Snapdragon


THE P RTAL


May 2012 Such fun!


WHAT A joy to attend the Chrism Mass at the beginning of Holy Week! Not only to enjoy the splendour of that lovely church (St James’, Spanish Place, near Harley Street and Selfridges – so handy!). Not only to renew acquaintances and share news (and a bit of gossip!) as the Ordinariate Groups settle down. Not only to meet up with those preparing to join us at Easter (one of the first opportunities to really know who they are). But primarily it was a joy to be together simply to celebrate our Catholic Priesthood – what I call my “translation” rather than re-ordination. So this year I will be celebrating the first year of my translation into the Catholic Church!


A joy too, to know that we are


welcoming a substantial number of people – as new groups are formed and those pastoring them are now


being prepared for ordination in the coming weeks and months.


A sign of life Tis is a joy because it is


a sign of life: the life of the Church and the proclamation of the Risen Lord. Tere have been critics who said the thing would never get off the ground. Tere has been scepticism that it would ever take off and would flounder at the first hurdle. Concerns remain about the financial support that is needed simply to keep the show on the road. But here we are: rejoicing in our priesthood and ministering to our people (and many beyond our own close-knit communities).


Fostering vocations But a further joy is to know that we are now fostering


vocations. What a joy to witness the ordination of two of our Deacons – James and Daniel - in yet another splendid building – this time St Patrick’s, Soho Square (newly refurbished to a magnificent standard). An important marker for our future life.


Thrive and grow Tese are all causes of celebration simply because


they are truly an expression of our desire to fulfil the Holy Father’s aspiration to thrive and grow within the life of the Catholic Church of this country. Vocations to ministerial life are a chief sign of that life.


We shall never survive if we have to rely upon diocesan priests providing sacramental cover “our” distinctive services. Te first wave saw sufficient


for It is a great joy!


number of priests to provide for our groups. Te next “wave” will just as adequately support those now joining us, with enough priests of a “more senior” age providing much needed support.


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The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Antonio Mennini, with Monsignor Keith Newton and the Ordinariate priests after the Chrism Mass


But truly a joy! But….the fostering of new vocations will truly be the


sign of the future life we aspire to. We stressed it in the Church we came from and it remains just as true for us now. It is a worry where these men will come from, where they will be trained and how their training will be paid for….but like Gamaliel, we have to believe that if this movement is “of God”, then He will provide.


Pray for vocations Pray for vocations and support the vocational life in


our Ordinariate movement. We have no need to get tied up in the knots we did as Anglicans about who can or cannot be ordained: it is not now our issue. Simply let us pray that God’s will may be done – in and through those called to share in and reflect the ministry of the One High Priest Himself, who we celebrate at this season as being risen from the dead.


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