Thursday, July 21, 2016

FIRST MASS....

...of Father Philip Andrews. at St Joseph's Church, New Malden...a glorious and joyous occasion. It is so moving to kneel to recieve a young priest's first blessing, and to kiss his hands. Philip has been living and helping in the parish during the holidays of his years at the Venerable English College in Rome, so he is a popular figure, and there was a great sense of celebration...the church was packed, and there was a  great buffet supper in the parish centre, lots of cheery greetings,  speeches, toasts, the cutting of a celebration cake...

There were other  young men from the VEC joining in the celebrations, plus of course priests from across the diocese... all a sign of hope for the Church in the years ahead. Pics of Fr Phil's ordination (St George's Cathedral Southwark, Sat July 16th) here...

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