preached by Fr John Paul Leonard
12th Sunday ordinary time (B)
Gospel Mk 4:35 -41
I may be guilty of sounding like one of the disciples in the boat with Jesus. My line would be “Master, do you not care? We are going down.”
It is not a late observation of Middlesbrough FC’s plight, no, it is an observation of the number of priests serving in the Diocese. It is always poignant for me to celebrate Mass at St Francis of Assisi church. Thirteen years ago, this July 20th, I was ordained there to the priesthood fo the Diocese of Middlesbrough.
I know a good number of parishoners were able to attend on a sweltering weekend – special memories for many people, but since that day and for some years prior the number of priests dying or retiring has exceeded the number of ordinations.
It is worthy of note that Fr Robinson, in the millenium year, celebrated his first mass at St Francis and currently James Benfield, who is a student at Ushaw, is also from this Parish. So it is not all bad news, but it is somewhat different from the days when I was an altar server here for Mgr Storey, Fr Colman Ryan, Fr Kestell Cornish. All living happily or unhappily together in the one presbytery.
Very soon we may have four priests entrusted with the parishes of the Sacred Heart, St Josephs, st Thomas More, The Holy Name and St Francis. Shold I listen to the words of Jesus – “Why are you so frightened. How is it you have no faith?”
Am at a loss as to why there aren’t more priests. Look around the church. Is there anyone who could start seminary next September? We have very few young people in the 11 – 40 age group. It is too big a topic today but it is a topic we must discuss and not brush it under the carpet.
I don’t think it is inevitable or acceptable that we should agree to a 30 year sabbatical from someones first Holy Communion until their son’s or daughter’s first Holy Communion.
There is a flourishing youth group in St andrews, Teesville, that reverses this trend and sets a benchmark for other parishes.
Why did I become a priest? I believe it was a personal response from Jesus, and my acceptance has allowed me to become the person I was meant to be. It is still true that many young men, no matter how fleetingly during schoolyears, consider priesthood. Seeds are still be sown, but the nurturing of the seed appears weak.
What brings on the harvest of vocations? In my case it was friendships with my Parish Priest, also Fr Wynn at St Mary’s College, Priests in school and friends of the family.
The Friday night boy’s club did shape a generation, and when I tried to revive it as a priest I found the boys were saturated with football and the parents unwilling to sacrifice a Friday night to surpervise the club.
St Michael’s Billingham parishes have revived a pilgrimage to Rome for their teenagers – echoes of Mgr Storey and my own trip to Rome at 12 years old.
What else can nurture vocations? A family friendly parish. Help families make Sunday Eucharist special. We do well for primary school children. Can we do more for secondary and beyond?
Diocesan events such as Egton Bridge and Mount Grace Osmotherly help build a culture of Vocations.
We can of course speculate on the arrival of married priests, as the cavalry were eagerly anticipated at the Alamo, but I still believe vocations seeds are being sown, it is the harvesting that is lacking.
Bishop John would say “No priests – No Eucharist.” We may soon add “No priest – No Parish.” We don’t force vocations to meet the need but we must be alert to the need to build a culture of vocations, to build family and parish and Diocesan life where vocations will flourish, and happily once more the parishoners of St Francis will be celebrating another priestly ordination or first Mass in the not too distant future.
