The Pensive Pilgrim

When we introduced our monthly 'New Fire Mass' at All Saints Church about two years ago, reactions were inevitably mixed. Some members of our congregation instantly loved it, others hated it, whilst the majority weren't sure and adapted to it over time. Fortunately, the fact that the liturgy remained firmly Catholic seems to have held these three groups together. Two years on, I think it's fair to say that 'New Fire' has become an integral and valued part of our monthly round of worship. To many, it's simply a more contemporary 'take' on the Eucharist with lively modern music (or 'a jazzed up Mass' as one old timer calls it). A smaller group of worshippers, however, recognise that there is much more to it than that. This group (which is steadily growing) is gradually embracing a Charismatic spirituality and opening itself to the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit. In Lent groups over the last couple of years where subjects such as praying i...

When I was an ordinand at Chichester Theological College, all students were required (quite rightly) to have a Spiritual Director. The Staff Chapter kindly provided a list of local - and not so local - clergy who might fulfil this role. I duly selected a name off the list - a name which meant absolutely nothing to me other than the fact that he was Vicar of a nearby parish - and in due course met with the priest concerned. I found him to be a rather cold fish. I couldn't get any sense of what made him 'tick' and, most important of all, I had a sneaking suspicion that he wouldn't be terribly gay-friendly. As I was struggling to make sense of how my sexuality and vocation fitted together, it was important to me to have a Spiritual Director with whom I could be honest  about such things. (Most of my fellow students, I must add, told me that this was absurd and that I shouldn't tell anyone about my sexuality. It was the early 1980s, and 'Don't ask; don't t...

"You've come back. How lovely". This was how I was greeted by a number of people at this year's On Fire Mission Conference at High Leigh. As last year was my first attendance there, I was impressed and moved that people remembered me. This year I was accompanied by a parishioner and a fellow priest from a neighbouring diocese - both first-timers - and I was delighted to observe how warmly they too were welcomed. On Fire Mission feels very much like a family, and it's good to  see that there's a genuine readiness to welcome new people to the family, thus avoiding becoming a clique. With a good idea of what to expect, and having spent the last year 'growing into' my newly found identity as a Charismatic Catholic, I knew that this year's conference wouldn't have the same seismic spiritual and emotional impact as its predecessor. This proved to be true, but the experience was nevertheless profoundly joyful and renewing. I was particularly str...