A reflection written by Elizabeth Drake and presented to the Community on Sunday 25th June, 2007, on the occasion of our 50th Anniversary.

Thomas More- A gifted boy, child of a family in modest circumstances.

His parents recognised his gifts and gave him all the opportunities they could to develop them.

A model here for us- parents and relations seeing and nurturing their children’s gifts, be they intellectual, sporting, creative, spiritual, social.

Thomas More- A talented boy and young man who seized the opportunities given him.

His studies ranged far and wide, including Latin and Greek, French, history, mathematics, philosophy and the Law. He played the flute and the viola.

His spiritual explorations were a high priority too. He did consider the monastic life and lived for some time in the Carthusian Monastery.

He did not become a monk, but certainly gave the idea deep consideration.

A model for us to keep learning, considering the path we are on, developing our gifts, our faith understanding a spiritual growth.

Thomas More- A committed and loving husband and father.

Thomas’ first wife died in childbirth and later he remarried and fathered more children. Widowed, remarried with a blended family to which he gave plenty of attention despite an increasingly busy public life. His children loved him dearly.

The day before his death he wrote to one daughter, a wonderful letter in which he expressed his love, appreciation and prayer for each member of his family- his children, their spouses, their children.

A model for parents and grandparents, for uncles and aunties too.

Thomas More- A man of strong faith, strong principles, loyalty and of good humour.

Thomas was the first lay man ever appointed as Lord Chancellor of England, a powerful and prominent position and one that brought him close to his King, Henry V111, as advisor and confident.

Unable to accept Henry’s marriages and decisions on other matters, Thomas tried for some time to maintain a distance and did not attend certain public functions. Eventually, however, he was required by Henry to swear to a new Act of Succession and the Oath of Supremacy by which Papal authority was no longer accepted.

Despite the waging of many and then the threats, he refused to sign. He told some friends who tried to persuade him to change his position:

“ Your conscience must save you and mine must save me.”

A model for us when we are faced with decisions which test our conscience and when our belief is at variance with that of others.

Thomas More- A courageous, principled man.

Thomas was imprisoned for treason in April 1534, and spent 15 months in prison. He was visited and supported by his children and some friends and he always spoke and wrote to them with advice, prayer and love.

A model for us in his patience and giving and acceptance of love and service.

Thomas More was beheaded on July 6^th 1535.

His final words summed up Thomas More’s constancy and loyalty-

“The Kings good servant, but God’s first.”

Praise be to God for the honourable, courageous, loving life of our Patron Saint- Thomas More.