St Peter's Pastoral Area

In 1993 a young Polish man was completely paralysed after a motorbike accident. Even his breathing had to be supported. But his mind remained sharp and clear. Despite the great care provided by his parents, he was feeling so isolated that in 2007 he applied to the President of Poland to let him die. Permission wasn’t granted for legal reasons; but his request prompted wide public discussion. However, and more importantly, his request attracted the attention of some charities and individuals. As it turned out, his request was in fact a cry for attention and love. Five years later, as disabled now as he was back then, he enjoys life and is an inspiring figure for many people. In Poland euthanasia is forbidden by law. But there were vibrant individuals, many of them inspired by Christian values, who really saved his life.

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It was when I was in my early twenties, and I was a very zealous Christian. I was spending part of my summer holiday in a formation camp in a pretty remote mountain village in Poland. One day I took the opportunity to visit a neighbouring town about 10 miles away. Public transport was very limited so I had only two options to make the return journey back to camp: a 3 hour-long walk or thumbing a lift. I opted for the latter, so there I was, trying to stop cars; sadly all of them were passing me by. I was losing all hope of a lift when at last a car stopped and the driver let me in. I was so relieved and happy! I said to him: ‘you are sent by God’. He dryly replied: ‘No, I’m not, actually.’

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I’ve recently been to my home town to visit my mum. Once it was a strategically important railway hub and military area; now it’s a small, unimportant town. Once it was a playground for an interested kid, nowadays it’s just a place of blurred memories. I left the town when I finished college and actually I’ve never really returned to it. My bonds with the people and the place have been loosened until they have practically faded away. However unpleasant it sounds – it’s just a place, visited without any personal excitement.

People make a place interesting; or more accurately: relationships turn even the dullest place into something exciting. My former primary school was a huge featureless building full of anonymous pupils; but classmates and some teachers turned it into a vibrant and lively space. Years later the building is still the same, but for me it’s a long dead place.

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The Incredulity of Saint Thomas by Caravaggio

During last Lent two groups of people were gathering once a week at St Peter’s and St Mary’s for a series of meetings pretentiously called biblical studies. Week by week, meeting by meeting I tried to deprive the participants of their faith; in this regard I was apparently unsuccessful. I missed ten football matches of the Champions League as they were broadcast at the same time as the meetings, and I gained nothing.

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