As usual, the Festival began with Mass in the modern red brick church of Corpus Christi. Finding the church can be a challenge; it is reached via increasingly narrow roads, tunnel-like winding lanes with high hedges on either side, past mysterious muddy tracks, past the medieval bulk of the Anglican church of St. Peter, past great houses with acres of tidy lawn.. and suddenly you're there.
The car park was full and for the first time I saw the newly-acquired minibus of Brighton District SVP. This nine-seater is used to transport the elderly and infirm (so that can go shopping, on trips, attend medical and other appointments, go to Mass etc) and also to carry goods for the society's charity shop.
Mass began on time at 3.00pm. Bishop Kieran Conry was the main celebrant assisted by the parish priest, Fr. David Maskell, and Deacon Seamus Mahan, who is also Spiritual Adviser to the SVP. There were about 60 SVP members in attendance and, while the choir and organist were few in number, they were brilliantly effective. The National President of the SVP in England & Wales, Adrian Abel, and his wife Mary attended; Adrian read the first reading, A&B CC President Ingrid Phillips read the second.
Afterwards we gathered in the parish hall where several tables were covered in a huge variety of cakes, sandwiches, biscuits, petit fours and other confectionaries. There was a disconcerting amount of cream in bowls and the thought struck me that, if I sat down, I might never get up again...so I stood.
That was a mistake, as I had not anticipated the length of Adrian Abel's speech - to be fair, he did give some warning! - and was on my feet for what felt like a couple of hours but was probably only one hour and fifty-five minutes...
We began with a tribute to a long-serving member, Tony, who had joined the SVP more than 50 years ago. Bishop Kieran and President Adrian honoured him with a certificate, award - and a slice of cake. (In the picture below he is reading his prepared words of thanks, as Bishop Kieran, Adrian and Ingrid look on).
It was the first time that I had heard Adrian address a large meeting and he was a confident, interesting speaker with a clear and robust delivery. As Bishop Kieran had done in his homily, he paid tribute to the work done by the SVP in the region. Interestingly, he stressed the 'fellowship' aspect of Conference membership, mentioning that the term might be more familiar to an evangelical and Protestant audience, but was also a reality of the SVP experience. He also stressed the need to recruit new members, using a variety of proven techniques, in the face of reducing numbers.
The influence of Pope Francis was also evident in his appeal for the SVP to work in different, more difficult areas (he spoke appreciatively of the work done locally on soup runs, night shelters, furniture scheme etc.); to engage with young people; communicate more effectively and with a wider population; to share resources, and work with other churches - and with those of no faith - in order to serve those in need.
Mass in a warm, friendly church...important messages to ponder over...tasty cakes...another great day!
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