Homily  3rd. March  2008.

It is an event of great sorrow and sadness that gathers us all together here this evening.  While this is a Parish celebration to mark the tragic deaths of  Mariusz and Pawel, it is also a celebration that has wider – both national and international significance.  For that reason we are then very glad that our civic and religious leaders are with us. In particular we welcome the Polish delegation and many members of the Polish community: Witam Was Serdechne.

Firstly we have come together to express our sense of deep sorrow and shock, and horror at the deaths of Pawel and Mariusz.  In this community we have run out of  words to express our sense of revulsion and abhorrence at what has happened. We repudiate, as a community, in every way we know what has taken place.

Mariusz and Pawel were in our country and community but for a short time. Yet they made an enormous impact on all those who came in touch with them.  They worked well and hard, yet knew how to enjoy life.  Their lives have made a difference for the better. They were fine Ambassadors for their country and their people. Maybe, hopefully their tragic deaths will have an influence for the good in ways that they would never have dreamt of.

Our thoughts, our prayers and support are with their families, their fellow Poles and particularly those they worked and shared their lives with.

As we acknowledge these tragic – violent – deaths this evening we must also acknowledge the pain and grief of many families in our community – and elsewhere  where death has come as a result of violence in many cases the deaths of totally innocent people, while in other cases clearly connected to the culture of drugs and alcohol.  To give it all its proper name is to call it a culture of death.

This evenings Mass is about many things.

It is at one level about expressing a strong sense of solidarity with the Polish community, and indeed with people of many other nationalities who have come to make their home with us.  Our own Parish logo drawn up by our new Parish Pastoral Council a few years ago states that,” there is room for everybody – everybody is welcome”. I myself know something of how lonely and isolated people can feel in a foreign country, as a younger man I worked on the building sites of London in the early ’70s when relations between our two countries were not what they are to-day. I worked in the German car factories those years too when some non nationals there might not have felt very welcome. From those experiences I know that we must, both as a society and a Church work harder to welcome those who come amongst us to make new lives .

Our celebration this evening is not only an occasion of remembrance – but it is also an occasion for reflection not only on the foul deed that has gathered us here together, but on the type of community, the type of society – the type of country we want for ourselves and for the future generations. The big question this evening is about society, not about this Parish only.

It is extraordinary that at a time when we were never as well off,  that so many  young people are dying needlessly, violently.  We can pretend that all is well. It isn’t.  There is hardly a weekend now when several young people don’t die in tragic circumstances. I am not naïve enough  to think there is any simple solution to these questions.  Nor am I pointing the finger in any particular direction – except at us all.  It is high time for a national conversion about these issues – time for some joined up thinking. I hope this terrible atrocity might be a catalyst for such a venture.

There is, of course, a sense in which this evening is about our community for it was here that Mariusz and Pawel lived – and died. So as a local Parish community we express again our sense of outrage, revulsion and solidarity with all concerned. But  this gathering this evening is about reclaiming our own sense of community – our own sense of worth, of  purpose and achievement – and you have much to be proud of over 60 years or more.  As your Pastor, together with my colleagues and all who minister here with us, we wish to state that loud and clearly at this time.  Many new communities could learn from Drimnagh in terms of strong community spirit, in terms of genuine care for each other and in terms of generosity to the wider and developing world.  I suppose for us, like other communities the question at this time is to find new ways of addressing  issues like the tragedy that has confronted us this week so that strong bonds of community will continue to be fostered and grow.

Our Gospel this evening reminds us that the Lord, our God of compassion and mercy is with us on the journey of life – in good times – and in bad times and in bad – even if at times circumstances may make it difficult or impossible for us to recognise Him.

Yes, it is an event of great sorrow and sadness that has brought us together now.  May that same God give us courage and hope as we face the future for the journey ahead.

Amen.