Vocations celebrated at Worth Abbey mass

Brothers of the Catenian Association celebrate a Mass for Vocations somewhere in the world each day of the year and raise a substantial amount to assist the National Office for Vocation.

Catenians in Sussex held their annual parish mass on the Feast of the Assumption, August 15, and celebrated vocations to the religious life.

President Nigel Corby, of Mallon Dene, Rustington, said: “Some 100 Catenians and ladies of Province 18 were in attendance among a congregation of around 400, some of whom had responded to an open invitation from the Catenian Association to join them, given at Festival 50 in July.

“Those who missed the mass missed a really rewarding celebration.

“The association gives strong support through its vocations initiative to both the concerns of the church and attendant costs by support for the National Office for Vocation and the Arundel and Brighton Diocesan Vocations Service, led by Father Terry Martin.

“It was both spiritually and organisationally a great success and the message to the Lord was loud, cheerful and clear. With Our Blessed Lady in the lead, God will hear our pleading and many more young men and women will respond by devoting themselves to service in the church.”

Father Aidan Murray, parish priest and prior of Worth Abbey, concelebrated mass along with 14 others priests from the abbey community.

Fr Martin, who normally joins in, was unable to attend the mass as he was acting as supply priest to West Grinstead. He did, however, attend the province’s annual meeting, where he was presented with a cheque for £1,100.

Mr Corby added: “The words of encouragement to the congregation to pray for vocations and the very well-crafted homily explaining the contexts of reading of the day meant that the whole mass was spirit filled and an entire prayer in itself.”

“Province 18 even managed to do a bit of evangelising about the Catenian Association, with much interest being evident.”

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