The memories of the day of my Ordination – 9th July 1983 – are as vivid as if it was last weekend. It was a beautiful sunny day – in those days we had summers! The Church was packed with so many family, friends, relatives and Blessed Sacrament Fathers and Brothers.
What made my Ordination Day so special was that I was born and raised in the Parish; I had been Baptised - by Fr Julian Rousseau SSS – made my First Holy Communion and been Confirmed there, and was now being Ordained a Priest, in the presence of many of my fellow parishioners, for the Blessed Sacrament Fathers who had been the founders of my Parish and had ministered there since 1938. The next day I celebrated my First Mass, again with a church overflowing with family and friends, and the celebrations continued. As I recall, it was a very long day!
Those Who Inspired Me
My call to priesthood first became apparent when I was quite young. I was an altar server, like many in those days, and I loved serving Mass and Benediction. I was inspired by some of the Priests who, at that time, were looking after the Parish, including Fr Rousseau; they were so caring, compassionate and friendly to me and always there for people when they needed them. My parents were also people of great faith who inspired me and definitely played a part in my growing vocation. Eventually, when I was older and more certain that I had a vocation, I entered the Blessed Sacrament Congregation and began the journey to priesthood.
After my Ordination I was assigned to the Blessed Sacrament Shrine in Liverpool for my first posting and I was very happy there and made many friends. I have always had a real fondness for the people of Liverpool, especially those I grew to know during my years there, working as a Priest. As well as three separate assignments in Liverpool, I have worked and lived in the Blessed Sacrament Parish here in Braunstone, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in Middles-brough, in Blackpool and, for a short time, in Glasgow.
Since 2001 I have been working in the Westminster Diocese in various parishes, which I have greatly enjoyed, so much so that I have decided to spend the rest of my priestly life as a member of that Diocese. In June this year I am to become Parish Priest of a big residential parish in Ealing, London.
The Priesthood is a very special and privileged calling. I thank God every time I celebrate the Eucharist, because that is such an awesome and amazing thing for any human being to do, actually to be the instrument of God in making Christ present on the altar in the bread and wine, through the words of the Eucharistic Prayer. No other human being can do that, only one Ordained for that role by a Bishop of the Church.
A Priest is also a shepherd, a spiritual father, an educator in the ways of faith, an instrument of God’s compassion and forgiveness, a counsellor, a listener, a preacher of the Word of God, a Minister of the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconcili-ation, Holy Communion, Anointing of the Sick, Confirmation of adults, and the Church’s Minister who officiates at the Sacrament of Matrimony.
As a Priest I have been present at some of the most significant and defining moments in people’s lives, and that is a privilege in itself. As well as sad and difficult times such as sickness and funerals, I have shared the joys of Baptisms, First Holy Communions, Confirmations, Marriages and Wedding Anniversaries. In all of these a Priest accompanies people on life’s journey being an instrument of God for them on that journey – as pastor and spiritual friend, comforter and source of inspiration and strength, bringing God to every situation, happy or sad, and simply being there for people, whatever their needs may be.
As I look back over 25 years of priesthood, I can honestly say I have never once regretted my decision to answer God’s call to the priesthood. I am still as happy and fulfilled as a Priest as I was on the day of my Ordination. I am as committed and enthusiastic as ever as I take up the role of Parish Priest in London, and hope to have many more years of priestly service in the future.
I do hope many of you will be able to join me in a Mass of Thanksgiving for twenty-five years of priesthood on Sunday, 13th July at 10.30am in the Blessed Sacrament Church, Gooding Avenue, and in the refreshments following the Mass.
Keep me in your prayers in this, my Jubilee Year.
FR. JIM DUFFY