THE
P RTAL
September 2012
Page 11
We had a wonderful Pilgrimage to Fatima in Portugal at the Mediterranean restaurant up the road near
in June 2012 together with a group from Manchester. Archway Tube Station!
We were staff, volunteers, patients and friends of the
Hospital. You know, I think I really enjoy all this! According to the Hospital Web Site:
Antoinette manages the chaplaincy services including
Medical services have been delivered on
volunteers at the Whittington Hospital (around two
the Whittington site since 1473, when a leper
hundred in all). We get on so well. She runs the training
hospital was founded. In 1848, a new hospital
for us. There is also training with Fr Mark Eliott Smith
was built on the St Mary’s site, to care for patients
as well.
with smallpox during the period of epidemic.
With the coming of the National Health Service
The Ordinariate
in 1948, (it) became The Whittington Hospital
I joined the Ordinariate at the earliest opportunity.
and began to modernise. The hospital is now on
I had been Church Warden at Saint Augustine’s
the central St Mary’s site, and has 470 beds.
Highgate just up the road from the Hospital and then
was briefly at Holy Cross, Kings Cross before I joined. Richard Whittington
The Central London Ordinariate Group is a bit strange - the famous “Dick”
because we come from so many different churches.
The Whittington Hospital is an interesting place.
Founded in 1473 by the executors of Richard
Fr Peter Wilson at Newman House in Gower Street Whittington - the famous “Dick” - it is next door to
was wonderful from the beginning. The Central the Whittington Stone Pub. Presumably this is where
Group’s Mass is held at Gower Street. I joined the Dick and his cat stopped and “turned again”!
Students Choir at Newman House as I did not want
to be just pew fodder. When Fr Mark suggested I
The present building is a mixture of many styles,
help him at the Whittington Hospital, I jumped at the providing a wonderful view over London. This was
chance.
much appreciated by everyone in the Hospital when
they were able to have a Grandstand seat for the
I also became attached to Our Lady of Hal in Olympic Fireworks!
Camden Town where they needed assistance with
the children’s choir as well as the adult choir. I am a
At the Whittington volunteers are fully integrated
cantor and on the Readers Rota. As a qualified CELTA into the life of the hospital. There is no suggestion that
teacher (teaching English as a foreign language). I they are “second class”. Everyone at the Whittington
am also aiding two visiting priests to improve their has their job to do be they full or part-time, or a
written and spoken English. One is Italian and works volunteer. The Chaplaincy is similarly full integrated.
at the Vatican and the other is Polish and is a lecturer
at Warsaw University. I really enjoy doing lessons with
Thank you Diana for talking with The Portal , and
them! I love the Ordinariate. I hope and pray we get a thank you for all the work you do at the remarkable
Whittington Hospital.
central London Church soon.
Why do I volunteer at the Chaplaincy? I have always
supported the community. I missed all the work I used
to do for the community when I was a Church Warden,
so when Fr Mark asked, I jumped at the opportunity.
I do one full day every week and then I am “on call” as
and when they need me.”
an infectious faith
Diana is a lively lady with an infectious faith. She is
full of fun, yet someone who really believes and has
a deep and authentic Catholic Faith. Although full of
fun, one thing Diana is not is superficial. Her Faith is
real and alive.
talks to everyone and anyone
As we walk about the Hospital, she talks to everyone
and anyone. She knows most by name. Nursing Staff,
cleaners or ancillary staff, she knows them all: even
Ordinariate Pilgrimage
to Walsingham
Saturday15th Sept 2012
led by
Monsignor Keith Newton
Noon – Angelus and Solemn
Mass at the National Shrine
2:30pm – Holy Mile
and Rosary Procession to
the Anglican Shrine
3:15pm – Sprinkling at
the Anglican Shrine
Pilgrims are invited to bring a picnic lunch
ALL WELCOME!