What was lovely too was just how many people came to the Mass and party. I mean the 18:30 has a good number of people who go each week but yesterday it was absolutely heaving! And I think that's great...not only does it tell Sr. Carmel, Sr. Margaret and Sr. Maria del Carmen how deeply and sorely they will be missed by the the people of St. Johns as individuals but it also shows how valuable a community of religious is, how it enhances the life of the parish and how unsettling it is (and what a vacuum they leave behind) when they're gone. And not only were there loads of parishioners but we had loads of priests come from all over to pay their best wishes. It was quite funny watching them all try to fit round the altar.
Like I said the farewell Mass was gorgeous (but isn't it always! ... ;-D) and even though it was emotional it was still an extremely joyous celebration and the party afterwards was great fun. I know they don't like being made a fuss of but with all the hard work they've done over the past few years they more than deserve it. And I think we gave them a good send off! Don't know what we'll do without them. I only hope that this isn't the end of all religious communities in Horsham!
Perhaps you could found a new one?
ReplyDeleteYou know I've actually been waiting for you to say that ever since I posted this!!!
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