Our Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ, my Friends, Our Dear Parishioners and warmly welcomed visitors,
As I look back upon last Wednesday, day of the Installation, my heart overflows with gratitude deeper than words. So many of you told me that the liturgy itself was unlike anything you had known before, radiant, solemn, alive; a moment when heaven seemed to touch our island earth. Bishop Philip himself shared that this was the first time he had celebrated the installation of a Dean, a sign of how deeply he honours Guernsey, Alderney and Sark and this whole parish family you, dear friends. There is an ancient story of a great cathedral being built. A visitor walked among the workers and asked each one what they were doing. One said: “I am cutting stone.” Another: “I am carrying mortar.” But one old woman, her hands worn and dusty, replied quietly: “I am building a dwelling‑place for God.” She understood that no act was too small if offered in love. That is exactly what unfolded here. Yes, the liturgy was magnificent. The choir and organist lifted our hearts towards heaven. The lectors proclaimed the Word with reverence. The flowers were arranged as though preparing the very court of the King. I think especially of Ron, our chef, who gave so generously even amid his birthday; setting aside celebration for a time so that our guests might be cared for. Pauline too worked tirelessly behind the scenes so that every guest might rest well and feel truly welcomed. Some of the children persevered late into the evening even during half‑term. The Legion of Mary, the Union of Mothers, Catenians, the Holy Spirit Group, the Befrienders, altar servers, cleaners, ushers, flower arrangers, all our Beloved Sisters from the Convent of Our Lady of Mercy, Deacon Mark, you were not merely organising an event. You were becoming living stones of that dwelling‑place of God. Many more would have been with us had they not travelled away for half‑term; yet even so, there was such fullness of grace. Bishop Philip’s presence was not simply an official act, it was a father’s blessing upon this whole deanery. Some guests travelled from far to stand with us. What moves me most is this: the beauty of that liturgy was not something that simply descended from heaven untouched by human hands. It passed through your hands. Through every smile of welcome, every hour of prayer, every act of service offered without counting the cost. You showed the face of Christ to one another and to all who came. This day belongs not to one priest, but to all of us. May we remember it long. May it keeps building, keeps welcoming, keeps praying.
November opens like a vast, quiet pilgrimage road. Before us stretches the great communion of generations: those who walked before us, who poured out their strength, their labour, their love and often their very lives so that we might stand here today, bearing the image and likeness of God. Remembrance Sunday will soon call us to honour those who gave their lives for freedom. But Holy Souls’ Day calls us further still: to remember all our beloved departed, every generation, every unknown sacrifice, every quiet struggle that shaped us. They have entered that mysterious journey home and we, still pilgrims here, are called to walk with them in prayer.
This Monday, the Church grants us a precious gift: on this day, priests can celebrate three Masses for the Holy Souls. Fr Benedict and I will offer these Masses as a bridge between our world and theirs, a living proof that love does not end at death. That we have not forgotten them. That we never will.
Here is the journey laid before us:
• 7:30am – Saint Josephs Church
• 12:00noon – Our Lady Star of the Sea, Delancey
• 4:30pm – Le Foulon Cemetery: Service of Prayer and Blessing of the Graves
• 6:00pm – Notre Dame Church
Holy Souls’ Day is not a Solemnity of obligation. Yet it is one of the most tender moments of our faith. It is the day we say to those who have gone ahead: “We are still with you. We carry you before the Father. We thank you for all you gave us.” Please, let’s think of them as travellers who have gone before us into the mist. We cannot see their path fully, but prayer becomes our lantern. We do not command their journey; we accompany them. We entrust them to the mercy of Christ, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. So, please come, at whatever hour you can. Come early in the morning before the day begins; come at noon when life is busy; come to the cemetery to kneel beside the resting places of those you love; come in the evening when the day fades and the heart turns naturally toward eternity. Come as pilgrims, not as spectators. Come to say: “You are remembered. You are loved. You are held in God’s mercy.” For they sacrificed so much so that we might live. And now our prayer becomes our gift back to them, especially through the Holy Mass , the most precious gift we can give. May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. May we one day be reunited with them in the home that never fades.
Finally for this weekend, here is the first glimpse of the pilgrimage that is beginning to take shape, a true pilgrimage‑journey across Europe, not merely a holiday, but an adventure of soul and road alike. Dates confirmed: 4th October–17th October 2027. The heart of this pilgrimage is Gietrzwałd, marking the 150th anniversary of Poland’s only officially approved apparition of Our Lady. This alone makes the whole journey a precious gift, to stand where Our Lady appeared, to pray where heaven touched Polish soil. Imagine this: we begin our crossing toward the Baltic Sea, that vast northern expanse where wind, water and sky seem to whisper of eternity. We enter Poland from the north and travel slowly southward: along Baltic shores, through ancient towns, toward the Tatras, those majestic mountains that rise like cathedrals of stone and light. On the way we shall visit places where Our Lady appeared, sites of Eucharistic miracles and treasures of history and culture that will remain etched deep in memory long after we return home. Then begins the homeward journey: another three days across Europe, discovering yet more hidden and mysterious places of faith, history and culture. And here is something especially beautiful: this caravan is open wide. You are welcome to invite family and friends from mainland UK, from other islands, from wherever they may be. They need not begin the journey from Guernsey; there will be opportunities to join us at Calais in France, where the coach will pick up those travelling from different starting points. So no matter your circumstances, whether you sail from Guernsey, travel across England, or meet us in France, you are invited to become part of this moving pilgrimage family. This is for those who love the pilgrimage spirit: those who do not mind early mornings, winding roads, journeys, shared silence, shared song and shared prayer. It is for those who understand that a pilgrimage is not just “seeing sights” it is being carried forward, mile‑by‑mile, deeper into the mystery of Christian heritage. Full itinerary, costs, ferry and coach details will follow very soon for those who have already expressed interest. If you feel called to join this caravan, or know someone who would love to meet us along the way, please contact me.
With our love, our prayers, and our gratitude. Fr Marcin & Fr Benedict
Diocese of Portsmouth
