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.
