Welcome to James Bradley...

Deacon James Bradley has joined us here at Holy Ghost parish while he continued his studies. James is a deacon with the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, the new Ordinariate established by the Holy Father for Anglican parishes which have come into full communion with the Catholic Church. The Ordinariate is led by Monsignor Keith Newton and includes some 60 former Anglican clergy and 1,000 faithful. It was established by Pope Benedict with a special invitation Anglicanorum Coetibus, "To groups of Anglicans" so that they can bring with them their Anglican patrimony in customs and traditions and liturgy.

Deacon James is no stranger to the congregation here at Balham and was with the QUO VADIS group led by Fr Stephen at World Youth Day in Madrid this summer. And more: he played a major role in the opening ceremony welcoming Pope Benedict to Madrid, chanting the Gospel. This was televised worldwide.

Of course our parish here at Balham, while large, isn't quite as huge as that, but we are sure that James will be kept busy here and it is great to have him with us...