To give and not to count the cost

In the midst of all the chaos of these times, all sorts of things have been happening. Most recently, on the feast of St Gregory the Great, the Apostle to the English, a missive arrived from Pope Francis, conferring upon one of our parishioners the Bene Merenti Award. This is a medal bestowed on remarkably few people, but is a recognition of long and exceptional service. After petitioning from many members of the parish, the award was presented to Josie Rigby, much to her surprise and joy. Josie has offered her humble service to St Joseph’s for many many years, cleaning and polishing the candlesticks and brasses are in our church. Her quiet service has been entirely given from the heart, and she has transformed one of the most mundane and relentless of jobs into a true service to the Lord. Josie’s example teaches us how to persevere in our daily tasks for the building up of God’s Kingdom. Our congratulations go to Josie!

The medal is a gold Greek Cross depicting Christ with his hand raised in blessing. On the left arm of the cross is the tiara and crossed keys, symbols of the papacy. On the right arm is the coat of arms of the current Pope, Pope Francis.

Last weekend we said farewell to two other wonderful members of our parish, Anna and Deacon Stephen Pendlebury. Deacon Stephen has exercised his diaconate here at St Joseph’s for the past 19 years, preaching, teaching, celebrating the sacraments of baptism and marriage, and burying the dead. In addition he has been the Chair of Governors at St Joseph’s Primary School and helped to transform the school in beautiful ways. We are grateful too to Anna who - with Deacon Stephen - have looked after the music of the parish, developing a very fine choir and bunch of musicians. We will miss all the Christmas concerts, high feast days, and the parish sing-a-longs, and the joy and dedication that they brought to our parish, but we wish them well on the Isle of Man as they begin a new stage in their lives together.

And finally, but far from least, is our very own Sister Katherine Mary of Jesus Crucified, a parishioner of St Joseph’s who has now made her first profession as a Carmelite Nun in the North of Wales on 7 June. Due to Covid, no family or friends were able to attend the service, but Sr Katherine reported that the day was so blessed: quiet, simple, just the community and our chaplain from Uganda, the appropriately named Fr Bosco. ‘In a way’, she said, ‘it was a blessing to keep it that way as it kept my focus on Jesus. I felt much supported by all the prayerful support of you all all. VERY JOYFUL’.. At the end of his holidays, Fr Philip was able to visit Sr Katherine in the monastery and found her shining with joy, laughter and love.