(Fr. Tom’s “Courier” Newspaper Articles)
On Saturday last people gathered in Mary Immaculate Church, Shannon, to mark the conclusion of the Year of the Priest. On 19th June 2009, Pope Benedict launched a very special year of prayer and reflection on the gift of priesthood, known as the Year of the Priest.
When Pope Benedict was elected Pope in April 2005, our own Bishop Willie was asked for his reaction. His response was just three words, “God help him.” That simple wish is a reminder to us that God’s help is indeed available to all of us. The gift of priesthood helps us to appreciate God’s help to us in so many ways. St. Paul described himself as “a chosen instrument of sowing the seeds of a new Gospel.” All priests have as their primary duty the proclamation of Jesus Christ
Life is an extraordinary adventure and has been for the Parish of Shannon over the past 43 years. In the Parish of Shannon over the past 43 years of Parish history, 21 priests have been chosen to minister as what St. Paul describes as the seeds of a new Gospel. However, the gift of priesthood involves not just those 21 men who, as ordained ministers, have a special role to play; it involves everyone who has been baptised.
The dwindling number of priests has highlighted the need to involve other members of the Church in a truly shared ministry. But this partnership in service is how it should always be in the Church: Lay people, priests and religious working closely together in heartfelt co-operation, should be the norm for any truly dynamic parish community. We as priests here in Shannon have been so blessed that so many parishioners involve themselves in so many aspects of parish life. Both callings complement each other. We need each other.
We need the gift of priesthood because we need Eucharist, Christ present. No priesthood means no Eucharist. The life of priesthood, despite change, is both fulfilling and worthwhile. It is not always easy as recent years have shown where, at times, it has been particularly difficult and painful for all of us. The support of so many people for priesthood and religious life at a time in Ireland when, to say the least, we are all conscious of weakness and sinfulness has been very encouraging.
We as priests need and are truly grateful for the support, prayers and love we have received from so many. Jesus called his disciples ‘friends’, and shared his own ministry with his companions. The relationship between a priest and parishioners should be like Jesus and the disciples, exercised in genuine friendship and true partnership with each other. In Shannon we all have seen, tasted and experiences the goodness of God and our faith has been further stimulated by both priests and people working together.
All through life we face change whether it be in appointments, our family, health or age, learning to embrace change has been a truly rewarding experience over the past 43 years of life in Shannon Parish. As priests we must be in an extraordinary way “put on Christ”, be like him. By word and example, despite our own inadequacies and weaknesses, we must try to show Christ to others as best we can. The conclusion of the Year of the Priest will not be the end, but rather a new beginning. We, thank the Lord for this important period of prayer and reflection on the priesthood. May God, who has begun the good work in us, continue to bring it to fulfilment.
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