THE P RTAL
September 2013
Page 4
The Duchess, the Director of Music and the Entertainments Manager
Jackie Ottaway and Ronald Crane meet the Maidstone Group
Water i n g b u ry is
a short distance from Kent’s county town, Maidstone. The local Ordinariate Group meets in the charmingly named Barming Road. Mass is at 1100 on Sunday in the True Life in Daisy, Lily, Mia and Ella God chapel of Our Lady. It is in the garden of Robin and Christine Mace’s bungalow where they have turned old stables into a beautiful chapel. Fr Paul Gibbon
a nickname for everyone
We parked the car and were greeted by Robin who introduced us to the “Director of Music”, the “Entertainments Manager” and “The Duchess”. He has a nickname for everyone.
The time of 1100 was obviously convenient as it had been chosen by the Group. Denise could see this Group growing, “It will grow. We have new faces already. People are unhappy and searching for what the Ordinariate can offer.” Simon had spoken with people in the CofE who were interested but had not come over yet. Barry said “People are cautious about leaving their building.” Fatmir thought, “People will join the Catholic Church via the Ordinariate because it is a link.” Most felt it did not matter if people remained in the Ordinariate or became Diocesan Catholics.
mass was beautiful
The mass was beautiful with nineteen adults (ten male, nine female) and four children present. Fr Paul Gibbons celebrated a holy mass.
Geraldine Hiller
lack of knowledge
A lack of knowledge about the Ordinariate worried them. Maureen said she was “Unaware until I met Fr Paul.” Roy felt that if people disagreed with what the CofE was doing they could just become Catholics. Simon said, “It is an opportunity for the Catholic Church to understand what the CofE has. There may be opportunity for the Ordinariate to grow into the Catholic Church. I don’t think it understands much about the CofE.” Doris Nicklin interrupted us to say, “My husband is an ex CofE minister who became Catholic in the early 1990s. I come from Malta. The CofE and the Catholic Church are so different. Catholics need education and the Ordinariate has opened my eyes.”
Fatmir Ceka
a cup of tea and chat
Afterwards we settled down with a cup of tea to chat with some of those present. Fatmir Ceka is a British subject who escaped from Montenegro and is Fr Paul’s ‘Man Friday’ and an Ordinariate Catholic. Simon Walker Denise Preskett is a Diocesan Catholic, a possible Permanent Deacon and formerly an Anglican Lay Reader. Roy Govey-Quilter is a Diocesan Catholic but registered with the Ordinariate by marriage to Maureen. Simon Walker Barry Johnson, the altar server, is a Diocesan Catholic. Having found this Group, he occasionally brings a group with him from Gillingham. Denise Preskett is the daughter of Robin and Christine and is being prepared for reception into the Ordinariate. Roy Gobey-Quilter
when God calls
Denise admitted to not coming from any other Church. “I was one of the great unwashed,” she said. “It is a different experience when God calls you to the Church. I came through the CofE, then God drew me to the Catholic Church. The Ordinariate enabled me to reach that. It is a blessing.”
arrived home
They all affirmed that they had been welcomed into the Catholic Church and made comfortable. Maureen said she had “arrived Maureen home”. Gobey-Quilter
All things are from the Lord
Christine Mace told us, “All things are from the Lord and grow at His pace, not ours. Let Him lead.”