THE P
RTAL
PORTAL NEWS Hemel Hempstead Ordinariate Group
by Jackie Ottaway and Ronald Crane
May 2011 Page 4
The various Ordinariate Groups around the country were preparing to be received into the Catholic Church during Holy Week . The Portal is supportive of them all , for each one is different , and each one valuable and precious .
Hemel Hempstead
It is our intention to report on one such group , a different one , each and every month . One has to begin somewhere and we chose to go to Hemel Hempstead ; not only because Fr Tim Bugby and Fr Gordon Adam are old friends , but because there ’ s is a most interesting Group . Fr Tim and Fr Gordon will be well known to many Ordinariate members . Fr Tim was for many years the driving force of CBS , and Fr Gordon was the Parish Priest at Saint Francis C of E church in Hammerfield , Hemel Hempstead . They now spearhead the local Ordinariate Group , a group of about thirty people ; and a really good job they are doing .
Meeting for their own Mass every Sunday at 9am , they are not typical . The church building they use is also unusual . It is a Catholic Parish Church , but it is in the grounds of the local Catholic School , the John F Kennedy School . The church is a modern building , wide rather than long and seats about one hundred and fifty people .
Palm Sunday
For our visit on Palm Sunday it was packed with members of the local Ordinariate as well as Catholic Parishioners .
The Ordinariate Group in Hemel is diverse . The elderly , young adults , children and middle aged folk are all members . It is lively and full of life and vitality .
On Palm Sunday the Procession , Blessing of Palms and Mass were all celebrated with real vigour , holiness and great devotion .
After Mass we were able to speak with members of
the Ordinariate . Sylvia
Sylvia attended Saint Francis for twenty years and was the Church Treasurer . She said she felt strange at Saint Mark ’ s to start with , “ But now , I like it ! The people here are full of love and warmth . Everyone is so kind and welcoming ,” she continued . As we chatted , it was obvious that she was not a disaffected Anglican , but a catholic on her journey to the Catholic Church .
Over the moon
“ I am over the moon about the Ordinariate ,” announced Brian Cox . He continued , “ It is a real ecumenical moment . It is all we have ever prayed for . We have received a tremendous welcome at Saint Mark ’ s . After our reception into the Church , we shall continue to meet here at 9am every Sunday with our local Catholic Priest . After Pentecost Fr Tim and Fr Gordon will be our priests .” It was clear Brian really was excited about the prospect , in his own words , “ over the moon !”
Family join together
Sitting in front of us at Mass were Katharine and Richard with their three children , Henry who is seven and his younger brother and sister , Bryony and Oberon . The family found the prospect of the Ordinariate exciting . “ It is like going home ,” said Katharine . She told me it was where she always wanted to be . “ The Church has been very good to us ,” she said , “ It has been easier than we ever thought possible .” Richard joined in , “ We have stayed together as a Group and we have our own Mass .” The family has been “ gobsmacked and humbled ” by their welcome . “ Everyone here has bent over backwards for us ,” they said .