Monday 4 April 2016

Wellspring Community

Today, on the Annunciation of the Lord, I was privileged to attend Mass at St Joseph’s Church in Brighton, where the Wellspring Community received a decree recognising it as a Private Lay Association of the Faithful within Arundel & Brighton Diocese.

 
St Joseph’s is a lofty Victorian Gothic building near the city centre. It is situated in Elm Grove - one of the few remaining areas of uncontrolled (free) parking in the city centre, consequently parking can be extremely hard to find – but not today, deo gratias.

 

As I entered the small choir was rehearsing – and they were outstandingly good. Chief celebrant was our Bishop, Richard Moth, with the Abbot of Worth Abbey, Dom Luke Jolly,  Canon Kieron O’Brien, Parish Priest, and several other priests and brothers in attendance.


In his homily Bishop Richard linked today’s liturgical celebration of the Annunciation, when the BV Mary said ‘yes’ not knowing where it would lead but trusting in the Lord’s goodness, with the similar commitment made by the lay members of the Wellspring Community, under the guidance of God’s Spirit.

He paid tribute to the work of Worth Abbey in forming the Wellspring Community, which operates under the Rule of St Benedict. Living a common life of prayer and service, the members witness to the Kingdom of God in the city of Brighton, rooting their daily life in prayer, Scripture and the sacraments.

Practically, they are involved in teaching and preaching the Faith, youth work, school chaplaincy, retreat work, prisoner befriending, running a weekly prayer group for students and young adults, as well as hosting a Sunday lunch. They certainly have lots of energy!

 


Finally, Bishop Richard read out the formal decree and presented it to Jo Gilbert, leader of the Community. The Liturgy of the Eucharist then followed.
 
 
After Mass ended, the Bishop, religious and clergy joined members of the Community for a group photograph, leader Jo Gilbert holding the formal decree signed by Bishop Moth and by Fr Jonathan Martin, Chancellor and Vicar General.
 
 

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