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RAF Centenary Mass at Farm Street

  • Barry Hudd

Image by SAC Katrina Knox ©UK MoD.

Image by SAC Katrina Knox ©UK MoD.

A special Mass to mark the centenary of the RAF was celebrated at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street, by Bishop Paul Mason, his first major event since his installation as Bishop of the Forces.

The large congregation included Service men and women from the Royal Navy and Army as well as many serving and retired RAF personnel and their families.

Also present was the Chaplain in Chief of the RAF, Rev John Ellis and a number of Chaplains from other denominations.

The homily was preached by Fr James Caufield, Principal Catholic Chaplain to the RAF. He started by saying that he had been waiting a long time for this Mass - since he was 11 years old and he wanted to become a priest and he wanted to become a Chaplain in the RAF.
The theme of the Mass was the motto of the RAF Chaplains Branch - Ministrare Non Ministrari: To serve, not to be served. Remembering Chaplains who have served the RAF over the years.

He mentioned Fr Harry Beauchamp whose chalice and ciborium was used in the Mass who served as an Army Chaplain in the trenches in Paschendale and was awarded the Military Cross. He transferred into the Royal Flying Corps and continued to serve until he retired just before the start of World War 2. When war broke out he returned to support and serve the trainees at RAF Halton.

He said: "The heart of our Service family is the Eucharist and the Sacraments. On Operations, saying Mass and listening to confessions is a true blessing. There are times when obstacles get in your way like people trying to throw rockets, bombs and bullets when you are saying Mass so you lie on the floor, you put on your battle bowler and you just get on with the Mass. They don't teach you that in seminary! I am not leaving this spot - the Lord in the Eucharist is with us. The faith of the person who comes to me is not particularly important, what is important is that I have the faith to help them."

He concluded by saying "When you have forgotten this sermon, what you will never forget is that on this day we have shared in the Eucharist as and celebrated as members of a family and in this Mass we have acknowledged all who have gone before us and pledged to serve and to continue to serve those who follow after. We are a family, we share our faith, we are growing together in love and strength with the Lord."


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