Séamus Ahearne: Quiet glories of the church’s ministry – A LETTER OF INTEREST!
…. But at a far deeper level the Church’s work will so often be, and indeed must be, quiet. Marriages, births, and deaths are marked with loving tenderness and care. Pastoral care is discreet not paraded. Food banks, often sponsored by churches, are deliberately low-key so as not to embarrass. Church doors in many places stand open, and candles are lit daily, as people say their personal prayers.
And the clergy are woven into the fabric of our society, as school chaplains, or governors, as workplaces and hospital chaplains, and as they visit the housebound. Such ministries are the glories of the Church of England, as of other Christian denominations. And the work is quiet.
The world can seem full of talk and self-righteous chatter. If we were more hushed, we might hear the work of the Spirit, so often quiet and wonderfully so.
The Very Rev John Davies, The Times 29th December 2025 (Letters to the Editor)
Robert Prevost in the News – again:
On the same day and in the same paper, (London Times) there was a centre spread on the ‘Quiet American set to flex his muscles and reshape Vatican.’ On the following day, that man Robert Prevost (Pope Leo) featured on the Leader Page, as a Bridge Builder, who was leading a church enjoying fresh optimist and a sense of mission. (The Word QUIET – has appeared again.)
Brigitte Bardot:
I rather liked that Brigitte Bardot appeared on the Monday paper too. Her obituary displayed all the glamour, notoriety, vulnerability, freedom, and colour that she brought to the world in her day. However, at 39, she disappeared into a reclusive life, where she showed more affection and love to animals, rather than humans. She did find happiness with one man in her later life, after trying out many, which had led to disappointment and a feeling of being used.
SONGS WITH THE SICK AND AT A FUNERAL:
I had a funeral this morning. Valerie had died. Her daughter also named Valerie, died suddenly, on the 11th September this year. Valerie senior had faded into dementia. It was sad in the Church, many of her neighbours had also died, which meant it was a small gathering. Yes it was a quiet funeral. The grandchildren who called Valerie – Mad Nanny, did well. We went to the grave, where her husband and daughter had been buried. We said some prayers. I asked them to sing a song for Valerie. They did. They sang the song Valerie. They sang it rather well. And they did so with a smile. (Amy Winehouse – used to sing it.) It was good. I got back to base and was called out immediately to a Nursing Home. The family gathered around Deirdre. She too had been nursed at home by the family. She was suffering from many breathing issues, and also dementia. We prayed. They spoke of her life. They were very emotional. They blessed her. The Staff too came in which is always lovely. I then asked them to sing. The sang with Nat King Cole – Mona Lisa. The whole room was full of love and very emotional. It was a prayer.
THE QUIET PRIVILEGE OF MINISTRY AND THE NEED FOR NOISE TOO:
That Letter and the sentiment in it, is rather striking. The quiet glories of the everyday ministry need to be spoken about. The privileges of each day. It is the extraordinary in the ordinary. The invitation into the stories within a family. The sharing. The honesty. The at-home-ness we enjoy. That is why it grieves me at times that we get caught up in the Liturgical formalities rather than let the stories of life become immersed in our celebrations. We can never escape into where we are comfortable. It cannot be about us. However, we do need to note seriously the quiet glories of ministry. Sometimes, we can feel aggrieved that so few priests ever write on the ACP website. Occasionally, we can wonder if there is anyone out there at all. But the truth is that ministry does happen, and is done quietly all the time. Many ministers haven’t either the time or the interest to bother writing on such topics. There is a little concern that in the dullness of our world at present, and the rust that is in the language of The News, we can opt out. There may be an anti-God atmosphere out there, or something that is more likely – apathy towards God and Religions, we can give in and accept that God/Religion is gone missing and unnecessary in life. We do need people then who celebrate faith; who show enthusiasm and contentment in ministry and are willing to shout about it. We can’t call the Gospel: THE GOOD NEWS, if we don’t show it and market it to the full.
Seamus Ahearne osa 30th December 2025.