… and others soon will join them.

Hemel Hempstead Altar Party

Hemel Hempstead is not far from the more ancient and famous town of St Albans.  Unlike the site of Alban's martyrdom, though, Hemel has a new claim in the historic record.  It is the only place in Hertfordshire to have its own Ordinariate Group.

This morning they had invited me to celebrate the Ascension Mass, their last together before their two former Anglican priests (and present Catholic Deacons) are ordained  Priests in Wesminster Cathedral.  That is to be on Friday, and a full house is expected.

Another bun-fight

Meanwhile, today, Deacon Gordon Adam assisted at the Mass and preached while I (once his 'flying' Bishop)  celebrated it.  There was a very happy meeting of old friends in the Religious Education block of the school – for St Mark's Church is also the Chapel of the School – the school itself being dedicated to the memory of one J.F.K, who I believe was an American.  Our other Deacon,  Fr Tim Bugby, was assisting and preaching at another of the churches within the Catholic Parish – but we managed to catch up with him during a very happy meal  last evening.

Related posts:

Greetings from St. AthanasiusWhat a Day!ACCC Synod: Miscellaneous PicturesSome Pictures From "Becoming One" GatheringWest of the Border… Bishop Barnes read theology for three years at Oxford before finishing his studies at Cuddesdon College (at the time a theological college with a rather monastic character). He subsequently served two urban curacies in Portsmouth and Woking. During his first curacy, and after the statutory three years of celibacy, he married his wife Jane (with whom he has two children, Nicola and Matthew). In 1967, Bishop Barnes received his first incumbency as Rector of Farncombe in the Diocese of Guildford. After eleven years, the family moved to Hessle, in the Diocese of York, for another nine years as vicar. In 1987, he became Principal of St Stephen’s House, Oxford. In 1995, he was asked by then Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, to become the second PEV for the Province. He was based in St. Alban’s and charged with ministering to faithful Anglo-Catholics spread over the length of Southern England, from the Humber Estuary to the Channel Islands. After six years of service as a PEV, Bishop Barnes retired to Lymington on the south coast where he holds the Bishop of Winchester’s license as an honorary assistant bishop. On the retirement of the late and much lamented Bishop Eric Kemp, he was honored to be asked to succeed him as President of the Church Union, which office he still holds.

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