THE
P RTAL
December 2011
Page 4
The Ordinariate in Deal
Jackie Ottaway and Ronald Crane visit Deal in Kent
The autumn
sun streamed through the window. Incense hung on the air, shimmering in the
sunshine. The incense surrounded the Altar. The priest elevated the Host high above his head. The choir sang
plainsong. All was beauty, mystery and wonder.
Saint John the Evangelist Mongeham, in Deal, Kent
was the setting. It was a tremendous moment. One
thought about phrases like “Anglican Patrimony”, and
worshipped.
inspirational, Group
We had driven into Kent to visit this
small, yet inspirational, Group.
After Mass we spoke with some of
those present. Although they had no
regrets about joining the Ordinariate,
David Tilley did have some questions.
free-lance lecturer, opined that growth would be slow,
but others would come from the C of E, eventually.
Turning to Mission and Evangelisation, they were
aware that their priest had links with the local Catholic
School, and they had plans to bring
lapsed Catholics back into the fold.
Ruth Cooke, a retired head of Centre
at Alderbrook College, told us that
they already joined other Catholics for
some acts of worship.
As a group, they thought it was too
early to approach the “great unwashed”.
A local Church magazine would help,
or a Newsletter. The hard part would
be getting it through people’s front
doors.
The Choir - back row: Paul
He saw a danger in being subsumed
Stubbings,
Mark Levett, Laurie
into the wider Catholic Church, and
Rogers,
front:
Jane Lindlar,
identified problems about finance both
Miranda
Amess,
Anita Amess
locally and nationally. They identified
difficulties with banking, cheques not cashed, some
Although they had no hard and fast plans for mission
not acknowledged, problems with Gift Aid. Of course,
they realised it was early days and things take time, but or evangelisation, they expressed the belief that they
were of prime importance.
there was a concern at how long it was taking.
They all agreed that worshipping
at Saint John’s was convenient. They
were grateful at being given the use
of Saint John’s, but acknowledged
they were a smaller group than they
had been in the C of E. The building
at Saint John’s lacked “presence”, the
floor was noisy and the building
difficult to use.
With regard to other Ordinariate
Groups in the area, they said there was
a need for a list of times of Mass and
a contact number or e-mail address.
warm welcome
All said they got on very well with
other Catholics in the area. They had
received a warm welcome, indeed the
Imogen Corrigan
local Catholics had bought service
Having Mass at 1130 was not the most convenient books for them. They were acutely aware that they had
time, although it could be worse. They have appointed much work to do, social and otherwise. Yet they were
a Treasurer, but have no Committee, feeling that with anxious not to appear as people who just came in and
less than twenty members they are too small for such took over.
things. The local Catholic Parish does not have a
Relations with the C of E were on the level of personal
Pastoral Committee either. They had found socialising
a problem. Someone complained that the musicians friendships. The Group knew it could not possibly
did not mix with the congregation. Now where have provide for their priest, although most members had
Standing Orders.
we heard that before?
Growth
In answer to a question about growth for their
Group they all replied, “Hope so!” Imogen Corrigan, a
Jackie asked about their reaction to a national day-
event for the Ordinariate. They were enthusiastic, and
David Tilley spoke for all present when he said, “When