It was wonderful on Sunday to have Bishop Jonathan with us to confirm eleven members of our congregation, baptising three of them. Some were teenagers, some were adults. All are now filled with the Holy Spirit.

Confirmation Classes run every September – November at St Mary’s and in February – April at Good Shepherd. Confirmation completes the identity given at Baptism by sealing it with the Holy Spirit (See Acts 8:14-17). The people confirmed yesterday are now also ready to receive Holy Communion, the Lord’s Body and Blood, given for the life of the world.

Two candidates gave testimony during the Mass, both of whom testified to the power of Jesus at work in their lives, transforming doubts and uncertainties, calling them to be members of the church community.

Friends and family of the candidates joined the usual Sunday congregation for this celebration. The Mass was followed by a Bring and Share party, where we all bring food to enjoy at the party in Kemble Hall afterwards.

What an amazing evening as Bishop Jonathan came to ordain Fr Topham as a priest. He’s been with us for a year as a deacon and is now able to celebrate Mass and declare God’s forgiveness of sins. It was a joy to welcome to St Mary’s the clergy and people of St Benet Kentish Town as their curate, Fr Nigel Palmer, was also ordinand priest. Priests are ordained to be “servants and shepherds among the people to whom they are sent,” as the Ordinal puts it. Bishop Jonathan exhorted the new priests to “remember always with thanksgiving that the treasure now to be entrusted to you is Christ’s own flock, bought by the shedding of His Blood.” The Mass was followed by a great party in the Kemble Hall and Vicarage Garden with tons of food and drink. With thanks to Mike Still for the photographs.