The writer G di Lampedusa once said, "If you want things to stay as they are, things will have to change.? Well, this was certainly the case last September when we saw Fr Kennedy leaving to go to Leyton and myself, Fr Martin, arriving in Botwell. This was a huge change for all concerned and, as with all change, it has taken time, I'm sure you will appreciate, to adjust to the new situation in which we find ourselves.
On a positive note we, at this time, thank the Lord that there are still people who are responding to God"s call to the priesthood and religious life, one of whom is Joseph. Joseph was here in Hayes for a few months and many will no doubt remember him. He was, amongst other things, a regular face in our 10 o?clock choir. We are happy to inform you that he has almost completed his year of Noviciate and has been accepted for First Profession. Joseph will make his profession in Chicago on 4th September. He wrote inviting you all to his profession and asking that you keep him in your prayers. I?m sure that you will at least join with me in fulfilling the latter, while not necessarily being able to journey to the States to be with him. It is a great step for Joseph and the reassurance of our prayers will be a great encouragement to him.
As a consequence we have been considering various possibilities regarding the establishment of a new student community. This is a serious issue as it has repercussions not only for the student in question but also for each of us. Having found suitable accommodation, with easy access of Heythrop, our attentions turned to look at who might form that new community. Fr Christopher Cutler, having just returned back from Sabbatical, and Joseph Gomez are to be part of this community. The difficult choice was to decide who else would join them. After a great deal of thought, and recognising that our options are limited, Fr Paul Smyth, as Major Superior of this Delegation, asked Fr Paul Joseph to become the third member. Towards the end of September Fr Paul Joseph will leave Hayes to take up his new post as part of the Formation Community. Fr Paul Joseph has lived and worked in Hayes for the last 4 years and, it goes without saying, that he will be sorely missed, both within our Community as well as in the Parish. Fr. Paul will miss Hayes, as this has been his home since his arrival in England.
As Parish Priest I recognise, once the inevitable shock has subsided, that this will have numerous consequences as we become, for all intents and purposes and for the foreseeable future, a one priest Parish. This is going to be a challenge, to say the least, but we hope that it will also be a time of growth and development as we encourage each other to use our time and talents for the benefit of our community in Hayes. As I have alluded to above, this has been a very difficult decision and one that has been arrived at only after a great deal of prayerful thought and discernment.
We recognise that the road ahead will be challenging but we also recognise that we have been blessed with what it takes to rise to that challenge.
Thank you for your time and understanding in this matter.
