It is not often that there is an ordination in any church, and that is certainly the case for St. Clare’s. There has only been one previous ordination, that of Fred Sanderson to the Permanent Diaconate. On Sunday December 12th however, there was an ordination to the transient diaconate i.e. a man was ordained who will progress to the priesthood. Brother Robert Opala is a discalced Carmelite Friar, a member of the Community at the Tabor Retreat House on Sharoe Green Lane.
Bishop Michael G Campbell OSA, of Lancaster, ordained Robert at the request of his Provincial Superior: Fr James Noonan. There was a goodly number of Carmelite Fathers, Brothers from up and down the Carmelite province. The ordination was also graced by a group of Carmelite sisters from the local convent of St. Vincent’s Road.
Tabor has quite a following, those who go for the retreats and the day courses offered there, and many of these supporters were present. It was a simple Service and, in keeping with the season of Advent, there was an atmosphere of restrained joy.
Brother Roberts hails from Poland and there were present some of his family, one of whom read the second reading in Polish. After the Ordination Mass a reception was held at Tabor.
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