ragon
THE
P RTAL
May 2012
Page 8
Such fun!
What a
joy to attend the Chrism Mass at the beginning of Holy Week! Not only to
enjoy the splendour of that lovely church (St James’, Spanish Place, near Harley Street and
Selfridges – so handy!). Not only to renew acquaintances and share news (and a bit of gossip!)
as the Ordinariate Groups settle down. Not only to meet up with those preparing to join us
at Easter (one of the first opportunities to really know who they are). But primarily it was a
joy to be together simply to celebrate our Catholic Priesthood – what I call my “translation”
rather than re-ordination. So this year I will be celebrating the first year of my translation
into the Catholic Church!
A joy too, to know that we are
welcoming a substantial number of
people – as new groups are formed
and those pastoring them are now
being prepared for ordination in the coming weeks
and months.
number of priests to provide for our groups. The next
“wave” will just as adequately support those now
joining us, with enough priests of a “more senior” age
providing much needed support.
a sign of life
This is a joy because it is
a sign of life: the life of the
Church and the proclamation
of the Risen Lord. There
have been critics who said
the thing would never get off
the ground. There has been
scepticism that it would ever
take off and would flounder
at the first hurdle. Concerns
remain about the financial
support that is needed simply The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Antonio Mennini, with Monsignor
to keep the show on the road. Keith Newton and the Ordinariate priests after the Chrism Mass
But here we are: rejoicing in
our priesthood and ministering to our people (and But truly a joy!
many beyond our own close-knit communities).
But….the fostering of new vocations will truly be the
fostering vocations
sign of the future life we aspire to. We stressed it in the
But a further joy is to know that we are now fostering Church we came from and it remains just as true for
vocations. What a joy to witness the ordination of two us now. It is a worry where these men will come from,
of our Deacons – James and Daniel - in yet another where they will be trained and how their training will
splendid building – this time St Patrick’s, Soho Square be paid for….but like Gamaliel, we have to believe that
(newly refurbished to a magnificent standard). An if this movement is “of God”, then He will provide.
important marker for our future life.
thrive and grow
Pray for vocations
Pray for vocations and support the vocational life in
our Ordinariate movement. We have no need to get
tied up in the knots we did as Anglicans about who
can or cannot be ordained: it is not now our issue.
Simply let us pray that God’s will may be done – in
and through those called to share in and reflect the
ministry of the One High Priest Himself, who we
We shall never survive if we have to rely upon celebrate at this season as being risen from the dead.
diocesan priests providing sacramental cover for
“our” distinctive services. The first wave saw sufficient
It is a great joy!
These are all causes of celebration simply because
they are truly an expression of our desire to fulfil the
Holy Father’s aspiration to thrive and grow within the
life of the Catholic Church of this country. Vocations
to ministerial life are a chief sign of that life.