A new Director taking over at the Shrine; most matters left to Vicar General and so did not realise the urgency in the letter. Naturally grateful to the Walsingham Association for the pledge of raising £60,000. Do keep Mgr McBride and the Executive [Committee] in the picture. Every blessing.

Bishop is attending an ARCIC meeting in Venice. Normal route to requests a papal blessing is via the parish priest.

Letter: Fr Malone should deal with SV Ekins as he sees fit regarding the sale of the plot for the old church. A delay may find a better price. Included is a "line to help you with your appeal"
Blessing: Blessing for Fr Malone to ultimately redeem the debt owing due to the purchase of the Church at St Neots. He is obliged, with the Bishops authority, to seek money form a wider public. The cost for converting the Baptist Chapel was met by the Guild of Our Lady of Ransom (some £500).

Cardinal Casaroli, Secretary of State, Secretariat of State, Vatican, writes that the Holy Father well remembers venerating the statue of Our Lady of Walsingham on 29 June 1982. His token of participation in the Golden Jubilee is to impart his Apostolic Blessing to those present at the various events.

Draft letter to the Pope [not present] asking for a special blessing and response for reading out at the close of Marian Year. Pro-Nuncio has agreed to support it.
Also attached is a letter about the Spiritual Development of Walsingham.
Trying to get the Pastoral Council together but it is not easy as every one is happy to complain but not to say "yes" and do something about it.
Sr Rachel at Quidenham has written about an application from an Anglican Sister to enter Carmel. Should Fr Allen or the Bishop interview her?
He is in touch with Gary about the diocesan pilgrimage.

Roy Gathercole said the Bishop was prepared to preach at the Blessing of the new chapel. Reading from Ephesians (Chp II v13-22) but an alternative in Kings - let Fr Birch know which he wants so he can warn the reader.
Archbishop Worlock is attending - give an opportunity to speak? (manuscript note - "not attending")
Executive Council has suggested an illuminated scroll be present to the Anglicans on the occasion of their Golden Jubilee - Bishop prepared to sign, copy of text included [not present] (manuscript note - "suggest re-draft"

The Chapel of Our Lady of Reconciliation will not be completed on 6 September, but by the end of September. Asking the Cardinal to bless the chapel and return in the Spring for its official dedication. Some ten Bishops will attend the National Pilgrimage - a suitable occasion to announce the chapel's near completion.

Fr Davidson informs the Bishop that the Dunwich Pilgrimage will be on August 19. Fr Mason and he would like the Bishop to attend. Permission requested for a Papal Blessing. Will be attending the Summer School and will see the Bishop there next week.
Manuscript annotation: "Wrote to Mgr. Redmond to ask for a Papal Blessing July 28/28."

Fr Gaffney makes clear the layout/situation with his church. He will sing Mass of Our Lady as o Missal for 26 April (as sung annually on the Patronal Feast). Old church locked - not allowing non-catholics to see it stripped. If this is not acceptable the Bishop must find someone else to take over before 19th.

Letter re Blessing of Church. Requirements: Ministers (6), Servers (9)., Requisita (vestments, Bishop - cope, stole, holy water, cross, candles, kneeler, "The church to be completely bear[sic]").
Approach to & what to dress Bishop, Deacon & Subdeacon. Rite is Titulus IX, Caput IX.N.17 in Rituale Romanum; Psalm 50, 119, 12 7, 121. Issue over Titular - Lady of Good Counsel to be Primary Patron & St Peter secondary, hence no liturgical privileges for him. If this adopted then Mass is "Mass of Our Lady No 4 (Missae de Sta Maria in Sabbato), etc.
Fr Burditt can draw up the Ordo for the Titular Feast and Octave for future years.
Anything else?

Thanks for the intentions for the Holy Souls. need about 20 intentions, enclose an SAE [Self Addressed Envelope]. Provisional date of October 7th for an opening and blessing.
manuscript annotation: [different hand] "(?Doubtful)"

Fr Filmer wishes to take the sermon at the end of Mass. Propose to bless the new church on Monday [St Neots Church]. Have a tabernacle to reserve the Blessed Sacrament. Four canons plus a number of other clergy have promised to be present - hope the weather improves before Wednesday.

Need to call off the loan £2,000 with an option for £1,000 held in reserve (perhaps for the new church site on the new estate). On 21 September Bishop Grant will open the school: mass & blessing in the morning followed by a civic reception in the afternoon. Is this grand enough to warrant Fr Brewer attending? It is "perhaps rather small beer". Invite Lincoln Ralphs [LEA Head of Education] too?

Holy Father pleased to hear of the celebration of the closing of the Marian Year at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. Mention of his Encyclical Letter on the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Life of the Pilgrim Church. Imparts his Apostolic Blessing to all those taking part in the ceremonies.

Request for a papal blessing for a marriage soon to take place in Wiltshire.

Returned from Rome; John Paul II blessing; conclave election; implementing Vatican II

Fr P Bidone: Asking for the Bishop's blessing in their bid to buy part of a premises - sufficient to make our their workable.