THE P RTAL
February 2015
Joanna Bogle recounts the events of an
evening at Precious Blood, Borough
I
t was
fun, enormous fun. A particular happy evening. It
included Evensong, Mass, a delicious and hearty dinner, poetry,
toasts, and great conviviality.
What was it?
The fourth anniversary of the Ordinariate, celebrated
in style by the South London group, honoured by the
presence of Mgr Keith and Gill Newton - for whom
it was of course an extra-special day, being the 4th
anniversary of that splendid day in Westminster
Cathedral when Father Keith was ordained a priest in
full communion with the Catholic Church.
Things began with Evensong at the Church of the
Most Precious Blood, at London Bridge. In a sense,
there was nothing unusual about that, because
Thursdays at Precious Blood Church always start with
Evensong - and it is something that this writer has
come to love and cherish. Then followed Mass - again a
part of every Thursday evening, but this time with lots
of music, and a special sense of joy and thanksgiving.
And then we repaired to the Royal Oak, for the hearty
dinner mentioned above.
merry talk, laughter and joking,
reminiscences... and then toasts
The Royal Oak was a happy choice, not only because
it is familiar territory for many Ordinariate members
and other local parishioners, but because it has rich
associations with English history, being formerly
the Tabard Inn, and linked to Chaucer’s Canterbury
pilgrims. We were a fairly large crowd, and just about
fitted into the big upstairs room booked by the Rector,
around three good-sized tables. We enjoyed a choice of
soup or pâté, followed by great platefuls of roast pork or
chicken, followed by puddings or trifle. There was lots of
merry talk, and lots of laughter and joking and swapping
of reminiscences...and then the Rector proposed toasts.
The first was to our beloved Papa Benedict XVI, and
this raised warm enthusiasm and cheers, and then came
our own Fr Keith, and the enthusiasm and affection
were no less warm and heartfelt.
Then came the recitation of a poem, and shyness
prevents its author from quoting it in full - but it told of
the adventures of the South London group and of the
contents page
Auntie Jo a n
A wonderful
evening
Page 4
na
wri tes
Ordinariate in
general, ending
with: “There’ll be lots of new adventures, and lots to
make us fuss/But the Lord will surely help, as he’s been
very good to us!” And then everyone was invited to
join in the very last word as it concluded: “And now
that four full years have passed, let’s give a cheer for
that/It’s all a grand adventure with the Ordinariate!”
Finally, the Rector announced that as the dinner
had been the kind gift of a generous benefactor, we
might each like to donate the cost of our meal to the
Torquay Ordinariate fund - and the parish was happy
to add to our contributions so that a total of £1,000
was sent as a gift to Torquay. A letter went round
which we gladly signed, with our love and greetings
to the Torquay group.
Catholic Women of the Year 2015
Nominations are invited for the Catholic Women
of the Year. Any Catholic woman can be nominated
and it only requires a letter listing the reasons why
she should be put forward for this honour.
They are looking for the “unsung heroines”
- women who care for the frail and elderly, who
teach children the Catholic faith in schools or
parishes, visit prisons, raise funds for charity, or
are