A few words from Fr Joe…………….

I went out to the airport on Wednesday, just after lunch, to collect a friend who has come over from France for the rugby match. Sitting for a little while, close to the door that separates the baggage hall from those waiting, I was struck again by the lovely atmosphere, as all around me people watched eagerly for the first sight of their family or friends. Suddenly standing in front of me was an African priest, wearing a purple stole, holding a small glass bowl, and a beaming smile. “Would you like to have blessed ashes?” he asked warmly. Well of course I was already sorted in that department, having both received and shared ashes with parishioners and students all morning. But I did offer my hand, introduced myself as a priest and asked his name, “I am Justin” he said, the new chaplain here in the airport. I complimented him on his attentiveness to the spiritual needs of both travellers and those meeting them. He pointed out that he was accompanied by some people from the Legion of Mary, and he thought that this was the best way to bring the beginning of Lent into the hearts and minds of everyone here. He moved on and I waited a little longer, now watching him and the Legionaries approaching people, four young French men, with beautiful blue berets, smiled and passed on. Others stopped and bowed their heads for the transfer from bowl of wet black ash to an immediately recognisable sign of setting off into a Lenten journey. I’m sure the people they spoke too and engaged with appreciated meeting the ritual just where they were, many probably couldn’t make it to church as they had they were either travelling or the ones coming like myself to sit and wait. More power to Fr Justin and his friends, to ministry on the streets and for helping some of God’s people to enter into the season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.