NATIONAL PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM

Yesterday was the National Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in this its 950^th year. We left Romford in the minibus at 7.00 a.m. and picked up some passengers at Barkingside, heading up the M11 and then the A11 etc. to Barton Mills for breakfast and a comfort stop. One of the highlights for me is stopping and having the famous bacon butty in the woods.

Suitably refreshed it was straight on to Walsingham and after a quick look round the various shops, a purchase of some Rose Mystica; I went to the Pilgrims Hall as I was assisting with the administration of the Blessed Sacrament. We formed in procession to walk to the Abbey Grounds for the Pontifical Concelebrated Mass presided over by Visitor to the Shrine Father Tony Robinson., the Bishop of Pontefract. The Diocesan Bishop Graham James sat in choir. A number of other Bishops were present including the Bishop of Chichester, the Bishop of Horsham, the Bishop of Burnley, and the Bishop of Beverley (I can’t put names to the rest I’m afraid). After Mass I was supposed to go to the Shrine Church to help with the Anointing but there was some sort of mix up and as I didn’t seem to be needed I returned to my wife and friends for lunch.

After lunch the Bishop of Whitby Father Martin Warner preached the sermon and then it was off in procession to the praying of the rosary and, this year, back to the Abbey Grounds for Benediction. I thought this change from the usual venue in the Shrine Grounds and Shrine Church was excellent and I hope this will be something that can be repeated in the future.

Quite a few of the familiar faces were, of course, missing as they have gone to the Ordinariate but I did see one of the new Ordinariate present amongst the congregation. Overall I think there were as many people present as previously and there seemed to be as many priests as well with a good sprinkling of birettas including one of Spanish design which I rather liked.

After Benediction it was back to the minibus and the short drive to Mother Hubbard’s Fish and Chip Shop in Swaffham for supper prior to the long drive back home. It was a wonderful day and the weather was quite reasonable despite the forecast of rain. Many thanks to Father Martin for organising and driving the minibus. We now look forward to the visit the Redbridge and Havering Ordinariate Exploratory Group will be making on the 16^th July for the Pilgrimage of Reparation and Consecration which is being led by Monsignor Keith Newton. We will celebrate Mass at 12 noon in the Shrine joining with the others after Mass.

6th Sunday of Easter

Yesterday, Ann and I went to the wedding of Vicky Howse and Mark Wheelhouse at St. Augustine’s. I played the organ before the service and for the entry of the bride I played Prelude to the Te Deum by Charpentier. Jon, the church organist and choirmaster, played for the service and I played Widor’s Toccata for the exit of the Bridal party. I concelebrated the Nuptial Mass with Fr Martin, Father Rowland and Father Graham. Afterwards we went to the Reception at West Lodge, Upminster.

Today I presided and preached at the Parish Mass at St. Augustine’s concelebrating with Father Martin ad Father Graham.

FORWARD–BUT TO WHERE?

Yesterday evening I went to Chelmsford for a meeting organised by the Chelmsford Branch of Forward in Faith. After prayers led by Father Martin Howse, Chairperson of the Chelmsford Branch the Lay Chairperson introduced the two speakers Father Jonathan Baker Bishop of Ebbsfleet elect and Steven Parkinson, National Director of Forward in Faith on the subject of “Where we are now”.

Both speakers acknowledged that Catholics in the Church of England were in grave danger of being totally marginalised but one hopeful sign was the appointment of the new Bishop of Richborough and the new Bishop of Ebbsfleet. We were given news of what was happening at various Deanery and Diocesan Synods who were in the process of debating the motion to proceed with the Consecration of Women as Bishops. Both speakers felt that the society model as exemplified by the Society of St. Wilfrid and St Hilda offered Catholics hope for a secure future with sacramental assurance(provided, of course, that this is eventually approved by General Synod). It was suggested that should General Synod not approve it the Society could still go ahead.

After the talks, comments and questions were invited from the packed audience. I pointed out that should the Society come into existence without approval and the Catholic Bishops decide to declare UDI this was no better than forming a schism or, at the best I likened it to the non jurors. Either way, it would have a very limited lifetime and not provide the sacramental assurance needed for future generations. The point was made from the floor that more Catholic vocations to the Sacred Priesthood were urgently needed and we were encouraged by the platform to look to see what suitable candidates might be within our congregations

The Revd. David Banting of Reform was present and gave a short talk during the questions and comments. He pointed out that there were many points on which conservative Evangelicals and Catholics could agree and that we must work together.

It was a good meeting and interesting but at the conclusion I felt that Catholics in the Church of England are in the situation described by Steven Parkinson at the beginning of the meeting as being between a “rock and a hard place”.

MAY IS MARY’S MONTH

The Prayer for England O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and our most gentle Queen and Mother, look down in mercy upon England, your dowry; and upon us all who greatly hope and trust in you. By you it was that Jesus, our Saviour and our hope, was given to the world; and he has given you to us that we may hope still more. Plead for us your children whom you received and accepted at the foot of the cross. O sorrowful Mother, intercede for our separated brethren that, with us, in the one true fold, we may be united to the chief Shepherd, the Vicar of your Son. Pray for us all, dear Mother, that by faith fruitful in good works we may be counted worthy to see and praise God, together with you, in our heavenly home. Amen

Easter

God of Glory, your Son Jesus Christ suffered and died for love of us, and was raised from the dead on the third day as the scriptures foretold. Like Mary, his Mother, we share in his suffering: may we, like her, share also in his glory. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

BACK HOME

 

BOVEY CASTLE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We arrived home from Devon yesterday evening stopping en route for a while to see our son as he prepares to embark for Afghanistan for a second tour of duty. It was lovely to see our other grandchildren as well. In fact there were 4 generations together for tea yesterday afternoon as Ann’s mum was brought to the Cotswolds by Ann’s brother and his wife and our daughter and family were also there.

This morning I concelebrated Mass at St. Augustine’s where we had a Baptism.

MASS AT BOVEY TRACEY

Today we went to the Parish Mass at St. John the Evangelist, Bovey Tracey as we are staying for a few days break fairly near. In March their Parish Priest and some of the congregation joined the Ordinariate so we expected to find a depleted congregation but talking to the new elected Churchwarden we found that those remaining were in good heart. We were made very welcome.

We are staying in a lovely house in the grounds of Bovey Castle - a very up market hotel (5* and very expensive!!!!) in a very lovely area of Devon with our daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. It is many years since we have been to Devon.

MAY IS MARY’S MONTH

Blessed John, Cardinal Newman observed that May belongs to the Easter season: the great feasts of the Ascension, Pentecost, and, not infrequently, the feast of the Holy Trinity are in May. " It is the time in which there are such frequent Alleluias, because Christ has risen from the grave, Christ has ascended on high, and God the Holy Ghost has come down to take His place. Here then we have reason why May is dedicated to the Blessed Mary. She is the first of creatures, the most acceptable child of God, the dearest and nearest to Him. It is fitting then that this month should be hers, in which we especially glory and rejoice in His great Providence to us, in our redemption and sanctification in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost" (Meditations and Devotions, Pt. I. The Month of May [London: Longmans, Green, 1920]).