Rosemont, PA, November 2012
Parish Bids Farewell to Father Vince
During a special fellowship hour after the Mass on November 18th, the parish presented the Rev’d Vincent T. Liddle with gifts, poetry and applause commemorating his presence at Good Shepherd during our time of transition. Our collective gratitude for him and his attributes cannot be measured. He guided us with a gentle, but firm hand, taught and inspired us with simple, yet profound sermons, and showered us with unconditional love. He will be sorely missed. We offer our continued prayers for both him and Rosemary as they depart to resume their lives in their home parish.
Good Shepherd Welcomes Our New Rector
The Vestry has unanimously approved the recommendation of the Search Committee, and called the Rev’d Richard C. Alton to be the next Rector of Good Shepherd. Fr. Alton will begin his ministry with us at the masses on Sunday, December 2nd — the First Sunday of Advent. He holds degrees from Boston College, and Yale Divinity School, as well as a Certificate in Anglican Studies from the General Theological Seminary in New York City. He was ordained as a deacon in June of 1988, and to the priesthood in 1989, and began his ministry in Southport, CT. Fr. Alton is a loving and caring pastor, regards the liturgy as the foundation of the life of the parish and its people, embraces the Anglican Service Book, and believes in the importance of outreach to our community.
He comes to us after five years as the Priest-in-Charge of St. Andrew’s Church, Stamford, CT, where he managed to restore the daily Mass, revitalizing the worship and music of the parish. He also led the process in saving the landmark church building resulting in its historical certification.
From 1997—2007 Fr. Alton was the Rector of St. Mark’s Church in Philadelphia, where he restored the vitality and orthodoxy of this traditional Anglo-Catholic parish. He helped the parish to expand its outreach to the local community, improve its stewardship, and increase its endowment fund. He streamlined parish operations, reducing expenses considerably, and increased the attendance and participation of parishioners.
Prior to serving St. Mark’s, he served first as Curate, and then as Senior Curate at St. Thomas Church in New York City. Fr. and Mrs. Alton, and their son, Frances, will be living in the Rectory at 19 Montrose Avenue, which has undergone substantial improvements in anticipation of their arrival.
Service of Institution
The Reverend Richard Charles Alton will be formally instituted as the eleventh Rector of Good Shepherd on Saturday, December 8, 2012, at 10:30 am. The service will be a Solemn Mass for the Feast of The Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Special guests will include the Rev. Andrew C. Mead, Rector of Saint Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York. Father Meade was instituted as the 8th Rector of The Church of The Good Shepherd in1978, where he served until 1985, and will act as Deacon of the Mass.
Also participating will be the Rt. Rev. Clarence N. Coleridge, retired Bishop of Connecticut, who ordained Father Alton to the priesthood on February 25,1989 when he was Bishop Suffragan in the Diocese of Connecticut.
The preacher will be the Rev. Canon John Andrew, Rector Emeritus of Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, New York, under whom Father Alton served.
A reception will follow the Mass. The public is cordially invited to attend the event.