Thread by @FatherColin1

Day 7 #OfGodandMe
A bit before my ordination, the Bishop asked me to take up a post as a prison chaplain. A new prison was being opened near to an existing one, and the local parish wouldn't be able to cover both. With some trepidation I agreed.
1/13

Somewhat to my surprise, the next 12 years were Incredibly fulfilling. I worked in open male, and closed female prisons. Once I'd got over the initial shock of working in a very unfamiliar environment, I had a deep sense of being in the right place. I met Jesus anew here.
2/13

Christian friends prayed that I might take Jesus into the prison. No! He was there first! "I was in prison and you visited me." I needed to care for the staff too. Most prison staff are professional & caring
3/13

Like you & me they can have a bad day. Once I asked a great officer if I could see a certain prisoner. "What do you want to see that little s*** for?" "She's not a s***. She's a beloved child of God." I felt arms around me and heard, "Thank you. We need you to say that."
4/13

Celebrating Mass with prisoners was a special experience that gave new insight into the love of the Lord for sinners - me as much as the prisoners. They prayed and listened to my homilies looking for help & inspiration.
5/13

"If I ask absolution, doesn't that mean that X's violent death doesn't matter?" "It means it matters a lot, but God still offers his forgiveness. If it didn't matter there'd be no need for forgiveness." Condoning and forgiving are different. Tabloid press please note!
6/13

I reach 60. I ask the bishop if it's time to move to parish work. He asks me to go the parish where I was received and ordained to the priesthood. Four happy years there using the presbytery as office, and commuting from the place we have called home since I was received.
7/13

It was hard at 60 to learn to pastor a parish where there were almost 300 at Mass and learn Catholic parish admin. My last C of E parish experience was at Grimethorpe where weekend attendance was nearer 50. People were welcoming and helpful.
8/13

Then I move to our "home parish", where I was ordained to the diaconate. A 10 minute walk to the presbytery each day. Five happy years, with kind helpful parishioners. Then the bishop allows me to retire. I help out in parishes, schools, university, COVID permitting!
9/13

In recent years I have found spiritual food in #Benedictine places. Retreats at @DouaiAbbey, & @BelmontAbbeyUK. Thanks to @MusicatBuckfast for joyful tears at hearing music in Church again. Very special chaplaincy weeks at Minster Abbey where @SisterWalburga lives.
10/13

@DouaiAbbey @BelmontAbbeyUK @MusicatBuckfast @SisterWalburga I hope my ramblings have helped some and hurt none. Thank you for sharing my journey
Tomorrow @EileanIdhe takes over #OfGodAndMe. We hope to have a day on Iona as part of a trip to Scotland later in the year, so we may even bump into each other!
11/13

@DouaiAbbey @BelmontAbbeyUK @MusicatBuckfast @SisterWalburga @EileanIdhe Summary of where I am with God today:
So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on,...
St John Henry Newman (who, like many others, has a big part in my journey that there is no room to tell here)
12/13

@DouaiAbbey @BelmontAbbeyUK @MusicatBuckfast @SisterWalburga @EileanIdhe As I look into the future:
Beloved Lord in heaven above,
there, Jesus, Thou awaitest me;
to gaze on Thee with changeless love,
yes, thus I hope, thus shall it be:
for how can He deny me heaven
Who here on earth Himself hath given?
St Alphonsus Liguori
13/13