I am totally delighted to be here in Ogle Street as your new Parish Priest. The Lord has blessed me to play some small part in the story of Saint Charles Borromeo; the church (both building and parish family)!

Though sad to leave Saint Paul’s Wood Green, I arrive in Ogle Street conscious of the immense spiritual legacy of dear Father Alan.

We were in the seminary together in the late 1960’s and remained good friends. I loved him as a dear brother in the Lord and, with you, I continue to love him and ask now for his intercession and help. I have no inside information of arrangements on the other side of physical death, but I have absolutely no doubt that Father Alan remains close to his beloved Ogle Street.

I like the “geography” of today’s Gospel – “The Kingdom of God is close at hand” God’s kingdom is possible! Reachable! Touchable! Surely those who have gone before us are not far away? In fact, they are particularly close when we celebrate the Mass. At every Eucharist in and around Saint Charles, Father Alan Fudge is near.
Given Father’s immense ministry as a pastor and preacher, perhaps in any other walk of life, there would be talk now of a “closing down sale”, but this is never true in the life of faith, instead……