“We welcome you among us in his name” – all change at St Anthony of Padua

Change can be a time of renewal and celebration which was certainly the feeling in a packed church on Sunday 8 December 2019 when Archbishop Malcolm formerly inducted Fr Kevin Hanley OFM Conv (Greyfriars) as the Parish Priest of St Anthony of Padua, Mossley Hill.

Fr Kevin’s previous posting was in the Vatican as a Confessor at St Peter’s where he heard confessions for 24 hours each week for 6 ½ years as well as continuing doctoral studies in Canon Law and being Adjunct Spiritual Director to the Pontifical Scots College and Spiritual Director to religious within Rome. Prior to this, whilst finishing his Licentiate in Canon Law, he undertook ministry at Ss XII Apostoli in Rome. The move to parish ministry in the rather humbler environs of Mossley Hill has already provided many different opportunities and challenges in nurturing active community, lay empowerment and belonging.

For many parishioners it was the first time experiencing the Rite of Induction. The pledge for both parishioners and Fr Kevin to work collaboratively, to share responsibility in the service of Christ and to participate in his Mission is very much in keeping with Synod 2020. The number of parishioners present, the special participation of the 40 strong members of St Anthony of Padua’s School choir, representatives from parish groups and the wider community bore witness that Fr Kevin’s pledge to build on strengthening and increasing lay involvement and empowerment at St Anthony’s has already begun.  As the parish continues their journey of encountering Christ in Mossley Hill, served so faithfully by the Greyfriars since 1923, the future is bright with the young people of Mossley Hill playing a central part in energising our heartbeat of faith, hope and love.