Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,                                                                           

I am writing to share with you some of my hopes and concerns. The period of my infirmity has been prolonged, and it is my hope and prayer that soon there will be some remedial therapy to ensure my return to fully active involvement in the life of the Parish, both at St Mary’s and St Columba’s. Your assurance of prayers and your kindly enquiries have been an encouragement to me. You will realise that the continuity of the life of the Parish is dependent on many generous volunteers who care for all aspects of the Church buildings and our corporate life. We are all indebted to those dedicated folk who give so freely of their time. Those who visit the sick, those who teach the young, those who encourage the elderly, those who organise our worship, those who help with readings and prayers, all are part of the great Common Life which we share in the Body of Christ. Those who worship and pray but cannot, for perfectly good reasons, spare the time for active involvement in other aspects of our Parish life are no less worthy of our appreciation. Thanks be to God for all of the faithful people of God here in our parish, making others welcome, and praying for a world broken by sin and division.

I would particularly like to welcome Fr Joachim Zok SVD, who has joined us and has already made himself familiar to you whether at the Polish or English language Masses. He is a most helpful support to me during these trying times and a welcome addition to the presbytery...having spent many years in Ghana he and I have a shared taste for West African food, such as Groundnut Stew and he has developed a liking for Haggis. From such trifles fraternity flourishes!

You will recall that some time ago I wrote about the proposal for another new stained glass window at St Mary’s. This would complement one of the existing double lancet windows where there is but a single window. I mentioned the possibility of a window to commemorate Fr Jerzy Popieluszko, recently beatified, who was murdered in Poland in 1984 for his association with the Solidarity Movement . The prospect of another new window has attracted some support. One generous donation from a benefactor, as well as some initial promises, should see us on our way. Contact has been made with a Polish firm of stained glass artists, Witraze. Their principal designer is Tomasz Tuszko whose work is installed world-wide, and is also to be found in the private chapel of the Polish President. He and associates Pawel Przyrowski and Tomasz Bielinski produce work of exceptionally high quality. Examples of their work may be seen on the website of Studio Witraze or simply “Google”.. Tomasz Tuszko to find biographical details and how to access his work.

The quotation from this Polish firm is extremely competitive and moderate about £2,300, and well within our reach. I am quite certain that there will be a generous response from our Polish parishioners, helping to play their part in the enhancement of our already beautiful Church. We will be going some way to complete our stained glass window scheme.

There is a long tradition of Scots/Polish support for each other going back to the merchants sailing from Aberdeen to the Baltic ports. Much of Robert Gordon’s wealth, with which he founded colleges, and much else, was derived from trade with Poland.  In many parts of Poland there can be found places where groups of Scots settled finding a new life among welcoming people.In more recent times during the Second World War many Polish troops were stationed in Scotland. In the cemeteries around Inverness one can see the graves of young Polish airmen who fought alongside British troops to safeguard our freedoms, even when their own country was being savagely occupied by the Nazis. In Poland there was further domination by the Communists, until that “evil empire” was brought down. The deeply embedded Catholic Faith of the Polish people was of enormous significance in that victory for justice and peace. Our great Polish Pope, John Paul II, gave great encouragement to the legitimate aspirations of the people. The Solidarity Movement bound together many working men and women with others in their country who shared the aspirations for freedom. One such was the young priest, Fr Jerzy Popieluszko, who ministered to the steelworkers and encouraged their hopes and commitment. Solidarity attracted the prayerful support of Christians around the world. Today we celebrate these freedoms and Scots and Poles alike in Inverness have found a new solidarity in belonging with each other in the Church. We at St Mary’s are proud of our shared values, aspirations and our life together as Catholics. It is important for us all to see that the beautiful building in which we worship reflects aspects of our shared histories. That is why I am more than confident that the Polish community, as well as all others who worship here at St Mary’s, will respond generously to this Windows Appeal.

If any donor would like to associate their gift with a particular name or person to be remembered then these names will be inscribed on a plaque to be mounted below the proposed window.

For the time being we do not pay Value Added Tax on conversions from plain to stained glass in a Listed Building, but this is likely to change in the near future. This seems a favourable moment therefore to proceed with this project. However, we will need to make the usual applications for approval within the Diocese. To assist that some sketches will be available shortly.

I would like also to express my gratitude for the extraordinary generosity of you all in meeting our frequent appeals for money, or other assistance, to those whose needs are much greater than our own.

In the near future we hope to welcome Fr Pawel Rochman, a young priest from the Diocese of Torun, in Poland, presently engaged in post-doctoral research at Oxford University. Needless to say he speaks excellent English! He will be with us from 15 March until 15 April. I met him when we were in procession together at the Beatification Mass for Cardinal John Henry Newman at Birmingham last summer. Fr Pawel’s research is in the theological significance of Newman.

We hope to welcome the return, over some of Lent and Holy Week and Easter, of Fr Enoch Kanjira, a Malawian priest, studying in Rome. He will be with us again in the summer.

Also in the summer in July and August a Nigerian priest, also studying in Rome, looks forward to being with us. We should have some interesting meals in the Presbytery!

Andrew Niski, the Diocesan seminarian from St Mary’s (originally from Sopot in Poland), continues to flourish at Scots College, Rome. Pray that he will be joined by other young men from the Diocese.

The irrepressible, always stimulating, and indefatigable Mgr Basil Loftus continues to be an appreciated visitor who is always supportive and encouraging.

Thanks be to God for all His many Blessings! With every good wish, and my request for your prayers, as you have the assurance of mine.

Fr James Bell,      

Parish Priest, 21 Feb 2011