There was an atmosphere of quiet excitement in the crowded church as we
watched the formal procession of servers, choir, clergy, the patron,
our new vicar, the archdeacon, wardens, bishop and chaplain enter the
church through our new west porch entrance.
In the service, the presentation of the Revd Canon Peter Vanozzi to
Bishop Michael by Archdeacon Stephan was followed by Bishop Michael’s
sermon.
He reminded us of the story of St Cuthbert, whose feast day we had just
celebrated, and its relevance to us all today. Cuthbert, Prior of Lindisfarne
in the seventh century, led a life exemplifying the three duties of
Christian priests: prayer, teaching and mission. Lindisfarne itself,
the Holy Island, joined to the mainland by a causeway flooded at high
tide, gives us a symbol of full Christian life; working with the community
as a whole, and yet able to withdraw from it for prayer and meditation.
Read the
Bishop's
sermon.
Following the sermon we were all called to affirm our own commitment
to ministry, witness and service. The Institution and Induction, the
central ceremony of the service, followed. The Institution is the bishop’s
gift of spiritual responsibility, “the cure of souls”, to
the newly appointed priest. In the Induction, the archdeacon gives the
priest responsibility for care of the church and its benefice.
Peter’s tolling of the church bell signified the beginning of
his new ministry. Our happy formal Welcome of our new vicar was followed
by the peace, and the eucharist.
The moving solemnity of the ceremony was followed by a splendid party
in the hall, with refreshments worthy of the occasion. A most memorable
evening. Welcome Peter!
Read more about Peter on the page
St.
James's Vicar.
