It seems like ages since I have written for this website, and indeed it is ages! Since I was accepted for ordination training last June, life has felt pretty relentless – though remains full of God’s goodness.
I am studying for a Masters’ degree in theology and ministry at Cranmer Hall; a real further privilege in an already charmed life! It has been important for me to come out of Mirfield and the monastic rhythm in order to give myself to this development of my vocation, for which I am grateful to the Community chapter – not least the superior – for enabling me. Of course, I take my formation here with me, inevitably. I am profoundly thankful for it as I come to learn further of a Church that seems in many ways to be distant from her spiritual heart. The disciplines of daily office and Eucharist have been a bedrock, and I am exceptionally grateful for the Cathedral Church of Blessed Mary and St Cuthbert, whose life of diocesan and wider ecclesial service so closely mirrors that which I have been called to live during my time in CR.
I am really enjoying my academic study and meeting fellow ordinands and making new friends. I’ve particularly enjoyed modules in growing the faith of children and young people, with the chance to go into schools and to consider how children read and interpret scripture, learning to read Exodus in Hebrew and think about preaching at funerals, as well as from the Old Testament uniquely.
We are now technically finished for the summer, although I shall be on placement in Durham Cathedral from 2nd July – do come and say ‘hello’ if you are nearby. In the autumn, I have been accepted to a placement at the Pontifical Beda college in Rome, but before then, need to give some thought to my dissertation and keep in view the call to be a deacon in God’s Church – which according to my theological college report – is expected to also be in June – 2025. Let’s hope for a vestige of the warmer weather than we have most recently experienced!
Have a lovely summer! May God bless you.
Marc CR