Update 2

Update 1

These are some pictures of the high mass with our Bishop

The Consecration of our Church

Today is our big day! We await the arrival of our Bishop. This blog will be updated regularly.

The church remained open today after morning Mass celebrated in honour of the Universal Doctor- St Albert the Great. People came with their gift to the Church as it celebrates its birthday. The generosity of people shows how much St John's is important for them. When they invest in it, they are not simply maintaining its brick and mortar (which, incidentally, takes a considerable amount and is important) but also invest in the mission that we are called to - to make Jesus present to those who live in this part of His kingdom.

The sacristy team led by Frances worked hard in the afternoon to get all manner of things ready and another valiant team worked hard in the hall so that a hundred people can enjoy a fraternal and jovial meal together.

The church is ready and it is looking splendid for the big day. Many thanks for all those who extended their best wishes and prayers - it is much appreciated.

The Parish Church of St Augustine of Canterbury in Kilburn, London.

After the morning round of religion, Fr Mark and I caught the train for London; we shared the journey with a delightful member of our congregation. Whilst we were on the way, Jackie, our Pastoral Assistant, led the worship for our Jolly Tots in church. Today they focused on the Annunciation and Jackie had a little one dressed as an angel, she also took the children round the church looking for all the images of Our Lady, and at St John’s images of Our Lady there are plenty. Jackie tells me that both the young ones and their parents enjoyed the worship and this is a cause of rejoicing as we consolidate our links with this group.
At London we went to Gordon Square for the Fulham clergy meeting. It is a joy to be united with brother priests around our bishop – it gives a sense of collegiality and unity which at this time is sorely needed. Bishop John is truly a Father in God who knows his priests and their congregations – we look forward to have him with us on Sunday for our big day.
After the meeting I had the joy of sharing some time with a priest friend, catching up on what we are doing, our hopes and aspirations.
This was followed by a visit to Billy, my barber. He is from Damascus and after about five years going to him monthly we have become friends – he has a wonderful family. Every time I go, at some stage of the proceedings, he lifts up his arms in the air, looks at my hair and says: “Father, I don’t do miracles!” It isn’t comforting but there you go, this receding tide, as all tides, can not be stopped.
I then went to that splendid church in Kilburn dedicated to St Augustine of Canterbury. If you have never been there it is well worth a visit. Today I was invited by Fr Rowlands of Kentish Town and Fr Yates of St Augustine’s to talk to their Society of Mary Ward. The listeners put up with me and showed me extreme kindness. I am delighted with people who give up their evening to come and learn about Mary our mother.
On the tube back, a young gentleman approached me and spoke to me about what he is going through. He asked for my prayers and I promised them. Most probably we shall never meet again, but he has seen a priest and came to talk and open his heart. Another reason to be thankful as this young man, in what he said, was also a blessing for me. On the train back I offered the Rosary for him.
Another day spent in the company of Our Lord – there is nothing like it. Laus Deo!

It has been a constant joy, especially during my priestly ministry, to support and encourage vocations to the priesthood. To be an Anglo-Catholic seminarian in this present climate is very difficult, however God has called some young men that are an inspiration to so many of us. These seminarians have written an Open Letter to the House of Bishops of the CofE as it is about to meet. Here is the letter. Biretta tip to those who have written it, I admire your dedication and will support you.

An Open Letter to the House of Bishops
Thursday 13th November 2008

Most Reverend and Right Reverend Fathers in God,

Tomorrow you will meet as a House of Bishops to discuss the current state of the Church of England and, particularly, the decision made at General Synod over the summer. As young people training for the ministerial priesthood in the Church of England we have attempted to put into words our concerns and anxieties about the future, and to offer you, in some small way, an insight into our hopes and fears for, potentially, forty years of ordained ministry. The decision by General Synod in July to consider a Code of Practice, rather than structural alternatives, presents a significant problem for those who are opposed to the ordination of women. Many of this integrity have suggested that it is “too soon to give up” and that something effective can come from the next Group of Sessions. We fear this is unlikely. If the Church of England chooses not to provide appropriate structural solutions, as this resolution by General Synod would seem to indicate, it would be foolhardy - and even disingenuous - to continue to prepare for a life of ordained ministry in the Church of England.

General Synod is the “synodically governed” part of the Church of England’s systems of authority, but there is another: the recognition that it is “episcopally led” is as vital to this discussion, and it is this element that we wish to address. At the July Group of Sessions, Synod decided to disregard the interventions of the two Archbishops and a number of our most senior bishops. This would seem to undermine the authority of the Archbishops, and appears to reflect a distressing disunity within the House of Bishops itself.

If the House of Bishops is to lead us from the brink of irreparable damage to the systems of government within the Church of England, then this is the time to do it. Whether you, as the bishops of the Church of England, wish to follow this route is your decision. We will continue to pray for an increased unity in the House of Bishops in order that the same unity might spread throughout the Church of England.

There has been much discussion of a Code of Practice but, as we have stated above, this is unworkable. Fr Jonathan Baker’s resignation from the Manchester Group indicates the strength with which the constituency resents being, seemingly, ‘dealt with’ in this way. A Code of Practice may seem attractive on paper, but it is hard to see how it could sustain a body of Christians shaped for mission and evangelism and who are not merely tolerated, but respected.

Many have pointed to other Provinces within the Anglican Communion as examples of places where women are ordained to the episcopate, using this as a reason for us to consider it within the Church of England. If this is taken seriously as legitimising the quest for episcopal ordination for women, it follows that other related examples within the Communion should also be taken seriously. The House of Bishops need not be reminded of the current situation in the United States, where it is possible to see instances in which such a Code of Practice has failed to provide for those it intends to. A similar situation has developed in the decision by the Governing Body of the Church in Wales not to replace the Provincial Assistant Bishop following his
recent retirement.

The House of Bishops has the opportunity to bring this situation under control. Nobody would suggest that this issue is going to go away; nobody would suggest that the House of Bishops can, over the course of this weekend, solve all the problems that currently exist. However, it is possible for the House of Bishops to provide the leadership and unity that is so urgently needed on this matter. The House of Bishops represents as broad a range of opinions as the Church of England encompasses—and well it should. On this issue a matter of Christian Unity is at stake. Not only within the Church of England, but in the church at large, there is genuine concern that the future could bring further dissonance and disunity to Christ’s Church, bringing realistic hopes for Christian Unity to an end.

A Code of Practice cannot sustain the Church of England as it is today. The House of Bishops has the potential to do something about that, and to come together as a model of Christian living, affirming and including all within our number.

With our good wishes and prayers,

www.massinformation.org

Following the usual round of morning liturgies, I had a quick but productive meeting with the Parish Administrator. Fr Mark and I then went to St Barnabas Tunbridge Wells for our SSC Chapter. Today we kept the annual Requiem for departed brothers of the society followed by fellowship.
The Society of the Holy Cross, to which I belong, is a priestly society which enables priests to have the cross of Christ as the centre of their being. I am grateful that I belong to this society, and am grateful for the support, love and fellowship of the brethren.
Back from the Chapter, Fr Mark and I worked on the seating plan for the lunch on Sunday. Back in church for the evening liturgy we were joined by Frances and did a couple of hours work towards our big day on Sunday.
Back home some of the servers were busy working (see photo) on their activities to raise enough funds for their new robes.
It is all go and it is wonderful!

I enjoyed my day off today; it freed me up to pursue some studies that I am really fond of. I also had the time to look again at a devotional address I am giving on Thursday evening at St. Augustine’s Kilburn. I am looking forward to it very much.
This evening Fr Stephen Bould SSC led us into another Credo ’08 evening where he discussed with us that phrase from the Apostles’ Creed which proclaims the Holy Catholic Church and the Communion of Saints. It was a very good presentation which as is now the trend set by these meetings has engaged many people. Thank you Fr Stephen.

Cool!

After Lauds and Mass today we had the exposition of the Most Blessed for Sacred Space. This silent witness and adoration of Our Lord is the backbone of the whole existence of our Parish. The Lord presides from the altar and those who answer His call keep silent vigil in front of Him. It is silence that best leads us in the presence of Him who is perfect Love; it is the openness of the faithful that allows Him to pour His Holy Spirit that energises us and unites us together and with Him. I know that there are others who can not be present and others that join spiritually from home, but how I wish that more of us will make some time to come and keep vigil in front of our Joy!
My first RE lesson today was at our school, in the afternoon it was the turn of another local school. In both primary schools I have the pleasure of teaching the older classes. One of the classes was due to come to church today but the weather was so miserable that I went to the school.
In both classes today we shared the story of Moses. It is such a captivating and exciting story that one could hear a pin drop. We spoke about the Ten Commandments and we wrote them down on home made tablets. In one of the schools, as we were summing up, a pupil said to me: “Moses is cool!” Indeed he is.
After answering some e-mails and working on some things that needed doing I shared Office of Readings, Vespers and the Salve with Frances, our hard working sacristan.
Today we kept St Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor. I read his life in preparation for my confirmation, I was about ten. The image of him in sacred vestments and with a cross in hand, riding a white horse meeting the barbarians and stopping them by the sheer power of courage and trust in God always captured my imagination. God can do mighty things with those who trust Him. Why are we so weak and so scared to trust God? I think St Leo is cool too.

Remembrance Sunday

Both masses today were Requiems for those who lost their lives during wars. At the10am Sung Mass we had the Act of Remembrance. In it we remembered by name those who were members of this congregation and died in the last two world conflicts, among them two priests. Our Act of Remembrance was led by Charles who served in the Navy in 1942. Following the two minute silence he laid the wreath at the foot of the crucifix in the name of the whole congregation. The Act of Remembrance was a moving moment for all of us.
This evening our youth group BOBs met in their new time slot of 4 – 6pm.
This week is all taken by the preparations for our big day on Sunday. Many thanks to all those who are involved in the hard work of preparation, it promises to be a true feast!

Fr Trevor Jones writes about the low pay and hard work for Anglo Catholic clergy but the pure joy and delight of being an Anglo Catholic priest today. It can not be more true! Our calling is high and noble and there is nothing like it. On our day of ordination we have been configured into Christ the only priest and he gives us the grace to share sacramentally in this eternal and only priesthood – through Him, with Him and in Him we offer God’s love and mercy to all those around us. It is only in Christ that our life as priests makes sense. We are to daily give ourselves to the cross and from there experience the life of Easter to which we are called to invite people. The life of the priest starts and ends at the altar, all he does when not on the altar is an extension of what he has been doing at the altar, everything he does is Mass, an oblation and sacrifice to God in intimate union with Christ. The priest is firmly grounded here on earth but his mind is in heaven, his friends are earthly but also include saints in heaven, he seeks to keep safe but he knows that angels are with him, he is the leader of the people but his authority is on his knees washing feet. I can not cease to give thanks to God that without any merit of mine he has numbered me among his priests and I hope and trust that no one will be put off from this joyful obedience by low remuneration or a relentless schedule. The past two days were days of working behind the scene. Preparing booklets, orders of service, finalising a sermon, lesson preparations, letter writing and signing and preparing for the Forward in Faith (Rochester) committee meeting last night, that was the order of the day. Both days were enlightened by the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice and today also by hospital visiting and Benediction. Pastoral conversations peppered these two days and I am grateful to the Holy Spirit for the words he puts in this useless brain of mine. Every day in the life of a priest is a day of walking with Christ, of thinking like Christ, of seeing like Christ and serving like he does in honesty, generosity and faithfulness to His teaching. If you are called to be a priest do not waste any more time and ask the Church to test your thoughts so that you can know if what you have is a vocation or an inclination.

When Blessed John XXIII was asked how many people work in the Vatican, his answer was: "About half." It seems that the present Holy Father wants to make that right. Biretta tip to the Catholic Herald for the following piece of useless information.

No more loafing at the Vatican as timecards return after 40 years

By Nick Pisa in Rome

7 November 2008
The Vatican is clamping down on work-shy priests and employees by introducing clocking-on cards.The tiny city state has given timecards to all employees from office clerks to heads of departments including priests. But bishops and cardinals will be exempt for now.The introduction of the timecards follows a clampdown across Italy by Renato Brunetta, Minister for Public Administration, against what are known as fannulloni, or loafers. For years civil servants in Italy have all too often put their feet up and read La Gazzetta dello Sport, nipped out to go shopping or spent some time with their lover while colleagues covered for them. The oldest ruse was leaving a jacket on the back of a chair and getting a colleague to tell the boss the missing employee had just "popped to the bathroom''. Vatican insiders say timecards would also be used as an "efficiency study" to clock the productivity of employees.They will also be used next year as a study on performance-related pay.Timecards were used until the Sixties but then abolished under Blessed Pope John XXIII because he considered them obsolete and "undignifying''.A Vatican source said: "On the whole they have been generally accepted but some of the older employees who were around in the Sixties when they were abolished have been complaining. Some even joked it was a typical Germanic attempt at efficiency. "But the idea has nothing to do with Pope Benedict although he would have been informed."The Vatican has a workforce of 2,748 which is made up of 1,637 lay people, 778 priests, 243 brothers and 90 nuns who are paid salaries.

Here are some final pictures from the Parish exhibition which closed yesterday. All pupils from our school came down to see it.