Padre Phil

keeping in touch

Padre’s Pauses……..

In recent weeks, quite a few people have asked me if I have ever written down any of the short stories, homelies or reflections I use. The answer until now has been NO. They have gone on to ask, “Why not?” and “ Why don’t you, then ?”

So Padre’s Pauses is an attempt on website and in magazine to do so ----

Why PADRE ? As you will have realised by now, I answer to most names or things – as long as, preferably, it is not rude. I hope that everyone will address me by the name that they find most ‘comfortable’ for them. Very often this will depend on the circumstances in which we have met, school, youth group, adult education, community, church or ship, so it might be Phil, Father Phil, Mr Hiscock, Rev, Bish,, Sin Bosun, or even Sir. I think probably the most challenging, humbling and yet all-embracing is Padre. So over the years I have used it as part of email addresses when possible and even my own website, padrephil, which acts as a way of keeping in contact with many people.

Why PAUSES ? Over the years, whether in church, parish, school, port or on ship, some of the most meaningful conversations have been the short two or three minute chats, the snatched moments. Colleagues and students taking the opportunity of passing in the corridor, the short break between phonecalls or meetings, the brief break on board ship or on the minibus to the Seamen’s Club, have all proved how vital these short pauses or God-given opportunities can be.

Every Blessing

Phil

Padre’s Pauses……..

To have one’s efforts recognised is a vital ingredient in life. This last Remembrance season reminded me of this important fact. Not long before I left to go to Dunkirk, I had considerable contact with the Russian Convoy Association and had the privilege of being involved in the dedication of their new standard. The service that we conducted was on the parade ground just in front of HMS Victory. The service was attended by many ‘dignitaries’ including a number of senior Russian Military Attachés and officials. To see the warmth of the recognition of the vital work undertaken in the cruel waters of the Artic in World War Two by the men of both the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy at that time cheered the hearts of the remaining veterans. They had been striving for so long to achieve tangible recognition from their own country in the form of a medal for what they had done, yet still nothing had been forthcoming.

It was not until 2006 while we were in Dunkirk, that we received the news that a ‘Star’ had finally been awarded in recognition of what their efforts and sacrifices had achieved. Sadly this news came too late for one of my friends who had been involved in the action; David died just a few weeks before the award of the Star!

Let us not miss the opportunity to recognise the efforts of others, in the same way that we would like others to recognise our efforts. It is not about ‘seeking reward’, it is about ‘respect’ and ‘encouragement’ for who we are, what we are and what we do.

‘I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance…..’ Revelation 2:19

Phil