THE P RTAL


March 2012 London-on-Sea


Jackie Ottaway and Ronald Crane visit the Ordinariate Group in Hockley, Essex


THE SNOW had fallen, it was bitterly cold, and the weatherman advised everyone not to travel unnecessarily. We were not deterred, but made our way to the north-side of the Tames estuary, and no Essex jokes either!.


Hockley is part of that great conurbation


that includes South Benfleet, Southend- on-Sea, Westcliff-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea and even Canvey Island. Te area has been called “London-on-Sea”. Te people are friendly and welcoming. We always enjoy our visits to this part of the world.


Friendly welcome Te Ordinariate Mass is at 1030 in the


church of Saint Pius X in Hockley. We approached the small, rather dull, brick building, sliding over snow and ice. Fr Jeff Woolnough was at the door to


greet everyone. Inside the


welcome was warm and sincere. Tere were about fiſty people present of all ages including half a dozen children. Te Mass was beautiful and enjoyable, and the singing and music good. Pauline James played the piano more than competently.


Julie & Fr Jeff Woolnough


found the intimacy of Saint Pius “lovely”. Peter outlined a problem for this Group.


“We were seventy in number when the Group was formed. Now Fr Jeff is the Priest at Saint Peter’s in Eastwood, we do not see as much of him as we would like. A few have fallen away.


Now we can attend Mass at any Catholic


Church, and some of our number chose to do so. We have a Mass on a Friday morning, and some of the elderly come to that, they attend the nearest Church to them on Sundays.” It appears that some have become assimilated into what we might call Diocesan Catholicism.


to provide Fr Jeff with a stipend. “Indeed, we thought


Helen Leonard and Frances Caulson Aſterwards were enjoyed tea, coffee


and biscuits with those present. Peter Wickham, a semi-retired Health and Safety Manager for London Underground; Pat Salmon a part-time medical administrator and her husband John, a self-employed carpet fitter; together with Angela Moxham who is a Receptionist at a Garage all agreed to talk with us.


Any regrets? We always begin by asking if they have


Pauline James


any regrets at joining the Ordinariate, and so far just one lady has replied “Yes”. Here they all replied “Absolutely not!” No one we spoke with had any regrets, indeed most said they wished they had made the move years ago!


Our interviewees all found the place and time of Mass


convenient. Peter, Pat, John and Angela all missed the medieval building where they did once worship, but


Angela felt they could afford that


is what


would happen.” She continued “We have Fr Bob White, but he has been ill. Fr Jeff is overworked.”


Wonderful to be here Pat, John and Angela wanted to remain


positive and told me that it was wonderful being in full communion with the See of Peter, they find it liberating not having continually to explain themselves to other Christians, and when they read about events in the Anglican Communion they know they are “well out of it!”


Peter felt their Group will grow as people


see things becoming clearer. Pat disagreed. She could not see the Group growing in the foreseeable future. Angela made the point that it is hard to grow without a proper building.


Mission and Evangelism With regard to Mission and Evangelism, Peter said,


“We have talked about this. All Christians ought to be Missioners, we should all tell others about the Faith.”


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