Wednesday 1 May 2013

As I look back - A year in Siddhpur Parish - Fr. Xavier James.


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

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