THE P RTAL
February 2014
UK Page 1
Underneath the Arches!
Jackie Ottaway and Ronald Crane visit the London (South) Group
It was
back in July 2012 that we reported on the Ordinariate Group in South London. They had taken
up residence at Precious Blood, O’Meara Street, Borough. The Church is almost literally “underneath the
arches” but not quite.
Going back and reading our July
2012 report on this Group, one
remembers that they were full of
optimism then. What would it be
like now we wondered? Early in the
New Year we turned up at the 1100 Suzanne Bryant and Shirley
Sunday Mass. Our first surprise was that the
Church building looks so different. Outside
a new notice board declares the presence of
the Ordinariate. Inside the Church has had
quite a transformation. New under-floor
heating, the sacristy has been re-instated,
both bells now ring (!), improved seating and
arrangement of the furniture, a new organ, Christopher Smith
and the sanctuary re-ordered.
second surprise
year. Many events have taken place
since our first visit, but one must
be mentioned. The procession on
the feast of the Assumption of the
BVM was filmed and featured in a
TV advert for Eurostar!
Antonia Lynn, Catherine
Onuorah, and Daisy Powles
We spoke with Antonia Lynn, Catherine
Onuorah, and Daisy Powles after Mass. They
were all enthusiastic about the changes and
the direction of the Parish and Ordinariate
Group. Catherine, a medical Doctor,
mentioned the Sunday School,
the music and - of course LOGS (Ladies Ordinariate
Group). She was full of praise
for “the whole new approach
with different hymns. I think
everyone is OK with it.”
Our second surprise was to
see there were so many people
present that we knew! Our
colleague Joanna Bogle, our
dear friend Chris Smith, and
It’s for everyone
most of those we interviewed
Joanna Boggle, Geoffrey Kirk and Delia Gaze
in 2012, were there. Also
On Anglican Patrimony,
Antonia Lynn, an old college friend of
Antonia said, “For me, as one of the newest
Ronald’s. Indeed Antonia baby-sat for the
here, I have found here a heart that looks
Cranes’ children whilst Ronald was studying
outwards. Precious Blood is not just for us,
at Saint Stephen’s House. Happy Days!
it is for everyone, for the sheep outside the
fold as well as those inside. You can taste it at
The Mass in 2014 was wonderful, with a
Precious Blood; we want to convert England
large number of people present and good
- starting with Borough High Street!”
music and an international congregation.
Daisy told us that she was raised in the
Fr Christopher Pearson CofE, but attended a Catholic School. “I was
TV advert for Eurostar!
A Pastoral Council has been
looking to make the swap to the
formed, rather like a PCC, but
Catholic Church. I am a student.
with nominations rather than
When I came here everything
elections. There are fifteen
fell into place. I received such
members and it meets four times
a genuine and warm welcome
a year, with committees meeting
here”.
more often. They even have two
new people all the time
Churchwardens, one Diocesan Wilma Lambert and Kathie Kempton
and one Ordinariate! The Parish has a Church School
All three are convinced the congregation will grow.
and the clergy are involved with this. It is hoped to They told us there are new people all the time. Antonia
involve the laity before long. The Clergy House is being said, “I have never been hugged and kissed so much
made ready and finances have met all costs in the past before!”