It was a pleasure to be invited to participate in the inauguration of Father Patrick Feyisetan at St Mary's in West Croydon this evening.
Father Patrick gave a warm, humourous sermon outlining his hope to serve our local community. His congregation were in good spirits as we celebrated his appointment with great food, energetic music and lots of dancing!
Father Patrick first became a priest in 1993 and so celebrated his 25th anniversary in November last year.
There was a section of the service that stuck with me - directed to me and the other elected officials present: Cllr Stranack, Cllr Letts and Cllr Croos (pictured).
Father Patrick said:
'...Councillors, I welcome your presence and promise to co-operate with you for the common good of the constituency of Croydon Central in the London Borough of Croydon.'
There are so many incredible organisations - churches and charities, businesses and voluntary groups - all working together to make Croydon what it is. Quite often it's an unspoken or unwritten contract that we make with each other, that we exist in a community together and so we do our bit, however small, to make that community a little bit better.
It was nice to take a moment to have it said out loud, and to be able to respond: "We welcome your help in the service of the community."
Wishing Father Patrick all the best going forwarrd, I look forward to working with him and St Mary's over the coming years.
