Enabling The Mission: Week One
Last week, Father John introduced Enabling the Mission, reflecting on the history of the Church’s mission here in Poole and the part we have always played—even when we haven’t fully recognised or understood it.
Over the coming weeks, we are invited to reflect on what that mission means for us today, and how each of us can contribute through our time, gifts and presence.
Explore the Week One booklet
Read the booklet below at your own pace. As you explore, you might like to consider:
What might God be inviting me to contribute to the life and mission of our parish?
The Week Two booklet will be shared here when it becomes available. Please check back as we continue this journey together.
Father Johns Homily 4th October 2026
Enabling the Mission
One hundred and eighty years ago in 1846 the parish of St. Mary’s and St. Philomena was opened in West Quay Road, Poole enabling the mission of the Church to bring the Catholic faith to the People of Poole. Father Herbert Woolett was the first parish Priest. He and his successors together have continued to build on those early days.
In 1959 Canon James Buckley built the church of St. Anthony’s in York Road, Broadstone extending the mission and since then it has continued to grow. In 1973 the new Church of St. Mary’s was opened in Wimborne replacing the original church in West Quay Road.
Today the Church of God made up of both clergy and people continues to build on those earlier days. The ways in which we worship may have changed but the faith we proclaim remains the same. Our parish vision reminds us of what we are about.
The Second Vatican Council called by Pope John in the 1960s and seen through to its conclusion by Pope Paul VI enabled the people of God to have a greater role in the liturgy and in the life of the Church. In recent years we have moved away from a Priest led church to a church where both people and clergy work together for the greater good. Women especially, have been given a greater role in the life of the church with women being appointed to some of the most senior positions in the Vatican. And, here in our parish we have become a multicultural parish with people worshiping and praying together from all parts of the world giving us a true sense of the universality of the church.
Each and everyone of us is called to enable the mission of the church to continue here in Poole. In the words of St. Peter, we are living stones with Christ as our cornerstone (1Peter. 2:7).
Over the next four Sundays you will be hearing a lot about enabling mission.
Today I want to focus on Stewardship. Stewardship takes many forms’ not only in maintaining the buildings and finance but also spiritually and outreach to others fulling our baptismal vocation and using the gifts God has given to us. The Lord call us to use the gifts we have not the ones we don’t. So, if, you’re tone deaf I would dare to suggest God hasn’t called you to be a member of the music group. But there will be many other things we can do; help in preparing our children for First Communion or helping with children’s liturgy, being part of the team that regularly streams the Sunday Mass or may be using our professional skills we may have and of course, looking at how we support the church financially.
Another aspect of all of this is Synodality, something which Pope Francis called for, and Pope Leo is continuing. So, what is synodality? Firstly, it is a new way of looking at Parish pastoral Councils but it’s far more than that. Synodality is the Church rediscovering its original way of being walking together, listening deeply, and discerning the Holy Spirit as one body. It empowers every parishioner – not just leaders – to contribute their gifts, experiences, and insights. It is about renewing relationships, revitalising participation, and ensuring that our parishes become places where the Gospel is lived with joy, unity and purpose.
As you leave the Church this morning/evening you will be given a booklet on “our call to stewardship” please take it home and read it. I invite you all to pray for and engage with this new venture so that together with God’s help we can ensure the mission of the Church continues in this part of the Lord’s vineyard.