THE
P RTAL
April 2019
Page 19
boys. She is a Catholic convert from the CofE and first three children, one of whom is The Revd Mark
came to Walsingham as an Anglican some fifty years Rowland, here on the Pilgrimage. Diane was on the
Pilgrimage because of her son.
ago. “It has changed a lot,” she told us,
“and for the better, mainly because of
She describes herself as “a middle of
the Ecumenical Covenant.” (Signed by
the road Methodist, nether high or low.”
the CofE and Catholic Shrines).
People had told her she might find the
Pilgrimage “exotic”, but she told us that
“It is more professional and accessible.
this was not the case. “I am interested to
I am pleased that there is now access for
see what is significant and important to
people to come on retreat here. At our
the other people here.
local Churches Together meeting, our
Methodist Minister, the Revd Adam
I am comfortable with, shall I say
Stephenson, brought a brochure about
Eleanor Jackson
“Liturgy”, but less comfortable with
the EMPT and asked if anyone would be
venerating an icon or statue, yet I
interested in attending. He said it would
appreciate a picture or a candle as an aid
be the greatest four days you could have.
to prayer. I need to ponder these things in
I am really enjoying it and I am glad I
the weeks to come.”
came.”
Eleanor Jackson is a Quaker who
converted from Methodism when she
was nineteen years of age. “My husband
came to a previous Pilgrimage with
EMPT, and I have been before. Fr Mark
asked me to come this year and lead a
Bible Study. I knew I would be out of my
comfort zone.
Although the theology here is not
always mine, I do recognise the truth
behind it. Quakers are part of Churches
Together, and have been for many
years. Ecumenism is important in that
here there are so many traditions here
together. It carries on at the dining
table as well. There is a real desire to
understand the God behind it all.”
Tony Webster
Many people talk about Ecumenism, but
few are prepared actually to participate
in it. As Ordinariate members, we are
Ecumenical People, having accepted the
invitation of the Catholic Church to bring
into the Church some of the riches of
Anglicanism.
The EMPT is a splendid organisation
and their bi-annual Pilgrimage to
Walsingham is well worth attending.
Next year they will organise a single day
pilgrimage at a location to be decided.
Watch this space for details. It is
something members of the Ordinariate
ought to be involved with.
Hilary Finlay
Tony Webster is seventy eight and married to Celia.
He is CofE, she Catholic. They have been married for
over fifty years. Sadly, Celia is not able to attend the
Pilgrimage any more, but Tony manages to come. He
remembers with affection Walsingham in “the old
days”; especially spam and apple for breakfast in what
is now the Pilgrim Hall. This was Tony’s fourth EMPT
Pilgrimage. “It is wonderful being here with people
with wide and diverse beliefs.”
Mike Russell gave the talk on Modern Marian Poetry.
A Catholic, he is a retired schoolmaster who taught for
thirty three years. He has always loved poetry. After
retirement, he did an MA in Marian Studies with Sarah
Boss, and his Dissertation was on twentieth century
Marian Poetry by major British poets.
Diane Rowland is a retired Professor of Law with
Forms of words for Making a Bequest
in favour of the Personal Ordinariate
of Our Lady of Walsingham in your Will
I GIVE to the Ordinariate of Our Lady
of Walsingham, 24 Golden Square, London
W1F 9JR, the sum of ______ pounds (£
) and
I DIRECT that the receipt of the Treasurer or other
proper officer of the Personal Ordinariate of Our
Lady of Walsingham shall be good and sufficient
discharge to my Executor.
or
I GIVE the residue of my estate to the
Ordinariate
of
Our
Lady
of
Walsingham, 24 Golden Square, London W1F
9JR, and I DIRECT that the receipt of the Treasurer
or other proper officer of the Personal Ordinariate
of Our Lady of Walsingham shall be good and
sufficient discharge to my Executor.