As promised, here are a number of high resolution photographs from the Procession and Mass of Palm Sunday at the Ordinariate-bound Cathedral of the Incarnation in Orlando, Florida. On this day, Monsignor Jeffrey Steenson made his first visit to the Cathedral of the Pro-Diocese of the Holy Family.
Here comes the Procession...
Watch that zuchetto!
Msgr. Jeffrey Steenson in his Pastoral Letter for Holy Week 2012 writes about his experience at the Pro-Diocese of the Holy Family's Cathedral of the Incarnation in Orlando, Florida, which he visited on Palm Sunday.
On Palm Sunday I had the great privilege of visiting one of the happy stories of the Ordinariate, the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Orlando, which has been superbly shepherded over the years by Bishop Louis Campese. Here are people who have been well catechized, with the right disposition, who have already built good relationships with the local Catholic Church, well poised to grow, and they are an excellent model for what an Ordinariate congregation can be.
I am very pleased to concur with Monsignor's assessment. The Church of the Incarnation will be a huge asset to the Ordinariate, and, upon its entrance into full communion with the Catholic Church, it is poised to grow vigorously, becoming the "anchor" of Catholic Anglicanism in the region.
I have just returned from the Procession and Mass of Palm Sunday at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Orlando, Florida, my home parish. In addition to the pageantry of this Sunday beginning Holy Week, there was a large class of First Communicants, and perhaps just as special, Msgr. Jeffrey Steenson, the Ordinary of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, was among us.
Having met together with Bishop John Noonan of the Orlando Diocese, Bishop Louis Campese of the Anglican Pro-Diocese of the Holy Family, and other clergy yesterday evening, Msgr. Steenson assisted at Mass in Choir. He also gave a touching homily for the great benefit of those children celebrating their First Communions.
At the following reception (or as Fr. Barnes would put it, "bun-fight") in the Royal Hall, Monsignor had the opportunity to meet many of the congregation and First Communion guests. He remarked several times that he was simply "blown away" by the vitality and youth of the congregation; he had not expected to find such, especially in a parish having its roots in the Traditional Anglican Communion (to which, by the way, the parish and Pro-Diocese have no substantive connection; the TAC is for all intents and purposes dead, though we have chosen not to cover the tragic events surrounding its disintegration over the past months).
While the Cathedral clergy humbly continue in the formation process, the entire parish is looking forward to the moment when the community will be allowed to enter the new Ordinariate. Everyone is anxious, and folks were queuing up to meet and thank the man who will soon be, God willing, their Ordinary. Msgr. Steenson was very generous with his time, making a point to speak, sometimes at length, with everyone who wished to meet him.
I had the opportunity to speak alone with Msgr. Steenson for quite some time, and I came away very much encouraged for the future of the Ordinariate. There are challenges ahead, to be sure, but the good Monsignor is coming to understand the singular needs of the various groups in the United States and Canada waiting to find their permanent home in the Catholic Church and the Ordinariate. Pray for him.
Pictures of the event will follow shortly.
The news this week was dominated by five men of a certain age announcing that they would be seeking new employment — or at least that is how it was portrayed in several media accounts.
We have had several stories here on the stunning news of the five resignations in the UK, so this week I will focus in on some of the stories that missed the headlines.
In the world of the Anglican Use, two stories caught my eye. First, the St. Thomas More Society in Scranton, PA, is celebrating its fifth anniversary this month. Under Fr. Eric Bergman, an original core of 50 has continued to grow since being received into full communion and has helped other AU groups get off the ground as well.
Further south in San Antonio, where it is probably not snowing today as it is here, Fr. Phillips has returned home from a trip to DC with a group of young people from Our Lady of the Atonement’s school, which is in the process of adding a new building to meet enrollment demands. Both of these stories are reminders of the good things to begin working for around the world once the Ordinariates are out of the gates.
Earlier in the week, Fr. Phillips was in Orlando to speak at a parish meeting of the ACA Cathedral of the Incarnation, which he describes as incredibly positive.
The Ordinariate Google Map has invaded Canada, adding several ACCC parishes, and the pin count now stands at 28.
In the UK, the Ordinariate exploration groups are beginning to multiply. Today a group is meeting at Holy Trinity, Winchmore Hill in London. Next week in Kent, there will be an informational meeting at St. John the Baptist, Sevenoaks. And the Redbridge and Havering group has begun the Evangelium Course.
Across the Tiber, literally, we received word that Anglicanorum coetibus will be on the agenda for the day of reflection to be held by the College of Cardinals preceding the consistory. It is fair to say that only topline issues and the Holy Father’s personal priorities are being discussed at this gathering, sending a clear signal that Anglicanorum coetibus is an important matter for the entire Church.
Later in the week, Fr. Scott Hurd, who is assisting Archbishop Wuerl in his work as Pastoral Delegate for Anglicanorum Coetibus, made a strong showing on EWTN’s The World Over. That interview is now available online.
Finally, William Oddie has been continuing his excellent overview of the Anglican Patrimony in the Catholic Herald.
I’m sure that there was much more news, but I’m taking a couple days away from the cyber-trenches. More next week, God willing. Till then, keep the Becoming One gathering in San Antonio in your prayers.
I'm writing from Washington, D.C. — well, actually from Alexandria, Virginia, where our hotel is — because I'm here with a group of Middle School students from the parish. I came here last night, directly from Orlando, Florida. I'd spent a couple of days with the very fine clergy and delightful people of the Cathedral of the Incarnation (ACA). It was my privilege to preach at their Sunday morning Mass, and then I was given the opportunity to speak at the parish meeting which followed. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss Anglicanorum coetibus, and what it means for the future of their parish. There were lots of good questions, great interest, and some real excitement as they get closer to their vote, which will be taking place in not very many weeks.
I think it was helpful for them to hear about the experiences of those of us in the Anglican Use, as we've been living out our Anglican patrimony in the Catholic Church for nearly thirty years. Of course, there are always a few who are looking for the "downside" of things, but the overwhelming response I heard was positive and thankful.
Please do keep the clergy and people of the Cathedral of the Incarnation in your prayers, as they prepare not only for their parish's vote, but more importantly, for their parish's future.
Cardinal DiNardo speaks with confirmands at Our Lady of Walsingham, Houston.
In the mainstream media, it was a quieter week for Ordinariate news, but plenty of things were happening.
The American Ordinariate Google Map pin count stands at 21, up two from last week.
The Tablet reported that Bishop Andrew Burnham has estimated that the Ordinariate in England will launch with around 24 groups. (Remember to keep the Bishops of Ebbsfleet and Richborough in your prayers.)
In The Telegraph, religion correspondent, Tim Ross, reported comments from a senior C of E official on the possibility that those who enter the Ordinariate may be allowed to continue worshipping in their current buildings.
Also from the UK, we have word of a new blog, Ordinariate Watch, dedicated particularly to developments in London.
From Australia, we got an important glimpse of the shape of things to come from Bishop Peter Elliott.
The November edition of the Diocesan Circular of the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada is online and contains several articles of Ordinariate interest as well as the regular features like From Maggie’s Kitchen. (Good food is definitely integral to the Patrimony.)
In the November newsletter of Our Lady of Walsingham in Houston, we read that Cardinal DiNardo confirmed eight young people during a Solemn High Mass and has written to Cardinal-designate Wuerl giving his blessing for the parish to enter the American Ordinariate.
The website of Mount Calvary, Baltimore, now displays Peter’s keys in its masthead and there is also a news page for developments in the parish’s journey to full communion.
Tomorrow, Fr. Phillips will be at a special meeting on the way forward at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Orlando, where our own moderator is senior warden.
In other news, though it is an insignificant gesture that is only intended for a few perpetually disgruntled souls, yet another notable figure in the Church of England felt that he had to pour cold water on Anglicanorum coetibus. This time it was N.T. Wright, the former Bishop of Durham. His comments on the Ordinariate got less coverage than they might have otherwise because in the same interview he also stated that he firmly believes in women bishops, except when he doesn’t.
In better news, we saw a positive view of the Ordinariates in the Jesuit magazine, America.
Next Tuesday, the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran, marks the first anniversary of the publication of Anglicanorum coetibus. Pray that the good news keeps coming and don’t forget to add your updates to our Moving Forward section.
On September 23, 2010, the Cathedral of the Incarnation officially welcomed the appointment of Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C. as Pastoral Delegate for the implementation of Anglicanorum Coetibus in the United States of America and declared the intention of the parish to pursue unity with the Catholic Church under its terms. This action was a unanimous resolution of the Cathedral Chapter, supported by Bishop Campese and the entire body of Cathedral clergy.
On Sunday, November 7, 2010, the Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity, the Cathedral of the Incarnation (TAC/ACA/DEUS), Orlando, Florida, will convene a special parish assembly following a single celebration of Holy Mass at 9:00 AM. Now that the time has come for us to make a definitive decision as to our corporate future, this meeting will provide an opportunity for each member of our parish family to learn the very latest details concerning the Cathedral's movement toward full visible communion with the Catholic Church under the terms of the Holy Father's most generous provision, the recent Apostolic Constitution, Anglicanorum Coetibus.
We are very pleased that Fr. Christopher Phillips, pastor of Our Lady of the Atonement Catholic Church (Anglican Use) in San Antonio, Texas, will be present as our honored guest. Fr. Phillips will share with us his long experience as a priest of the Anglican Use in the Catholic Church and take questions from the congregation.
The presentations at this parish meeting will be designed to afford each member of our parish family the information necessary to make a personal decision in good conscience as to whether or not to accept the teaching of our church — the holy doctrine confessed by our bishop, clergy, and entire lay leadership — that unity with the Catholic Church is a mandate from Our Blessed Lord Himself and a goal that we are bound to achieve.
As required by the by-laws of the parish corporation, on Sunday, December 5, 2010, the Second Sunday in Advent, we will conduct a second special parish assembly to vote on a resolution enabling the affiliation of the Cathedral of the Incarnation with the anticipated personal ordinariate for the territory of the Unites States of the America when it is canonically erected by the Catholic authorities.
The next several weeks should be a time of intense prayer and reflection for our parishioners and we invite all people of good will to pray for the Cathedral parish as we strive to complete our long journey home.
Christian Clay Campbell
Rector's Warden
A month ago, many of our contributors and readers were waiting and tired and tired of waiting. The cry might have been, “How long, O Lord, how long?” As October begins, the world looks a bit different.
Around that time, Bishop Peter Elliott, pastoral delegate for Australia for Anglicanorum Coetibus wrote to us to commend to us his prayers for the success of the Ordinariates. Among the saints to whom he commended the Holy Father’s enterprise was Therese of Lisieux. It seems appropriate on this her feast day to remember the graces received in the last month as the reality of Anglican Ordinariates around the world has drawn many steps closer.
At mid month, there was the Holy Father’s visit to the UK and the beatification of Bl. John Henry Newman with an outpouring of public support that surprised many in the press. It certainly was not lost on this audience that the last words of the Holy Father’s address to the Bishops of England and Wales were given to Anglicanorum Coetibus, which he referred to as a “prophetic gesture.”
Only days after the Pope’s return to Rome, the U.S. received its pastoral delegate, Archbishop Wuerl of Washington, to be assisted by Bishop Vann of Fort Worth and Bishop McManus of Worcester along with Fr. Scott Hurd, who has already proven a help to many.
Intertwined with these events, we saw concrete developments begin to take shape, from earlier in the month when our own Fr. Pinnock announced his intention to be received into the Catholic Church, to news of an Anglican Use Society in the Philippines, to the announcement of the Church of the Resurrection in San Diego that it intends to say yes to Anglicanorum Coetibus.
Since the Papal Visit, we have seen the ACA’s Cathedral of the Incarnation in Orlando announce its intent along with Holy Cross in Honolulu and Holy Nativity in Payson, Arizona. The ECM’s St. Columba Parish in Fernley, Nevada has thrown its hat in the ring as well and Ottawa’s Cathedral of the Annunciation has weathered a major storm on its journey forward. In the Anglican Use, we have heard of the request of the vestry of the Episcopal Church's Mount Calvary in Baltimore to be received as an Anglican Use parish and of new Anglican Use groups in Nashville and Philadelphia. Finally, the caravan seems to be gathering in the UK with, we hope, more good news to be heard soon. (And please forgive me if I've forgotten anyone or any place–there's been so much news the last few days that I can't keep up.)
In the months to come, there will certainly be setbacks and disappointments, but in September we saw the beginning of the good news. It seems a good day to give thanks as we begin a new month in a world that looks far more hopeful than it did just 30 days ago. Take a moment to return thanks to the Father in heaven for all of his goodness towards us and take a moment to say a prayer for the continued intercession of St. Therese, The Little Flower, that the shower of roses may continue.
Son of a Virgin, Maker of thy Mother,
thou, Rod and Blossom from a Stem unstainèd,
now while a virgin fair of fame we honor,
hear our devotion!Fountain of mercy, hear the prayers she offers;
purge our offenses, pardon our transgressions,
so that hereafter we to thee may render
praise with thanksgiving.Thou, the All-Father, thou the One-Begotten,
thou Holy Spirit, Three in One co-equal,
glory be henceforth thine through all the ages,
world without ending.
Hymn of Vigils from the Common of Virgins
Cathedral of the Incarnation
Diocese of the Eastern United States
Anglican Church in America
Orlando, Florida
September 8, 2010
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
With profound gratitude and filial respect to the Successor of St. Peter, the Chapter of the Cathedral of the Incarnation warmly receives the Apostolic Constitution, Anglicanorum Coetibus, of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI.
Having prayerfully considered the aforementioned papal legislation, along with its associated Complementary Norms, and with due regard for the accompanying canonical commentary by Fr. Gianfranco Ghirlanda, S.J., Rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University (all published under the auspices of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on November 4, 2009) and recognizing in the Holy Father’s most generous response to the pleas of various Anglican groups our common desire and holy commitment to achieve the reconciliation of our small flock with the Catholic Church in a corporate fashion and with due regard to our own precious Anglican Patrimony, the Cathedral Chapter now unanimously resolves:
1. that the Bishop of the Diocese of the Eastern United States, the Dean of the Cathedral, and Officers of the Chapter be authorized to communicate directly with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) or its authorized liaison for the territory of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on behalf of the Cathedral of the Incarnation to the end that the Cathedral parish eventually be received in its integrity into the full communion of the Catholic Church through an Anglican Personal Ordinariate as envisioned by Anglicanorum Coetibus; and,
2. that the text of this Resolution be published immediately on the parish web site and the online journal, The Anglo-Catholic, with copies to be posted directly to the Holy Father, William Cardinal Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and the authorized liaison for the United States of America.
Signed,
Very Rev. Fr. Mark Siegel
Dean of the Cathedral
Christian Clay Campbell
Rector’s Warden
Ernest Parker
People’s Warden
As an expression of the unanimity of the Bishop and Parish Clergy, the Chapter welcomes their signatures to this Resolution.
Rt. Rev. Louis Campese
Bishop of the Eastern United States (ACA)
Fr. William “Doc” Holiday
Senior Curate
Fr. Scott Whitmore
Curate
Fr. Jason McCrimmon
Curate