Last evening, at the kind invitation of the parish priest, Fr Joe O'Connor, I returned to the parish of Our Lady of the Annunciation in Addiscombe where I grew up. There are so many memories for me in that Church, both happy and sad. I attended my sister Sarah's baptism there, I celebrated my sister Mary's wedding, and I was myself ordained there. I recall the formative discipline of walking regularly along Bingham Road to Sunday Mass (and later, often, to daily Mass); but I also remember the sadness of my brother's funeral and the funerals of my parents which I celebrated in the same Church. Through all of this, God did indeed give joy to my youth as I grew in the knowledge and love of the Catholic faith.
Our Lady of the Annunciation was also the Church in which I celebrated my first Mass - with Fr Guy Nicholls as Assistant Priest - on Sunday 29 July 1984, before going over to Holy Innocents, Orpington to concelebrate at the ordination of my classmate Paul Hendricks who is now an Auxiliary Bishop in Southwark.The parish is thriving and full of life and, as always on occasions like this, the generosity of parishioners was evident with many people co-operating to provide a warm reception in the Hall afterwards. It was so good to see old friends and catch up with news, as well as enjoying reminiscences particularly of my dear father who was quite a local figure since he was Headmaster of the junior school in West Croydon for 27 years and therefore knew and was known by generations of families. People often tell me that I have become ratehr like him and I am happy to accept that as a compliment.
5 comments:
That church is also the place where i grew up until we left in 1986! There is somthing about that church and i can still see in minds eye the Solemn Mass. The altar dressed with those 1950's candlesticks and the sound of credo 3! The care the people took to celebrate Easter and Christmas by preparing the Church. I also think that it was very much the seed bed for my own vocation! I am So pleased that your where able to offer the Holy Mass there in thanksgiving for your 25 years of priesthood! Ad multos annos!
congratulations Father for your anniversary. You have a wonderful church in your home parish where you grew up. I love to see the centrality of the crucified Christ. But I wonder where the image of the annunciation is? The image of the saints?
Dr Herbert - there is an image of the Annunciation at the Lady altar and also in a modern but quite fine stained glass window at the West wall of the Church.
burseandveil - yes, the 1950s candlesticks were a feature and I too remember them at the old High Mass there in the early 1960s.
Dear Father,
I am confused.
Why is the priest facing in the wrong direction in those photographs of Holy Mass?
God bless.
Many congratulations on your anniversary Fr Tim ....... prayers too.
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