The Portal Archive June 2011 | Page 13

THE P RTAL June 2011 Page 13 Letters to the Editor From Fr Peter Walters From The Revd Edwin Barnes Greetings from Colombia! I had some marvellous messages on my reception into the Catholic Church, but none more welcome that one from a long-ago confirmation candidate in my Surrey Parish - which I left twenty four years ago!  Director, Let The Children Live! At Casa Walsingham in Medellín, Colombia, we pray every day for those who are entering the Ordinariate of Our Lady Of Walsingham. This is usually happens at the mid-day Angelus, which is 5pm GMT. He had been a server but during his teens he drifted away. At University he returned to the faith and became a Roman Catholic. Now he is worshipping week by week with his family.  And where is his church?  It is none other than St John’s Farncombe Casa Walsingham, in Medellín, Colombia is the centre funded by the English charity Let The Children where he was Confirmed.  Live! Please keep our work with the street-children For the last thirty years there has been a sharing in your prayers. agreement in that parish, which has meant that Peter Walters between the two Anglican celebrations each Sunday www.letthechildrenlive.org morning there has been a Catholic Mass. It was so good to discover that what we started all that time ago (not without resistance from both our bishops) From Lee Bennett Pastor, South Benfleet Ordinariate Group has continued and flourished.  I wanted to express thanks for your excellent publication, The Portal. I am leading and shepherding the South Benfleet group, one of the smaller groups to join the Ordinariate, and we greatly appreciate hearing from other groups around the country. We are fortunate to be in close contact with our near neighbours, the Hockley Ordinariate group. Our fellowship has been a great encouragement to both groups. The warmth of our welcome from our Catholic brothers and sisters has been truly humbling. But this Lenten journey has been a wilderness experience for some who have left all, to follow Christ in this way. This wilderness experience can include loneliness at times. It may be easier for the clergy leading the groups, not least because of the fellowship we experience in Allen Hall Seminary at our weekly lectures. The Portal does provide a truly valuable service to all those journeying in faith with us, and for that a huge thanks. I am sure that those reading The Portal who are considering making the journey will find The Portal a great comfort too. To all, I say, do not hesitate, trust in the Lord, all will be well. Lee Bennett Even better to hear of the spiritual journey of one man and his family which has brought him back to the building where he first became a Christian.  Perhaps those who say it is “too difficult” to share church buildings could visit that Surrey parish - everything is possible to those who have faith.  Edwin Barnes All letters will be considered for publication unless clearly stated otherwise. Please include your name and address together with a telephone number, but only your name will be published unless you request otherwise. Write on any subject relevant to The Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham to: The Editors The Portal 293 Ordnance Road Enfield Lock Middlesex EN3 6HB [email protected]