Today is the glorious feast of Ss. Peter and Paul, the two great apostles of God through whom Christ founded his Church on earth. We shall honour them both this morning at Solemn Mass, so let us hope it is a packed house to do these legends justice!
This evening I shall celebrate the feast once again but in different company, for I am to be the guest preacher at Ss. Peter and Paul in Hockley. This beautiful little church, nestled in the Essex countryside, has long maintained a proud tradition of teaching the Catholic faith as comes to us from the Apostles. The parish website is here.
It will be a pleasure to attend Mass at Hockley for a variety of reasons. Firstly because the Parish Priest there, Fr. Jeffrey Woolnaugh SSC, was made deacon at the same time as me, and we built up a strong camaraderie suffering curate’s potty training together. What the course lacked in academic rigour, orthodox teaching and a sense of holiness, it made up for by providing moments of true hilarity…where else could one pluck a grape for Jesus whilst sharing a story of woundedness? Or pray to both Our Father and Mother, without any reference to Mary?!!?? Here he is looking suitably fierce as he ignites the paschal candle:
Secondly this evening will be a great pleasure because I am bound to meet many of the priests who form the Chelmsford Diocesan branch of the SSC. Having been a curate in that diocese I know most of them and it will be great to catch up with them again. In particular I look forward to meeting the new assistant priest at Hockley who is especially well known to me. For it is none other than Father Bob White, recently retired, who was my training incumbent in Brentwood. Here he is pictured with his wife Rosemary, Fr. Jeff and Julie- Fr. Jeff’s wife.
Finally the church itself is well known to me as I offered Mass there a few times during the interregnum. Therefore I remember a few of the people who worship there regularly and it will be good to be reunited with them. So all in all a nostalgic evening awaits and one which I hope will bring reverence to God and joy to his people. Let us pray for all churches dedicated to Ss. Peter and Paul on this their glorious feast.
