I have tried to befriend the caretaker of the next-door apartment block trying to be a good neighbour for quite a while by acknowledging the time of the day. Last week we had a conversation and I found out from him that he has been unhappy for a long time because we ( St. Peter’s) never took responsibility for closing off our property and he told me that this made his work difficult because he could not control anyone going through our property to their property and vice versa and certain events that take place there.
Thinking I was the new Caretaker at St. Peter’s he proceeded to thank me for closing off the open space and made some interesting comments about the Parish members in general. Then he asked where was the old white caretaker, had he retired, and did I enjoy working for the church. I thanked him for his comments and relayed to him I did not mend the fence but am very happy that it is done and that he is happy. I said I am the temporary Priest. I wish I had recorded the conversation that followed. (I will leave it to your imagination) We made one person happy and gained a friendly neighbour.
Jagdutt Singh.