Monthly Album 18

Fulfilling a Vocation

A One Year-Old? What is in that Bag?

Many parishioners will remember Francis Thomas, who served two years here as Sub-Administrator’s Intern after having taken a Theology degree at Leeds University. From the Cathedral he went to Allen Hall Seminary and so we have seen him from time to time on those occasions when seminarians come to the Cathedral to assist on major occasions. On Saturday 11 June we were pleased to witness his Ordination to the Diaconate and offer our sincere congratulations. For the coming year he continues at the seminary during the week, but spending weekends in Edgware parish. Next year, God willing, he will be ordained to the priesthood. Many who are ordained for the diocese come from outside it, so Francis, whose roots are in Willesden, can be an encouragement for the discerning of local vocations.

The heading poses a question: When you pass your 100th Birthday, do you carrying on counting, or start again from scratch? If the latter, then we were pleased recently to celebrate the first birthday of Frances Bridges, who has been a parishioner for 50 years and is a familiar face each week at the 10 am Mass. With her are Fr Michael, who celebrated the Mass, and Kevin Greenan who faithfully supports Frances around the Cathedral with motive power. If you go to visit Westminster Abbey or St Paul’s Cathedral, you will find Security Staff outside, checking the contents of any bags that you may have with you, before allowing you to enter the building. A different scenario plays out here at the Cathedral. Our Security will not inspect bags, although they will ask men to remove their hats as necessary and ask everyone not to bring open food or drink into the Cathedral. So no, Fr Brian (pictured) is not practising to be an Abbey Security Guard, but it is simply fulfilling one of the Chaplains’ most constant duties, the blessing of the wide range of objects of devotion purchased from the Cathedral Gift Shop and / or St Paul’s Bookshop. Some people even buy things at the Abbey Shop and bring them down the road to be blessed, although we prefer you to make your purchases here and so support the Cathedral.