THE
P RTAL
October 2018
Page 17
News from the Ordinariate
Funeral Mass of a much loved Ordinariate priest
Fr Donald Minchew RIP
12th March 1948 – 16th August 2018
F
r Donald Minchew left instructions that there
was to be no eulogy at his Funeral Mass. Mgr Keith
began his homily by telling us this, and reminding
us of the words of the late Cardinal Heenan, who left
similar instructions, for, as he said, he did not want
one priest lying in the coffin, whilst another priest was
lying in the pulpit!
Virgo Fidelis Church is part of a large complex
including school and convent. The church was full
for the Funeral Mass of Donald Minchew, priest.
At just seventy years, he had died far too young. In
accordance with his wishes, there was no mention of
the mass being anything other than a Funeral Mass to
pray for his soul. No hint of it being “a celebration of
his life”, and we gave thanks for that. Surely, his life was
the celebration?
Over two hundred people
filled the church, with
some of his brother priests
in attendance including
Bishop Paul Hendricks,
Area Bishop for South West
London, in the Southwark
Archdiocese. The Celebrant
was, of course, The Right
Revd Mgr Keith Newton our
Ordinary. The whole mass
was an appropriate prayer
for a priest who was nothing if not “orthodox”.
After mass, we all walked to the school for some
refreshments. Here many stories of Fr Donald were
rehearsed, many impossible to recount here! Fr Donald
will be sadly missed. May he rest in peace. Jesu mercy:
Mary pray.
Funeral mass for The Revd Paul Miller RIP
23rd October 1933 to 29th August 2018
T
man” which amused him greatly. He was a valued and
he tiny, but beautiful, church of St Milburga’s dear friend, and worked tirelessly for the Catholic
Church in Church Stretton was full for the Funeral
mass for Paul Miller on 18th September. Paul had a long
and fruitful ministry as an Anglican priest. He served
both as a parish priest and a Diocesan Youth Officer.
Cause in the CofE before becoming a Catholic in the
Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. He will be
sadly missed. Our prayers go out for his soul; for his
wife, Hilary; for Luke and Anne and their families. The
Revd Paul Miller will be sadly missed. May he rest in
Paul was a wizzo with technology, and his last days peace. Jesu mercy: Mary pray.
were spent in a home, the staff called him “The Gadget
Pilgrimage to St Edith of Wilton at Kemsing
A
s Mary Kenny points out in her
gathered around St Edith’s Well in mid-
recent column in the Catholic Herald,
afternoon. Our devotions were led by Fr
in many other countries local saints are
David Gibbons, the local Parish Priest.
celebrated with a pilgrimage on their special
After prayers, rosary and gospel reading
day. She makes a plea for similar pilgrimages
we made our way to the Anglican Parish
in this country and recommends the one to
Church for vespers. This was enhanced by
St Edith of Wilton at Kemsing, Kent.
the beautiful singing of the psalms by the
lovely voice of Aga. Finally, we went to ‘The
Jackie Ottaway and Ronald Crane made
Aga the singer Bell’ for afternoon tea, including St Edith’s
the pilgrimage there this year. Kemsing
Cake. It was a lovely afternoon, full of joy,
is a delightful village not far from Sevenoaks. We all devotion and blessings.
Ø
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