One of the most appreciated words that can be said to anyone at any time is the word “THANKS”.

It is one of the first words that we would normally teach our toddlers, yet it is perhaps one of the least used words among adults. We very often take for granted or conveniently forget to acknowledge favours that are granted to us or when things are put in place for our comfort or for our enjoyment.

In Luke's gospel, we hear Jesus asking, “Were not all ten made clean, the other nine, where are they? It seems that no one has come back to give praise to God.” This after he had healed ten persons suffering from leprosy, and only one had returned to say thanks.

Recognising, therefore, the immeasurable and timely contribution they have made over the years, the foundation and tradition that have been laid by the mothers and fathers of our four-community parish of St Peter's in Pointe-a-Pierre, our parish priest, Fr Urban Hudlin OP, along with hundreds of parishioners, friends and relatives, gathered at Christ the Lord and St Michael RC Church in Marabella on Sunday, April 10 to offer a Celebration of Thanks.

Due to the magnitude of the numbers to be considered, preference was given in this first instance to persons who were seventy years and over. Age being the sole criterion, recipients were placed into four categories:

•  Persons who are in active service in the parish.

•  Persons who have served in the parish but have since migrated to other parishes in the archdiocese or abroad. Included in this list are persons who have gone to other religious persuasions.

•  Persons who because of age or infirmity are no longer a part of active parish life.

•  Persons who have served and have now gone before us marked with a sign of faith.

This very momentous occasion, for which the parish planned for several weeks, commenced with the celebration of Holy Mass. The wall decorations of floral arrangements and banners could only have been described as a labour of love. But then, as parishioners, we could have done no less for those who ha

ve shared their lives with us so lovingly and so long in this part of the Lord's vineyard. Our gratitude had to be reflected in the atmosphere in which we were showing our appreciation.

After all, we were sharing with them, offering with them, the greatest gift that any human can afford -- the celebration of Holy Mass, and this had to be done in the beauty of holiness.

In his appropriate and superbly delivered homily, Fr Hudlin, who is also the Vicar for Evangelisation, expressed his profound pleasure at welcoming all of us gathered as the Body of Christ.

He focused on the fact that the gospel of the day spoke about two of Jesus' apostles walking on the road to Emmaus, welcoming a stranger, offering him the hospitality of their hearts and home, but only recognising the presence of Jesus in their midst at the breaking of bread. Therefore, through the hospitality that was shown to a stranger, Jesus led them to a better place and understanding.

Fr Hudlin reminded us that this gathering was indeed a story of faithfulness to family and faithfulness to God, a faithfulness that was being expressed as we continue to take care of our family. He also reminded us of the following:

•  Hospitality is a sanctifying quality.

•  The hallmark of the lives of the early Christians was the manner in which they showed hospitality. When, therefore, we extend hospitality to others, we provide them with an opportunity to find rest, to find purpose and to allow the life of Christ to flow freely within.

•  It is our sacred responsibility to welcome strangers who call on us, for, in so doing, we may well be welcoming a messenger from God. The end result of this hospitality could be that two lives could be changed positively.

•  The mission of the Church is to humanise the world.

Turning his attention directly to the celebrities in their golden years, Fr Hudlin reassured them that they were an integral part of parish life. “Life must be savoured at every stage,” he said.

“Christ is present even in the brokenness of their bodies. Old age must therefore always be seen as a time of grace because at this period of life there is complete dependence on God.”

As we expected, all eyes were fixed on the homilist as he very intentionally personalised the following remarks:

“Today is a grace moment in our lives because, though we are many, we gather as one family.

“This is home. This is our table. We gather around the same table, to eat the same food, to receive the same grace.

“We pray that we would all recognise Him at the breaking of bread.”

The celebration of the Eucharist continued with joyful but prayerful participation by all members of our parish family.

As if to reinforce our conviction that our celebration was being tremendously blessed by the Blessed Trinity, in whose name the liturgy was begun, there was a heavy downpour of rain towards the end of the Mass -- showers of blessing as if to indicate once again, “these are my beloved children in whom I am well pleased”.

Immediately following the liturgy, one of our senior lay ministers, Sr Bernice Alexis, again welcomed the family gathering, and introduced the cultural excellence of St Peter's.

It was sheer pleasure to admire the smiles on the faces of our senior brothers and sisters as they were serenaded by steelpan, drum and song.

Marion Albert, a parishioner, admires her certificate with Fr Hudlin

This musical interlude also signaled another highlight of the morning – the presentation of certificates, tokens of our love and gratitude, in “recognition and appreciation of the sterling contribution made to parish life”.

These were presented and received amidst applause, kisses and hugs, as together we said thanks to our own.

An appreciation of thanks offered by Fr Hudlin was followed by the serving of appetising refreshments, to the strains of community singing led by our combined parish choir.

We thank God for the path that was paved by those who have gone before us. We pray that He would grant us the grace of His faith, courage and wisdom, so that we too would let our light shine so that those who come after us would see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven.