Fr. Jeff Woolnough Ordinariate Mission Priest

The Holy Father's extraordinary invitation to set up Personal Ordinariate parishes for Former Anglicans has been received with great joy by those who have sent an RSVP marked 'yes'. However, many who claim to believe all that the Catholic Church teaches still remain in the Church of England, perhaps waiting to see what happens to those entering via the 'first wave'? C'mon in folks the water is lovely and you will be warmly welcomed that's for certain! Whatever the hesitancy, uncertainty, let me encourage you to review again the tenants of the Catholic faith, which is Petrine to its very core. Claims of Catholicity minus the Petrine ministry are truly on shaky ground.You don't need me to remind you of that? A line has now been drawn in the sand. From an ecumenical viewpoint this could be very helpful in facilitating Christian fellowship to prosper between Anglicans and Catholics? The Church of England may be a broad church but when push

An exciting future, bringing with us our Anglican Patrimony! Dear friends We are in the third week of Lent already! This Sunday, Lent 4 is Mothering Sunday, we shall honour our earthly Mum's but chiefly our heavenly Mother, Mary!  As Pastor of the Hockley group, I was so very moved to be with you all at St Teresa's last Sunday when we signed our names in the Ordinariate book of enrollment (a big thanks to Fr Gerry). I don't know about you but Lent seems to be flying by, only three more Sunday's until Holy Week when joy of joys: we shall all be received into full communion with 'Mother Church'( Maundy Thursday 8pm Mass of the Lord's Supper). Lots to do before then. Please come to Evangelium (RCIA) every Tuesday, 7.30pm. at Kilnfield House...We've been studying together since September and we are now on the 'home straight'.  The sessions on the Sacrament of Reconciliation that we have been working through are really helpful. If for

Our Ordinary, the Right Reverend Monsignor Keith Newton has asked folks to gather at Westminster Cathedral this coming Saturday, 26th March, for a Walsingham Mass celebrated by Archbishop Vincent Nichols to mark the 950th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady to Richeldis. The image of OLW will be brought in procession by the Guardians of the Anglican Shrine...should be quite a re-union... Ave Maria!

Please listen, if you can to the BBC Essex Ian Wyatt Breakfast Show on the BBC Essex website  iplayer. Link below: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/p00fbywn/Ian_Wyatt_20_03_2011 Fr Gerry Drummond gives a cracking interview regarding the Ordinariate and the wider issue of conversion to Catholicism. Kicks off around the 7.20am mark. Well done Father and thank you for all your support, love and encouragement!

Tomorrow, those Anglican priests who are now candidates for Holy Orders in the Catholic Church will begin a course of formation at Allen Hall Seminary, Chelsea. In our Ordinariate group in the Southend area, please pray for Frs Lee, (Benfleet)  Bob and Jeff (Hockley), as we undertake this intense programme of study. Must fly...time to sharpen pencils and get my briefcase together!

                              Tuesday evening RCIA-Evangelium 7.30pm                                   at Kilnfield House, Hockley . Weds 7.30pm St Pius X  Stations of the Cross led by Fr Jeff Friday morning liturgy at St Pius X, cancelled so that we can attend the Funeral Mass of the late Christine Thompson RIP at Our Lady of Ransom, Rayleigh 10.30am. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++                                         SOCIAL for the Boys (and girls) Ordinariate Boys Club meets 12 noon at Fr Jeff's Saturday morning for a helping of very severe religion...it's Spurs V West Ham , live on TV. I'm expecting Paul & Warick, (Spurs fans), so I need to balance things by asking for some Hammers fans to balance the volume in the Vicarage living room?  C'mon you Irons!

Fr Keith with some of the Benfleet Ordinariate Group at Brentwood Cathedral after the Rite of Enrolment. Fr Lee Bennett in 'mufty', ... scrubs up well, don't you think?                                                                                        Some more pics of earlier in the day-                             Outside The Church of The Holy Family, Benfleet, our new home.  Catechesis back at the Vicarage after Sunday Mass                                                                                  Fr Lee chatting to Fr Jean - Laurent before the Rite of Enrolment                                                       

Fr Keith at the Altar of St Teresa of the Child Jesus, Rochford.                                                                                    Fr  Keith Newton, our Ordinary came to celebrate the Sunday Mass at St Teresa's Rochford...it really did feel like home!! words of thanks and encouragement! Fr Keith  with  Fr Jeff Woolnough & Fr Gerry Drummond Later in the day the six parish groups from the Chelmsford Diocese in the Ordinariate, 'first wave', gathered at Brentwood Cathedral for the Rite of Enrolment of Candidates. This pic shows the Hockley group, Fr Jeff back in clericals for the afternoon (at the request of Fr Keith)! As you can see it's a big group...the empty seat in the front row vacated by the photographer, Peter Abbey. Thanks Peter!                                                'O happy band of pilgrims...'                  

On behalf of myself and Fr Lee Bennett, I'd like to say just how humbled and proud we are to know and to be leading our ordinariate 'first wavers'! The liturgy of welcome at Brentwood Cathedral this afternoon confirmed for us all a place in the Universal Church. As soon as the Hockley group pic is ready I'll post it. See you all at Evangelium this Tuesday 7.30pm.

We are preparing for the first Sunday of Lent, worshipping at  St Teresa' s, Rochford. Fr Gerry and his parishioners of St Teresa's and St Pius  have been so very warm in their welcome; thank you one and all! Fr Gerry acknowledges 'Deacon' Keith at the Ordination of Priests at Westminster Cathedral in January. Sunday 13th March they will celebrate at the altar of St Teresa's, Rochford together as Catholic Priest's at the 10.30am Mass. It doesn't get much better than this. Lee Bennett, BobWhite and Jeff Woolnough, will, God willing also be ordained in May (Deacon's) June (Priest's). We do look forward to Sunday's 10.30am Mass celebrated by The Ordinary, Fr Keith Newton. Coffee will be served afterwards in the Church Centre just behind the church. An opportunity to chat with those who will become, I'm certain, great friends!  By the way, Saturday evening 12th March we are invited to a lively social to celebrate  St Patrick's Day

Ash Wednesday for the Hockley group has been kept well! At the 11am Mass at Hockley BBC news cameras interviewed Kay Abbey, Fr Gerry and Fr Jeff ...we were featured on the National BBC lunctime news...The Ordinariate Portal gives a link to watch again. Now offline. Coffee at Hockley Vicarage 11am Monday 14th March if you want to see the clips? Fr Jeff  being interviewed by BBC One News. Most importantly, many came to be ashed and to receive their spiritual communion as we undertake a eucharistic fast at the start of our Lenten journey into full communion with the Holy Catholic Church. The 8pm at Rochford was a profound liturgy with the bulk of the group attending. We are blessed with so many faithful pilgrims. Looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday morning at Rochford 10.30am.

Ash Wednesday : Ashing & Holy Mass 11am. S. Pius X, Hockley.  S. Teresa's , Rochford, 8pm. We begin our Eucharistic fast until our reception on Maundy Thursday.   Friday 11th March and every Friday in Lent at S. Pius X.  10am Rosary followed by Liturgy of the Word.     followed by Coffee at the Day Centre. Every Wednesday 7.30pm St. Pius X : Stations of the Cross First Sunday of Lent -13th March  10.30am. Parish Mass at S. Teresa's 3.15pm Coaches depart from Hockley Library to Brentwood Cathedral for the Rite of Election 4.30pm. Call Julie Hindley for a place on the coach: 01702 207259. Every Sunday in Lent ; Parish Mass at S. Teresa's 10.30am. Our Catechesis continues during the concluding weeks of Evangelium: Next meeting Tuesday 15th March. Weekday Masses: We will be welcome to attend the regular Thursday morning Mass at S. Pius X, 10am. S. Teresa's times vary. always check website http://www.rcrochford.org/ Contact: Fr Jeff Wool

     Fr Lee Bennett publishes dates for his group in Lent:                                                    Ash Wednesday : 8.00pm Mass and Imposition of Ashes at Our Lady of Canvey, Canvey Island. 1st Sunday in Lent:   10.30 am Catechesis at St Mary’s Vicarage , 105 Vicarage Hill. 12.00noon Mass at Holy Family Church, Benfleet , followed by ‘Bring and Share’ Lunch back at St Mary’s Vicarage. 4.30pm Rite of Election at Brentwood Cathedral. Friday’s in Lent: 6.30pm Stations of the Cross, Holy Family Church, Benfleet. Sunday’s in Lent: 10.30am Catechesis at St Mary’s Vicarage , 105 Vicarage Hill 12.00noon Mass at Holy Family Church, Benfleet.  Contact details:    01268 637470     frlee.bennett@gmail.com

A big thank - you to all of you who attended the Parish Mass at Hockley this morning. Tears shed as many said their goodbyes to the church. A fantastic lunch party though, at the Vicarage soon turned tears of sadness into laughter and joy! BBC local news... seeing myself on TV ...urgh!  I'm glad I've experienced my 'Andy Warhol 15 minutes', and that it's now over!  Now it is time to pray and to give thanks.  Ave Maria.                              

The Parish Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Hockley.    Sunday morning will be bitter-sweet for those of us joining the Ordinariate from Hockley. For those remaining, we love you so let's ensure that we all stay in touch?  We celebrate our final Parish mass together, at Ss Peter and Paul, reflecting on all that this journey of sacrifice has entailed, cherishing the wonderful memories that we all have of worshipping Almighty God in this very special place. One thing is certain: we love the church building with a passion. However , the Holy Spirit is prompting us to find our real home , a spiritual home within the Catholic Church,  (with the added  irony of leaving the beautiful pre- reformation church building)! All things are possible with God, so let's not rule out the possibility of one day, in the not too distant future, arranging an ecumenical visit to Ss Peter and Paul, maybe to walk the way of the cross or to pray the Rosary? Let's not burn our bridges, dear

This morning I was interviewed at Hockley Parish Church for broadcast this Sunday morning (6th March) on BBC Essex breakfast show. If you miss it you should be able to listen again on BBC i Player? Please pray for the priest's and people entering the Ordinariate, whose Sunday Masses (6th March) will be their last celebrated together as Anglican's. Among them from parishes in the Chelmsford Diocese:   Fr David Waller : S. Saviour's Walthamstow, FrJon Ravensdale : S.Micheal and All Angels, Walthamstow,   Fr Rob Page : S. Margaret with S. Columba, Leytonstone, Fr Ivor Morris: The Ascension, Chelmsford , Fr Lee Bennett: S. Mary the Virgin, South Benfleet,   Fr Bob White and Fr Jeff Woolnough : Ss Peter and Paul, Hockley. Our Lady of Walsingham, Ora pro nobis.