CCR Webpage News: 8th July 2019
Wow! Can you think we are well past the longest day of the year now? Time really is inexorable, and as well as the daily office and Eucharist, we have had much to keep us busy at the community of late.
We welcomed the Society of the Resurrection (SR) to make their renewed commitments on Corpus Christi day, which was followed up by their AGM here. John and me conducted a preliminary visit to Liscard on the Wirral, where we will be conducting a mission week at the start of September with two college students. And before all of that, I had the privilege to travel to Montserrat in Spain – (The Shrine of St. Mary with its famous Black Madonna) – for a conference with the Congress of Inter-religious on Spiritual Communion. All of these – especially the latter – have been wonderful events and, I think, greatly enrich all involved in them.
Petertide weekend saw me going to the ordination of deacons in York minster, where there were nine students of St. Hild College being ordained. It has been wonderful to see this and to offer chaplaincy support during this part of their journey. From there, it was a train ride to Newcastle, where I preached for Fr. Chris Minchin’s first Mass in Benwell, St. James. With former college Sacristan Lois Ward deaconing, everything felt very ‘Mirfield’ indeed!
This morning (Monday) saw us saying au revoir to the last few Festival Weekend guests. Thank you to all of you who offered help and support howsoever. It is appreciated, and goes a long way in ensuring that we can maintain such a busy but joyous event in this special place. It was delightful to have the Rt. Revd. Michael Ipgrave, our visitor, preaching here for the first time since his election as well. The Revd. Julia Mann was made a Companion at the Dedication day Mass.
We will be turning our hearts and minds to matters of business this week, with the start of Chapter, and welcome your prayers in this work. Thankfully, it will also bring some retreat time. I am reminded of the prophet Isaiah’s words, ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved.’ (Isaiah 30.15-17) Amen, so let it be!
Marc CR