THE
P RTAL
June 2011
Page 11
Mgr Keith Newton and some of the group had games Fr Chinery
and went pond-dipping! Louise added that they did
Fr Chinery extolled that their welcome had been
team-building exercises and other activities.
“Wonderful, wonderful!’ He continued, “We have
become part of the community very quickly: Two
The group of young people meet on
communities becoming one.” Yet he
Fridays. Among the activities they
was aware of the dangers here, “It is
have had are Go-Karting and Chair-
a delicate matter. We must be part of
spinning. They discuss their week
the local Catholic Diocese and co-
and reflect on what has happened
operate with the local church and
since they last met. One young
clergy, but at the same time we have
person has joined the group from
to remain distinctive.”
the Catholic Church, so already they
Fr Lashbrooke
are attracting new blood.
Fr Lashbrooke thought the
VOICE
Ordinariate presented opportunities
Paddy was keen we should know
for Mission. “We take with us the
about VOICE. He explained, ‘This
Anglican patrimony, the desire to
is a Christian Youth Event. It gives
reach the wider community. It is
young Christians a chance to meet,
humbling to hear our laity being firm
celebrate their own faith and share
about their faith and in what they
God’s love.’ He continued, ‘We can
believe and not having to apologize
ask questions and know that we
for our Christian Faith.”
receive an honest answer. There are
many workshops too.’ Louise said
He was worried about the question
VOICE was ‘fun.’ Rikki said, ‘We can
of housing for some clergy, and who
invite our mates who don’t know
was going to pay for everything. But,
about Christianity.’ Ryan noted that
the group on Torbay is going: Slowly,
‘We all come together and we all
to be sure, but growing nevertheless.
have a part in organizing it.’
They were admitting their 45 th member
the day we were there.
Brean
We pursued the question of events and
widened the question to national events.
Martha wanted “Summer Camps.” The
whole group picked up on this idea and
remembered the Brean children’s festival
organized by the See of Ebbsfleet. They
wondered if something similar could be
run for the Ordinariate Groups, Rikki
speculated, “Maybe for families and not
just children?”
This sparked a loud and excited discussion about
The Portal believe it or not! Paddy voiced the thoughts
of the whole group when he asked, “Could we have a
‘Youth Page’ in The Portal every month?” Well now,
that is certainly a question worth thinking about. All
we can say now is, “Watch this space!”
Witness
Fr Lashbrooke said “there are more in
the wings”. He was impressed with the
laity who had made the journey so far,
“Some who only attended irregularly,
now come to Mass every Sunday.”
The work for them now, is to become a
real community. They have a Treasurer,
but no Committee, although they do
have regular meetings. Many of these revolved around
food and drink, like any community worth the name.
‘Success’ for the Ordinariate?
We asked, “What do you think would be ‘success’
for the Ordinariate? Fr Lashbrooke replied without
hesitation, “If we engender a prayerful community
whose desire is always to look for other people to enjoy
the gifts God give us.”
It was a privilege to be part of this group, if only
Turning to the whole business of being a witness Louise
wanted badges, a ‘T’-Shirts, a necklace, bracelet and rings. for a brief weekend. The young people especially
However, others in the group felt a Youth Mass would be are stimulating and encouraging for the growing
a good idea. Earlier we had interviewed two of the local Ordinariate.
Ordinariate Clergy, Fr Lashbrooke and Fr Chinery. At the
Make sure you keep them all in your prayers.
time of writing they were in Deacon’s Orders.