THE
P RTAL
June 2012
have a small catchment area on the Island. With regard
to growth Fr Jonathan reflected, “Disaffected Anglicans
is an important point. My view is that not
many will leave the C of E. Yet we are a
bridge. We are here for people who need
to make the move. We are here for people
with a Church background.”
Page 5
E, so it is a worry for us too.” It would be hard going,
financially, if they had to leave Saint Mary’s.
Chaplaincies continue
Fr Jonathan is still Chaplain to the Sea
Cadets and continues to visit the local
Primary School as well as being a Trustee
Ronni Petrossian
of Abbeyfield at All Saints Ryde.
Ruth hopes the Group grows and told
us that it had grown a little but already,
she continued “We have lost a couple,
but I would be sad it people drifted off to
the Diocesan Mass.” Elizabeth said that
she hoped the Group would grow. Her
husband said they had encouraged one or
two and “we have one or two Anglicans
who come along.” Elizabeth wondered if
they would be inundated?
They have strong links with
the new Group at Saint Agatha’s
Portsmouth and join for Mass
once a month. When we asked
about the future, Fr Jonathan
would not be drawn, “I have
reached the conclusion that we
are dependant on the Holy Spirit”
he said.
Stephanie Rickard; Elizabeth and Derek Stephens
tea and cake
Earlier we had enjoyed tea and cake
with members of the congregation. Ruth
Smith, a mother of two teenagers, is a
Teaching Assistant at a Primary School
on then Island; Ronnie Petrossian, a
Diocesan Catholic, is a School Secretary;
Steph Rickard has been in customer
services for the local authority for twenty
five years; Elizabeth and Derek Stephens Ruth Smith
are both retired, he from motor
parts distribution and she as an hotel
receptionist.
No regrets
Mission and
Evangelism
They all felt it was too early
to make plans for Mission and
Evangelism, but Derek was of
the opinion that they should
“nudge a few that we know. If we
had our own Church it would be
different, but it is very hard as
a lodger.” We had a discussion
about the whole problem of Mission and
Evangelism when one is sharing someone
else’s church building. They are aware of
the difficulties, dopes one go for lapsed
Catholics, disaffected Anglicans or people
without a church upbringing?
Ronnie is an enthusiastic supporter of
the Group and sings with their Choir.
Indeed the Group Choir and that at Saint
Mary’s practice together and sing
with each other from time to time.
She is already booked up to join us at
Walsingham in September.
“Thank you”
None of them have any regrets
about leaving the C of E, although
Ruth was anxious to say “Thank
Ruth expressed sadness that her
you” to those who have made this
mother felt unable to make the move.
exciting time possible. She would
They have been made very welcome
not have joined the Catholic Church
in the Catholic Church. Steph said
as an individual, but with the Pope
that it felt like coming home it was so
making it possible to join as a Group,
warm and friendly. Ruth told us that
it really works. She and her teenage
it was a rough time at Saint Micha el’s, Yvonne Kyan and John Lovell.
children had a massive discussion
but that she feels she belongs and has
and decided to join. She was full of
come home. They all mentioned Fr Michael as being praise for Fr Jonathan and Wendy, “they have worked
warm in his welcome.
so hard” she said.
Coming to finances Ruth said, “We all pay. We all
This is a good Group and we very much enjoyed our
give!” Steph added that many made their contribution visit. They are happy, confident, committed and well
by standing orders. Derek said that money was their led. The Ordinariate’s presence on the Isle of Wight
only worry. “We know finances are crucifying the C of seems assured.