Great Yarmouth
345 Archive Record results for Great Yarmouth
Cpt. M Middleton for Major-General i/c Administration Eastern Command writes that 126 RC soldiers stationed at Hemsby, Norfolk are without ministration the nearest church being at Great Yarmouth 7 miles distant. Asks the Bishop of he could suggest a means for the men to have ministration of a Priest of their faith as numbers do not warrant a full time Chaplain.
HQ Central Force & Eastern CommandJ T Oakleigh asking that enclosure be passed to Private Walding RAMC, unknown regimental address. Thanks priest for the good he does in Gt Yarmouth through the club-room behind the church.
ParishionerAn extended and angry letter to the Bishop about the shortfalls of CFs (Chaplains to the Forces) in his area. Describes one as amiable but mutton headed ("the Ornament") given to much talk of the hunt but doing little to administer to the needs of the 700 RC soldiers stationed in the area. Sir Archibald Buchanan (Sutherland & Argyle Highlanders) recently contacted Fr Thompson over the Brigade Chaplain who had mysteriously disappeared. Fr Thompson is angry that he receives no support from the Army despite them using his church (700 wet and muddy men make a lot of mess). He wants the Bishop to write and fix the problem. "P.S. You have perhaps heard that we now have 73 of ours [Jesuits] at the front and that the WO [War Office] begs the Provincial to send more! A good CF at the Front is a perambulating sermon to the non-Catholics. It makes my flesh creep to think of the effect of a slacker there."
Thompson, David H Rev SJ ( -1926)Refers to earlier letter from Cpt Middleton. Problem arises when local priests administer to RC soldiers in their parish without Army support or inadequate recompense and a CF (Chaplain to the Forces) is appointed y the Army. Suddenly nothing is advanced to the priest even when his church is used for services. the CF often only administers to his battalion leaving the scattered other men to local parish priests. The "whole system needs overhauling." The Bishop offers to meet when he is next in London, Thursday or Friday.
Keating, William Frederick Rev (1859-1928)Acknowledges Bishops letter of 9th. Not the intention of HQ to debar men from their church. No need to call.
HQ Central Force & Eastern CommandLearnt yesterday that Fr d'Amberger did meet Dr Keating having met previously when Fr d'Amberger was studying History at Cambridge. Arthur Tomlinson is back from seminary and the Superior has written (quoted two paragraphs in French) to say that Arthur has had a good year in the seminary and he hopes he will return to join the seminarians of his age. The Superior is happy to send this as a testimonial.
Thompson, David H Rev SJ ( -1926)Dated the Feast of St Stanilaus (April 11). Missed the Bishop's visit to Yarmouth since Fr Thompson was running 3 short retreats in Birmingham. Needs faculties for Fr Salvatore Pace who is replacing Fr Harper (posted to an easier berth). Would have preferred that Fr Courtney went instead as he is more of an invalid and less efficient than Fr Harper. Fr Pace will be very useful in rounding up the Italian colony who "Have no gotta Inglese". Fr Pace is Maltese and educated at the English College in Malta. After joining the Jesuits he was with the French i n Syria, the Italians in Naples and spent six years at "the hardest mission we have - St Joseph's, North Woodside, Glasgow. I went through that 'black quarry' as it was locally called in 1899"
Manuscript annotation: "Sent Faculties. Also asked thoughts on to help Gorleston with Sunday Mass when Stanley has left for Phanbelin[?]"
Shanahan informed that the dispensation document is being sent on to Rome and the reply may take weeks. Fr Middleton ("hipped by insomnia"), being done some good by this place, is keen to do supply work., and has relinquished the Superiorship of the Scottish [indecipherable] house at Craighead.
Thompson, David H Rev SJ ( -1926)Sr Mary Josephine writing to thank the Bishop for his visit and wish him a truly happy Easter.
Convent of St LouisAdvises Fr Courtney that he needs to contact the Bishop with full details of this mixed marriage and the agreement of the parties to his proposal for regularising it.
Freeland, John Francis Rev (1861-1940)Letter to Bishop about needing a dispensation form to "regularise" a mixed marriage undertaken in a Registry Office on 15 February 1916 between a Salvationist (husband) and Catholic (wife). Letter contains many details about the circumstances which may lead the couple to agree to this, but unfortunately Fr Thompson has not left any Dispensation forms.
Manuscript annotation: "Cannot do it! Sent dispensation forms"
Fr Courtney enclosing Fr Freeland's letter to him, writes to the Bishop about why he did not ask for written evidence of their intent. He judges them to be sincere but the man is an impulsive and defiant character who may not take kindly to being reminded of his marriage's sterility or of his own possible impotence.
Courtney, Timothy Rev SJConvent of St Louis (Sr M Paul) send their Christmas greetings and enclose an offering.
Manuscript annotation: "Acknowledged cheque"
Asks to be permitted to have Benediction twice a day during Mission. Mentions The Children of Mary (COM) who the Bishop had noticed had not donated to his fun. Fr Thompson claims they "are a poverty stricken crowd". Even so the Parish gave £6-£7. He notes the problems in the Fishing industry where local dealers cannot afford the prices asked at auction. The pope desires to canonise our martyr, Blessed Andrew Bobola.
Thompson, David H Rev SJ ( -1926)requesting a dispensation to marry Caplan Valon, an officer of the Tank Corps, to Agnes Macdonald, an Australian. Fr Pace has moved on to Wardens Castle - no replacement yet. The year is the 75th anniversary of the Church (and that of the restoration of the Hierarchy). He would like to have a mission and perhaps the Bishop could rededicate the church and attend a confirmation later in the year, Autumn. Tomorrow he is giving a Triduum at Holy Rood Convent, 1 Gloucester Road, Regent's Park, London. Relates a story about a question set in a General Knowledge test: "What do the letters SJ after a name indicate? Only one answer attempted and that was 'Steeple Jack!'". A post script refers to Fr John H Pollen who has been staying with him and who has dementia. He has "quite gone" and is placed in a home - a loss to the English Martyrs Cause.
Thompson, David H Rev SJ ( -1926)Faculties requested for Fr Edward Rockliff as his new curate but who will be away all Lent and May. He is a propagandist for the North of the Cause of the English Martyrs. He has been giving lectures on the Reformation to Protestant Historical Societies. Fr Thompson is unsure of how useful his new curate will be to him. One of Fr Thompson's many interests and hobbies is being a member of the Guild of Adam - he explains how his lecturing style (no notes) is appreciated by the audiences who are more used to a "parsonic style of read sermons and lectures". A mission starts on Sunday and he requests a message and blessing from the Bishop.
Manuscript annotation: "Answered: Sent faculties for Fr Rockcliff and for the [illegible] supply. Sent blessing for the coming mission and comments on your lectures, Fr Adam!"
Bishop's response to Mr Dauncey's family catastrophe [not described] was initially thought to be casual and unsympathetic. However, once Fr Thompson had explained, Mr Dauncey was touched by the Bishop's kindness. His son still hankers for the priesthood but he has been found a position with the City Accountant ("really to keep him occupied") commencing at £600 rising to £1000. More dispensations for mixed marriages - All these 'ne temere' cases are Irish immigrants to Yarmouth.
Manuscript annotation: "Answered. Sent dispensations & thanked for his good offices with Dauncey. Apr 2/25."
Encloses a letter for the Bishop to approve in reply to the "blatant spiritualist apostles here". Fr Thompson was one of the experts invited to publish their views on Spiritualism - plain speaking but direct it drew criticism, abuse and false statements. Fr Courtney has been asked by Fr Thompson to reply. He is grieved at the spread of this cult which is going far and wide, leading simple folk into necromancy.
Manuscript annotation 1 (different hand to Bishop's): "L'Estrange is a vulgar fanatic, I should guess from Belfast. I treat him to a little banter only."
Manuscript annotation 2 (Bishop's): "Yes, send it! Look out for Spiritualist Sunday Schools!"
"There will be ample supplies in the shape of visiting SJs during my absence."
Manuscript annotation: "Faculties granted those who have them in their own province July 29/25"