“In the book Sharing the Wisdom of Time, I expressed some thoughts in the form of questions. “What do I ask of the elders among whom I count myself? I call us to be memory keepers. We grandfathers & grandmothers need to form a choir. I envision elders as a permanent choir of a great spiritual sanctuary, where prayers of supplication & songs of praise support the larger community that works & struggles in the field of life.” It is a beautiful thing when “young men & maidens together, old men & children, praise the name of the Lord” (Ps 148:12-13).
What can we elderly persons give to the young? “We can remind today’s young people, who have their own blend of heroic ambitions & insecurities, that a life without love is an arid life.” What can we tell them? “We can tell fearful young people that anxiety about the future can be overcome.” What can we teach them? “We can teach those young people, sometimes focused on themselves, that there is more joy in giving than receiving, & that love is not only shown in words, but also in actions.”                                                                                           (“Christus Vivit” by Pope Francis)
 
For those returning this weekend from holiday, we repeat Fr Gabriel’s announcement of last weekend which was read in all three of our local Churches.
 “Praise the Lord, all you nations” – the response to today’s Psalm reminds us all of our Christian duty to give praise to the God who made us, & todays Gospel mentions those who come “from east & west, from north & south” to come & sit at the feast in the Kingdom of God. These two references from today’s Scripture readings are a timely reminder of our own situation here, in the Ampleforth Parish of Our Lady & St Benedict, with it’s chapels of ease in Gilling East & Oswaldkirk.
First of all, may I thank all of those who participated so generously & constructively in the meetings held to discuss the future of the parochial apostolate in this area. The opening word of the Rule of St Benedict is “listen”, & it was a fruitful opportunity to listen to the voices of the priest & people so that the views expressed could be reported to me and the Council.
At the heart of those discussions was a desire to examine, in the light of current resources, the most effective way to continue to serve the local church in Ampleforth, to continue to carry on the work of evangelisation begun in the early 1900’s.
& so, I & the Council have decided on the following:
       Fr Bede will continue to offer sacramental & pastoral provision in the Ampleforth parish of Our Lady & St Benedict,
       & also in the chapel of ease in Gilling East & Oswaldkirk.
       Fr Edgar will continue to serve the chapel of ease in Oswaldkirk until July 2020, when he celebrates his Golden 
       Jubilee.
       From Sat 14th Sept, the 6pm Vigil Mass will be celebrated alternately in Ampleforth & Gilling East, beginning in 
       Gilling East . (providentially on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the patronal feast of the Anglican
       Church in Gilling.)   Henceforth there will be no Sunday morning Mass in Gilling East.
       In the next few months, “social” events will be organised in Ampleforth, Oswaldkirk, & Gilling East with a view to                
       helping the communities to come together & to form a Parish Council which will be in operation from
       Dec 2019/Jan 2020.   
As we begin the next stage of our journey of faith together, we give thanks to God for all those who have served in this area since the dedication of the church in Ampleforth on 17th May 1907. We pray that the work of evangelisation may continue today through the work of the priests & people of Ampleforth, Gilling East & Oswaldkirk.”
Once the holidays are over, & the majority of our parishioners in the wider locality are back, we can look towards arranging initial meetings in the three localities in September. I hope that, through conversation & prayer, we will come to see this as a tremendous opportunity for us to grow on what has already been caringly & carefully planted & nurtured thus far.
I will be away on holiday from this coming Wednesday until the following Tuesday. Fr Prior will arrange cover for our weekend Masses & for Mass at Gilling. I am sorry there will be no weekday Mass this coming Thursday & Friday, & the following Monday & Tuesday. There is daily Mass at the Abbey at 8.45am & at Stanbrook Abbey at 9am. If there is urgent need of a priest in my absence, please contact Fr Edgar on 766435, or Fr Prior on 766712.                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                           With my love & prayers, Fr Bede
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