THE P RTAL
March 2015
Ron and Judi engaged in a conversation about
whether most Diocesan Catholics know anything
at all about the Ordinariate, or how important the
Ordinariate is with regard to the parish having a Vigil
Mass. Judi explained, “Some Diocesan
Catholics come and stay for coffee with
us. Then we can explain. But we need to
do more. We need to provide “Meeters
and Greeters”, but one is reluctant to push
oneself forward for fear of treading on
people’s toes. Also, I am making the tea
and coffee. It is hard as the church has no
hall.”
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no disruption to a long established pattern of
Mass celebration. In general our members seem
to be happy with the change. They would be happier if
we had more ex-Anglican members, of course.
“Every First Saturday the Mass is sung
using the Ordinariate rite, which many
‘cradle Catholics’ have been impressed
with and thought very fine. On all the
other Saturdays, the Roman Missal is used
and everything is said.
“In general the numbers are keeping
up extremely well, although, as I say,
Ron, full of enthusiasm, shot straight in. Mgr John Broadhurst
we should welcome some more former
“Could we not organise something with
Anglicans seriously exploring their future.
tea and cakes and spend some of our money and invite We get both Ordinariate and Diocesan Catholics at the
Diocesan Catholics to come and find out what we are fellowship meeting, which so far we have kept as an
all about?”
informal ‘get-together’ and have not had
any business meetings as such, although
As we left the church to return to our car,
that may be necessary occasionally in the
Mgr John and Ron were still discussing
future.
the best way to travel from Ron’s home
to Our Lady, Wellingborough. We never
“We need to think of ways to increase
heard the outcome!
our local lay support and maybe a change
of leadership with fresh blood at the
Later we were able to chat with Fr Tony
proverbial tiller within the next year or
Reader-Moore. “Due to a reorganisation in
two might be a help in that direction. I
the local pastoral area, Our Lady’s Church,
don’t have the ideas or energy that I used
Wellingborough, would have lost its Vigil Fr Tony Reader-Moore
to have, so another priest in charge of
Mass. We suggested to Bishop Peter
things might be a good idea at some point
Doyle that with three priests it would make sense if before too long.”
our Ordinariate Group took over responsibility for it,
particularly as it was well supported by many diocesan
What a transformation indeed! This “really useful
Catholics in the town, and the new venue would be group” is doing sterling work in Wellingborough. 6pm
more suitable for us than Earls Barton had proved to Saturday at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Ranelagh
be. He was happy to agree to this.
Road, Wellingborough, NN8 1JA. Mind you, we never
did get to the bottom of the quickest way to the church
“Fr Ed Worthy, the parish priest, and his people have from Ron’s home. As we drove away, the two of them
been very welcoming and pleased that this has meant were still discussing the best route.
Letter to the Editor
From Cliff Olliffe
Christian leadership
I am somewhat perplexed at the content of The
Portal magazine these days; there is an awful lot
Could The Portal please concentrate on Catholic
matters, such as why many Ordinariate services are
not in the o fficial Ordinariate rite; it is after all what
Pope Benedict wanted.
of comment and views relating to the Church of
England. For me, the establishment of the Ordinariate
was a blessing. The C of E, throug hits various
innovations, had abandoned me. To be reunited with
Rome was ideal.
I am therefore uneasy with this interest in the past.
As I am now a Catholic, I see no value in commenting
on a disobedient church which is weak and lacking in
contents page
Cliff Olliffe
sent by email
The views expressed in these letters are not necessarily those of the Editors
Letters for publication should be sent to:
The Editors, The Portal, 56 Woodlands Farm Road,
Birmingham B24 0PG
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