Dear Friends,

As Vicar General for the TAC in Britain I attended the Meeting, at St. Agatha's Church Portsmouth, of the TAC College of Bishops from around the world. It was truly a wonderful experience to be among men who are united in the Faith, and whose inspired enthusiasm for the continuation of the true Anglican expression of the Holy Catholic Faith of Jesus Christ holds out great hope for the future. As one witnesses the continued decline of our once great nation and church and the apathy of people in general it is very easy to become depressed, but occasions like this truly lifts the spirit and reassures us that all is not lost and the Church of Christ will prevail.

As believers in the authority of the Bible, and especially the New Testament, the TAC Bishops and Vicars General, following the commandments and prayer of our Lord and God Jesus Christ for the unity of His Church, seek to be united to other baptised Christians, who also believe and practise the Catholic Faith.

There was much to think and pray about at the Bishop's meeting and with the Consecration of Michael Gill as the new Bishop for Southern Africa we were very encouraged.

I remained in Portsmouth for the Ordination on Sunday 7th October of Salvador Lloret-Farina by Bishop Robert Mercer CR at St. Agatha's. Bp. Peter Wilkinson was also present and acted as Episcopal Deacon at the Mass. I read the mandate for the ordination from our Episcopal Visitor Bp. David Moyer and Canon John Maunder preached. We wish Fr. Salvador God's richest blessings in his ministry.

I appeal to parishes and people for funds to train more men for the Sacred Ministry.

On the 17th and 18th of October I also attended as an observer on behalf of the TAC in Britain the Annual Assembly of Forward in Faith to which I was encouragingly welcomed. The Assembly was well attended by representatives from Forward in Faith parishes around the country. They met in the Emmanuel Centre, Westminster. Three of our TAC Bishops who belong to Forward in Faith Australia were also present and reported on Forward in Faith in their country.

We must pray for the members of the Forward in Faith Movement who against great odds are still struggling to maintain the faith in some of the parish churches of England and Wales, and in other parts of the world, and also with some success in bringing young people to Christ and young men to the Sacred Priesthood. I was pleased to see some of these at the Meeting.

Although not all Forward in Faith members support us, yet many of us hope and pray that before long as faithful Anglicans we will be united as one to teach and practise the true faith of our forefathers, evangelise the nation for God, strengthen the believer, and bring the heathen living in our midst to the saving and liberating knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour for the salvation of their souls.

Please continue to pray for more men to offer themselves to the sacred Orders of Priest and Deacon to celebrate the Holy Eucharist and serve God's people in Word and Sacrament; pray also for women to serve in their ministries as Deaconesses, Sunday School Teachers, Nuns, etc..

November is often thought of as the month of the departed, beginning on the first day with All Saints, and the next day with All Souls. These are two great days in the Christian Calendar for on All Saints Day we, in the Church Militant here on earth, celebrate with the Saints and heroes of the Church their joyful birthday into Heaven in the great Church Triumphant.

On All Souls Day we commemorate all the Faithful Departed who are in Paradise in the Church Expectant where our Lord went, as He promised, with the dying thief who was crucified with Him, and where, as the Scripture teaches, He preached to the souls of the departed. What a wonderful and unending fellowship we are, and what a great company of brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ!

In November we also observe Remembrance Sunday which this year is on the 11th, the original Armistice Day in 1918. On this day in the British world those who died in the wars of the 20th century and the present conflict in Iraq are remembered before God and committed to His loving care.

As Christians and members through Baptism of that Body of Christ the Church, let us never forget the reality of Eternal Life, and of our living and close fellowship, in Christ, with out brethren beyond the grave. In the Holy Eucharist, Holy Communion, commonly called the Mass, we are united with Jesus Christ and with all who belong to Him. In truth we are mystically transported into heaven itself, where surrounded by, and in Communion with, all who are in Christ, we worship the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit and are nourished with Divine Life.

Your Priest and Friend,

Fr. Brian.