Page 11 - The Old Ratcliffian 2010

The Old Ratcliffan 2010 | events The Ratcliffian Association Retreat Led by Bishop John Arnold (71), April 9th - April 11th 2010. Friday evening: When we arrived we is attended to; it is an ideal model of Saturday: As has become the custom, were greeted warmly by John Arnold a modern parish. He just loved being other guests joined the Retreat on (71), whilst reminiscing with those there and was sad to leave. Saturday. There was a group of 28 of us whom he remembered. After during the day. It started with a Mass Supper at the Prefect’s table in the When he heard that his name had followed by a talk by John which been put forward as a candidate for a Ref, we all repaired to the Old Library Bishop, he was concerned and so he was fascinating. for an introductory discussion. wrote five good reasons why he would In the afternoon after lunch the be unsuitable. Cormac dismissed Retreatants processed along the them, saying, ‘We’d all had those!’ Rosary Way to the Rosmini Centre Following on from this, the Pope had saying the Rosary as they walked. already signed his approval, and from When they arrived at the Rosmini that moment he was then a Bishop. Centre, they went into the little Chapel So he was now responsible for 47 for Benediction. Parishes – each one being quite In the evening, the overnight guests different. John found himself involved in Church issues, both ecumenical had a discussion group with John and relevant to the State. His fellow which went on into the small hours. Bishops are a really great group, We were blessed and privileged to John Arnold (71) and Peter Astill (71) whose company he really enjoys. have such a keen intellectual and He rates John Nichols very highly. most holy member of the clergy as John, relaxed, asked, ‘What is the The Church in England is in really our leader for this Retreat and we are purpose of our coming here?’ He good hands to handle the difficult very grateful to him. had not come to tell us what to do times being experienced right now. Clifford Della Porta (43) or how to do it at all, or demand any John told us how Cardinal John answers from us. John then gave Newman must have had tremendously If you would like to attend some anecdotes of what he described difficult challenges, but, with the help next year’s Retreat, it will as his spiritual journey into high of God, won through. We were each places, with its amazing turns and given a copy of ‘A Meditation take place on Friday 29th learning experiences, as he had no by Cardinal Newman’ to read April – Sunday 1st May. plans of personal expectancy or for for the morrow – for it was now Fr David Tobin will be giving achievement. He learned that it is best past midnight. to adapt to circumstances. For his this Retreat. part, he had enjoyed happy years at For further information, contact Ratcliffe after which he studied Law Jackie Bennett in Oxford and qualified as a lawyer. Some of the group at Oxford were noisy, including Tony (Blair), with whom he is dining next week. Following his vocation, he was ordained a priest and was then attached to the Cathedral of Westminster under Basil Hume and, subsequently, his successor Cormac O’Connor. One day, he was swiftly transferred to the very large and dynamic parish at Enfield. No doubt, he figured, in a support role as a Curate – only to discover on the first day that it was as Parish Priest. This was to be his first ever experience of parish work! Fortunately, on arrival, a senior parishioner took him aside and said ‘This Parish has been here long before you arrived, and will still be here long after you have gone, but we would really like your help while you are with us.’ It is a wonderful parish which the lay folk organise and run. Every need Setting off on the Rosary Way Register online www.ratcliffanassociation.co.uk 11