After two years of serving the parish of Our Lady & St Joseph with great love and devotion Fr John Hai Pham moved to a new parish - St Margaret Clitherow in Grahame Park -  on Wednesday (28th Sept 2005). Here is his leaving letter to our parish.

Having To Say Goodbye

From Fr. John Hai,

Dear Parishioners,

It would, I feel, be inappropriate if I did not offer a few words before I leave this parish at the end of the month. As you know, the Cardinal has appointed me as Administrator of St Margaret Clitherow's parish in Grahame Park. Having worked for two years at Kingsland, I have seen such a variety of activities and I can only say that I am immensely grateful for those two years at Our Lady & St Joseph's and for the opportunity to be part of such a vibrant community which continues to grow in size and commitment. During this time, I have learned a lot. I have met such wonderful people, & this experience has a deep place in my heart.

First of all, I would like to thank Father Christopher for his support, encouragement and kindness during my time here, and from my observation in the past two nears I know him to be a much-loved priest who has devoted himself to the work of pastoral care and teaching of the faith in Kingsland.

Secondly, I would like to thank this congregation for being here weekend after weekend to celebrate your faith and my faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ. I would also like to thank the weekday congregation for their loyalty and faithfulness to the daily Mass: their faith helped to support me in my faith and priesthood, and I appreciate that very much. I would like as well to thank the sick, nursing homes and those who are house bound, whom I visited with the sacraments of Holy Communion and Anointing. I am convinced that the greatest gift a people can give their priest is to support him in his faith and priesthood. In the two years I have spent here, I have also shared much in the lives of so many children - happy events like First Holy Communion & Confirmation - the joy of wedding days, the sorrow of so many deaths during my time here. For what ever good I have done, for whatever service I have rendered, I give thanks to God and you all.

Finally, I thank you all very much for your kindness, generous support, encouragement, friendship and prayers over the past two years. I am happy that so many have sent their good wishes for wherever God's spirit will lead me. I have no doubt as I look back that I will think fondly of you. It would be dishonest of me not to say that I hope you will think fondly of me too! I shall miss Kingsland very much. I hope I will be in your prayers as you will be in mine. May God bless you all.

Fr John Hai Pham

and here is the letter he wrote following the farewell party...

Just a few words to thank you very much for your gathering in the hall for my farewell. It was a very special occasion to celebrate with you. Especial thanks to those who prepared food and drink. It was hard to encapsulate what Our Lady & St Joseph's has meant to me. I know that I spoke to many of you far too briefly, and that others were unable to be there. I am grateful for the generous cheque I was given, which I shall put to good use in my work. May God bless you all. My new address is: -

St Margaret Clitherow Presbytery

Everglade Strand

Grahame Park

London

NW9 5PX

Telephone: 0208 205 6830

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