HOMILY PREACHED BY CARDINAL KEITH PATRICK O’BRIEN



It is indeed a privilege being here with you to celebrate the 150th anniversary of your beautiful church dedicated to St Joseph. This area of the Borders is indeed steeped in history – a history which we remember with great love while also hearing of the call to ourselves as followers of Christ as indicated during this Second Sunday of Advent.



EARLY HISTORY:



I know that much of the early history of the Christian Church in Peebles was printed by a previous parish priest; Father John Robinson in a short history of St Joseph’s which he circulated.



He reminds us that it is unknown who indeed were the first Christians in Peebles – but on the wall just inside the main body of this church you will see a rubbing from a stone memorial to the first named priest that we know of: “Neitan, Sacerdos”. It is thought that Neitan who might have been a priest or a bishop lived and ministered here as early as the 5th century. No doubt you are aware that the original stone is now in Peebles Museum along with a number of other most interesting links with the early Church.



The last remains of the original parish church of St Andrew now lie at the edge of the Old Town surrounded by the Town’s Cemetery. For some time it was a collegiate church – but was badly damaged during earlier English raids and transferred at the time of the Reformation to Halyrude and finally to the present site of the parish church. Other pre-reformation chapels and hospitals existed - one dedicated to Our Lady and another to St Leonard.



It was the Church of the Holy Cross, Halyrude, which made Peebles a place of medieval pilgrimage because it was here that an early cross was dug up which in popular thought became associated with devotion to the True Cross.



At the time of the Reformation Peebles seems to have made little resistance to the changes at that time – with the family of Stuarts (later the Maxwell – Stuarts) at Traquair becoming the focus of any remaining loyalty to the old Catholic Church in the whole area.



RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF AN OPEN CATHOLIC PRESENCE IN PEEBLES:



Over the years at Traquair House chaplains served the family – but also the neighbouring Catholic communities. A more tolerant mood began to seep into public awareness and it was by the 30th July 1850 that some two hundred people were able to gather in a room, obtained by the Earl of Traquair, above a carpenters shop somewhere in the High Street to celebrate Mass once more as a community. More people moved into Peebles over the years particularly with the coming of the railway. An appeal for funds for a new church was launched in 1855. The present building of St Joseph’s Church here in Rosetta Road was blessed by the late Bishop Gillis and High Mass was celebrated by the Vicar General, Dr MacPherson, on 29th December 1858.



I know from your Parish Priest, Father George that your 150th celebrations begin with this Mass on Sunday 7th December some 150 years after the first Mass celebrated in this church. It has been a happy thought that the formal liturgy of the Mass was preceded by that short ceremony at the original site on School Brae followed by the procession here to St Joseph’s by way of the Cross Kirk. The celebrations continue through a jubilee service of unity; a special function for Africa; and then the St Cuthbert’s Borders Deanery Lenten Station Mass on the Feast of the Annunciation on Wednesday 25th March 2009.



PURPOSE OF THESE CELEBRATIONS:



The purpose of our gathering for this particular Mass is of course to thank God for all that has happened since Christianity first took root here in Peebles. It seemed at times as if the Catholic Christian Church had been obliterated – but the flame of the faith was always there and the light of Christ has shone forth here from this church over the past 150 years.



Our liturgy of today reminds us both of the Old Testament Prophet Isaiah who called out to God’s people: “Prepare in the wilderness a way for the Lord”, as well as St John the Baptist, who in his own time did prepare that way.



It was indeed the last of the great prophets St John the Baptist of whom we are reminded in the Gospel account today. Quoting the words of the Prophet Isaiah about the messenger being sent ahead to cry in the wilderness we are told then of St John the Baptist appearing in the wilderness and proclaiming that baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. It was John the Baptist who pointed out the way of the Lord when he said: “Someone is following me, someone who is more powerful than I am!”



We might say throughout the history of Christianity in this area there have always been those who remained true to the old faith, continue to live it, and pointed out the way of Christ to others. Difficulties must have abounded but there have always been difficulties in the face of each and every Christian.



I quote some words of our late Holy Father which could have been used to describe the situation at various stages of the history of Peebles. Pope John Paul II stated: “We find it harder to follow Christ today than appears to have been the case before. Witnessing to him in modern life means a daily contest…..there is always that risk of compromising our Christian conscience”.



Yes – those words could have been used at various stages in the history of Peebles – but they were actually used when the Pope visited Scotland some 26 years ago in June 1982.



Perhaps when we consider our own history and lifestyle at this present time we should take those particular words to heart as we look forward to the ongoing history of the Catholic Church in this area.



Perhaps we do find it harder to follow Christ today than appear to have been the case before in our lives! Perhaps we do find it a daily contest to witness to Christ in modern life! Perhaps there is often that risk of compromising our Christian conscience. If Pope John Paul II was able to use those words in 1982 – surely they could also be used of us at this present time.



CONCLUSION:



Thanking God for the past we must also be prepared to face the challenge of living our Christian lifestyles at this present time while looking forward to the future.



Challenges have come and challenges have passed over the past 1,500 years of Christianity here in this place. Challenges will inevitably lie ahead as we continue to try to lead our Catholic Christian lives.



Our faith in God must be as strong as that of the Old Testament prophets; our faith in Jesus Christ, God and man must be as strong as that of St John the Baptist.



May our celebrations today indeed confirm us in our faith and strengthen us for our Catholic Christian living in the years which lie ahead, aware of the proud heritage of which you are successors here in Peebles.

Anthony,Danielle and Olivia bring lighted candles as a symbol of faith looking forward to the next 50 years.

After the Jubilee Mass the Cardinal met the parishoners in the hall for tea and a chat, He spent time with the children before Fr George Smith the PP was given a surprise, as the parishoners had organised a birthday cake and gift for his 70th birthday.

Photographs by and copyright of Paul Mc Sherry

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