THE
P RTAL
May 2013
Page 4
In the Heart
of Cromwell Country!
Jackie Ottaway and Ronald Crane visit the Huntingdon Group
It was Low Sunday. We made our way to Huntingdon, once the County town of that delightful county
of Huntingdonshire, now - sadly - swallowed up by Cambridgeshire.
The Ordinariate Group here meets at
the Catholic Church of Saint Michael
the Archangel in Huntingdon. When we
arrived the 09:00 Mass was just coming to
a close. We were ushered into the Church
Hall which also serves as a transept to
the Church. Nevertheless, we set up our
posters and advertising material. As soon
as Mass ended, we were introduced to
the parish priest, Fr Nicholas Kearney,
and then to Keith Barker, a retired
Headmaster.
Shereen Murray
considering the
future
“I am partially responsible
for this,” Keith Barker said.
“All of us went to All Saints’,
Saint Ives. Then the Vicar
retired and was received into
full communion with the
Catholic Church. Many were
considering their future in the
CofE, and all were Forward in
Faith members.
a Group in Huntingdon
“By then, the Ordinariate had started
and a few of us formed a Group in
Huntingdon to draw folk from the
district. We then found that Fr Ivan
and Fr Nicholas (the Catholic priest in
Huntingdon) were already talking. They
had known each other for some years.
From then on it was easy going.
a wonderful tutor
“Fr Nicholas is incredible! He is a
wonderful tutor. Two of our
number became Diocesan
Catholics. We also have Fr
Denis and his wife Hilda. We
are also receiving interest
from people from people in
Spalding.
Evensong
Mr & Mrs John Farrington
“From time to time, we all
get together for Evensong; this
attracts Diocesan Catholics
who are ex-Anglicans too.
the last straw! absolutely marvellous
“The issue was women bishops, but
also the hard line taken towards us by
the CofE did not help. To be told by a
resolution passed in General Synod that
we were not loyal Anglicans was the last
straw! However, we stayed during the
Interregnum and when the new priest
arrived we decided it was time to act. “The welcome we have received here
at Saint Michael‘s has been absolutely
marvellous. We help with the readings
and I even do some of the baking! There
are two Masses on Sunday morning
here, 0900 and 1100. I always go at
0900. This suits me very well.
“It has surprised somewhat that not
more Anglicans from Huntingdon
have joined us because the CofE locally
“Also we had discussions with people
Keith Barker
has had its problems too. Our nearest
at the Sacred Heart RC Church in
Saint Ives. I backed off, but many went ahead and Groups are Wellingborough and Cambridge. From
became Catholics. I had to work it all through. It was time to time we do get together. We expect to attend
increasingly difficult to accept what was happening in the Ordinariate Pilgrimage to Walsingham in June. All
the CofE. In the end I had to act. Some joined other in all, the best I can say is that this is a home from
home.
Anglican Churches, some stopped going altogether!
I had to act