Congratulations, Father John Fitt Mbu Ashu CM

On Saturday the 4th of June in the parish of the Sacred Heart and Mary Immaculate, Bishop John Sherrington, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, Ordained to the Priesthood John Fitt Mbu Ashu CM, in a celebration Mass shared with John’s Provincial, Fr Pascal, Vincentian Confreres, Seminarians, friends, and family. Pamela, John’s sister from Cameroon was his nearest relative and she was joined by three cousins from the USA. John’s mother and brothers had been unable to travel but they followed it all on live stream. The church was packed, 600 may be a good estimate, including a coach from the parish in Peckham, where John had had some Apostolic experience. During this joyful 2 1/2 hours, there were one or two very special moments as when all the priests concelebrating, about 30 of them, ‘laid hands’ on John; and then, when the ladies danced their way to the altar bringing their gifts in such a joyous way. The flowers, the brightly coloured dresses, and hats, the beautiful choirs, and the singing of the whole congregation made this a time that will stay in our hearts for very many years. Finally, father Pascal reminded the congregation that for 30 years after he and Father Eugene had been ordained, there had been no ordination in the Irish/British province of the Vincentians, and then suddenly we’ve had two ordinations in one parish. Two ordinations in four years – what a reason to rejoice and to know and believe that God’s Holy Spirit is truly among us!