By Reena Bartrip, Parish Secretary

After months of organising and planning it finally came together. On Saturday 3 August we started off the celebrations for Fr Harry's (Curtis) Ruby Anniversary with a parish fun day held at Sacred Heart church for both Our Lady Help of Christians and Sacred Heart parishioners (Oxford).  

We had international food, music and dancing along with a bouncy castle and games for everyone to enjoy. A cake was presented at the end to commemorate the occasion which was a special moment for everyone there. 

It was a great turnout and I was delighted to see so many people supporting the day and Fr Harry's milestone occasion.

Saturday Photo Gallery

On Sunday 4 August a special Mass was held at Our Lady’s church for parishioners from both Our Lady’s and Sacred Heart, along with Fr Harry's family members who had travelled from Ireland, and a minibus of people from St Joseph the Worker in Coventry, Fr Harry’s previous parish. 

It was a lovely celebration service led by Fr Harry and concelebrated by Fr Martin, Fr Graham, Fr Fanzwa, Dcn Kevin, Dcn Pete and Dcn James.

The African community had a traditional song and dance up the aisle when presenting the gospel, this was lovely and really lit up the service.

There was a special offertory procession by Fr Harry’s family members which was beautiful.

I have never seen the church quite so full and I wondered how many more people would have come if it was not August and they were away on holiday.

After Mass we had a reception in the hall, which had been decorated beautifully, followed by Fr Harry cutting the cake. A presentation from the altar servers of a scrap book with special messages written inside and a gift from the Salesian cooperators was given, along with a funny story about when they went to London to buy the gift.

It was then time for Fr Harry’s surprise! Video messages from those who were not able to attend were played.  

The videos were from the local schools that Fr Harry works closely with and also parishioners. I had a second video of messages from Deacons and Priests and even a very special message from His Grace, Archbishop Bernard Longley. Fr Harry was overjoyed to see and hear these messages. They meant a lot to him, he was indeed surprised and very touched.

I feel honoured and privileged to have been involved in organising and planning Fr Harry's Ruby Anniversary and making it a reality, it was a pleasure to work with people from both parishes who came together to give Fr Harry the best celebration weekend that he deserves.

I already know how much Fr Harry means to us here in Oxford.

However, while planning the surprise of secret videos and a scrapbook, I have learnt that Fr Harry is a much-loved and respected priest by many people, I have enjoyed hearing all the wonderful things that people he has worked with have to say about him, he has touched so many lives.

When the event came to an end and I went around to say thank you and goodbye, the ladies who came from Coventry said - 'Reena, Fr Harry was our loss in Coventry but your gain here in Oxford' I felt these words were heartfelt and something which I will always remember.

Fr Harry is a special priest and we are very lucky to have him here with us in Oxford looking after two parishes. We hope that he will be our priest for many more years to come.  

I have already been told that people are looking forward to his 50th anniversary celebrations after the wonderful events from the weekend!

Fr Harry's Reflection

Sometimes you just have to wonder what the Lord is up to!

When I was at school I didn’t know what I wanted to be, but I decided there were two things I didn’t want: to be a priest and to be a teacher.  Now, after forty years of being a priest, including ten years on the formation staff teaching at Oscott, I can only conclude that the Lord has a sense of humour and that He knows best.

The years have brought many wonderful experiences – leading parish pilgrimages to the Holy Land and to Rome spring to mind (which have given me countless homilies beginning “When I was in …”) or having a parish church consecrated by the Archbishop (which I discovered involved far more work and brought far more rewards than I had ever expected).

However, I can think of few more wonderful experiences than the celebrations of so many friends with me over the last weekend when I celebrated my 40th Anniversary.  I thank them all, and most of all I thank God for His mysterious, hilarious, but ultimately wonderful works.

Fr. Harry Curtis

Sunday Photo Gallery