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THE P RTAL
November 2016 Page 22
I have assisted in the parish as needed , particularly on weekdays , and have benefited greatly from the lively biblical faith of many of the parishioners . It has also been a privilege to be guided in these first five years of priesthood by the Pastor , Monsignor Charles Pope , whose wisdom , example , and friendship have been a great encouragement .
I have also assisted the small but growing Ordinariate parish here in the District . In this , I am particularly proud of our development of an all-girl Schola Cantorum , comprising volunteers who sing the elaborate chants of the Roman Gradual , in English from the “ Wantage Gradual ” every Sunday , and the work undertaken with our Director of Music to establish a music programme that would be the envy of a cathedral . We now have a polyphonic Mass and motet every week , drawn from the English and Latin repertories .
Ordinariate Life in the United States
The Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter was established on 1 January 2012 , and immediately strengthened by the existing “ common identity ” parishes of the so-called “ Pastoral Provision ”. Thus its Principal Church was not only already built , but a successful parish of the Archdiocese of Galveston- Houston . From Britain , the Ordinariate in North America can appear as an aircraft carrier to our humble sailboat , but it is worth reflecting that the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham has in fact more groups and clergy , even if we lack the buildings and financial resources enjoyed by our cousins .
In fact , the majority of the North American Ordinariate parishes are not in entirely different situations from those in the UK . What makes them stand out , however — what makes them successful vehicles for growth — is their undistracted ability to commit to developing the Ordinariates . Many clergy here are supported entirely by their Ordinariate community , they quickly find their own building , and the Ordinariate identity of the groups is strong .
Divine Worship
At the heart of all of this is of course the celebration of Divine Worship as the exclusive form of liturgical prayer . Our liturgical patrimony , now codified in Divine Worship , is not all that we are about or have to offer , but it is certainly clear that it is an absolutely essential element , from which everything else will flow .
As Archbishop Di Noia reminded those gathered at Westminster last year : “ The manner in which an ecclesial community worships uniquely expresses its inner life .” In North America this has been proven
Fr James - assisting at Confirmation with Bishop Lopes at Mount Calvary , Baltimore MD
by the numerical growth and increased outreach of Ordinariate communities , the attraction of financial donations , and also by the willingness of local dioceses to provide appropriate Mass times and even whole buildings , because they recognise something distinctive and worth preserving in what is being offered .
Some Final Remarks
My time in Washington DC has been hugely rewarding , even if at times I ’ ve missed family , friends , and my brother priests ( not mention a few Creature Comforts ). It has also been a time to reflect on the work that is before us in the unfolding project of Anglicanorum cœtibus , and to recommit to that work with a new fervour and enthusiasm .
We have great challenges ahead , but we have been given everything that we need to make this a success . With God ’ s help , and with hard work , I am convinced we have an exciting future ! As Pope Francis said when he visited Washington DC in September last year : Siempre adelante ! Keep moving forward !
THE P RTAL
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