Thread by @FatherColin1

Day 6 #OfGodandMe
Yesterday I dealt with some of my unease with life & ministry in the Church of England. My experience of #IgnatianSpirituality taught me that God leads us through consolation rather than desolation, so I was wary of acting out of my desolation.
1/12

As Cyndy moved towards reception into the Catholic Church, I often accompanied her to Mass, while continuing my Anglican hospital chaplaincy. I grew increasingly aware that I shared the faith of the Catholic community. I wanted what Cyndy was finding. I felt at home.
2/12

The Catechism of the Catholic Church was published about this time. I read it from cover to cover - not what it was designed for! This is what I believed. Once Cyndy was received, I couldn't wait much longer. So I made the second great and good choice of my life.
3/12

I told my Bishop & hospital employers of my decision to seek reception into the Catholic Church. I was glad to be in chaplaincy rather than a parish. It made the pains of parting a little easier. The practical things worked out much more smoothly that I had feared.
4/12

After a period of preparation I was received on the vigil of Advent Sunday 1994. I experienced the Advent tension between "already" and "not yet" that Maria Boulding OSB wrote about. I had come home, but where did I go from here? What did the Lord want from me.
5/12

My Anglican friends, although sad, were very kind and understanding. The only negative letter I received (remember when people wrote letters?!) came from an avowed atheist who concluded:" So you are wrong." To this day, I have never seriously doubted my decision.
6/12

Having said that, there was a hole in my life: I missed ministry. The Bishop kindly encouraged my parish priest to invite me to become an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion almost immediately. It was wonderful to minister to the sick again.
7/12

I needed to support my family: our sons were still at school. I took on agency work, mainly at a local dairy, taking plastic bottle off a line and packing them. I learned a lot about insecure, low-paid work and about trying to sustain a prayer-life while working shifts.
8/12

The Bishop accepted me as a candidate for ordination, and I was sent on a part-time formation course. It mainly covered those areas where Catholic faith differs from that of the Church of England. I continued to work at the dairy & participate in the life of local parishes.
9/12

Ordination day eventually arrived. It was heartening to see many Anglican friends present, one of whom read one of the readings. The Gospel (chosen by me) was the meeting of Jesus & Peter after the Resurrection. "Lord, you know I love you." "Feed my lambs & sheep."
10/12

Tomorrow:
I start a twelve year stretch in prison.
11/12

Summary of today:
For what has been—thanks!
For what shall be—yes!
Dag Hammarskjold

Also see screen snip of the back cover of my ordination order of service.
12/12