Christmas Message 2020
Dear brothers and sisters,
2020 has been a year to remember for us all and as parish priest I feel above all I need to listen carefully to these ‘signs of the times’. This isn’t that easy right now. It has been a year when, despite the heroic efforts of volunteers contacting all those on our database of parishioners scattered across London and much further afield, parish ministry has been hampered because that vital element of community has not been possible. Farm Street is such a wonderful place on account of our people, a diverse community which gathers to pray, to serve, and to socialise, all gathered around the Lord at Mass in our diversity. I know I speak for so many when I say I yearn for the day this returns in some kind of ‘new normal’.
However, there truly have been many graces of this extraordinary year. The livestream has served one of our primary purposes as a parish as we have reached out to others who have been in communion with us from places far-flung in the world and whose faith has been reignited at this time of great soul searching. I hope through the new digital opportunities we are taking we will continue to welcome many more back to the Church and help them to land safely back home in a faith community which wants to say everyone belongs.
Also, as many have felt starved of the eucharist, an army of volunteers gathered from across central London Catholic Churches have lived out the eucharist on the streets of London where so many are being left destitute and homeless. This has shown where our heart truly is as a Catholic community who love Jesus and follow his call to bring compassion and mercy to those most in need. This has enabled us to support local businesses too at this difficult time and they have responded with such great generosity, feeding the homeless left on our streets. And it has been a wonderful opportunity to work together with other Christian congregations and faith groups and with civic authorities and leaders. This too will continue as the situation worsens.
Christmas, however, will not be ‘normal’ this year and will be sad and lonely for many. I am conscious of the many on their own or unable to travel to meet family and friends. There are some among our parish community who are sick and who have had bereavements but who have been stranded at Christmas.
Nevertheless, these times do give me hope. Spurred on by these many signs of hope, I am convinced that the experience of this year is teaching us something as disciples of Christ. Pope Francis has said repeatedly this is not just an ‘era of change’ but a ‘change of era’ and God is calling us not just to discern the signs of the times but to rebuild the Kingdom. So I hope that this gives you some consolation and perhaps helps you to glimpse something of the joy and peace which the birth of our saviour heralds.
May I, on behalf of the Parish Team and Jesuit Community, wish you and your loved ones a blessed Christmas and a healthy and brighter new year,
Fr Dominic Robinson SJ