THE P RTAL
October 2012 Page 5
evangelism , “ But it is finding opportunities when you are a non-residential entity . It is just being around when people come . The South West Groups all work together and so we are strong all the way through . It is important that structural things are set up quite soon . That was the strength of the Ebbsfleet Apostolic District .”
The Group would find a day event difficult because of travelling . Devon is a long way from London , or Walsingham for that matter !
We asked Fr Ian where the Group would be in ten years time . He replied , “ No idea ! The great aspects of this journey have been how it has trained us how to live in faith . The decision for us , with a large number of dependants , was does God care for us or not ? We have found that he does .”
Tamzin Sparks and Alan Jeffs
We met Tamzin Sparks ( 31 ) a civilian in the Police Force and Alan Jeffs ( 72 ) a retired consulting engineer over lunch in the Abbey Restaurant . They were both enthusiastic about the welcome they had received in the Catholic Church . “ Fr Abbot has been so accommodating with anything to do with the Ordinariate ,” Tamzin told us .
Alan , who is the Group ’ s Organist , felt the Ordinariate has got to provide an easy passage into the Catholic Church . “ Our job is to help other people follow the same route , and we need a Rite of Mass for the Ordinariate .”
united but not absorbed
Tamzin is keen for the Group to be dynamic because then , “ It will have a life of its own .” As in so many places the Group grappled with the “ united but not absorbed ” question .
Anne and Fr Robin Ellis
Stephen Haslam
Kevin Britton
Tamzin Sparks
Stephen Haslam
Stephen Haslam ( 68 ) a retired History Teacher , felt the Group was spoilt by the Abbey . “ They are so generous . We have their wonderful Cantor who is
the Musical Director of the Abbey , and we have three excellent priests . On the other hand , apart from Fr Ian ’ s family , the average age is 60 !
Also the Abbey is not a Parish base . That may make it difficult to expand .” Warming to the subject of Mission and Evangelism he said , “ It is important . It is why the Ordinariate is here ! But it will not be firing on all cylinders in just two years ! It may take a generation .”
He too was exercised by the “ United but not Absorbed ” question . “ Two or three attend Diocesan Catholic Mass and only come to us on high days and feast days . Several come for a few weeks , but have not joined . Is this a problem with being at the Abbey ? We are not setting up a separate Church , yet there is no danger of being absorbed into the Abbey .”
Kevin Britton
Kevin Britton ( 61 ) is a retired Fireman . He described the Group as “ Small ! ... The size of the Group does not trouble anybody . If it grows it will be what the good Lord wants .”
“ No one finds 3pm on a Sunday afternoon a convenient time for Mass . For myself , I take each week as it comes . Any changes ; I would accept them as they come .”
Michael Vian Clark
Michael Vian Clark ( 29 ) is the Director of Music at the Abbey . He was involved with the Buckfast Ordinariate Group from the beginning . “ We are a small number , but we are determined and already we have doubled our number .
We are an Upper Room Group . We meet at an inconvenient time and people travel vast distances . Most important thing is the responsibility on the laity in the Ordinariate . The Clergy rely on the laity as well as visa versa . We also have a lot of fun . Our Group is distinct , but it is also well integrated with the Catholic Parish at the Abbey .”