At the March meeting of the Central Council, it was announced that a Gold Medal was to be presented to Tim McDonald, M.C. at Walsingham on Wednesday 25th March 2009; the Mass time was later confirmed as 12.00p.m. Mid-day. Several members expressed the wish to attend, and as I knew Tim from my annual visits to the Shrine to assist in the Brentwood Pilgrimage over the past four years, I also intended to make the journey for this Special Occasion.
Tim says, "I starting serving at the age of seven, in my home Parish of Our Lady, Help of Christians, Mottingham (Southwark), where my father was M.C., and continued there until I was 20. My work had accommodation in Westminster Cathedral parish, and I regularly served there for the next 20 years. I came to Walsingham as MC/Sacristan in 1990 and have served here ever since". (Tim McDonald M.C.)
Although I commenced my journey to Walsingham at 9.00a.m.due to a suspect package outside R.A.F. Lakenheath, we were diverted and I arrived too late to serve, but still in time for the Mass. The Main Celebrant was the Bishop of East Anglia, assisted by the Marist Priests who look after the Shrine, together with Father Keith Stokes, Guild Diocesan Director of Westminster.
Being Our Lady's Feastday of the Annunciation, the servers wore Dark Blue Capes over their Black Cassocks and White Cottas. Those present were Tim McDonald, M.C., Ian Robertson, Assistant M.C., Michael Chute, President of the Archconfraternity of the Guild of St Stephen, Mike Roche, M.C. at St Theresa's Lexden, Diocese of Brentwood, plus two others. Council Members Tony Hawes and Tony Aldridge were part of the Congregation. The Church was packed and the Walsingham Choir were in full voice.
At Communion, we progressed up the Centre Isle, and I received the "Body of Christ" from the Bishop. Just before the Final Blessing, the Bishop spoke to those present. He informed them that the Altar Server had always played a most important role in the Liturgy of the Church, none more so than Tim McDonald, M.C. at the Shrine. It was therefore very appropriate that in the presence of a number of members of the Central Council, that I present him with his Gold medal for Fifty Years of Service on the Altar.
After Mass, I was privileged to join a small number of people for a Buffet in the Staff Room. Like the Three Wise Men of Old, I decided on a different route home to Elsenham.
Tony Aldridge - Brentwood Representative - Central Council