Passion Sunday, 6th April, by Angelina De Palma
The last of our Lent series of 'God at work' sermons by congregants.
(Photo: Angelina's Italian Grandfather in his church role, cental, looking at the camera)
I was born into what was quintessentially an Italian family, though my Mother was English. My family when I was growing up were my siblings, Nicola and Nicolina together with my wonderful English Grandparents (Gertrude and Reginald)
I was baptised a Roman Catholic, so Christianity has been a large part of my life.
My first school was a Catholic School. Our Head Teacher was a Franciscan Nun, Sister Mary Benedict, I recollect being mesmerised by her the stories of Jesus, her kindness and her wisdom. Every day at that age seemed filled with God.
Our Parish priests over the years, Father Hall, Father Basil and Father Gordon quite often visited our house for tea and cake. My Mother’s cakes went down very well, which now makes me wonder whether cake eating is part of the training for the clergy?
Next, I went to an Ursuline Covent School and again most of my teachers, including the Headmistress were Nuns. My French teacher, Sister Jayne, was quite scary and for always catching me looking out of the window!
I still remember prayers in French, they stayed with me.
To a child the school was an amazing place, beautiful gardens, old buildings with a Chapel and a 400-year-old tree that I remember sitting under during the summer when we had our Art classes outside. Our school motto ‘Serviam’ with God at the heart of all we do ‘I will serve’.
I feel blessed to have spent so many early summer holidays in Italy.
My Italian Grandparents (l mei Nonni) were both very involved in their local Church. My Grandmother attended mass every day and during my stays I remember at a very young age being taken to her evening prayers, where all the Italian Nonnas sat holding their rosaries speaking in unison naturally in Latin. It felt like hours, but I knew I was safe, so I just sat quietly in my own thoughts. One of the highlights was spending a couple of weeks in Rome at my aunt and uncle’s house. I loved those summers. There was always a trip to the Vatican and catching a glimpse of the Pope from St Peter’s Square. In those the days you could touch the foot of the Statue of St Peter before it was put behind glass.
Late summer in Italy is a time of Fiestas which involves the Church, they have processions with statues of Mary and St Antony (Italy’s Patron Saint). It brings the whole community together. I now go to the one in Clerkenwell every July, I recommend it - lots of good food and wine.
There was a time when I didn’t go to Church regularly for many years. I moved to the Barbican 30 years ago, working in the City and somehow you get caught up in everyday life. Despite this I never lost my faith, it has always been with me and quite often I did pop into a place of worship. St Paul’s and so many other churches within the City of London just to sit and pray. A Church is a place where you always feel safe, welcome and at home.
To more recent times…
Just after the Pandemic, when we all started going out again, we had a Barbican Residents’ Garden party where I met many new faces to me in our community, one of the first being, Father Jack, smiling and welcoming as ever. It really did come at the right time for me.
Community and life were what I needed. I slowly started coming into St Giles’ and the more I came along the more it became to mean something very special which is why I am here now with all of you. The world is not perfect but here you always leave feeling hope, and we have our own bit of perfection, united in our belief. I honestly don’t know how I ever lived without it. I have made so many new friends and found a place where you can be part of something very special.
If I ever feel at odds with the World, I know that once I am here, I will feel better and always have something to look forward to. My faith helps me to focus on the positive not the negative. It gets me through the day and what you give out you get back. I love the expression “Pay It Forward”, we can all do something good that will make someone else feel better. I never really spoke about my faith at work but now I am always very proud to say I am part of my church and believe everyone needs a St Giles’ in their life! I see God at Work in the Community.