the main Anglo Catholic Church of Norwich

Latest: Fr David Stevenson

Well, its happened! Fr David was ordained to the Diaconate by the Bishop of Norwich on Saturday 28th June. The service in the Cathedral here in Norwich was splendid: albeit rather long (just on the wrong side of 2 hours!). But the building was absolutely packed with people, and the service, with all 3 of the Bishops of the Diocese taking part in the service, was impressive. The Ordination retreat and the sermon at the Ordination were given by the Bishop of Edinburgh, the Rt. Rev'd Brian Smith, who had been my doctrine tutor at Cuddesdon from 1975 until 1978. And then came Sunday! Fr David made his first appearance at S. John' s at the High Mass of SS. Peter and Paul, which he of course deaconed. Again, this was a very moving service and S. John's was packed (somehow or other the Bishop of Edinburgh had found his way to S. John's with the Bishop of Norwich's wife: it was obviously the place to be that Sunday morning!). I had printed 130 Mass booklets and they all went. We were pleased to welcome many of Fr David's family and friends who had come over from New Zealand, Australia and America to support him, and friends from his sponsoring parish, S. John the Apostle and Evangelist, Watford, and of course Rob, who has supported him so well over the last few years as he studied for the Ordained Ministry at St Stephen's House in Oxford. The parish put on a lunch in the churchyard, and it refused to rain, although dark clouds had dispersed the earlier brilliant sunshine. I think everyone had a good time: they certainly drank a lot! And we look forward to Fr David's Ordination to the Priesthood next year, and his First Mass at S. John's on July 5th 2009, and yes, another party! Our Picture shows Fr David in the Cathedral Cloisters after his Ordination with his Mother and Father.[Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:53:16]

New_Curate

Well, David Stevenson our new curate has moved into his house - the curatage - in Kilderkin Way, a few yards from the watchful eye of the Rector! The move went well, and despite the fact that after his first week in the house, with removal boxes still everywhere, builders arrived at 7.30 in the morning ready to lift the entire tiled floor of his kitchen diner and replace it, when he had been told by the Diocese that they would be coming to replace the 2 cracked tiles, he is now settling in, and getting ready for his Ordination to the Diaconate on June 28th. He will be the Deacon at the High Mass at 11.00 am at S. John's the next day, the Solemnity of SS. Peter and Paul. We are looking forward so much to welcoming him and Rob and the cats to our wonderful parish! [Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:17:04]

More Demolition!

Another redevelopment in the Parish! At last the old bottling plant of the Breweries has come down. From my breakfast table I now have this view over King Street, with Mountergate to the left, Dragon Hall to the right, and the Station straight ahead. Its been noisy and dusty as these things always are, but it is going to be another time of excitement locally as we see the new plans for this area materialise. The area is designated for housing, recreation and very light industry. The previous plans for this site were based around a wonderful view point they discovered on the river bank which looked across a sort of marina (well water anyway) up to the city, with S. Peter Parmentergate Tower in the foreground surmounted by the Castle Keep. It would be really good if this were maintained. We will all watch the progress with great interest. [Thu, 15 May 2008 08:22:54]

Rest in Peace

Following a Memorial Service in Norwich Cathedral on Friday 4th April, Fr Robert Llewelyn's ashes were laid to rest in S. Julian's garden, beneath the window of Julian's Cell. In this little bed are also buried the ashes of Fr Charles Seear who was Rector of the Parish from 1956, three years after the church was rebuilt after war-time devastation, to 1974. We pray that Fr Robert may rest in peace in this grave until the Lord Jesus who is the resurrection and the life will raise him up in glory to enjoy the eternal light of his presence. The inspired sermon preached by Fr Michael McLean at the Memorial Service can be found on this site on the Newsletter page. [Sat, 05 Apr 2008 13:31:33]

Fr Robert

Fr Robert's Funeral Requim Mass took place on Friday of last week. His body had been received into S. Julian's Church the evening before where 50 people said Vespers of the Dead. Father spent the night before the altar in the Julian Cell, where he had spent so many hours over the last 30 years of his life. On the Friday morning his coffin was processed solemnly with candles and incense and the robed clergy of the Mass, up Rouen Road to S. John's Church with police escort and about 40 people following. S. John's Church was full and there were well over 200 communicants at the Mass. The Archdeacon of Norwich was robed in the Sanctuary and the Bishop of Norwich officiated at the Absolutions in black cope and white mitre at the end of the Mass. Fr Martin preached the homily which will be published in the NEWSLETTER page of this web-site. A glass of wine for all concluded the sad yet joyous service in S. John's as Father's body was taken away for cremation. His ashes will be laid to rest at a later date in S. Julian's garden. There will be a memorial service at the Cathedral here in Norwich, and it is thought that the date of this might be Friday April 4th at 2.30 in the afternoon. Our picture shows Fr Robert at rest in the Julian Cell. May he rest in peace. Amen [Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:43:41]

Fr ROBERT LLEWELYN

It is with great sadness that I have to tell you of the death of Fr Robert. Had he lived a few more months, he would have reached the age of 99. The parish will certainly not seem the same without him. He had studied mathematics as a student and for the first part of his priestly ministry was involved in education, first at Westminster School and then later in India, becoming headmaster of a war school and then in Lucknow, Principal of Sherwood College. Later he was appointed Archdeacon of Poona. Throughout his life he had also been drawn to the Religious life, at one time contemplating becoming a Religious'. But it was after his retirement and his return to this country that his priestly ministry flourished most. He was invited in the mid 1970's by Fr Michael McLean, who was then Rector of this parish, to come to Norwich and become a 'praying presence' in the 'Julian Cell' which is attached to S. Julian's Church. It was on this holy spot that The Lady Julian of Norwich wrote down her Revelations of Divine Love which she had received in 1373. From this 'Cell' in S. Julian's and from his small house in King Street, he developed a remarkable ministry of writing, listening, counselling and prayer to bishops, clergy, religious and lay people alike. Always keen to learn himself, he became a remarkable exponent of the theology of Julian of Norwich, and was keen to tell everyone of the wondrous love of God, which is unconditional, available freely to all, and in which there is no place for anger, wrathfulness or blame. His little book of excerpts from Julian's Revelations called 'Enfolded in Love' became a best-seller and was translated into many languages. And this wonderful ministry of his continued up until he had a fall in his house just over a week ago. In the nearly 13 years I have been Rector of this Parish he has always been a friend and tutor, to begin with saying Mass once a week in order that I should have a day-off, and offering sage advice and rebuke when necessary, always linked with love, support, and an endearing smile. He will be sadly missed by hundreds if not thousands, not only in Norwich, and the United Kingdom, but in many places throughout our world. His Funeral Requiem Mass will be at S. John's Timberhill on Friday 15th February at 11.30 am. His body will lie in the Julian Cell the night before. His ashes will later be laid to rest in S. Julian's garden. May he now enjoy eternal happiness and peace with all the Saints in Heaven. [Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:02:33]

CONFIRMATION 2008

It was wtih great joy that we welcomed the Lord Bishop of Norwich to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation last Sunday, 3rd February. Being an inner city church, we usually transfer the great festivals of the Church to a Sunday so that more people are able to be present, and so we also kept the beautiful festival of The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple that day. The Bishop celebrated the High Mass and performed the traditional Candlemass ceremonies, the clergy and congregation processing with lighted candles to portray the coming of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World who would be a light to enlighten all nations and would be the glory of his own people Israel. After a very powerful and moving sermon from the Bishop on the need and power of light, and of the need for US to be lights in the world, he administered the Sacrament of Confirmation, confirming 5 adults. Following the Mass there were rather grander than usual refreshments, which gave the Bishop and his wife the opportunity to meet the candidates and the large congregation, which numbered well over 100 people. [Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:40:19]

S. Julian's Christmas Crib

S. Julian's Christmas Crib was blessed at the Christmas morning Mass at 10.00 am. It is much simpler in design than S. John's, but forms the centre piece for the Scripture Readings and the Prayers of the Masses at the High Altar, as the lectern is placed immediately behind it. [Mon, 31 Dec 2007 09:06:27]

S. John's Christmas Crib

The Christmas Crib at S. John's has for many years been constructed within the main altar of the church. The Crib is concealed behind the altar frontal until after Holy Communion has been received - the church was absolutely full this year and extra seating had to be found! The Bambino lies on a cushion on a side chapel altar for the whole of the Mass surrounded by blue and red lamps. At the end of the Mass the celebrant in procession with the other clergy goes to the side altar, picks up the cushion within a humeral veil, and carries the infant around the church, while O Come all ye Faithful is being sung. Then with the help of the deacon, he places the Bambino in the crib, and blesses it. 'Venite adoremus, Dominum!' [Mon, 31 Dec 2007 09:01:35]

GOLDEN JUBILEE

It was with great joy that we were able to share in the Golden Jubilee of his Ordination to the Priesthood of Fr Richard Herschel. Fr Richard has been a regular member of our congregation and parish family since his retirement from a parish in America and moving to Norwich to marry Jean Furness. When he first moved here, Father Richard would say Mass regularly at S. Julian's to ensure that I had one complete day off each week. Sadly his health has deteriorated, which has meant he is is far less able to do the things he wants to or would like to. And so it was a doubly happy occasion this last weekend that he was able to say the Friday Mass in Lady Julian's Cell, and then preach at the Solemn Mass on Sunday at S. John's. The parish provided drinks and canapes after the Mass, whilst wishing Fr Richard and Jean every blesssing for the future years. [Mon, 10 Dec 2007 11:08:33]