Vocations
Westminster Record | August 2015
Five Men Ordained to the Priesthood On 27 June, the feast of St John Southworth, Frs Bill Bowder, David Burke, Cyril Chiaha, Daniel Humphreys and David Lucuy were ordained Priests for the Diocese by Cardinal Vincent. Also assisting were Cardinal Cormac, Bishops Nicholas Hudson and Mark Jabalé OSB (Emeritus of Menevia), Fr Roger Taylor, Rector of Allen Hall Seminary, Mgr Roderick Strange, Rector of the Beda College in Rome, and over 100 Priests of the Diocese. Cardinal Vincent began his homily by noting that it was a day rich in gifts, given and received. He spoke of the gift of the priesthood to each of the men saying: 'Through this gift we are kept bound to Christ, in bonds of love which alone can bring us to the fulfilment of life, our salvation, for which we have been created.’ Recalling the gift of the lives of Cardinals Wiseman and Manning and of St John Southworth, he remarked that all were men who incurred great loss in fulfilling their ministry and are shining examples of 'what it is to be a missionary priest'. In contrast, he also spoke of the joys of priesthood, quoting a young priest recently ordained who reported that he was 'overwhelmed at times by the deep love and respect that our people have for us as priests'. Cardinal Vincent explained it thus: 'We are loved, we are criticised, because, like those who have gone before, we are Catholic priests. We wear the vestments and the collar with pride in Christ Jesus, whose heralds we are.' He enjoined the men being ordained always to 'be ready with open hearts; to give yourselves entirely to the Lord; to receive these great gifts of Sacred Priesthood from the Lord Himself; to see the path ahead as one of true service, bearing all for love of Page 20
Him, striving always to do His work, through Word, Sacrament and merciful pastoral care and thereby rejoicing always in this calling which is your hearts' desire and your greatest joy'. Fr Bill Bowder will serve as Assistant Priest in Highbury; Fr David Burke will serve as Assistant Priest in Burnt Oak; Fr Cyril Chiaha will serve as Assistant Priest in Enfield; Fr Daniel Humphreys will serve as Assistant Priest at Our Lady of Victories, Kensington; and Fr David Lucuy will serve as Assistant Priest in Islington. Please pray for all these men as they take up their ministry.
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Peace and Joy For Deacon Guido Amari On 12 July at the Church of Our Lady of Snows in Palazzola, Italy, Guido Amari was ordained to the Diaconate along with five of other seminarians from the Venerable English College in Rome. He writes:
Mgr Miles Marks 65 Years of Priesthood
‘The Ordination was a powerful experience after all these years of formation. It was a great joy that the Mass was celebrated by the new Bishop of Salford, and our former Westminster Auxiliary, Bishop John Arnold. One moment which particularly struck me was when, immediately after ordaining us, the Bishop gave the newly-ordained Deacons the Kiss of Peace and then the other Deacons did the same. This is a simple sign at the beginning of one’s ordained life, an affirmation that, as an ordained minister, one will be sustained and supported by the brethren of the diocese and the people of God whom we shall strive to serve. The Kiss of Peace is a sign that we must always seek to encourage each other and, through the help of God, play our part together in building the Kingdom of God. It was a beautiful moment which I will always treasure.’
Mgr Freddie Miles celebrated 65 years of Priesthood on the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 16 July. Cardinal Vincent was the principal celebrant at the Thanksgiving Mass for Mgr Freddie in the Chapel at St Peter’s Residence in Vauxhall. Reflecting in his homily on the momentous occasion of this Blue Sapphire Jubilee, the Cardinal said that only one event was more important in the history of the Residence: Pope Benedict’s historic visit in 2010! At the end of Mass, in Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/diocese.westminster
recognition of this significant Jubilee, Mgr Freddie was presented with a Papal Blessing. Ordained in 1950 by Cardinal Griffin at St Edmund’s College, Ware, Mgr Freddie has served under six Cardinals, including serving as Private Secretary to Cardinals Heenan and Hume between 1966-1977. For 22 years subsequently he was Rector of St James Church, Spanish Place. Such is the affection and esteem in which he is held that many priests, former parishioners, friends and family joined the celebration. Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCWestminster