As I look back
As I look back at the year
that has passed by in Siddhpur Mission Parish, I bow my head in prayer of
thanksgiving to the Lord, Almighty. I thank Him for the many graces He has bestowed on me, the leader of the believing
community. Initially, I was reluctant to take up the responsibility of being an
animator and mentor of this new community in Siddhpur, but I took up this
mission as a challenge and it was possible only because of prayer. Being in
this life as a seminarian and as a priest for the last 25 years, I believe that
if I am not humble and obedient then the whole priestly formation and service remain
futile. Today, as I step into the seventh year of my priestly ministry, the
biblical number of fullness, I want to thank all those who prayed, encouraged
and helped me. My joy was doubled as the Church announced this year as the
‘Year of Faith’ and the Metropolitan Archbishop of Gandhinagar thought of
pioneering in new parish in Siddhpur.
As I look with the eyes of faith,
I feel that it is providential that this Church or community in Siddhpur
mission will spread the Good News through its witnessing life style. Ad Gentes
Divinitus says in no. 2 ‘The Church on earth by its very nature is missionary’
and this is lived out here in Siddhpur. In this year of faith, we have founded
the Trust, done the land deal, witnessed many sacraments like Baptism, Holy
Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Sacrament of Reconciliation, Anointing of
the sick, Catholic burial and vibrant Eucharistic celebrations. Moreover, we
have made known the Catholic religion to the neighbourhood and the town through
Christmas, New Year celebrations, Stations of the Cross in different homes,
celebrating the Sacred Triduum. Novelty this year was after the celebrant
washed the feet and couple washed the feet of each other on the Maundy
Thursday. We have had many gatherings and meals together which has strengthened
the bond of the believing community. We have had faith sharing and I encourage
people to share about the ‘God experience’ they had in their lives which will
strengthen each other’s faith so as to be good and energetic Catholic faithful.
As an animator, I have visited and prayed with Catholic families. I have come
to know many people in this town and surrounding villages. Many of them are
willingly helping the cause of the ‘good works’ we render to the human society.
Many of our Catholics request for special mass and come together which only shows the
thirst they have for God and I feel the Lord is making use of me to quench
their spiritual thirst by profound sharing of the
Word of God and lively, well prepared Liturgy.
Today, as I knelt in prayer my
heart was full of gratitude to God for the wonders He has done in the ‘Year of
Faith’ in my life and also the life of our believing community. I believe that
the one who kneels before the Lord in prayer need not fall at any human being’s
feet. i.e. he need not be at the mercy of anyone. I can feel the working of the
Holy Spirit in this new mission and Him helping us to make Jesus Christ as
centre of our lives. Ad Gentes (Missionary Activity) no. 20 says, ‘In the young
churches the local priests should give themselves generously to the work of
evangelization’. By the grace of God I am able to fulfill the tasks which are
entrusted to me in this new mission. Indeed Our Lady is perpetually interceding
for this new mission. I take this opportunity to thank our Metropolitan
Archbishop for pioneering a new mission, priests of the Archdiocese and many
well wishers of this mission for their encouragement and continued support. I
am confident that the Lord will watch over our new work and initiatives in the
coming days as we get on with our work with village communities in this new
vicinity. St. Joseph the worker intercede for the work of our hands and
Blessed Mother Teresa be with us as we break new ground in serving humanity.
May God bless us. (1st May 2013) – Xavier James
