Our job, in the Parish of Mary, Mother of God, is to be missionary disciples of Jesus in south Bradford. This is the unfolding story of how Mgr Paul Grogan (Parish Priest), Fr Michael Doody (Assistant Priest) and about 500 Mass-goers seek to bring more people into the barque of Peter (while entirely respecting everybody else outside of it). It is a continuation of an earlier blog which narrated Mgr Grogan's work as a University Chaplain.
Mgr Paul Grogan
Saturday, 28 April 2012
Like picking fruit from trees
It's been a good couple of days. First a member of staff told me that she wishes to become a Catholic.Then a student got in touch and said that she wished to be baptised. Then today, as I was arranging an instruction class for a Catholic student who wishes to be confirmed I asked her friend who was standing apart whether she too wished to be confirmed - I was trying to be mildly amusing - and her friend said no, but she'd like to be baptised and she's coming along to see me next week - with her friend (seeing the priest on one's own, at least at the first catechetical meeting, would be a bit heavy). Basically, I think, everybody wants to become a Catholic, but not everybody knows it yet. Of course, young people sometimes just take a fancy to Christianity and then decide to play hockey instead. One young woman came to see me and I gave her an improving summary of the Catholic faith to read before our next reading. She did, thanked me politely and said that, on reflection, she had decided she didn't want to bother. However, those who are currently enquiring strike me as being truly desirous of making this step of faith. I'm really looking forward to instructing them and learning more about our faith myself within our interaction. All I'd like now is for four, young, physically resilient, emotionally balanced, unattached men who have said the rosary every day for the last six years to come and see me and say, "Would you mind recommending us to the bishop for seminary formation?"
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"Basically, I think, everybody wants to become a Catholic, but not everybody knows it yet." I think you're right, Father. Archbishop Fulton Sheen said that not one person hates the Catholic Church. But millions hate what they think it is. Sounds like you're doing some good evangelizing! Glad to hear you are having a good week! - Tony Rosso
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