Mrs Margaret Mizen visited the parish of Blackfen today. Margaret's son, Jimmy, was killed last May. (See Jimmy Mizen RIP) Margaret and her husband Barry have given outstanding witness to their faith, choosing to use the interest of the media in the death of their son as an opportunity to speak about their faith and love of God. It is a particularly difficult time for them at the moment because the trial is in progress of the man accused of their son's murder. Please remember Margaret, Barry and their family especially during the coming week. I'll be singing the Mass at Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane on Monday and will offer it for their intentions.Margaret's talk left many of us in tears and was a magnificent start to our "Faith, Family and Future" day in the parish.
It was one of those gloriously relaxed and slightly chaotic days, blessed with great weather.We managed to use all our available space today. Daphne McLeod spoke to the Grandparents in the sacristy; Greg Clovis of Family Life International spoke to the parents in the Large Hall, Bro Michael OFM Cap spoke to the children in the Small Hall, and I spoke to the teenagers in the Church. I talked about "Eternal Rome" with slides of St Peters, the Holy Father and various Churches, giving a little history and catechesis on the papacy. Afterwards, we went into the sunshine for some amateur film-making. (The YouTube video will be up shortly.)
In between times, there were things like beefburgers, tea, impromptu rugby, volleyball, toddling around trying to eat anything colourful, chatting about the state of the Church, taking it in turns to hold various babies, giggling, and painting the working sacristy - activities varying roughly according to age and ability.
At the end of the day, we said the Rosary, I preached a little ferverino, and then blessed the children using the blessing from the Pocket Ritual. The devil hates these days but Our Lady loves them and protects them. Try one in your parish!
8 comments:
I have already posted on MF's blog how jealous I am of your Family Day. I would never suggest one in my parish because I know exactly the leaning of the speakers the committee would get.
I have watched Daphne Macleod on EWTN and enjoyed her presentation of Our Glorious Faith. I liked her gentle manner of speaking and her use of 'Catholic speech' - words such as Original Sin, state of grace etc which reminds me of the religion instruction of my childhood.
May God bless the good work you are doing in your parish to foster the Faith.
Dear Father,
Thank you for posting about this occasion. I am an American, and have followed the news about Jimmy Mizen. His family has certainly provided a wonderful Catholic, Christian witness throughout this ordeal.
If possible, could a video be posted showing Mrs. Mizen's talk? She sounds as if she is an inspiring speaker, and would love to hear her testimony.
Thank you, Father for all you do for your parishioners and the wider community. May God continue to bless your efforts.
I've discovered my grandmother personally knows Daphne McLeod, so I might be able to have a chat with her soon. :)
Sigh. What are house prices like in Kent these days ? Tnis is like seeing Utopia in action.
Awesome fruit, Fr Tim.
Bernadette - house prices in this part of the world are quite moderate; all the more so in the present recession. There are always a few on the market within walking distance of the Church....
Thoroughly enjoyed the day Fr Tim and learned a lot.
After Margaret's very moving talk (and yes we will remember her and the Mizen family in our prayers this week as the trial of Jimmy's killer continues) we moved across to the social club for some lunch.
Well grilled beefburgers and a hot mug of tea followed. The food was prepared by volunteers and at one point the social club hall looked as if it was catering for the feeding of the five thousand! It was packed with every age group amply represented from 3-months to 80+some years (NO not me - honest!). OK, so qualifying as a 'Grandparent' I joined the group that was treated to a superb talk on how grandparents can help their grandchildren with their Faith, by the famous Daphne McLeod.
Daphne has been 'fighting the good fight' on behalf of the Catholic Faith for many years and no doubt, please God, she will continue for a good many more.
It was a priviledge to listen to her wise words of advice. Loosely based on her book 'Will your Grandchildren be Catholic'?, Daphne took us through some of the harrowing episodes post Vatican 11 telling the inside story of the betrayal of Catholic children by the Catholic education establishment.
It was good to meet up with other Catholic families and exchange stories about the kids, schooling, Faith matters etc... A chance also to chat 'Blogs' with the Mulier Fortis over a burger and tea!
The kids all seemed to be enjoying themselves playing as a group - certainly the shouts and laughter from Bro. Michael's group next door could be heard loud and clear in our 'Grandparents' room. As an ex schoolteacher Daphne McLeod wasn't phased one bit!
Thanks to the Treloar family for organising this great day for Catholic Family Life. Hope there's more to come over the year!
And for other Parishes out there, get together with other like minded families and your PP and just try. Sure you may get just a few who turn up first time round - but it's a start and Rome wasn't built in a day. God Bless.
POST TRIAL FOCUS
The words of Barry Mizen:
"I want to thank God for Jimmy, thank God for his life.
It was a pleasure and a privilege to have been his parents.
This country stands apart from other countries. This is a country of civility and a country of fair play, fairness, and a country of safety. We are rapidly losing that.
We have become a country of anger, of selfishness and of fear. It doesn't have to be like this. Let's together try and stop it."
The words of Millwall 'Fan on the Board'Peter Garston:
"I have had the priviledge to meet the Mizens a few times and If more people had their morals and forgiving attitude the world would be a better place.
The thing is they had the same morality prior to this terrible event and went quitely about their lives, they should be a guide to us all.
I really hope they get some sort of closure now."
REBUILDING BROKEN BRITAIN STARTS TODAY - R.I.P JIMMY MIZEN.
Our FARE Lady of the Rosary pray for us!
Many thanks, Roy. Must do a post about that.
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