THE
P RTAL
January 2016
“The Ordinariate can, by being itself, remind the
Catholic Church of the importance of Conversion
to Christ by reaching out to non-Catholics and nonChristians. After all, everyone in the Ordinariate has in
some sense or other received the grace of conversion”.
Benedict’s and God’s
vision
Page 13
Fr David said, “My life here is built around the Office,
Mass, silence and prayer. I thought I was the only
hermit with a long path behind me but when I talk to
other hermits they all have long complicated stories
with other people not really seeing where they fitted
in. It’s rarely been straightforward.”
alone but not lonely
Jackie asked. “What do you think the
Jackie asked, “Is it of necessity a
task of the Ordinariate is? What are
life alone but not lonely?” Fr David
we here for? What is Pope Benedict’s
responded at once, “Yes, with the
and God’s vision for us? “It’s partly to
Lord. There’s a great difference between
be a bridge,” Fr David responded. “I
being alone with the Lord and being
think it’s to help the Catholic Church
alone with oneself. The being alone
to be confident in itself and outward
with oneself is a temptation! People ask
looking. English Catholicism, English
you to pray for things so you do. I pray
Catholic Christianity, is something
for the diocese and the Ordinariate, I
which I think the Ordinariate can
pray for Mgr Newton, for Bishop John
show confidence about and help
and for the Pope of course, but there is
the Catholic Church in England to
also a sense that one is just being with
be confident about. The people of England have the God, with the Church and on a fundamental level that
right to have the Catholic Church, the Catholic Faith, is what it’s about. I celebrate Mass on Sundays with the
presented to them. I think the Ordinariate should have parish; on other days I celebrate on my own here.”
the confidence to help with that.”
different and special
uncharted waters
Jackie had another question, “Have you’ve reached
the heart of your vocation here or is it just uncharted
waters and you wait and see what happens?” Fr David
answered, “Well it is always uncharted waters but at
the end of the day I think both of those things are true.
I appreciate the Benedictine approach and stability is
Fr David continued, “I think we just need to be who an important part of that so I think one remains in a
we are and do what we do with confidence in the grace stable place or has a stable pattern of life and tries to be
of God, without concentrating too much on ourselves. faithful to it and not be distracted from it. Whenever I
One of the images that comes to mind is the Buddhist need to leave here for any good reason, it always takes
story of the salt doll which is told to go and immerse two or three days to get my bearings again. The other
itself into the sea. It says it can’t do that because it will side is that one can’t just make one’s own particular
disintegrate. But it gets into the sea, disappears but life…at the end of the day it’s a means to an end not an
then says, ‘Now I’ve become the sea.’
end in itself and the end is the will of God.”
Jackie continued the theme, “As individuals in the
Ordinariate, or as groups within the Ordinariate, how
should we be showing people out there that we are
different and special?”
faith, grace and renewal
“The really important thing is the faith, the grace
of God, the renewal of the spiritual life. I don’t think
the Church today is in any worse state than it’s ever
been. St Catherine of Siena and St Teresa of Avila were
conscious of shortcomings, lack of faith and scandals
going on in their own day. We think this is new but it’s
not; it’s the mystery of our salvation.
Jackie said, “I can see a lot of people looking in could
almost see it as being a selfish thing.” Fr David said,
“That’s what everyone says. I’m tempted to say that if
you think that, try it! There are plenty of trials along
the way.”
Jackie said again, “The other thing is, what use is it?”
Fr David responded, “The answer to that is, do you
believe in prayer?” Jackie again, “Other people rely on
“The Ordinariate has to organise itself and its your prayers.” Fr David, “Yes that’s true. Actually, other
structures but I think there’s a danger of the Ordinariate people are relying on you to do it even if they don’t
becoming too much of a ‘Thing’ in itself. It’s part of the realise it. You have a responsibility to others to try to
Catholic Church and we are first and foremost faithful be faithful”.
Catholic Christians. The focus must be the mission of
the Church not the mission of the Ordinariate. But the
We are grateful to Fr David for his time and hospitality.
Ordinariate can help”.
He also provided us with a splendid lunch.
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