PARISH PRACTICE SYBIL LEE


Ripples in the pond D


uring his recent visit to Britain, Pope Benedict reminded us of one of Cardinal John Henry Newman’s best loved meditations,


which includes the words: “God has created me to do him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another.” Echoing Newman, the Holy Father said that each one of us is called to work for the advancement of God’s kingdom. Each of us, he said, has a mission; each of us is called to change the world, to work for a culture of life, forged by love and respect for the dignity of each human person. His words made me think about what God has called me to do. As it happened, my parish priest came to


visit me at home one day when my daughter was still a toddler. He warned me that she was unlikely to get a place in our local Catholic school. Even though we were regularly practising, the school was very over-subscribed, he said; there were not enough places for all the children. The school made their decision based on how close to the school you lived – and, at the time, we were living right on the boundary line of the parish. I was disappointed and wondered what my options were – but then I discovered that the parish offered catechetical ses- sions for children who were not attending Catholic schools. Curiosity led me to make


enquiries. I was very warmly welcomed by the catechist, who suggested I stay for a ses- sion to see what they were doing. The room needed to be set up, so I helped to move the furniture and I was asked to offer the children a drink as they arrived for their session. Then I was asked to help one of the catechists with her group by giving out pencils and papers and helping the less able children. I continued to go to the sessions and, some months later, I was asked if I would be willing to do a distance-learning catechetics course run by Maryvale along with a few of the other catechists. Newman talked about the bond of con- nection between us; he said that God has


created each of us to do good, to do his work, to be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in our own place. My desire to do more and my parish priest’s encouragement led me to further studies at Heythrop College, University of London. Through my work as a catechist – teaching the children that God has created each of us in his image and likeness; that he has created us simply because he loves us – I came to experience the love of God in a new way. It was a kairos moment in my life – and one I want to share with others. Newman was called to apply his keen


intellect and his prolific pen to many of the most pressing subjects of his day – and I have been called to use my skills to be a catechist. I smiled when I heard that Newman, when he was talking about his mission, called himself “a link in a chain”. I am now a member of the pastoral team and the catechetical coordinator in my parish – and a big part of the job is to make links with people and for people. Welcoming people is key to inviting them


TO DO


Think about what definite service, what work God has


committed to you that he has not committed to another


Bea link in a chain for others Changethe world by the little things you say and do


and involving them in some way in parish life – no matter how small to begin with. In what might be a casual conversation at the back of the church, in the car park or in the supermarket, I might discover that someone is struggling with a problem. Sometimes all I can do is listen to them or befriend them; but sometimes I can link them to someone who can help them. Chatting with people often leads to the discovery of a skill that is needed in the parish. For example, costumes are required for the Nativity


play and that calls for people who can sew, or we might need people to organise tea and coffee after Mass. At the moment, I am looking for musicians and singers for music groups in the parish. A handful of our confirmation candidates have volunteered – and experience has taught me that if they have a role to play in the parish, they will continue to come to Mass after they have been confirmed. There are many elderly parishioners. If


New Year is a suitable moment to pause and resolve to renew commitment to one’s faith and to service, as Pope Benedict urged during his visit to Britain last year. One parishioner discovered that in her role as a catechist she had the power to make a difference to many more lives than just her own


they are housebound, they can be invited to pray for the people who are preparing for the sacraments in the parish, for special needs and for people who are seriously ill. If they are mobile, they can be encouraged to visit other elderly people. Retired people often suffer from loneliness, and linking them in this way helps them continue to be active members of the community. Loneliness can also be a problem for young


mothers, too, who find it hard to adjust to being at home with a baby and miss the companionship of work colleagues. Connecting them with other young parents in the parish provides them with invaluable support and helps them to make new friends. Making a link between the parish and the school was one of my first tasks when I began this job. First Communion preparation was still taking place in the school at the time and we wanted to bring it into the parish – as most parishes in our diocese had already done. Although it was a tremendous challenge at the time, the rewards have been great. Some of the parents volunteer to help in various ways during the programme; they are offered training – and, like me, some of them become catechists and continue in this ministry for years after their children have gone through the programme. By providing parents’ meetings during our


sacramental preparation programmes, people who would not otherwise have considered having anything to do with the Church have made contact. By welcoming Catholics (active or otherwise) and non-Catholics alike, the parish has become a place where families meet one another and find the support of a friendly and welcoming community. These connections have led to some of them joining the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults programme and becoming Catholics. As a pebble thrown into a pond creates


ripples extending to its furthest boundary, what we do can have repercussions for the advancement of God’s kingdom far beyond anything we can imagine.


■Sybil Lee is catechetical coordinator at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St George’s parish, Enfield, north London.


1 January 2011 | THE TABLET | 19


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40