Posted on 12/24/2014 7:35:11 AM PST by NKP_Vet
Canon Altiere is a newly-ordained priest with the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign priest (ICKSP) at the new Shrine of St. Walburge in Preston, a historically Catholic town in northern England. A year ago, however, Saint Walburge’s fate hung by a thread. Though a most beloved landmark – and a center of faith going back 150 years — changing demographics had rendered its future very uncertain.
The heart-breaking truth is that Saint Walburge’s was a church no longer able to sustain parish life; it was threatened with closure when Bishop Michael Campbell made a creative and forward-looking decision. Saint Walburge’s would become a “shrine”– giving a new lease on life to a church where generations of Prestonians have worshiped and received the sacraments.
Now this young priest, ordained in August by Cardinal Raymond Burke, is entrusted with the daily administration of this new shrine. A senior confrere not far away in New Brighton helps keeps an eye on things and two seminarians are an indispensable help, says Canon Altiere in this look at how things are going in Preston’s wonderful new Christmas gift.
(Excerpt) Read more at reginamag.com ...
changing demographics = lots of muslims?
“THE OPENING SOLEMN HIGH MASS AT ST. WALBURGE IN SEPTEMBER was very moving: seeing the church filled to capacity, witnessing the high altar being used once again for the liturgy for which it was built, the fatherly welcome and touching sermon by Bishop Michael Campbell, the kind welcome by the local people and clergy.”
“THE EXPERIENCE OF THE OPENING MASS SHOWS US THE POWER AND BEAUTY OF THE CHURCH’S TIMELESS LITURGY: in the weeks following the Mass we have had young people coming to the shrine who told us how happy they were to discover this liturgy for the first time, and other people of another generation returning to the sacraments after being touched by the grace of this beautiful opening ceremony.”
“THE CIVIL AUTHORITIES HAVE BEEN VERY WELCOMING AND THE PEOPLE OF THE FORMER PARISH OF SAINT WALBURGE’S ARE VERY HAPPY to know that the future of their church has now been assured. The parish of Saint Walburge no longer exists as such (the former parish territory had already been merged with the neighbouring parish before the shrine opened); Saint Walburge’s is thus now a shrine with its own canonical identity and no territorial boundaries.”
Thanks so much. I don’t know how to post pictures. They are beautiful.
Canon A is a very nice man, Harvard failed to make him a liberal.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.