Sr Colleen Howe: Looking back on 2019
So this is Christmas and what have you done?
Christmas is a time for reflection, so the Catholic Voice asked twelve prominent Catholics to share their thoughts on 2019
Sr Colleen Howe, Parish Pastoral Associate St Thomas Aquinas Parish Charnwood
Highlight of 2019
In December last year our parish priest Fr Neville became ill and unable to continue to celebrate Mass or participate fully in parish life. What were we to do? Our parishioners have always been encouraged to ‘take the lead’ and this continued.
With our well-planned calendar, ministry coordinators and being a community of faith-filled people, we met the challenge with confidence and generosity.
Happily for us at that time Alex Osborne was appointed to our parish as Deacon.
This was rather a unique experience. The Osborne family have been members of our parish forever. Alex was Father Drinkwater’s altar server and now all these years later he was to help in a way that even Alex did not expect. With his help and the availability of the retired priests we didn’t miss a beat.
Something I have learned
Fr Drinkwater’s illness and decisions about his future and the parish were concerns. We welcomed Fr Andrew Lotton in July and he lightened our load and lifted our spirits until our new PP arrived in September. Already Fr Tom Thornton has brought life and laughter into our lives.
How I approach 2020
My time at St Thomas Aquinas Parish draws to a close. I have enjoyed being a part of the faith-filled, caring and generous community and carry only good memories. I been deeply enriched by my experience.
In the 12 days leading up to Christmas, we will be sharing daily reflections looking back on 2019. You can find the other reflections here.
Well done other Colleen. You were such a central person in this parish and school. St Thomas’s is a strong parish with many hard working parishioners and staff. I too treasure my many days/years of involvement and especially yourself and Fr.Drinkwater working together with me in the school. God bless you both for an especially peace filled Christmas.
Wonderful Col – you have certainly carried out your ministry practically and pastorally for many years, and God bless you for that. No doubt you will be sadly missed, but it may be a chance to “stop and smell the roses” for awhile now. God bless, and have a wonderful Christmas celebration.