THE
P RTAL
July 2017
important to support our liturgy and
choir.”
obviously pivotal to the running of
things in the church at Gainford. He
is also, as we can testify, a charming
lunch companion.
Nicola said, “The Group raises the
cash for Father’s stipend and we send
cash to the Ordinariate central fund
every month, as well as all the extra
collections through the year and for
the disadvantaged.”
This Group has many talented
people, from Rory, Harry, Sean,
Brian Jones, and so many more. This
Group attracts people from many
different walks of life. We met Martin
Bartholomew, Clair Roberts, as well as
Paul and Margaret Cooper, all from
Leeds.
The next day was the Feast of
Pentecost. Solemn Mass was beautfully
celebrated with wonderful music
and liturgy. Father Grieves said mass
humbly, devoutly and with effortless
precision. The tiny church was packed
full of people.
There are few more uplifting
events than the Eucharistic Sacrifice
offered with love, care and devotion.
Immaculate serving accompanied the
priest, and wonderful music helped
all along. But the congregation at St
Osmund’s were not mere spectators,
everyone in the building was totally
involved in the offering. Mind you, it
was a squeeze, Every pew was full to
bursting point.
Alan Gerard
Alan is s stand-in MC, and judging
by the thunderous applause he
received as thanks for organising the
Parish Lunch, popular, well thought
of, and much appreciated. He is
They attend mass when they can,
but try to make the social events.
Esther and Brian Dunleavy are from
St Augustine’s RC parish. Brian serves
at St Osmund’s but, as Esther said,
“We just love the worhsip here. It is a
fifteen minute drive for us from home.
We have duties at St Augustine’s as
Readers and Eucharistic Ministers,
but we love it here.”
Another non-Ordinariate lady we
met is Carolyn McAllister. She and Jos
Thompson write (they are not painted)
icons. They had recently been on an
Icon Writing Retreat. They brought
back two examples of their work -
absolutely beautiful, and obviously
done with much prayer.
After Mass we all moved to the
Village Hall for a lovely three course
lunch.
We managed to speak with
Alan Gerard. He is mult-talented,
running a Book Club, a troop of
players who do murder mysteries
for our congregations and other
venues. He describes himself as
“The local dogsbody!”. Alan was
born in Loughborough and worked
as an historian and in archeology
associated with the Council for
British Archeology, then took early
retirement. “I still do a bit”, he said,
“but not much! I write children’s
books nowadays. The latest is called
‘The Haunted Trousers’ “ (£7:99 from
Amazon).
Page 13
Carolyn McAllister
Jos Thompson
Carolyn told us that she is
retired now, but is from a nursing
background. A member of the Servite
Secular Institute of the Servants of
Mary, she lives the single life, but not
in community, although the Servants
do take the full Evangelical Counsels.
Another from St Agusutine’s, she
attends daily mass at St Osmund’s
and finds value in the music at
Gainford, set as it often is, to Latin
texts.
As you will have gathered, we had
a wonderful and fruitful visit to
Gainford. If you find yourself in the
Darlington area, Mass on Sundays is at
1130 in the tiny, but beautiful church
of St Osmund’s. It is not difficult to
find being right on the main road
through the village and opposite the
Village Hall.