|
| |
St Peter's Parish International Mass 2009
and the
Catholic Association for Racial Justice 25th Anniversary
presented
The
Changing Face of Britain
an
afternoon & evening of song, worship, workshops and a shared meal
on
Saturday 13th June 2009
|
What a joyful event!
By Ozzie ffield
The Feast of Corpus Christi was chosen to celebrate diversity in our
diocese and country, and to celebrate 25 years of the Catholic
Association for Racial Justice (CARJ).
The joy was tangible; and, woven into the music, the Mass, the happiness
were threads of theology and sadness and an unstated demand from within
for humanity and justice.
Amazingly, or perhaps not given the feeding of thousands by Our Lord,
the bring and share meal was just enough.
The pivotal moment was when Bishop Declan said at the start of his
homily: “Don't look at me; look around you, come on! Look around you.
You are the Church. You are the Body of Christ, you people who come
from all corners of the world, you are the Body of Christ and the
Church.” During Mass each national group took responsibility for singing
a part such as the Lord Have Mercy or the Offertory in the style of
their culture.
The workshop titles covered asylum seekers and refugees, new migrants,
national identity and cohesion, and song and dance from different
cultures. One participant said: “The conclusion I came to was there is
too much misunderstanding. So each of us has to do more to step over
barriers and engage with people and cultures that we are unfamiliar
with. It is a challenge. How can parishes assist in this process?”
Bishop Declan moved among people listening to their experiences. There
were harrowing tales of injustice suffered by asylum seekers. Irene
Prentice, who led the new migrants workshop, said: “Wherever I go in the
world the Catholic Church is the place where I will find friends among
strangers.” We need to make this a reality in all parishes. Father
Richard McKay of Bristol’s St Nicholas of Tolentino tackled the
difficult question of how to support the maintenance of national
identity while promoting cohesion in parish life.
The music workshop involved eight groups showing what they play at their
liturgies. I was moved by the insights that came from the singers and
musicians.
CARJ has been raising consciousness among Catholics and promoting
support for disadvantaged communities for 25 years. It is hoped that
every diocese, like ours, will celebrate and encourage all to allow it
to continue the work by contributing financially, as well as through
prayer and practical means.
The venue for this wonderful day was ideal. St Peters in West Swindon
has an open aspect with a half moon layout of benches and chairs.
We can learn so much about how to celebrate our liturgy using all the
gifts that God has given, and having the humility to recognise that
other cultures have much to teach or share with us.
Maybe every parish might wish to consider an international Mass, or
celebrating Corpus Christi in this way.
Ozzie ffield |
|