THE P RTAL
September 2014
“My grandfather was a good man,
a real good protestant and I feel
attached to him. But Protestantism
now is not what he understood it
to be.”
Centres of excellence
Nicola Reeves is an IT Consultant.
Dinner After Mass
We interviewed her on our last
visit to the Darlington Ordinariate
Group (May 2012). She told us, “The
local Catholic Diocese has been very
supportive. What should be a priority
for the Ordinariate is to create ‘Centres
of Excellence’ in the North as well as
in the South as we need many more
of them. The Ordinariate is a great
opportunity for us all. We joined the
Catholic Church together, but there aren’t
enough people to go with the priests. We
do need many more laity. We are growing
here, slowly, but surely.”
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“We are fully supportive
of the Ordinariate, but it
seems we are out on a limb. It is
a problem, yes; but it has made
us stronger. At first, we were not
sure we could do it, but we have
done it, we are doing it! “We are
also growing; seventeen new
people since Holy Week 2012,
and more in the pipeline.
Paul Cooper
To make the point about ‘Centres
of Excellence’ in the North, Paul
Cooper lives in Leeds, some sixtyeight miles distant, yet he comes to St
Osmund’s when there is a big event,
be it religious or social. He also comes
when his name is on the Readers’ List or
as a Sidesman. Quite often, he stays over
a weekend. “I always come if it is a fundraising event,” he said.
Don Ross is Chairman of the local James Beddoe & Owen Winter a lot of antagonism
“I was looking for a way forward.
Ordinariate Trust. This is a Charity that
I visited St James’, Darlington, on
raises money to support the work of the
occasion and talked with Fr Grieves.
Ordinariate. “When we first heard of the
When the Ordinariate was announced
idea of the Ordinariate we gave ourselves
there were just two of us in Leeds
one year to see if it could be done. We had
interested in it, and a lot of antagonism
to be self-sufficient, so we had to raise
Heather Baker Helen Smith
against it. We knew where to come.
£50,000 in that year. I was in charge of
We came up here to meetings and,
this, and I failed by £23! Nevertheless,
when formation began, we joined in
it gave us a platform on which to build.
and became full Catholics with the
Darlington group.
“Justin Welby, when he was Bishop of
Durham, graciously allowed Fr Grieves
best thing I have done
to stay in the Vicarage at St James’, and
James Bulmer &
“Joining the Ordinariate is the
even gave us cash to help. He came to
best thing I have ever done. We
our final service at St James’ to preach. Edelin Sandnes Jos Thompson
are free to worship in the way we
completely self-sufficient
want to without any of the political
“We
moved
to
St
Anne’s
problems. This is my spiritual home,
Catholic Church, but there was no
although I do also attend my local
accommodation for Fr Grieves. Then
Catholic Church. The Catholic
the offer of coming to Gainford was
Church is wonderful; there are so
made. It ticked all the boxes. Bishop
many dimensions to it”.
Seamus Cunningham (Bishop of Mark Mawhinney Hilary André
Hexham and Newcastle) said we could
We met many wonderful people
have the house and the church. It has
during our weekend. Among them
been a great success. We are completely
were Diane and Iain Clifford, Shaun
self-sufficient. Yet technically, we are
and Darren, Alan Gerrard and so
still guests here. Income is increasing
many more. All in all, it was an
and we contribute to the Ordinariate
inspirational weekend, and we were
central funds. I think the Ordinariate
able to see what the Ordinariate is
Rory Thompson
needs a proper structure, like a Paul Cooper
like when it really works. If you are
Diocese. We hope we may get clerical help before long. in the area, do visit. Mass on Sundays is at 11.30.
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