A Week of Choices

Today I went to the ordination to the priesthood of Fr Stuart Seaton by Archbishop Vincent Nichols. It was an incredible occasion and I saw lots of old friends who were there. The reason was because Stuart had served as a priest in the Church of England, therefore there were quite a few Anglicans and ex Anglicans around.

Those who like me have already made the journey across the Tiber and are in full communion with Peter felt at home (as indeed we are). I lost count of those Anglicans who told me that they are ready to make the journey and are preparing hard to do it. There have been some who have made the journey and are asking "Why the delay?" I think that is ungracious as each and every person who makes that journey needs to do it at the right time for them. I am praying for those who are still struggling with their decision.

Last Sunday I witnessed another choice. I visited the Community of the Holy Cross at Rempstone to join Sr Mary Catherine make her profession. We joined the Anglican Franciscans around the same time in 1998. After eighteen months she withdrew from the novitiate of the sisters. I thought she was a great loss. A number of years later we talked about her sense of vocation to the Religious Life. So in 2007 I was so pleased when I heard she was planning to test her vocation as a sister at Rempstone. One of the last things that I did as an Anglican Franciscan was to attend her clothing as a novice in June 2008. I was so pleased when I received the invite back for her profession. I am clear that God has called her to serve in the Religious Life and I am looking forward to seeing her make her Life Profession in three years!!!

It felt odd for me visiting the convent. I was no longer an Anglican or a Religious. That meant that for the first time I didn't sit in choir there. That was not a major problem. I realised how much I loved (and still do) the sisters. It was good to see them again. They said how much more contented I looked now that I am a Catholic. So the choice I made two years ago is obviously the right one too!

My prayer tonight is for three intentions. Fr Stuart and the choices that he has made. Those Anglicans who have made the choice in their hearts and are getting ready to set off at some point. My final intention is for the Sisters of the Holy Cross and for their future. (I must admit that my prayer is that as a community the would come to Rome).

God has given us the ability to make choices. At the moment I am going through my own choices and so I expect to visit this subject again at some point!