Father John writes:

It is an odd experience to celebrate Mass without any congregation.

As I have grown older in the priesthood, I have realised how much more I get from the Scripture passages we share together at our morning Mass than I do when I read it on my own.

Somehow it comes alive for me when we are sharing the Word of God together at the celebration of the Eucharist. I pray aloud the prayers of the Missal in our Church, but it feels a bit hollow – we should be praying these prayers together in our hearts.

That word – the Eucharist – becomes really important. The congregation and priest are supposed to be focused together on the Lectern and the altar. It is an action -we are joined in giving thanks to God together. That is the very meaning of the word ‘Eucharist’ – to give thanks.

That is why I miss you all – especially on Sunday, but also every time I celebrate Mass in my particular role as your priest.

I would not say I feel ‘lonely’, because we share together the truth that Jesus is truly present in the Tabernacle in the Church.

But nonetheless you are missed, – it is just like we bring with us to the Eucharist in prayer our deceased family members.

In the same way I bring you, living members of our worshipping community, to every celebration of the Mass.

It is just that I long for the time when we will be physically present together to share in the great action of the Eucharist – then we will pray out loud to God the Father “ through Jesus Christ, with Him and in Him, O God almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours, for ever and ever.” Amen