Shortage of priests?

Nowadays we often hear of a “shortage of priests”. Some catholic parishes are closing. Others are clustered to share a priest. Inevitably there will be fewer masses and that is now in prospect of becoming a reality for us.

To some it seems a disaster but I see it rather to be an indication of what God wants. He wants a church where priests and people work together to make their local communities in the kind of church Pope Francis is urging.

At the moment in St Thomas’ parish we seem to be unaffected though occasionally you will find a mass will have to be cancelled. While others lack mass we have in the parish 3 masses on weekdays and 5 masses each weekend. We must not make the mistake we last Sunday heard Thomas making: Of thinking our ways are best, and permanent. God has other ideas.