Fr John Chandler
Congratulations to Fr John Chandler who
was ordained a priest here in the Cathedral
on Saturday 2nd July by Bishop Crispian.
Fr John Chandler grew up in this parish and served at Mass for many years.
St John the Evangelist Statue unveiled
Representatives of some 50,000 Catholics from across the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth – covering Hampshire, the IoW, Channel Isles and parts of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Dorset – assembled at St John’s Catholic Cathedral on 22 July to witness the unveiling of Philip Jackson’s sculpture of St John the Evangelist in the presence of the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire and of His Eminence The Cardinal and Most Rev Vincent Nicholls. See photos »»
The visit to the Cathedral of the Relics of St Therese
"The relics arrived in Portsmouth at 0930 on the 16th of September and were to remain in the cathedral for a 25 remarkable hours that was to witness thousands of people from all walks of life eager to pray, touch the casket , or just look at the unusual guest! In the words of St Luke’s Gospel, many people ‘stayed in the City until they were clothed with power from on high’. God was made visible through the presence of one of his saints. Something about the life and love of St Therese touched and renewed the lives of those who came on pilgrimage to the cathedral.
The morning Liturgy with the Children from around the Diocese emphasized the importance of youth and that each one of us has something special to give and offer – no matter what our age. While the afternoon anointing of the sick brought many the closeness with this saint who herself suffered much – as the sick were anointed Christ walked among those who were in pain and seeking a healing". Canon David Hopgood
Bishop Crispian says thank you
Christmas came early for some
Christmas certainly came early for Nora North and Eileen O’Brien. On 14 December they were both decorated by Bishop Crispian with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (‘For Church and Pontiff’) medal in a moving ceremony at St John’s Cathedral.
‘Not only were we delighted and honoured,’ commented Nora. ‘But,’ continued Eileen, ’it came as such a total surprise!’
The medal, often referred to as the Vatican’s ‘cross of honour’, is the highest award that the Vatican can award a lay person.
In his address at the awards ceremony, Canon David Hopgood praised Nora and Eileen for their dedication and good humour: ‘The medals were being awarded,’ he pointed out, ’for Nora’s and Eileen’s tireless dedication over many years to St John’s Cathedral where they have been known to generations for welcoming all-comers, for running the Cathedral Repository and for their services to the Cathedral’s Discovery Centre’.
St John’s Cathedral Primary School
In March 2008, our parish school was given a couple of
days’ notice telling them that they were to have an OFSTED
government inspection. I am delighted to inform you that
the school was given the status ‘Outstanding’. The report
said “This is an outstanding school: pupils’ achievements are
outstanding. Those leaving at the end of Key Stage 2 have
achieved standards above national averages. The
curriculum and care, guidance and support provided for
pupils are outstanding and contribute to an ethos of care
for individuals and to an atmosphere in which learning is
encouraged”. The report rightly recognises the excellent
staff and the good support of governors. It also says “The
Head Teacher adopts an uncompromising focus on raising
pupils achievements and their aspirations for their future
lives. She is ably supported by the Deputy Head Teacher
and the other managers”.
On behalf of the parish, I would like to congratulate our
Head and Staff. We should be proud of our Cathedral
Primary School, which is a beacon that recognises the
presence of Christ in all the pupils.
Foundation of the Cathedral Chapter
Mass celebrating the 125th anniversary of the foundation of the Cathedral Chapter (1882-2007) at St John's Cathedral on Monday 1st October in the presence of the Rt. Rev. Crispian Hollis, Bishop of Portsmouth.
Congratulations to Miss Catherine Hobbs
Congratulations to Miss Catherine Hobbs, Headteacher of St John's Cathedral Primary School. She won a Distinction in the NCSL award for headteacher of the year in a primary school, at the Teaching Awards 2007 South held at Winchester Guildhall on Friday 15th June 2007.
The Teaching Awards were established by Lord Puttnam in 1998 to celebrate the important work carried out every day in our schools by talented professionals: headteachers, teachers, teaching assistants and school governors, who are dedicated to improving the lives and life chances of young people. This is a great award for all at St John's. the only Catholic school in this year's final (south).
Honorary Doctorate of Laws
On 25 July 2007 Bishop Crispian Hollis, Catholic Bishop of Portsmouth, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Laws (Honoris Causa) by the University of Portsmouth for his contribution to the city, the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth, ecumenism, the Church abroad.
Crispian Hollis, Catholic Bishop of Portsmouth, well-known for his passion for cricket, was today awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Laws (Honoris Causa) by the University of Portsmouth in recognition of his far-reaching contribution.
In the oration prior to the award being bestowed, Roisin Gwyer, a member of the city’s Catholic congregation and employee of the University, spoke eloquently of the contribution to life in the city, to the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth, to ecumenism and the Church abroad attributable to the talents and positive effect which identify Bishop Crispian.
Having been educated by the Jesuits (Stonyhurst College) and subsequently at the Venerable English College (Rome), Crispian was ordained priest in Rome on the Feast of St Benedict on 11 July 1965.Following conscription between 1954 and 1956, when as 2nd Lieutenant he saw service with the Somerset Light Infantry in Plymouth and Malaya, Crispian went up to Oxford (Balliol) to read history.
After his ordination, Crispian worked in Amesbury for one year before becoming Assistant Chaplain and subsequently Senior Chaplain to the Roman Catholic students in Oxford University. He then went to the BBC as Roman Catholic Assistant to the Head of Religious Broadcasting (1977-1981). He was then appointed Administrator (Parish Priest) to Clifton Cathedral. Crispian then rose to become Auxiliary Bishop in Birmingham, though living in Oxford, until 1989 when he was appointed Bishop to the Diocese of Portsmouth.
‘I am deeply moved and highly honoured by this award from the University of Portsmouth,’ commented Bishop Crispian. ‘Education is at the heart of culture and I earnestly encourage everyone, young and old, to realise their educational potential. So it is that I pay special tribute to the University here in Portsmouth and to all other educationalists engaged in that pursuit’.
A tall, mild-mannered, elegant man of wit with a keen sense of humour, Bishop Crispian enjoys everything about his adopted home town of Portsmouth, especially the football. But cricket remains for ever his first love:
‘I thank the University of Portsmouth most sincerely for the award of Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) and , if I may be excused a cricketing term, it’s to the people of Portsmouth, of the Portsmouth Diocese and also to those many other players further afield that I should like to raise my bat in salute’.