On Tuesday 1st October, parishioners in Birstall, one of our school parishes, celebrated their patronal feast day, the feast of St Theresa of Lisieux. In his homily Fr Ted Mullen reminded the congregation that St Theresa was a quiet and understated saint. In the eyes of the world, he said, she might be perceived a failure. She did not do great works and deeds but instead devoted her short life to prayer as an enclosed nun, thereby showing us all that holiness need not be not earth shattering, simply faithful. In a portion of her autobiography read at Mass, St Theresa spoke of the importance to her of the passage in 1 Corinthians where the apostle tells us that we all have a different part to play in building up God’s kingdom and that the supreme gift that binds all others together is love.
The school was represented at the special feast by Mr Carney and the servers team and choir numbered current and former students of the school.
At the Mass, Mr and Mrs Lowe were presented with a statue of St Theresa in recognition and thanks from the parish for their great contribution to parish life over many years. Mr Lowe, our former Head of Music, is the Director of Music at the church where he leads two liturgical choirs and runs many concerts. Mrs Lowe has just retired from Bishop Ellis school. Congratulations to them both.
