St Philip Neri was an Italian. He founded a group of priests known as the Oratorians. One of its most famous members was Cardinal Newman who lived at the Oratory in Birmingham, England. Although the readings today are special to this feast, they are highly appropriate. They both contain words of farewell to companions - Jesus at the Last Supper with His disciples and Paul leaving the city of Ephesus for the last time in a very emotional separation.

St Philip was also a person of strong feelings, who urged people to follow Jesus with joy. Of him it could not be said, "A sad saint is a sad kind of saint." A German unbeliever once said, "If they want me to follow their religion, they should at least look as if they are saved." How do I look to others? Is joy a prominent feature of my life? Is my parish a joy-filled community? Let's make it one.