It was in July 1992 that I heard I was to replace Canon Albert Adams as Parish Priest of St. Ambrose’s, Kidderminster. It was in my tenth year as a Priest – three spent as curate in Coventry, two of St. Aloysius’ in Oxford, and five years in the neighbouring parish of St. Wulstan’s, Stourport-on-Severn.

Much has happened in the twenty five years. Our Schools were amalgamated; the Borromeo Hall has been built, and the Adams Lounge refurbished. We have had responsibility for the Sacred Heart Community in Tenbury Wells, and also for Our Lady & St. Pius X, Habberley 1998-2014. We have had a number of Missions and Retreats, and many varied speakers from different Churches, and other walks of life.  

Members of Parliament, the Anglican Bishop of Ludlow, and the Catholic Bishop of Elphin are representative of these.

Mass has been televised from our Church, which was re-ordered and has twice been interiorly decorated. We have had  several Civic Masses, and we are the host Church each year for the Roadpeace Service. We enjoy good and co-operative relationships with the other Christian Churches in Kidderminster, and we have had the privilege of supporting the Vocation to the Diaconate of several of our parishioners.

The most important feature of our life is to try to keep alive the Faith of our people, and to take care of them. Over the years we have been doing this together, and I am extremely proud of the network of parishioners who prepare candidates for the Sacraments, visit the sick and minister Holy Communion to them. There are many who have been in our Choirs, encouraged our wonderful Altar Servers, worked in our sacristies, cleaned our churches, arranged our flowers – all of which help to enrich and beautify our Liturgical life.

Equally important are those who have accounted and husbanded our finances (keeping us out of debt!).

Rita Mackay has been a loyal and faithful Housekeeper, and we are both very grateful to those who have helped us in the house and garden, and especially for demonstrating such love and patience with Maggie, Maisie and Molly – my three beloved canine companions over the years.

The social life of the Parish has not been neglected, and many of us will remember parties, pantomimes, formal meals and knockabout evenings, and we all owe much to those who have organised such events and especially those who do the hidden work of keeping the affairs of the Hall in order, and balancing books which have sometimes been precarious.

In 2017 we shall celebrate our years together in a series of pastoral initiatives which, we pray, will deepen our Faith and give us a new perspective on the Mass and the Sacraments of the Church.

I continue to be inspired by the steadfast example and fidelity of Her Majesty, the Queen; the dignified Pontificate and profound spiritual leadership that Pope Benedict gave to the Church, and of course, the memory of the great Archbishop Maurice Couve de Murville who ordained me to the Priesthood in June 1982, and who appointed me to St. Ambrose’s 25 years ago.

I continue to rely on the prayers of Our Lady, the Mother of Good Counsel, St. Joseph and St. Ambrose and St. Pius X, and of all those with whom I share the life of this Parish. May God be good to us all.