We hear from Fr Michael Johnson who tells a story of faithfulness and perseverance, working in a group of village churches where there is no full time paid Priest but where they valiantly serve with the help of two House for Duty Priests, two Authorised Lay Ministers and one Reader. Fr Michael's costs are funded by ACS on a year by year basis.

Each year around this time I send you information about life in the Church of St James. The most pertinent comment is that once again the generosity of ACS has enabled this church to have it's own priest for yet another 12 months – because it covers my cost to them for the whole year. Our situation here is very unusual. For some years now this cluster of five parish churches (to which I have been licensed for over 20 years but with particular responsibility for Sheldwich) has not had a paid priest.

With that background what I now say will help you to understand why ACS's support for me was especially valuable last year. St Paul speaks of 'the devil prowling around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.' Last year he made a meal of us! One of the priests almost died twice during treatment for a very serious colon cancer and was out of action for many months, our ALM had a knee operation on top of an older knee operation – out of action for over four months. Our Reader contracted a rare and serious disorder which kept her bed bound for six weeks. Throughout those crises I was able to organise and offer to cover my colleagues in their villages. In a sense ACS was in fact supporting the whole cluster through my availability for service. This was made more difficult because during that same year I began to bleed following radiation damage after successful treatment for an aggressive cancer of the prostate. This (again rare!) condition is not sinister and may eventually heal spontaneously, but it did and does add to my tiredness. So you see it was not an easy year. Your support was invaluable.

The good news is that none of our church missed a Sunday service and by Easter 2010 we were able to celebrate both individually and as a group this great season– Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday Seder followed by Holy Communion with the stripping of the altar, Good Friday meditations centred on 14 Stations of the Cross followed by the erection of a full-sized Cross on the side of the main road which passes St James, a night vigil with the Ceremony of Light as we dedicate the New Paschal Candle, Easter Day services. All this was further celebrated and marked by a Flower Festival in St James on the theme of New Life and a Musical Evening with five gifted teenage violinists who work in national orchestras. It is such a privilege to be with my companions on this pilgrim road in the literal use of companion – 'com pain', sharing bread to sustain us on the way.

Father Roger Calder writes to us from St Alban and St Saviour Portsmouth about Fr John Mortiboys.
The plurality of St Alban, Copnor and St Saviour, Portsea consists of two parishes united by tradition rather than geography.

They are on opposite sides of the city and have been yoked together because they have passed Resolutions A and B. This only happened after many years of uncertainty and vain experiments. During this period of several years, St Alban's has been kept on the rails by Fr John Mortiboys who has provided some semblance of continuity in very turbulent times.

Since I came to the parishes in 2005 I have been very grateful for Father John's continuing help and loyalty. It would not be impossible for me to do this job without him but it would be very difficult. We have Sunday Masses at 9am and 10.30am. I could do this every week but it would not be good for me or the parishes were I to do so. Father John is very flexible and although his spiritual home is at St Albans, he is very happy to officiate at St Saviour's as well. At St Alban's he works tirelessly in the sacristy and helps with the occasional offices as well as Sunday and weekday masses.

He is well-known and well loved in both our parishes and I very much hope the Society will continue to support him in his ministry. I am sure the Archdeacon and the Bishop would endorse this hope and I hope the General Secretary will feel able to approach them if need be.

This report is something of a duplicate of last time's but Fr John's ministry is still very much the same and very much valued!

[Jesus….. is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 Sameness… the mark of a good Priest – one who is reliable and predictable (Ed)]

We hear from Fr Peter Needham, Parish Priest of Grimethorpe and Brierley reporting on the busy life of Miss Jennifer Clarke Pastoral Assistant.

Jennifer began her ministry in the Parish in September 2009. Through the Parish Mission held in June 2009, it became clear that Jenny might just be the right person to fulfil the roll of Pastoral Assistant and indeed it proved right to “us and the Holy Spirit”.

Jenny had been considering her own response to a strong call from God within the Church and while this call is not fully clear, the religious life is one area that caught and has influenced her journey with visits to the Sisters at Horbury, Rempstone, Whitby. It was after visiting the Sisters at Walsingham that Jenny felt the way forward might be seen more clearly.

After serious thought and making it clear we are an A.B.C parish with its definite implications, it was agreed that we should proceed with the venture. This has been a truly God blessed move.

Jenny, having studied music in London, Birmingham and York had previously been a Violin teacher for Barnsley Education Authority, so arrived with great communication skills with regard, not only to children, but adults also.. This, plus her gift of music, has been a great mission gift to the Parish.

More than all this is Jenny’s deep sense of God’s love and sense of calling. This leads to her being a truly activated and able missioner, able to communicate a lively and energetic faith.

Jenny has done all things well and I pray that her parochial experience will stand her in good stead for wherever her vocation finds her working.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Jenny’s responsibilities involve her supporting me in all areas of administration of which she is more than able, and I thank her for keeping me on my toes!

Her pastoral duties call her to visit the sick and housebound administering Holy Communion and in one of our Care homes leading a monthly act of worship. This is done with great care and is deeply appreciated. Her faithfulness in all her caring pastoral duties is to be highly commended.

Jenny has continued the weekly Bible study in the Parish, like all things she does, this is taken very seriously, with a studious attitude, and the result is that the people who attend receive great insight. This has as much to do with Jenny’s ability to share her faith with a natural conviction as with her own already developed teaching skills.

Jenny has preached once formally; again her obvious talents in speaking are helpful. Jenny has a mind that can work theologically and has deepening understanding of the nature of the Church catholic, which in these very liberal days shows great depth.

Music, of course, is Jenny’s gift, and this has been used to the full over her time here so far. The enthusiasm for music has borne much fruit with the Church School in the Parish. Our aims to strengthen the ties between the Parish and the School have been aided greatly with the development of the School /Church choir. The children have a great sound, though Jenny would admit that trying to get the children and parents to integrate into the worshipping congregation is a painfully slow process, although we are making some progress. Her ability to work with others, even if others abilities are limited, is seen in her contribution to our adult choir, where her efforts are truly appreciated and the musical results obvious to those who take part and listen.

Jenny has organised several trips and outings. These have all been carried out well and efficiently. Taking on the task of organising a pilgrimage to Rome has been a major undertaking. So far so good.

SPIRITUALITY

It is in the area of her spiritual life that I and the parish have been blessed. Her stillness and longing to pray are so important in what can be a busy day and life.

Quiet days, and days of study are used on a regular basis. It is good to see a Pastoral Assistant reading about God, prayer, the Church. It is in this area that the Parish benefits the most, though jenny may not see this herself. She has the ability to communicate this through her leading of prayer, Rosary, and again her conversation.

I look forward to the months ahead as we work together for the developing of the Mission in this place together,and pray that God will inspire and strengthen Jenny as she seeks.

(Thank you Jenny for being so worthy of the grant the parish receives in order for your gifts to be so well used. It is often difficult to know which way to turn when one has several gifts to offer, each competing for an airing. I am sure that as you stay near to Him you will become more aware of where you belong. Ed)