together
THE CATHOLIC VOICE IN THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND SPRING 2014
General Synod re-visits women bishops. See Synod report on page 10
The Church Travellers' A new newspaper for a new era Directory Where to worship Welcome to Together! this Holy Week Catholic Anglicans are working as last, it is becoming clear what the Anglicans play an important part, see pages 12 -15 hard as ever to bring the Good provision will be to replace the with chaplaincies in schools and News of Jesus Christ to all people existing resolutions and the universities, with the forces, in in our parishes. Priests and people system for asking for the ‘flying prisons, and so on. We mustn’t together are doing what they do bishops’. retreat from those areas, and so best: showing the love of the Lord we need to continue our to all who come to us for worship We are in many ways entering a successful and important work and for fellowship, for help and new era. Once again we will need with vocations to the priesthood counsel, and getting ‘out there’ in to make the provision work. But we and to lay ministries in God’s our communities, making Jesus will also continue doing what we vineyard. The Catholic Societies visible in the world. Anglo-Catholics have always done, welcoming too want to play their part, and to continue to be ‘model Anglicans’, people of all shades of opinion on do what they were founded to do: living the parish system for the the issues that divide Anglicans, to resource the Catholic Movement benefit of all people, and bringing whilst living out our Catholic in both prayerful and practical the needs of those people to the principles with integrity. It’s a bit ways. This newspaper is one such Also in altar day after day. like walking a tightrope, but we offering. have walked it with remarkable this issue... But we have needs too, and we success so far! ...... need to secure bishops of our tradition to be chief pastors to the Those Catholic principles are most Lent Devotional flock, Fathers in God, and to ordain obviously at work in the parishes, It’s a bit like deacons and priests for our as we work with our schools, visit walking a tightrope, Page 11 parishes. The General Synod of the our old folks homes, run food Church of England has rushed banks and night shelters, and but we have walked Hymns as back to the debate over women in everything else that we do inside Homilies the episcopate, and has some new and outside the walls of our it with remarkable proposals on the table. You can churches. But there are other Page 16 read about that on page 10. At ministries too in which Catholic “success so far! Richborough Area ACS Parish Profile: St Gabriel's, Walsall, on A look back at the Building up their 75th Anniversary Year of Faith Celebrations the church page 16 page 3 page 5 ” 2 Together Spring 2014 visit our website: www.glastonburypilgrimage.co.uk THE CATHOLIC VOICE OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND Together Spring 2014 3 Glastonbury Pilgrimage Year of Faith Inspired by the year of Faith Essex, a Reform parish under the At Lincoln, the Mass was held in events served to strengthen the Dating back all the way to the 7th Building on the successes of the declared by Pope Benedict for last care of the Bishop of Richborough, the Angel Choir, with Bible study at sense of the Richborough Family Century, Glastonbury Abbey has last few years, the Pilgrim Mass year, the See of Richborough which attracted both Evangelicals St Peter in Eastgate, close to the coming together. The Year of Faith been the scene and the centre for begins at 12 noon, with the Bishop organised a series of events and Catholics from Chelmsford cathedral. The Vicar of this celebrations were a joyful and Christian worship, mission and of Ebbsfleet preaching a short across the area. It was Bishop Diocese. In all over 1300 people distinctly Evangelical church gave enriching encounter with Christ in evangelism. A town more readily homily. All pilgrims are then invited Norman’s hope that “through attended the series of events. a warm welcome and was Word and Sacrament. May the associated with perhaps less to remain in the Abbey grounds for prayer, through the scriptures and surprised and delighted by what Holy Spirit arouse in us all a deep Christian activities nowadays still a picnic lunch and fellowship, through the sacraments, our faith At Norwich Cathedral the whole took place. His church is used to desire for the gifts which Christ forms the focal point for the before we embark upon the will be stirred up and event was held in the nave of the Bible studies but not with a bishop bestows upon all who come to him Anglican Catholic Annual afternoon Walk of Faith, with Jesus strengthened, that we may be cathedral. The lierne vault to lead them, and an Anglo- in faith. Pilgrimage, with the beautiful in the most Blessed Sacrament at more perfectly converted to God.” resounded with rousing renditions Catholic one at that! The church Abbey ruins as a wonderful the centre of our witness. We will In these uncertain times it is of Catholic anthems such as was filled with Catholic Anglicans backdrop for a most amazing return having processed down the especially important that Catholic ‘Christ Triumphant, ever reigning’, following Bishop Norman’s pilgrimage experience. High Street back into the grounds, Anglicans stick together to keep ‘Lift high the Cross’ and ‘In our day comments and teaching intently, where a short devotional address up morale and to reduce the of thanksgiving.’ At St Albans which must have delighted some The Vicar of Bishop Roger Jupp has succeeded will be given by the Association’s sense of isolation that many Abbey, the Mass had to be moved of our evangelical friends. the Bishop of Plymouth as the Vice-Chair, Canon Steven Kirk, from experience. from the Lady Chapel to the nave Regarding the event at Lincoln, Fr this distinctly Chairman of the Association, and the Diocese of Llandaff, and our because so many people Paul Noble SSC said, “Those he writes about the forthcoming worship will conclude with Rather than have one central attended. Bishop Norman opened present said they were so uplifted Evangelical pilgrimage on Saturday 21st June at Benediction. event, Bishop Norman was keen to up his garden for picnics, and the by the Mass with its message, by 12 noon: ‘I personally want to invite get out around the see. As there is Bible Study followed there in the liturgy and by Bishop Norman’s church gave a and encourage all the readers of Further details can be found on the a limit to the number of people he glorious sunshine. At Canterbury, sermon about the confidence and Together to join with me, Bishop Pilgrimage Website can speak to at any one event, the Mass took place in the Crypt, joy we should have in the faith warm welcome Jonathan Goodall and other www.glastonburypilgrimage.co.uk with six events he hoped to be and the King’s School made their which the year was celebrating. concelebrating bishops and priests with posters and other materials able to chat with six times as many hall available for the Bible study The informal style at the Bible and was in celebrating the Glastonbury available from the Additional people. The same pattern of a with people also coming from Study coupled with a bishop’s Pilgrimage 2014 entitled “Behold Curates Society, Gordon Browning concelebrated Mass at noon with London and from Rochester authority was inspiring and surprised and the Lamb”’. House, Unit 7 Spitfire Road, a session of Bible Study after Diocese to take part. At moving.” Birmingham B24 9PB. lunch was followed at the Winchester, worshippers filled the delighted by 0121 382 5533 cathedrals of Norwich, St Albans, Choir, and Bible study took place Bishop Norman said he was very Canterbury, Lincoln and in the Education Centre which was pleased to be able to meet with so what took Winchester. There was also a filled to overflowing, with people many people from across the see, Praise Service, address and Bible sitting on the stairs. and was delighted that so many place. The Guild of All Souls Study at St Peter’s Harold Wood in stayed on for the Bible Study. The
A day conference with the theme ‘Reclaiming the Christian Funeral’ is If you would like to attend this planned for Thursday 5th June at the year’s event, contact: Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham from 10.45 to 15.00. It is open to Clergy, Readers who take funerals Fr Paul Lockett and Ordinands. Attendance at the Email: [email protected] conference, arranged and sponsored Phone: 01328 820030 by The Guild of All Souls, is free of Address: charge, including coffee/tea on 20 Cleaves Drive, arrival. Walsingham, Norfolk NR22 6EQ Perhaps you are one of those priests who has discovered by chance that Further details will be provided the funeral of a member of your when your booking is confirmed. congregation has been arranged at Incidentally, Fr Paul, who will be the local crematorium by his or her one of the speakers, worked in family and you are not involved; the place of Bible readings or a sermon Ordination Course can only provide a funeral director doubling up as or a final voluntary such as Frank basic outline of the subject, so view the family funeral directing secular ‘funeral celebrant’ having Sinatra’s “I did it my way” instead of a the taking of funerals with business before his ordination. persuaded them that it was cheaper hymn. trepidation. If that is the case, you will Anyone who has heard him or easier than in a church and that, Possibly your ministry has begun in be able to listen to and question speak will know that, despite the since they aren’t churchgoers, it is the city and you are contemplating a priests who have had many years’ seriousness of the subject what the deceased ‘would have move to a more rural area or vice experience of conducting funeral matter, they are guaranteed the wanted’. How do you approach the versa. In either of these situations the rites. benefit not only of his great family… and the funeral director? sudden requirement to manage grave depth of knowledge, but also of a Maybe you are struggling to balance spaces and oversee churchyard If any of this applies, this conference good dose of humour. the twin concerns of a Christ-centred regulations or to conduct several is for you. Last year’s conference liturgy and care for the bereaved funerals every week without arranged by The Guild – Supporting Further information about The without beatifying the departed. You breathing space for pastoral follow-up Bereaved Children and Young People - may simply want further resources to may seem a challenge too far. was attended by around 50 people Guild can be found at: enable you to deal positively with the and was widely appreciated. (Photo www.guildofallsouls.org.uk family who request several eulogies in Or you may be an Ordinand whose courtesy of Graham Howard) 4 Together Spring 2014 visit our website: www.churchunion.co.uk THE CATHOLIC VOICE OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND Together Spring 2014 5 The Church Observer Additional Curates Society
should play a part in drawing the Perhaps the most gimmicky 6. A hero from another planet
responding to the call Fr Christopher Catholic Societies together. In all aspect of the survey was put to with super powers on earth L CU R A A T E of the priesthood. N S sorts of ways, Anglo-Catholics parents. The question asked saves lives and the world from S IO O Smith reflects have pulled together more in the parents to look at eight disaster. Candidates from T c
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Y a A Pri e st forward, and ? we need more than ever to play along? Which of these are dead on a roadside, and ignored p sense of with the new a nurture a cohesive identity: an in the Bible, and which are by all who pass him. Eventually, s ecclesial identity. We can only Hollywood blockbusters? And his rescue comes from an initiative, ‘Here I s i d purpose among o Am’, I am o do that with bishops, and to that what percentage of adults unlikely source. n o convinced that we a end, ‘our’ bishops, whom we will thought each story ‘was or could t h the Catholic e t 8. are going to be able a es now increasingly think of as the be’ in the Bible? When an entire army is too b i Vocations out pr Conference
‘Society bishops’, have been afraid to fight the giant who to continue to Societies. Friday 29 to Su encourage Catholic nday 31 August putting in a great deal of work. 1. In a world threatened by challenges them, it falls to a Fr Darren Smith writes: St S Their Chairman is Bishop Tony environmental disaster, one young boy, with expert aim and priesthood within the Churc h tephen’s House We Anglo-Catholics are for ever of England. With a number of Robinson, the Bishop of family embarks on a radical plan a slingshot, to step up and take Oxford trying to balance our desire to As General Secretary of the partners, the ACS is helpi ng t o Pontefract, and he writes about to survive and start a new life. him on. keep our history alive with our Additional Curates Society, I support priests doing the Society on page 6, exhorting need to live in the present and want to thank both us to look forward to a future in 2. An unexplained death triggers No prizes, but here are the outstanding work in the individuals and parishes who our intention to play a part in which we can flourish. a quest to identify the truth answers, and the percentage in service of Christ. Can I
God’s plan for the future of his are supporting our work about Jesus’ family. each case of adults (from a encourage you all to do 012 during this Lent. The ACS is 1 382 5533 Church. In some ways, the It falls, then, to the Catholic sample of 5,783, all of whom everything you can to further info@additionalcu thoroughly committed to the rates.co.uk Catholic Societies each give us 3. this work? Pray for us, pray Societies to resource the By winning a game in which were parents) who thought each that balancing act in microcosm. task of resourcing the additionalcurates.co .uk Movement in ways both players must fight to the death, plotline was or might be from for priests, and perhaps
The Church Union, of which I Church’s ministry, both support us financially as well practical and spiritual: and in a teenager inspires a nation to the Bible: through our vital vocations became Chairman about a year as prayerfully. Do pleas e v is it that, we are all re-finding our fight back against the cruel work, and through the ago, and the others which make roots. The Church Union fought tyrants who are trying to control 1. Noah’s Ark (54%) our website The huge challenge which the isn’t any mould or type: God up our alphabet soup, including offering of grants towards for my famous predecessor, Fr its people. 2. The Da Vinci Code (46%) www.additionalcurates.co.uk Bishop of Richborough has set calls all shapes and sizes to be CBS and ACS, all have venerable salaries and expenses of Mackonochie, but it also spoke 3. The Hunger Games (54%) or give us a ring on 0121 382 histories, and are working to Assistant Clergy in the poor before us is summed up in the priests within his church. You out against errant clerics like 4. A couple’s lives are ruined 4. Adam and Eve (70%) 5533, because there are fulfil their original aims in our and populous parishes of words ‘No priests, No future’! will be able to follow a regular Charles Voyesy, who, among when a talking snake persuades 5. Harry Potter (34%) many ways in which the ACS Without wanting to be alarmist, blog-spot from a seminarian modern context. Some are England and Wales. other things, had denied the them to eat something they 6. Superman (27%) can be supported, including this is the crux of our message, working through his vocation at mainly devotional, and others Divinity of Christ. We need to were warned to leave alone. 7. Good Samaritan (73%) through the purchasing of and this was the compelling Theological College, and you more practical, but we are all An awful lot is being said keep before us the importance 8. David and Goliath (69%) sacristy supplies and printed force that has led the Catholic can be kept up to date with all conscious of the need for both about the future of Catholics of speaking up for orthodoxy in 5. In an ongoing struggle material. Societies Vocations Initiative to the news via Twitter and prayer and action in our part of in the Church of England. I re-launch under the new Facebook. the Faith, and so offer both between good and evil, a young believe we have so much to God’s Church today. The ACS committed to praying banner ‘here-i-am.org.uk’. This clergy and laity the resources man and his friends use magical look forward to. Over the last they need. powers to defeat an enemy who and paying for priests. initiative is not simply the So what can you do? Well first The Church Union, tellingly, took few years, we have seen some wants to live for ever. revamping of old material: this and most importantly, every as its first name ‘The Church of outstanding individuals And we need to bear in mind is a new package of ways in member of the Catholic England Preservation Society’, just how great the need is to get which we hope to resource constituency needs to put the and it started out as a union of the most basic elements of the every church member to work importance of vocations at the a number of local Church Christian Faith out into the with us in encouraging top of the list of priorities: pray Unions that had sprung up vocations. It will include useful for more priests, look for public arena. We are right to during the 1840s. Its founding resource material to help potential priests, encourage worry about clerics who deny national meeting took place in potential candidates to those who may be thinking aspects of the Creed, but how 1859, and the following year it measure themselves against about priestly ministry. do we begin to address the lack changed its name to the English the Ministry Division’s selection of basic scriptural knowledge Church Union. criteria, and offer practical tips Secondly, take a look as things highlighted by a recent survey by that will help them to discern emerge over the next few the Bible Society? Two-thirds of From the beginning, it was a whether they are being called to months. Follow us on the social children aged 8-15 failed to society in which clergy and laity be a priest in the Church of media, whether it be for identify ‘The Good Samaritan’ as held equal status, and among England. yourself or somebody else. The a story from the Bible. Put the its original aims was ‘to afford ‘Here I Am’ initiative needs to other way round, only 39% of counsel and protection to all So what are you going to see in be on everybody’s lips as well children said that they had read persons, lay or clerical, suffering this new initiative? As well as as in their hearts and prayers. or heard that parable. There under unjust aggression or the perhaps expected new Has anyone in your church put may be some questions to be hindrance in spiritual matters’, website, posters, leaflets, up the new posters? Do you asked about the Bible Society’s badges, wristbands and include vocations in your alongside the advancement of methodology (did they explain to stickers, you will also see a intercessions? ‘the doctrine and discipline of the 8 year-olds that the ‘Nativity number of new and exciting the Church’. story’ is the story of the birth of resources. There will be our And lastly, what have you got to Jesus?), and I’d love to know own YouTube channel which will offer to the Church in this One of the means by which it which bright spark decided to contain the personal initiative? It can only be sought to promote those aims put ‘the story of Job’ in the list testimonies of individuals who successful if people claim was through publications, and of options for ‘What’s your struggled with the call to ownership and are spurred on that is why the Church Union is favourite Bible story?’, but it is priesthood. How many have to action. A date for all our delighted to be heading up this heartbreaking that 26% said ‘I dismissed the possibility of diaries: 29th August to 31st new publication: Together. Not don’t have a favourite Bible ordination because they don’t August, the 2014 ‘Here I Am’ only does it seem right that we story’. Children have a favourite think they fit the mould? We Vocations Conference at Saint should still be involved in everything! hope people will realise from Stephen’s House, Oxford. publishing, but also that we personal testimonies that there 6 Together Spring 2014 visit our website: www.sswsh.com THE CATHOLIC VOICE OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND Together Spring 2014 7 The work of the Bishop Tony from Confraternity of the Blessed the Society writes... Sacrament today Last year was the 180th catholic and apostolic nature of General Synod has sent the What John Keble reminded his anniversary of John Keble's the Church of England. latest proposal for the ordination hearers, and what the Oxford Bishop Roger Jupp, Superior-General Assize Sermon, preached in The effect of the Oxford of women as bishops to the Movement took up, was the Oxford on 14 July 1833, which Movement on the Church of Dioceses for approval before a integral place of the Anglican has been called the catalyst England, and ultimately on the final vote in July. The crumbs Church in the great continuous Looking back, I first joined the Benediction and adore the Lord where they gather to love Jesus in a number of parishes; it is which sparked the Oxford emerging Anglican Communion, that have finally fallen from the stream of catholic Christianity. CBS when I was in my second Jesus on the altar, he said that in his Holy Sacrament. And his supporting the Glastonbury Movement. Nowadays, we might was profound. A historian of the rich man's table are what we Because the Church is curacy at St John’s Cowley, in he felt it was the right thing to do mission of sending out from the Pilgrimage as an annual well be surprised that so great Church of England in the must use to try to flourish. The composed of fallible human Oxford. This must have been now, given the uncertain times in altar to teach and proclaim the eucharistic event; it is assisting an influence was ascribed to it. It twentieth century, put it this way: question for us now is: are we members, it is constantly in need about 1983. I joined because it which we live as Catholic Good News and to make in vocational work and denounced as ‘national willing to have a go and maintain of reformation and renewal; but was the right thing to do. I was in Anglicans. He also said that both disciples is the mission of the encouraging potential priests; it apostasy’ some proposed "I believe in the holy catholic a vibrant traditional catholic wing because it is the divine society an established Anglo-Catholic priests wanted this sacramental CBS. That is what its members is assisting the annual Ebbsfleet legislation of the British and apostolic church. In 1800 which continues to add indwelt by the Holy Spirit, the parish (its first vicar and founder and devotional tradition to be try to do. This is what embeds Eucharistic Festival at Brean for Parliament to reduce the number hardly any Anglicans perceived something to the life of our gates of hell will not prevail had been Fr Benson SSJE), and fully embedded in the life of the the faith of Jesus in the hearts of children and young people; and, of bishoprics in the Church of the significance or rejoiced in Church? against it. That was Jesus' the Mass was the beating heart parish so that it remained part of his people. And this is why we of course, it is giving its Ireland by a process of the glory of this claim in the promise. His invitation to us is to of its worship and mission and its life beyond the time they were need the CBS even more in the assistance to the work of amalgamation. It is very similar creeds. In 1900 the catholicity The Society will be our way of be agents in the fulfilment of the inspiration of its pastoral life. serving there as priests. life of the Church of England Forward in Faith and the Bishops to what is being proposed here in of the Church of England was coming together, uniting to work that promise. I believe in the Its hard-working Vicar, Fr Martin today. of The Society. CBS is playing its West Yorkshire 180 years later! eagerly asserted by all in new ways for our future. It will future of Anglo-Catholicism, but Flatman (to whom I owe an Founded in 1862, the CBS is the part in these different ways, as But for John Keble a great instructed church people". require us not to look back at the it needs us to reform and renew immense debt in terms of oldest devotional society for both Embedding the Catholic Faith of well as through its traditional principle was at stake. ‘good old days’ but to look to ourselves. May we all commit priestly formation), encouraged priests and laity in the Church of Jesus in the hearts of our people role, in striving to promote and He may be right in his days yet to come where we as ourselves to that future. me to join the CBS as well as the England. Its work is the is what we are about. And this is set forth reverence and love for Keble raised the question of the comparison of 1800 and 1900. catholic Anglicans have created Society of the Holy Cross, of both advancement of the Catholic why the Trustees of the CBS our Lord Jesus Christ in the nature of the Church and its But what of 2014? Is there still an ecclesial body which allows Bishop Tony Robinson today feel that it is right for its Eucharist by the witness of its authority; and that led to a such clarity on the catholic us to flourish. Chairman of the Council of financial resources to be used as members’ lives, words, prayer renewal of the sense of the nature of our Church? Bishops of The Society an investment in catholic events, and teaching. Why not join us in the purpose of which is to build this endeavour? up the faith of our people, to support unequivocally the Almighty God, look, we pray, continuance of the catholic on the face of your beloved Son, Supporting the Society priesthood as our Church has and for the sake of his merits, received it from the Apostles, mercifully hear the prayers and to share with the other which throughout our The future of Forward in Faith catholic societies in Confraternity we continually demonstrating that we have a offer to you; Gospel to proclaim and that we and grant us unity, a true faith, When there are women bishops in the of S. Wilfrid and S. Hilda. The Society is an The Society must have the space and the and a life agreeable to your will; Church of England, why will Forward in Faith ecclesial body, led by a Council of Bishops, is not a structures in which to be allowed through Jesus Christ our Lord. still exist? What will it be for? Dr Colin which exists to promote and maintain catholic charity and as traditional Anglicans to Podmore asks some fundamental questions teaching and practice within the Church of doesn’t have flourish and to make new as Director of Forward in Faith. England, to provide episcopal oversight, and a bank of which he was a member. If I Faith in the Anglican tradition disciples. So, today, the CBS, to guarantee a ministry in the historic account. It is wanted to take my priestly life and, in order to fulfil this alongside other catholic In part, Forward in Faith’s role will be ‘more of apostolic succession which our parishes, not a seriously, he suggested, I mission, it promotes the honour societies like the ACS, is the same’: proclaiming the catholic faith, institutions and people can receive with membership needed to reveal my due to the Lord Jesus Christ in supporting stipends recalling the Church of England to its catholic confidence. organization commitment to my belief in the Blessed Sacrament, careful identity and vocation, upholding catholic order (but watch out for news about how parishes Jesus present in his Blessed preparation for and reception of and the catholic doctrine of the sacraments. The Council of Bishops is already meeting and institutions can affiliate to it!). Forward in Sacrament and present in the Holy Communion, reverent We shall continue explain – to the rest of the regularly to plan for our future. As Director of Faith is the charity and membership apostolic priesthood. There is a celebration of the Eucharist and Church of England, to new generations of Forward in Faith, I am its Secretary. In 2013 organization, one of whose purposes is now to sense, then, that these two its reservation and veneration, Anglican laypeople and ordinands, and to our Forward in Faith paid for a mailing from the support the work of the Society. Our bishops historic catholic societies go regular use of the Sacrament of own congregations – the theological reasons bishops to all who had registered an interest have asked all who look to them to join hand-in-hand. Reconciliation, the continuance why we cannot receive the ministry of women in the Society, informing them about Forward in Faith in order to help us – not least of the catholic priesthood, as as priests and bishops. We’ll continue to developments and asking for their prayers. financially – to fulfil this new role. A I have been reminded of this in well as catholic teaching, advise and support parishes and people, We also paid for a new visual identity for the membership form can be downloaded from recent days through a learning and development. As clergy and ordinands (not least on questions Society and a re-designed website the website (www.sswsh.com) or obtained conversation with a young priest part of its mission it gives grants about the new-style resolutions and clergy (www.sswsh.com). Providing administrative from 2A The Cloisters, Gordon Square, who is anxious to set up a new of altar vessels, tabernacles and appointments), to defend them and represent and policy support for the bishops – helping London WC1H 0AG – 020 7388 3588. ward of the CBS in the parish vestments in certain them as necessary. them in their work of care and support for the where he is serving. With the full circumstances to fulfil these parishes – will be an increasing part of my Colin Podmore support of his parish priest, and objects. But its main work is But increasingly our role will be as the support work in the future. [email protected] with an active group of lay under-girded by prayer amongst structure for the Society, under the patronage people who regularly attend priests and people in parishes 8 Together Spring 2014 visit our website: www.confraternity.org.uk THE CATHOLIC VOICE OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND Together Spring 2014 9 A NEW VENTURE The Welcome to Together!
You have in your hands a new newspaper for the Catholic Movement of the Church of England. It has come about as the result of collaboration between things the Catholic Societies, and we hope to bring you news and views, a look at what’s going on in our parishes, and some devotional and informational content. As St Paul wrote to the Ephesians, who were at risk of being ‘tossed to and fro, and carried we bless! about by every wind of doctrine’, we grow together Blessing of a pri as the Body, with Christ as our Head. est istry lessing of a new min Blessing of throats There is plenty to celebrate in our Catholic B parishes, and we have much to gain by working in collaboration. As you can see from the ACS report on page 5, we still have potential ordinands coming forward to offer themselves for the priesthood, and we remain committed to working hard in our parishes to build up the local community, and to working for the good of all God’s people. We also continue to work to deepen our spirituality, to be better Christians in our worship and in our learning. With all that is going on around us, it can be easy to lose sight of the heart of our Christian life. But let us persevere, both in continuing to do what we do so well, and in looking out, engaging, and converting others by the way we live. Blessing the rivers BEING INVOLVED Blessing an altar There are many good news stories to share, and if Blessing new job you would like an article to be considered for s inclusion in Together, please contact the editor, Fr Christopher Smith, at St Alban’s Holborn. Not everything will fit, but we are keen to give the Fan the Flame to be relaunched positive aspects of our life together a wider ople hearing. In future editions, it may be appropriate to Blessing of pe include a calendar, if enough different parishes Over the weekend of 7-8 February, a group gathered at Walsingham included both those things. First of all, please do remember us in send us details of their special events. of clergy met in Walsingham to plan the who had led such missions before, and those your prayers. Prayerful support is at the relaunch of the Fan the Flame initiative. who were new to the task but were keen to heart of the Fan the Flame process, and your STOP PRESS… Well over a hundred parishes have benefited incorporate the work of teaching missions prayers will be vital as we move forward. The Bishop of Beverly will preside at Chrism in the past from this week-long teaching into their priestly ministry. Bishop Lindsay Secondly, please consider having a Fan the Masses at St Oswald's Hartlepool on 9th April, mission, led by local lay co-ordinators and Urwin, the originator and founder of Fan the Flame mission in your parish. It is a St Paul's Thornaby on the 14th, Manchester resourced by visiting missioners. Flame, framed our time together with a bible wonderful opportunity for the renewal and Cathedral on the 15th, and Goldthorpe on the The group of fourteen missioners who study on 1 Timothy to start us off, and with a energising of God’s faithful. Thirdly, we are 16th, the Bishop of Burnley at St Stephen’s concluding Mass in the Barn Chapel. In looking to incorporate new missioners into 14th, and the Bishop of between, the sessions were led by Fr Mark the Mission Task Force so that we will be Blackpool on the Gilbert SSC (Vicar of St Wilfrid, Chichester) able to resource the missions effectively. Pontefract at St Peter’s Barnsley. and Fr Damian Feeney SSC (Vice-Principal of Please do contact us if you would like to The Bishop of Ebbsfleet’s Chrism Masses are at St Stephen’s House, Oxford), both of whom know more. Bristol Cathedral on the 12th, Birmingham will be overseeing the running of the Cathedral on the 15th, and St Peter’s Plymouth on initiative. Fr Damian Feeney SSC Fr Mark Gilbert SSC the 16th. The Bishop of Fulham’s Mass will be at We have our first mission in the pipeline, for the Ascension Lavender Hill on the 15th. The June, and we are hopeful that this wonderful Email: [email protected] Bishop of Richborough will preside at St Hugh’s gift to the church can be restored to its Website: www.fantheflameweek.weebly.com Blessing the fishe Ayres Monsell on the 9th, Winchester Cathedral on former vigour. Accordingly, we ask three ries the 12th, Chelmsford Cathedral on the 14th, Canterbury Cathedral on the 15th, and the Shrine at Walsingham on the 16th. 10 Together Spring 2014 visit our website: www.churchunion.co.uk THE CATHOLIC VOICE OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND Together Spring 2014 11 General Synod and Women Bishops: Lent devotional Fr Christopher reflects on our modest Lenten quarantine What’s going on now?? Last year, a fellow-priest in the which I view an aspect of the the same vulnerable man will negating the very point of that parish recounted the story of a faith. In the book, a character hang on the cross, weak to the self-emptying, that taking the certain regular who was so named Jesus withdraws to the point of death, and be tempted by form of a servant and living The February General Synod spent a day In the event of a dispute between the parish The previous proposals would have allowed the moved by a Lenten sermon of his desert for a period of quarantine, the passers by, the chief priests, among his creation. considering a new version of proposals for the and the diocesan bishop over the appointment diocese, patrons and so on to decide for that he felt compelled to give up literally a period of forty days. the scribes and the elders: ‘let consecration of women as bishops – and how of a priest, or over which bishop is to look after themselves whether they had convincing for Lent not only the lemon in his to make space for those who, because of their the parish, then parishes can appeal to a so- reasons for ignoring the Code of Practice. There are a handful of other him come down now from the And so the devil departs, and gin and tonic, but also the tonic. theological convictions, are unable to receive called ‘ombudsman’, an Independent Parishes would only have been able to characters around, one of whom cross, and we will believe in him.’ Jesus survives his quarantine. the ministries of women priests and bishops. Reviewer. That will be a procedure enshrined challenge them in the High Court, which would Now, of course, that was a good seems so evil that it is But the devil only departs ‘until Here, members of the Catholic Group on in canon law, and it can be used in disputes have been far too costly. The new proposals line, and many of us have reasonable to call him ‘Satan’. But for the time being: if you an opportune time’, and, in that General Synod tell us about the provisions with the diocese, or anyone else involved in create clear responsibilities; crucially, they probably cracked a similar joke And the portrayal of the young throw yourself from the pinnacle phrase, St Luke recognises the that are going to replace resolutions A, B the appointment process. It could also be used make provision for the resolution of disputes at some point. I might claim to Jesus, little more than a boy of the Temple, the people will see temptations that continued to and C. by a parish whose incumbent had invited a through the Independent Reviewer. be giving up spirits, even though I anxious to prove himself before the angels saving you, and they beset Jesus, and which continue female cleric against the Resolution they had hardly ever drink spirits. You the God whom he seeks to will worship you now. Why put to beset us. And perhaps, in all Resolutions under the Declaration made under the Declaration. The old proposals left the terms of the Code of might claim to be giving up encounter in the wilderness, is yourself through the teaching and this, being mildly put out during Practice, and of the separate schemes that chocolate, even though you moving, if less than theologically the persuading and the showing Lent does not seem so difficult. If PCCs will be able to pass a Resolution that Both the House of Bishops Declaration and the would have been drafted in each diocese, to hardly ever eat it. But, I’m afraid, orthodox. through signs, and the suffering we can, in some small way, join they want priestly and episcopal ministry in Disputes Resolution Procedure will be made as be finalised after the Measure had received none of those would really pass our penance to the sufferings of their parish to be carried out in accordance secure as possible for the future because they Royal Assent. Under the new proposals, the muster as a Lenten penance. the Lord, we will grow in holiness. with a Declaration that is going to be made by cannot be altered without the agreement of a relevant documents will have been finalised For we are in our little wilderness, the House of Bishops. two thirds majority in all three houses of before the legislation receives final approval, Sometimes nowadays, people our yearly struggle to make General Synod. so everybody can see clearly what is being proudly tell me that they haven’t ourselves better Christians, better That Declaration acknowledges that those who proposed. given anything up for Lent, but people, better neighbours. cannot receive the ministry of women bishops The only matter which remains unresolved at have instead taken something up. or priests are loyal Anglicans, and that the the present time is the arrangements for the Under the previous proposals, the Code of And I certainly agree that we And what does Jesus do as soon Church of England remains committed to consecration of ‘traditionalist’ bishops, but Practice could have been amended by simple should indeed take something up as he has come out of the enabling them to flourish within its life and work is being undertaken on this and the majorities in each House of the Synod. for Lent. No doubt your clergy desert? He goes to preach. Our structures. arrangements will be known before the Amendment of the new proposals would have been exhorting you to take little wilderness will strengthen us General Synod is asked to give final approval require two-thirds majorities in each House. up the Lent course, and maybe in our mission too. If we let Lent Everyone involved in the appointment of a to the proposals. priest to a parish must do everything possible an extra weekday mass, or have an effect in our lives, it will The proposals have now been sent out to the Stations of the Cross. But don’t make a difference to our actions to achieve an outcome that does not conflict What should we make of all this? dioceses where they must be approved by the with the theological convictions of the parish. give up giving up. in the world, and Lent will have majority of Diocesan Synods. Catholic Group served its purpose: we will have So, for example, a woman priest should not be Members of the Catholic Group believe that members are assuming that traditionalist appointed to a parish which could not receive these proposals provide a workable way A few years ago, the Church of deepened our relationship with members of Diocesan Synods will vote ’no’ to England ran a Lent campaign and death: show them now, and God, and so become better her ministry. forward for the Church of England, even the main proposal for women bishops, which generated headlines like, Crace’s premise, set out at the have done with it. equipped to do his will in the though they fall short of what we had wanted, because it is a matter of conscience. But it is ‘Lent should be more light- beginning of the book, is that a world around us. For the If a patron insists on presenting a priest who which was bishops with their own jurisdiction. clear that almost all Diocesan Synods will hearted, says C of E’. Well, I think man could not survive for longer But the angels were not even temptations were not merely a would conflict with the parish’s convictions, But they are far better than the proposals vote it through, and it will go back to General I might unfashionably suggest than thirty days in the desert going to take Jesus down from scene-setting, isolated incident at then the bishop must veto the appointment. If which were defeated in November 2012 Synod for final approval. Our task then will be that, to do Lent properly, we without food or water, and that he the cross, and the suffering of the the beginning of Jesus’ public a patron’s right to present a vicar has lapsed because : to make the new provision work, and to make to the Archbishop, he or she would have to act our parishes flourish. We owe our thanks to ought to be making it more could not remain conscious for desert remains just as real as ministry, but part of his greater in accordance with the Declaration. The new rules require diocesan bishops to those members of the Catholic Group on difficult. longer than twenty-five. And he that of the passion, with the work, his saving work, which calls make sure that a PCC Resolution under the General Synod who have given so much time describes vividly the trial through same temptation to set aside the us all to confront what is wrong in A diocesan bishop must choose a bishop from Declaration is obeyed, so lay reps won’t be put and effort to securing this provision for us, Why? Well, in some small way, which the young man puts suffering and go straight back to our lives, and live, by God’s grace, among serving (not retired) bishops to carry in the position of having to veto a proposed and we trust that, under God, we will use it but in a way which we do feel, we himself, in the scorching heat of the glory of the Son of God, the life he would have us lead. out appropriate sacramental duties and care new vicar who is a woman priest, and the wisely, and continue to work for his glory and are trying to join our suffering, our the wilderness, with no food, with for the parish. The bishops of Beverley, theology behind the PCC Resolution will be the good of his people. mortification, to that of the Lord no water, as his skin begins to dry Ebbsfleet and Richborough will continue to respected. himself, whose suffering on the out and bruise, and his whole help provide those episcopal duties – they are cross leads to our redemption. system begins to shut down as not being abolished! And, of course, the Lord’s his body begins to decay from WORDSEARCH suffering starts right at the within: ‘how cruelly his body beginning of his ministry, in the would begin to eat itself as his desert. He is led by the Spirit into muscles and his liver and his the wilderness (‘driven’ by the kidneys fought for fuel like Spirit, says St Mark), and, in what squalid desert boys battling for a always seems to me a masterful piece of wood’. And, at the point understatement by both St where he can barely retain Matthew and St Luke, after consciousness, into his fasting for forty days and nights, consciousness comes the he was hungry. But what hunger tempter, the evil one. that must have been! And worse besides. As so often in Scripture, it is the devil who recognises Jesus for Can you find the words below? I was quite moved some years who he really is. Yet this Son of ago now by a novel by Jim Crace God is weak to the point of death, Palms Crowds Hosanna called Quarantine. Crace’s writing not spared the weakness of the Jesus Donkey Cloaks is tight and evocative, and I don’t body any more than he is spared Master Jerusalem Branches see why an atheist shouldn’t the temptations of the evil one. Disciples make a contribution to the way in How near it all is to the time when 12 Together Spring 2014 visit our website: www.additionalcurates.co.uk THE CATHOLIC VOICE OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND Together Spring 2014 13
-- St.John & St.Mary Magdelene St.Matthew's, North Quay The Parish of Swinton & Pendlebury St.Barnabas, West Street, Crewe St.Stephen on the Cliffs PALM SUNDAY Parish of Tividale, CW1 3HX, AB & C a Parish of the HOLY WEEK 10.30am Blessing and Procession of Palms & Solemn Mass Oldbury, West Midlands Goldthorpe & St.Wilfred, Hickleton Douglas, Isle of Man PRINCIPAL HOLY WEEK SERVICES Blackpool 6.30pm Story of the Cross and Benediction Society of St.Wilfrid & Hilda. AND EASTER (Fr. Martin Ennis - 01384 257888) Palm Sunday Holy Week & Easter HOWELL & BELLION 7.00pm Low Mass Churches of Palm Sunday - 10.30am Palm Sunday St. Michael the Archangel, Procession of Palms and Parish Mass 9am Are you in the Crewe area for Palm Sunday SERVICES AT MONDAY, TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK Blessing of Palms, Procession 8 a.m. & 5.30 p.m. Mass at St Peter, S. MARY Tividale Road B69 2LQ at Hickleton, Holy Week or Easter? 9.00am Low Mass, 10.30am P rocession, Church Interior Decoration Masses at 10.30am and 7.30pm & Holy Cross, 10.30am at Goldthorpe. and High Mass. Swinton M27 0WA Dramatic Reading of the Passion and Solemn Ashleigh Road B69 1LL 9.30am Blessing of Palms, etc., & Sung Mass, 6.00pm Meditation in 66A HIGH STREET, SAFFRON WALDEN, ESSEX CB10 1EE. MAGDALENE, MAUNDY THURSDAY Palm Sunday Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Maundy Thursday - 7.30pm Usual Catholic Devotions and word s & m usic fo r Holy We ek Mass at All Saints, Wardley M27 9UG at Telephone: 01799 522 402 Email: [email protected] 7.30pm Mass of the Last Supper with Mandatum and 11am Parish Mass (SM), 7pm Mass and Address at Goldthorpe High Mass with Washing of Feet, Stripping Confessions. Children and Families always Facsimile: 01799 525 696 MILFIELD, Saint Peter's at 10.30 a.m., and at Saint Monday in Holy Week Procession to the Altar of Repose. Watch til Midnight. 6pm Passover (HC) of the Altars and Watch until Midnight. welcome. Chrism Mass 11am President and Preacher SUNDERLAND Holy Thursday Wednesday Augustine, Pendlebury M27 8UX GOOD FRIDAY 12 noon Chrism Mass at Goldthorpe. the Bish op of Burnley. 7.30pm Mass of the Lord's Supper (SM) Good Friday - 11am at 11 a.m. Please ring Fr.R.D.Powell, SSC Restoration of decorated interiors 3.00pm Liturgy of the Passion with Solemn Prayers and - Good Friday Tues in H oly Week Maundy Thursday 4 p.m. Stations of the Cross at All Saints 10am Kids' Workshop (HC), The Liturgy. 01 270 212418 www.crewe-barnabas.co.uk Interior & exterior polychromy Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion. 7.30pm Mass of the Lord's Supper Mass and address at 11.15 3pm Liturgy of the Passion (SM) HOLY SATURDAY at Goldthorpe. Holy Saturday - 9pm Maundy Thursday Wednesday in Holy Week 0IVLXIQV\MLLMKWZI\QWV Holy Saturday 9.00pm Blessing of the New Fire, Paschal Candle, Vigil, High Mass with Blessing of the Paschal 7.30 p.m. Sung Mass of the Lord's Supper 6.30pm Exposition of the Blessed 8.30pm Easter Vigil & Mass (SM) Good Friday ST MARY’S LITTLEHAMPTON 0MZITLZa;\MVKQTTQVO/QTLQVO Renewal of Baptismal Vows and Solemn Mass Easter Sunday Candle and Renewal of Baptismal Vows. in all three churches, followed by the Sacrament. 7.30pm Stations of the Cross 10.30am Childrens' Stations of the Cross and Mass. 11am Parish Mass (SM), watch at the altar of repose, at All Saints Palm Sunday EASTER DAY at Goldthorpe. 12noon Stations of the Maundy Thursday 6pm Mass (HC) Easter Sunday - 9am & Saint Augustine until 9.30pm and at St Blessing of Palms at St.Mary's 10.00am; 10.30am Procession and Solemn Mass with Renewal of Cross at Hickleton, 2.30pm Liturgy of the 7.30pm Solemn Mass with washing of feet Parish Priest: Fr. Website: www.vicaroftividale.co.uk Lord's Passion at Goldthorpe. Low Mass, 10.30am High Mass. Peter until 12 midnight Procession to St.James Church for Parish and Watch until Midnight. Baptismal Vows and Holy Baptism Mass Beresford Skelton 6.30pm Benediction Holy Saturday Good Friday Good Friday College of Readers Parish Priest: Fr.Bob Boyle Maundy Thursday 0191 565 6318 7.00pm Low Mass ALL SAINTS CHURCH 8pm Easter Vigil at Goldthorpe. 10 a.m. Stations of the Cross at St Peter 10.00am Stations of the Cross, 3.00pm 01 624 676310 Mass of the Lord’s Supper 8.00pm Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday Patron. The Rt. 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