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Father Phil’s Page |
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The Ordination of the Reverend Frank to
the Priesthood by Bishop James in St. Nicholas Church, Salthouse on Sunday
4th October 2009 was a first! A first for Salthouse village and a first for
this ancient parish church. It is to this Weybourne Group of Parishes (and
beyond) that Frank is to serve as your priest in a ministry that I am sure
will be fostered and nurtured over the coming years. We pray for that as we
pray for Frank's family as they support him. ****** LEST WE FORGET... Well, of course, we won't will we? Surely
not forget the deaths of 60 millions in the two world wars of the last
century in a hurry? Or the 46 theatres of war and conflicts involving No, I am sure we won't! Which is why, as the year's roll by, this
year's annual Act of Remembrance will continue to be important as we also
recall those killed and those seriously wounded in the present war in Just recently the programme 'Wounded'
(BBC Two) followed the recovery of Lance Corporal Tom Neathway
who lost both legs and his left arm after falling
victim to an IED. If we needed any more graphic illustration at the
devastation of war, the consequences of man's inhumanity to man; the sheer
determination, courage and strength of the human spirit to fight any kind of
adversity; the inspiration of hope - then this young man's fight to get
better and to walk again had it all. But there is another 'war' out there -
the war against poverty, against injustice, against repression and
inequality. Do you remember the Millennium development goals: making poverty
history; universal education; gender equality; child health; maternal health,
combating HIV/AIDS; environmental sustainability; global partnership - all by
2015? Well that is a war worth joining if only we could divert our energies
away from inhuman physical conflict and material self-interest. If all this talk of war and conflict is
too much, then a practical way for us as Christians to behave is to act as
Jesus Christ would have us act: a gift of kindness that leads to peace -
visiting the sick and the housebound which so many people do is a service of
love and a privilege; doing everything we can to support the agencies at the
sharp end of caring for the destitute, the hungry, the homeless and the poor. We can all do that - a simple profound
witness of our faith and peace that touches the world. Every blessing to you and your family. |