THE P RTAL
February 2014
UK Page 7
UK Groups News
Mary, one of the Augustinian Canonesses, joined the
SSM Sisters for Vespers in Chapel to round up a lovely
On 22nd December 2013 at the 4.30 pm Ordinariate gathering.
Mass at St Mary’s Church, West Croydon, the Croydon
Group welcomed it’s newest member when Fr Donald
Minchew baptised Edmund Graham.
On 19th December 2013, members of the Ipswich
Edmund was born on 26th November and is brother Ordinariate Group joined with friends and family
to Catherine, who will be four on 14th February, and of Margaret for her Requiem Mass at the Church of
Arthur who recently celebrated his second birthday. the Holy Family and St Michael, Kesgrave, Suffolk.
His parents, Anna-Maria and Timothy provided Fr David Skeoch concelebrated with Canon Michael
a splendid tea in the Crypt at St Mary’s following Hazell, Fr Jon Ravensdale and Fr John Warrington,
the baptism (see pictures of the two older children Parish Priest.
enjoying the spread!!). It was a truly lovely occasion
celebrated by friends and family.”
Margaret had been an active member of the
Ordinariate since its inception; she helped Fr David
On Sunday 5th January at the 4.30 p.m. Ordinariate to organise the monthly masses and was a regular
Mass at St. Mary’s . Everyone was given a piece of reader and cantor. With her husband, David, she took
chalk, which was blessed by Fr Donald, together with an active part in the first Ordinariate Pilgrimage to
full explanation and details for them to write on the Rome, in spite of her illness.
entrance to their houses (MMXIV +C+M+B).
Amongst Margaret’s achievements were: Queen’s
Many churches bless chalk at Mass on the Epiphany. Guide, District Commissioner in Germany, member of
People take pieces of the blessed chalk and mark their the Ipswich Trefoil Guild, keen mountaineer, linguist,
front doorway thus: 20+C+M+B+14. This stands member of the London Concord Singers, pianist and
for the year just begun and for the traditional names organist.
of the Magi – Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. The
inscription is renewed each year, the numbers being
Margaret delighted in her children’s achievements.
changed as required. The letters also abbreviate the With Christopher and his wife, she visited Turkey, and
Latin words “Christus mansionem benedicat” “May was proud when Chris was appointed to a Lectureship
Christ bless the house”.
at Regent’s University, London. She was overjoyed when
Katherine married a Scotsman, David. Katherine’s
The crosses represent Christ, whom we invoke, and singing career gave her pleasure and she listened to
the saintliness of the Magi. The inscription is made Radio 3 whenever the BBC Singers were performing.
above the front door, so that all who enter and depart The highlight of the last eighteen months was the birth
may enjoy God’s blessing. They are also a way o