New chapel at Cambridge University Chaplaincy

(L-R) Fr Francis Selman, Fr Allen Brent, Fr Alan White OP, Bishop Patrick Walsh, Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Fr Alban McCoy OFM Conv, Fr David Standley, Fr Stephen Ortiger OSB.

The Most Rev Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, blessed the new chapel at Cambridge University Catholic Chaplaincy on Sunday 30 October at the 11am Mass. The Chaplaincy building, also known as Fisher House, has undergone a half a million pound building project.

A building project has turned the hall into a permanent chapel. The chaplaincy now also benefits from a larger and more user-friendly assembly and events room, a re-furbished library, a large kitchen for functions and access for disabled students. Currently 450 people, both junior and senior members of the University, regularly attend Mass at Fisher House.

During his sermon, Archbishop Nichols said: "The readings from today's Gospel serve as a warning to us all and remind us that respect for God and his ways require a certain humility and purity of heart, which is often lost to self interest. To attain such purity of heart more than introspection and inner growth is required, for such purity is the work of the Holy Spirit. Today we give thanks for this church, centred on this beautiful figure of Christ, the life giving word, for the Church is the sure place of the action of God through the Holy Spirit."

The Catholic Chaplain to the University, Fr Alban McCoy OFM Conv, addressing the congregation after Mass said: "The primary point and purpose of this occasion is to thank God. This new, permanent chapel and much improved chaplaincy is the fruit of hard work, dedication and vision on the part of many in the past and present
membership of Fisher House. It fulfils a goal striven for since the beginning of the chaplaincy in 1895 and will make a huge difference to the lives of all Catholic members of the university."

Also attending the Mass and blessing was Bishop Patrick Walsh, retired Bishop of Down and Connor, Ireland and former chaplains and assistant chaplains, Fr Allan White OP, Fr David Standley, Fr Francis Selman and Sister Amadeus Bulger.
.

Source: CCN