Ordinariate's Vicar General Named Monsignor

From the Office of the Bishop
 
25 February A.D. 2021

Dear Faithful of the Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter,

One year ago, I had the joy of announcing that the Holy Father had conferred the Pro Pontifice Medal on three of our faithful whose service to the Church was instrumental in the initial establishment and organization of the Ordinariate.  Honoring Deacon Jim Barnett, Carolyn Barnett, and Laurel Miller in this way was not only an expression of gratitude to them personally, but also a strong way to begin our Jubilee celebrations of the anniversary of Anglicanorum coetibus.  

It seems there are still more Jubilee graces to receive.  It is my great pleasure to share with you the news that our Holy Father Pope Francis, has bestowed an honor on one of our priests, Father Timothy P. Perkins, naming him a Chaplain of His Holiness with the title of Monsignor!  

Of coworkers in the vineyard of the Lord, Monsignor Perkins is the best.  I have so often benefited from his wise counsel, his prayerful discernment, and most of all from his friendship.  As Vicar General, he stands shoulder to shoulder with me in service to you and in support of our priests and parish communities.  

His contribution to the project of Catholic unity reaches back decades.  I know that Monsignor would tell you the thing for which he is most grateful for God’s grace is the privilege of leading the community of St. Peter the Rock into full communion.  This was actually the first community of faithful received into the Ordinariate (before there was an Ordinariate!) and now form part of the parishes of St. John Vianney in Cleburne and St. Mary the Virgin in Arlington.  Indeed, becoming a Chaplain of His Holiness honors the pioneering work of so many of our priests and people.  

We will have a public celebration for the conferral of papal honors at the Cathedral of Our Lady for Walsingham sometime in Eastertide.  In the meantime, please join me in offering a prayer of gratitude for this gift from the Holy Father.  Congratulations, Monsignor Perkins!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Rev. Steven J. Lopes