Fr Xavier Writes 16th September 2023

I am just writing as a new incumbent priest in the parish and so excited in having the chance to minister and work with you for a year, as I understand it, as my ‘home’ Bishop has allowed me to take a sabbatical year. I am looking forward to having a fruitful year ahead and thank the Lord for having given me this wonderful chance, and Bishop Richard for having such a huge confidence in me to ministering Horsham parishioners. I feel I am one of you and always look forward to you taking your chance to pop up and have a chat with me, not only for the ‘business’ though, but also to say hello and get to build our relationship as your priest. 

As I see it, the year ahead with you in Horsham is a great chance and opportunity that the Lord has given me and it’s our responsibility to make it a blessing. I am dedicating myself fully to it and will do my very best to make sure that my energy and time goes into ensuring that your spiritual needs are fully fed. 

I am coming from a very busy parish back in India that I served for six years most recently and, earlier to that, my ministry used to be more on Social Service, catering to the basic human right and developmental needs of the poor, to start with in my own diocese in the position of Diocesan Director for Social Work and, later, promoted to the regional commission, working for the Bishop’s conference of Tamil Nadu state in South India. 

I am still new and taking every chance in getting to know each one of you personally and wanting to fulfil your needs and wants with all my limitations. Any institution, community and parish has its own history with lots of ups and downs and, at this particular point where we start to function, I want to respect and thank all the priests and parishioners, specially Fr. Aaron for his committed service and good works in bringing you closer to the Lord. I wish him every success in his new parish and he is more than welcome to visit anytime.  

There are wheels already set for the parish to run smoothly, namely the different committees, secretaries, volunteers and, not least, Canon Tim Madeley and Deacon Tom at the back offering support. All I need to do is to continue what is already in place and to make that alive and active with your able support and prayers. Come let us enjoy being together as a community and make it a God-abiding parish.