Fr Bobby Gilmore recalls John Gordon’s patient and compassionate approach within the faith community in Chester Castle in Jamaica, including his deft handing of one member intent on ‘policing’ the faith of others.
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me. (John 10-14)
John Gordon was a convert from Methodism to Catholicism in the 1950s in Jamaica. He was in his early twenties farming a small plot of land in the municipal parish of Hanover. He wife was a Methodist and remained so all her life. Entering the Catholic faith community of Chester Castle, John became an active member participating in all its activities. After the Vatican Council in Jamaica and elsewhere ongoing renewal became an integral part of the development of the local faith community and the Catholic church in Jamaica.
Later John became a farm manager in a larger estate near where he lived in Hanover. It dealt in food production and animal husbandry. That did not diminish his involvement in the activities of the faith community. Having attended renewal at post Vatican Council conferences and seminars it was John’s challenge to share renewal to the members of his faith community of Chester Castle. This he did with great energy, patience and humour.
John had all the qualities needed for the leadership role he was recognised to have. John’s leadership was best symbolised in a heart with ears that could think. He was a good listener, had understanding, compassion and patience not just for the members of the faith community but in the difficulties and tensions of the wider community, and he could think on his feet.
All communities irrespective of the motivation that leads to their formation are not devoid of the social, political, economic tensions of everyday life. There are internal relationship tensions as well as stress relating to faith community tensions in the wider society. John, probably from his experience of dealing with organising employees in his daily responsibilities as farm manager, was able to recognise the various talents individuals had to offer.
He recognised the energy characteristic of initiators. He appreciated those who offered support, goodwill and information as well as those who offered evaluating opinions allowing all suitable roles to participate and contribute in the community.
The membership of the Chester Castle faith community was varied even if from rural backgrounds. They were employed in a variety of occupations both in the rural and the nearby Montego Bay urban economy. Many were converts to Catholicism from a variety of other expressions of Christianity all taking time to adjust to the norms of the Catholic expression, practice and liturgy in their adapted faith community.
Then there were those whose Catholic belonging originated in traditional isolated Catholic communities in Jamaica. They were what are called cradle Catholics, brought up in Catholic heritage and familiar with its practices, language and rituals. Some regarded themselves as superior to those who were recent converts from other Christian expressions sometimes causing tension for John Gordon.
One of these was a certain Miss Aylen. In late middle age she lived on her own and farmed a small plot of land. Few knew of her background other than she originated in an old Catholic village in the western part of Jamaica. She saw herself as the bearer of the real flame of Catholicism and was assertively articulate in regard to what was and what wasn’t Catholic tradition and practice.
To Miss Aylen, Vatican II and renewal were unwelcome interferences to her nostalgic tradition. Tolerance of newcomers, converts to the faith community was not one of her virtues. She felt it was her responsibility to inform newcomers and children in the catechism class how to behave, worship and participate.
Instances occurred when uninvited she asserted discipline in an overbearing manner resulting in being told to mind her business. This, Miss Aylen resented, leading to heated verbal exchanges. As an old and recognised member of the faith community she would appeal to John Gordon, leaning on him to come on to her side of whatever the dispute was.
John, knowing Miss Aylen, would refuse to be drawn to justify her religious policing in the community. On a few occasions annually this would occur with Miss Aylen threatening to leave the Catholic community and join another non-Catholic, Christian community. Usually, she would carry out her threat.
On one such occasion following an unwarranted intervention by Miss Aylen in which she was rebuffed she decided to depart to another nearby non-Catholic church. After two Sundays noting her absence, I wondered what had happened. So, one Sunday morning, having picked John Gordon on the way to church, I decided to ask about Miss Aylen. In our conversation I remarked worriedly that I hadn’t seen Miss Aylen in church recently.
He recounted her recent escapade with another member of the faith community and in anger left to join another church. He reminded me that such a move by Miss Aylen was an occasional event not causing any great alarm for the Catholic community, but probably alarm for, whatever nearby church, of which there were many, she decided to join. John indicated without saying it, Miss Aylen was trouble.
So, a few Sundays later on our way to the church, with concern, I asked John what we should do about Miss Aylen’s absence? John as always, like all church-going Jamaicans, formally dressed with shoes shone, collar, tie, suit and trilby hat. Sitting in the passenger seat, slowly re-setting his hat pulling it down slightly over his right eye as if to keep out the morning sun, even if there was no sun, with the wisdom of a pastoral life on the land taking care of cattle, sheep and goats and particularly those that stray into other pastures, said; leave her alone, she come home.
Sure enough, two Sundays later, on my way to the church having picked up John, Miss Aylen standing on the roadside, all dressed up for church, waived us down seeking a lift to join us. Neither John nor I passed any remark as if nothing had happened.
Arriving at church Miss Aylen alighted from the jeep and proceeded to join our faith community as any normal Sunday. Without any remarks about her absence, she was welcomed just like everybody else. Taking her place in the choir stall, complete with hymnal, she raised her angelic voice in the glory of the Lord singing: Be Not Afraid – you shall wander far in safety though you do not know the way… She was home again.
Leave her alone, she come home.