It was 1:10 pm at Manchester Piccadilly. Manchester was beginning to see crowds heading in one direction. And why not? It was supposed to be the most crucial derby in the town – a football match between Manchester City and Manchester United.
I was not in Manchester for …
Thomas Alphonso, a kind-hearted volunteer who came to pick me up at the stations, told me about the match. Now, I could understand why my train from London was jam-packed, with passengers standing for almost three hours and a few sitting on the floor of the passage of the compartment. An earlier train was cancelled, and announcements were made to take a later train, as all seats were occupied. A football fan would rather stand than miss the match. But I remained immune to the buzz, immersed in my travel time – reading the latest issue of the Tablet and getting an occasional dose of sleep.
And there, add to my delay. A motorcycle traffic cop blocked our lane. Strip Cardoso, another volunteer, offered us a lift and told me more about the event. What a sight! You see the players moving towards the stadium in two black buses with tinted glasses. The sound of traffic-controlling vehicles buzzing the parade. It is a sign of tight security for football players, a national treasure with an economic boost for local businesses.
But I was amazed to see a monument titled “Victory over Blindness” remembers the lives of 3000 First World War veterans who lost sight in service to the nation, returning to rebuild their lives after sight loss. It is right outside the station entrance.
I wish to come to Manchester one day to watch a high-intensity match.
The real reason to visit Manchester
But I was in Manchester for a different reason. It was a quiet city church built in the early 18th century. St Mary’s Church at Mulberry Street is the oldest Catholic church established in England after the Reformation.
The Irish immigrants settled in a lesser-known corner of Manchester, which today is the throbbing hub of Manchester.
“It’s like a mother church; people visit because of their connection to the faith”, says Monsignor Anthony Kay, the present parish priest of the church. “Some people were either baptised at St Mary’s or got married here. They come to light a candle or offer prayers,” says Monsignor Kay, the former vicar General of Salford diocese. He welcomed the Goan community to the parish.
The best part of the retreat
Goan Association North West had invited me to lead a congregation into a Lenten retreat. It was a first-of-a-kind event, and the newly formed group was organised for the Goan community in Manchester.
As the retreat began, I knelt in silent adoration when most of Manchester would be either in the stadium or glued to the television on a Sunday afternoon. The choice to be for a retreat made the congregation unique. A few participants did drive over an hour to attend a three-hour retreat.
The best part was the Q&A—young people with questions. And there should be more questions during reflection time than experts offering perfect solutions. Questions centred around forgiveness, teaching young people. “Stop telling young people what to do,” I reminded myself, rather than share with them more stories about life.
Although I had a ride back to the station waiting, Thomas suggested it was just a 10-minute walk. I preferred walking through the city streets.
After the retreat, I walked via the high street, soaking Manchester’s beat. The football match was about to end; I wanted to board a train before the mad rush heading back to London. I still did not check the score, but I made sure I was safely inside the correct train. It was a relief; the train was almost always empty, and a delay of 15 minutes would land me amidst loads of fans returning home.
Thanks to Melanie Antao, the president of the Goan Association North West and Louie Pereira, who coordinated the spiritual event with a great passion for people to connect the Goan diaspora in Manchester and beyond.
About the Author
Feroz Fernandes, a Catholic Missionary, identifies himself as an Uncommon Priest. Father Feroz loves adventure in the apostolate. Check out his debut book The Uncommon Priest: Incredible Stories You Never Read. And also, the YouTube Channel: Feroz Fernandes promotes a better understanding of scripture.
A day before we arrived at Lourdes, it rained on the mountains. The river flows fast and furious. It’s a sight, sound, and savoury taste – a feeling of freshness like youthful energy running in the pilgrims to walk the high stations, join the blessed sacrament procession, or participate in the candlelight service. The weak and vulnerable discover new energy to complete challenging tasks.
