The Portal - UK edition March 2014 | Page 13

THE P RTAL Peter confided that he had been told, “There is no point in the Ordinariate!” Simon said, “We are small, welcoming and faithful. We wait upon God to show us what He wants us to do. Ultimately the Ordinariate will succeed if God wants it to. March 2014 UK Page 2 “The thing about our Group is that we will not be in a graveyard if we find the right place. The people in this Group are a group of very talented people. Judy Broadhurst We shouldn’t worry about people being hostile. Nothing worthwhile Peter Remington happens if people are not hostile to it. Much will depend on how well informed the laity are.” “The isolation thing. Some Diocesan Catholics find that 6pm on Saturday is a convenient time. A Group that meets fortnightly cannot possibly grow. There have been times when we say, ‘Is it worth keeping it going?’ Are we not committed to the project? We are. Ron Streeter It would be easy to get dispirited about this Group. Yet underneath the surface Fr John and Judi Broadhurst are old and of a small, isolated, widespread, Group very dear friends. They have been lights lies the beating heart of evangelism. For in the darkest of hours. We chatted over a Fr John Broadhurst those in large Groups, and Groups where meal in a local Pub. Fr Tony Reader-Moore, the Group Leader, was away so we were unfortunately people have journeyed from the same congregation together, it ought to be inspiring to see this Group unable to speak with him. determined to continue and, despite all the obstacles Fr John described the Group as “Weak”. He and discouragements, to grow. continued, “Our problem is that we are composed of individuals. It is a Group not formed out of a church community. We worship at the back of beyond. Fr Damien, the RC priest, is very supportive. Fr Tony and Fr Nicholas both live in the Parish. Everyone else lives all over the place. We ask ourselves the question, ‘How do we evangelise from where you have come?’ The Internet is a possibility. Perhaps we ought to put on our web site ‘The Ordinariate is for you. Why you should join it and how to do so!’ “Anglican Patrimony is about music and style actually. Ask the question, Why? Anglican Patrimony always comes through. Where one sees Anglican Patrimony the congregation grows. You can tell it is Ordinariate because the liturgy is driven. It is not just a shambles. sleeping Catholics We asked Fr John if the Group had plans for Mission and Evangelism, and if this would be for ex-Anglicans, lapsed Catholics, or those with no religious affiliation? He responded positively, “All three!” “Most Catholics think evangelism is directed to ‘sleeping’ Catholics. Not at all. Make converts among Anglicans and nonbelievers. Fr Tony is Pastor of our Group. We would like to have a Centre in the RC Diocese where we could come together as a Group and serve the wider community and Diocese.