No priest for Carenage?? Impossible!! That could not happen to us! But there it was in print in the Catholic News. It was with sinking hearts that we read this and our trepidation only increased on remembering the findings of the GIS survey. The prospects for the future looked grim.

Little did we realise how great a period of blessing this was to be for us. The first indication came on the first Saturday evening Mass without our former parish priest.

Just as we were getting ready to put on our orphan clothes and feel sorry for ourselves, who should arrive but the Vicar for Administration himself Fr Jason Gordon.

Immediately we were to experience the spirit of solidarity as Fr Jason used the Gospel of that weekend to demonstrate why and how the archdiocese was setting about caring for God’s people. From then on we were to experience the spirit of Solidarity in action - up close and personal.

The first attribute of solidarity we were to observe was the caring response and attitude of the clergy. It became more and more evident from all the priests that were to minister to us, that this was not simply an administrative matter.

They all exhibited a concern for our spiritual and emotional needs. The priests related to us with generosity. These were not priests who came “to say Mass” and leave. They became part of our family.

In spite of his numerous responsibilities, Msgr Joseph did not think of protecting himself but was ready to launch into meeting our every expressed need. He wanted to do so much for us. He would come to us at the end of a full day and spiritedly enter into the liturgy.

His pastoral concern led him to add yet another weekend Mass so that the community of Pt Cumana could worship as community. He found time to celebrate Mass for our school children.

Then there were the “ sandwich” meetings to attend to our “crises” and concerns. We had cause to be concerned at times for him but took comfort in the hope that he would know what medicine to take to remain healthy!

Fr Jason also with a full plate as Administrator gave us quality attention. His sermons, which provided such rich spiritual nourishment, were evidently tailored to our specific community. His humour took the edge off what would otherwise be harsh realities about the human condition and he continually reassured us of God’s love and left us with the positive image of what we are called to be.

He always readily supported our liturgical requests. It was not uncommon to see him after Mass seeking out the youth he had observed needing special shepherding and drawing their needs to our attention.

Fr Leo Donovan rescheduled his commitments to be able to celebrate Mass with us one evening a week. This was truly a caring response. Our priests at the already overflowing parish of St Finbar’s never hesitated to respond to our requests adding yet another Mass to their own Christmas and New Year Masses in particular.

One thing that was common to all our priests was the respect and consideration with which they related to us – returning calls, calling to enquire about arrangements, letting us know in timely fashion what we could expect from them.

A major blessing and lesson of this period has been a growth in gratitude for our priests. And ironically this was not as a result of their absence but from the quality of their presence! Our appreciation grew with the evidence of their readiness to extend their already full schedules to be available to us

Bro Gregor Florence was often asked to conduct funeral services and suddenly funerals became occasions to look forward to! One parishioner considered becoming a lay minister inspired by the spirited delivery of his sermons and conduct of the service.

The staff at the Chancery was also active in this experience of solidarity. They took the time to meet with the coordinating team and walk us through some of the hurdles we were to encounter in terms of administration.

The Financial Administrator abandoned another commitment to travel down to Carenage at the end of her work day to speak to the Parish Council and address its concerns. Fr Jason’s secretary could always be relied on to keep him and us up to date with what we needed to know.

And what was going on with us? Our first discovery was that while we value our priests and depend on them for spiritual guidance and pastoral leadership, we lay persons can and need to share the responsibility for the development of the parish and care of our parishioners.

The realisation of this was evident in specific instances such as the arrangement for a maxi to transport parishioners from Pt. Cumana to Mass in Carenage on Sundays - the family looking out for one another.
There was a sense among all the parish groups and congregation in general that we all needed to do everything we could, go the extra mile to hold everything and everybody together

Our lay ministers recognised the value of their contribution and in spite of serious challenges of numbers, commitments and health ensured that every day of the week there was Communion service when there was no Mass. Boxing Day was the only day that there was no form of liturgy in the church!

The Music ministry understanding the vital contribution to the liturgy extended their efforts and participation on Sunday mornings.

The prayer groups seemed to be praying more intently one parishioner observed. The Hospitality ministers seemed to be making extra efforts to look after people and encourage them. The usual spirit of family and camaraderie that St Peter’s is know for remained alive and well.

The parish leaders had recognised this period as a call and an opportunity for growth and were thankful to Fr Hudlin for accepting to come to Carenage and lead us through a workshop/retreat to prepare us for the task ahead. So parish activities continued, our Parish Assembly was held and attempts to address the requirements for implementing Synod resolutions are in progress.

On reflection, parishioners expressed their observations of our experience in these terms:
We grew in appreciation for presence of priests. Exposure to church administration helped us to empathise with priests and appreciate them more

We grew in appreciation for our lay ministers. Parishioners continued to attend on weekdays when there was Communion service. Lay ministers bonded and supported one another in their increased responsibilities
We experienced growth, caring and unity.

Everyone had to get together, get active and cooperated.
We learnt to work together regardless of the misunderstandings since we had one goal - to work together in our Church.

We were able to work together for a common good, to be more accommodating, tolerant and committed to one another. We had faith and trusted in God.

In the end we felt a surge of pride:
- That we were able to overcome hurdles.
- To be part of ministries striving to keep the parish afloat and together.
- In all members and particularly the lay ministers who really came out and gave of their best.
- To be a model parish in which solidarity was practised and truly deepened.”

The growth was not to be without problems and painful situations but these too afforded us the opportunity to recognise our woundedness and seek healing. As in every family differences would and did surface allowing us to clarify our values.

At the end of the day we are thankful to God and the archdiocese that this period was short and not the wilderness experience it could have been. It has been an Advent rather than a Lenten experience.

Even the announcement of the appointment of a parish priest, coming as it did before Christmas, directed us to the words of the prophet Malachi “And suddenly, the Lord whom you seek will visit his temple” In this case in the person of his representative Msgr Alexander.

We hope we have grown sufficiently to know that our growing process is an ongoing one that we will continue to be active partners with our priests.

We welcome Msgr Alexander, assure him of our support and willingness to collaborate with him and look forward to our journey of faith together.