WALK ON…..

Ten years ago our annual Saints Way Rosary Walk was a regular feature of the parish life of our young people. Over a weekend we would take the prayers of our people and, with the mysteries of the Rosary, walk and pray the 33 miles across our beloved county in the footsteps of the Celtic Saints. Since developing Parkinson’s in 2014 this has not seemed a possibility. So when the Lord laid it on my heart in prayer to do it again, I thought He was joking. So insistent was the call that I gave in. I could try it in seven portions of c.5 miles a day on seven Tuesdays leading up to Holy Week. The intention was to be the Mission of the Church. Fr Jacek generously gave up his day off to ensure that I didn’t get lost or fall down a rabbit hole. So we walked and prayed. When I asked permission of the ancient churches on our route for permission to offer the Mass, they could not have been more welcoming. The harbourside of Padstow, the jewel of Little Petherick, the commanding heights of Withiel and the riverside beauty of Golant all hosted our celebrations. We managed to celebrate on the windswept height of Helman Tor, finding, like Elijah, a cleft in the rock to keep us safe in the roaring Presence. The weather was kind with one soaking exception. The companionship and conversation were deep and uplifting. As we strolled into Fowey on the final day, I was reminded that the Lord always honours His promises and only asks us to do what He will give us the strength for. Accompanied by Our Lady and the Saints we had arrived to offer the final Glorious Mystery in the church of St Finbarr.
In the months since, under Fr Ciaran’s leadership, we have refurbished our mission church in Wadebridge, taken in refugees from Ukraine, begun a Healing Ministry in Bodmin and started a rolling programme of training for our people on the Diocesan Evangelisation course. So we walk on with hope in our hearts and trust in God. St Petroc and St Piran pray for us.