In memory of a priest who died suddenly over Christmas

It is a year since Fr Joe Williams went out shopping, a youngish priest at 42, after a very happy celebration of Christmas in his parish of St Martin de Porres in Luton.

We know he died in his car in the local supermarket car park on 27 December from natural causes. The parish and pastoral area will gather to celebrate Mass for him, and to remember his family, on the feast of St John the Evangelist, the disciple who leaned close to Christ at the Last Supper.

Sadly he was not found until three days later, by coincidence the day after the feast of Thomas of Canterbury, the patron of parish clergy. Ironically, the two saints frame his life. He had served in several parishes as a priest for the people, and while unassuming and shy in many ways, he came alive when he preached and celebrated Mass, leaning close to Christ and his people. That is why the parish dedicated new chalices to enhance the liturgy in his memory.

His death was a shock to everyone, especially the parish. The initial concerns were for his family, for the funeral, and then his burial at Buckfast Abbey, where he was an oblate. Then came the reality of coping as with any bereavement. Here the parish came together, as would any community, to support one another. People already involved drew others into their work. At first local priests provided for the sacramental life, with a team of parishioners taking more responsibility in the local hospital.

After a month or so, a priest studying in London came to live and provide stability at weekends. The people were very appreciative that Sunday Mass was always available and generally too, daily Mass for the 30 to 40 regular daily Mass-goers. Sacramental programmes continued and the situation challenged the parish to reflect on how much responsibility it needed to take for its life.

A new parish priest arrived in September, younger even than Fr Joe! This was greeted with much joy, and renewed hope. The experience of not having a parish priest helped the people see how much is often laid at the priest’s door, which is rightly the work of the people, and this in a parish which was already very active.

At the same time the need to have a focus for the community had become very clear. The permanent presence of, in this case, a parish priest who can bring together the work of so many generous people gives a stability and reassurance to a parish community.

Mgr Kevin McGinnell is the episcopal Vicar for Education and Formation in the diocese of Northamptonshire