THE P RTAL
April 2014
UK Page 1
A visit with a
difference!
UK
Pages
Jackie Ottaway and Ronald Crane visit Shrewsbury
The rain
meant the walk up the little hill from the car park was less than pleasant. However,
once inside the Catholic Cathedral the welcome was warm. Five Stewards greeted us with Mass Sheets,
Weekly Notice Sheets, and Hymn Sheets. As we were early, there was plenty of choice about seating.
on the small side for a Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of Our Lady, Help of
Christians and St Peter of Alcantara is a
pleasing building, if on the small side for a
Cathedral. We were here to meet Fr David
Mawson. He spotted us and came to say
“Hallo”. He introduced us to the Dean,
Canon Stephen Coonan.
Cardinal Wiseman
Vicar at the CofE Parish of All Saints Shrewsbury).
When we knew about the Ordinariate, he got in touch.
I was asked to be his Mentor. There are
just not many members of the Ordinariate
in Shropshire, and I was keen for Fr David
to have a base here at the Cathedral. He
travels round to see those that there are.
Anglican Patrimony shines
through
In 1852, Bertram Arthur Talbot, the
“It is terrific to have him here. The lay
17th Earl of Shrewsbury, offered to build
people are OK about him. They have taken
a cathedral on which the new diocese of
him on board. We did explain about the
Shrewsbury would be based. The cathedral Canon Stephen Coonan
Ordinariate. People have welcomed him.
was designed by Edward Pugin, the son of Augustus He has a wonderful way. When he comes to our clergy
Welby Northmore Pugin. Unfortunately, the Earl died meetings, his Anglican Patrimony shines through!
three months prior to its completion,
The other Catholic clergy really appreciate
but on 29th October 1856, the cathedral
this.”
was completed and opened by Cardinal
Thelma Wright
Wiseman.
Thelma Wright is a retired Teacher. “I
As we had being saying our prayers, a
was brought up in the CofE,” she said,
large congregation had assembled. In no
“And became a Catholic at twenty five
time at all it was time for Mass to begin,
years of age. Fr David has fitted in very
the Celebrant being Fr David.
well. He is good with his homilies, and
good pastorally as well. I knew him when
After Mass, we were directed to the Pilarina Fernandes
he was at All Saints.
Chapter House where tea and coffee, and
soup and bread, were served by the local Lourdes
“One of my tasks is to help prepare children for their
Group. Never being ones to forego food,
first Holy Communion, and Fr David
we joined in.
helps with the service and the ceremony.
He is so knowledgeable. He fits into the
Resident in the Parish
Catholic world very well.”
Canon Stephen Coonan was delighted to
Pilarina Fernandes
have Fr David as “Resident in the Parish:
The Revd David Mawson (Ordinariate of
Pilarina Fernandes is a nurse at the local
Our Lady of Walsingham)” as it states in
hospital. Just by her thumb, is tattooed a
the Catholic Directory for England and
cross. We had to ask! She told us that the
Wales.
Patron of Goa, where she is from, is St
Fr David Mawson
Francis Xavier. The tattooed cross is for
Canon Coonan told us, “I have known Fr David for Christians from that part of the world to make the
a long time. When I came here about eight years ago, sign of the cross with. “Thus everyone would know
he was at All Saints Shrewsbury (Fr David has been that you are Christian, alive or dead”.