by Louise Sharp
20th Anniversary of Ordination to the Diaconate of Deacon Roger Stone BEM
Celebration of Mass for Deacon Roger
On 6th June, a rather warm Friday evening, many parishioners from Arundel and Storrington gathered to celebrate with Deacon Roger in Our Lady of England church, the anniversary of his ordination there exactly 20 years earlier.
Mass was celebrated by Fr Stephen Dingley and Fr Saba Al Andary (Chemin Neuf resident priest). A number of people were present who had also been at the Ordination Mass 20 years ago, and all were delighted to be able to celebrate Deacon Roger’s long and fruitful ministry. Louise sang the psalm at the anniversary and at the ordination. The communion chants were the same ones used at his ordination: “Should My Yoke” and “Taste & See”, both by Anne Ward.
Catherine Moore proclaimed the first reading at Deacon Roger’s ordination, and again at this anniversary Mass.
Deacons Eugene Adams and Mark Woods, who studied with Deacon Roger and were ordained in the same year, joined the celebrations. Deacon Eugene preached an excellent homily.
The sanctuary was filled with altar servers from both Arundel and Storrington, who did a great job working together for the first time in this space.
At the end of Mass, among his thank you’s, Roger paid tribute to his wife Susan for her support and she was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
Mass was followed by superb refreshments provided by Frances Smith catering and parishioners in the Priory Hall, kindly made available by the Chemin Neuf Community.
We are lucky indeed to have Deacon Roger and Susan living back in Storrington and serving the communities of Arundel and Storrington. The timing couldn’t have been better as we work towards becoming a ‘big parish’ with our neighbours in the deanery.
You can learn more about the role of Permanent Deacons on our diocesan website: Vocations | Our Faith