met in prison gave me a poem which he’d written himself on a small scrap of paper. It read like this: This is a prayer for the broken; AContinue reading “15th Sunday (A) 12 July 2020”

Dear friends, today’s gospel contains beautiful words every disciple needs to read, receive, and believe, over and over again. Into the ‘now’ of this present moment, of our personal existence, the Lord Jesus speaks to you and to me: ‘Come’ he says: ‘Come to me. When you’re exhausted and weighed down by life, come toContinue reading “14th Sunday (A) 5 July 2020”