Archbishop honours religious

ARCHBISHOP Bernard Longley was the principal celebrant and preacher at a Mass for Religious of the Archdiocese of Birmingham, held at St Mary’s in Harborne, Birmingham, on Saturday, February 18, writes Peter Jennings.
Among the concelebrants were Fr Laurence Brassill OSA, a member of the Augustinian community at St Mary’s, and Fr Stephen Wright, parish priest of SS Mary and Modwen, Burtonon-Trent, Staffordshire, and the newly appointed episcopal vicar for religious.
During his homily the Archbishop of Birmingham said: “Today we give thanks for the collective service of religious Brothers and Sisters in this archdiocese over the last year. In particular we thank God for all the jubilarians who have given so many years of witness to our Lord by living out the particular charisms he entrusted to them so many years ago.” Archbishop Longley continued: “In a year which will witness the Olympic Games in our own country it is fitting that the reading from St Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians should have a sporting theme.
“We may not all be feeling too athletic this morning but these words nevertheless have a resonance for us. Every athlete concentrates completely on training, and this is to win a wreath that will wither, whereas ours will never wither.
“Occasionally we may have to sprint but I think religious life more closely reflects the marathon runner – commitment, stamina and having our sights set on the final goal were important to St Paul and they are also to us.” Archbishop Longley added: “It is my impression, too, that you are not content to lie back on your laurels, to carry the metaphor further. It is not uncommon, as I heard at our meeting of jubilarians, for someone with 50 years of experience and service as a Religious to be assigned a new posting and fresh responsibilities. The Lord can always surprise us in ways that help us know ourselves better.” After the homily the archbishop invited the religious present to hold a lighted candle.
Among those present were eight Sisters who celebrated their Golden Jubilee during 2012.
Before the final hymn Archbishop Longley invited the jubilarians to join him on the sanctuary for a photograph as a memento of a memorable occasion.