The Portal January 2019 | Page 18

THE P RTAL January 2019 Page 18 A work in Progress Jackie Ottaway and Ronald Crane visit the Ordinariate’s first official parish E arlier last year, the Right Revd Mgr Keith Newton visited Torbay and made the church of Our Lady of Walsingham and St Cuthbert Mayne the first parish of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. We thought it was about time we re-visited the good people of this first parish. December 2017 to December They really are a jolly lot. It 2018 we provided 29,000 meals was a real pleasure to be with across Torbay. them for the weekend. On Saturday, we went to the Craft Fair. The little hall was full of “We hold collections in stores; happy people. These included some people are abusive, most mass goers and folk who rarely are very kind and generous. I – if ever – attend the Holy have always volunteered, and Sacrifice. Never mind, all were yes, I am a cradle Catholic, Lorraine McEvoy and Karen Lawrence involved with the crafts and but worship here at Our Lady the other activities at the sale. The food, of Walsingham.” Lorraine is joined at especially, was very good indeed. We the food bank and at church by Karen bought tombola tickets, visited all the Lawrence. stalls, drank tea and coffee and ate a bacon Roger Dulley sandwich. All the time we were joined by Roger is a retired landscape gardener a lovely bunch of people. What better to and tree surgeon. He is involved with do on a Saturday morning? the Knights of St Columba, Torbay 329 branch. “We are the only Ordinariate On Sunday, we were at Sung Mass. The group”, he told us. “We have six members, former Methodist Church is gradually and come to mass on Thursday evenings, taking shape as a Catholic Church. The then hold our meeting. We have a congregation too, is growing steadily. Roger Dulley pennant made. Fr David blessed it and There were certainly more folk present for made it official. Brother John is getting on this visit than for our last one. in years, so I take over as Grand Knight Lorraine McEvoy in April. Of course, there are refreshments after mass, and we joined in. Many of you “We work in the community. We remember Lorraine McEvoy from our assist with the Larder, and help Sr Mary previous visit. She is involved with the Joseph. Br Morris helps all over the Paignton Community Larder, the local country with the Latin Mass. He cleans food bank. They have applied to be an at the Sacred Heart. Br Alex serves at the official Charity. The Larder moves between Altar and volunteers at Brunel Manor, Fr Jonathan Creer locations. For part of the week they are at an ecumenical house of prayer. Br Paul Paignton Parish (CofE) Church where is based in Exeter and looks after health Preb. Roger Carlton welcomes them, and and safety. We all do various things in the they also are at Christ Church with the community; service like this is a good Revd John Pont. witness. People may just walk in with ID and receive three parcels in six months. Lorraine told us, “Universal Credit means we have to relax the rules from time to time. People must wait for up to six weeks before receiving any money at all. From “Our meetings are monthly. Of course we also care for the widows of our Knights.” Fr Jonathan Creer Suzanne Taylor “I have been here since January 2018. It