Gratitude
On Friday 17th April the Central Council gathered at the church of St Mary and St Michael on Commercial Road in London for a small Mass of Thanksgiving for the ministry of Fr Dennis Touw.
Fr Dennis, a priest of the Westminster Archdiocese, retired last year from full-time ministry and from his position as National Director of the Archconfraternity, handing over the reins to Fr Keith Stoakes.
The Mass, a Votive Mass of St Stephen was celebrated by Fr Dennis, with Fr Keith concelebrating, assisted by Deacon Wayne O’Reilly, Deacon Tony Barter and servers from the parish.
Deacon Wayne preached a wonderful homily (linked below), on the Gospel we hear on our namesake feast day and many other martyr feasts, Matthew 10:17-22. This Gospel, the Deacon preached, on first reading does not particularly lend itself to celebrating our ministry of service, saying that those who follow Christ will be persecuted, but Jesus is preparing His disciples for the reality that discipleship is not always easy. It requires courage, it requires perseverance, it requires a heart that is willing to stand firm even when the world pushes back. And although we may not face the same dangers the apostles did, the heart of Jesus’ message speaks directly to us as Altar Servers.
St Stephen, the first martyr, served with courage, faith, and love and in his ministry. Fr Dennis has served faithfully, he has endured with faith, served with love and led with humility in his ministry as National Director. Through his ministry, the Holy Spirit has spoken - not only through his words, but through his example.
On behalf of the Guild, on behalf of the people gathered here, and behalf of those whose lives you have touched, we say: thank you. Thank you for your dedication. Thank you for your leadership. Thank you for showing us what it means to serve Christ with a generous heart.
To all gathered here tonight: continue to serve with joy. Serve with reverence. Serve with love. Let your service shape you into the kind of disciple who can endure, who can witness, who can stand firm in faith. Because Jesus is not just calling you to the altar, He is calling you to a life of courage, a life of purpose, a life rooted in him.”
Fr Dennis reflected also on his time as National Director, particularly recalling the memorable national trip for Altar Servers to the Alton Towers theme park and the large yellow badges worn by the servers on the trip which read “I serve at the Altar of God”, attracting curious passers by.
Before a sharing a meal together at a local restaurant, the Central Council presented him with an honorary award of the Guild Gold Medal in gratitude for his years of service in the promotion of the Guild and the ministry of Altar Service.
Vice President of the Guild, Catherine Burns, Fr Dennis Touw and President of the Guild, Paul Briers
Our thanks to all who came and the servers of the parish for serving the Mass.
