Michael E Barne [?], Pirbright Camp, Woking, writes that further to the letter of June 26 he regrets that permission is not granted to hold the Pilgrimage in the Monastery grounds in Dunwich.
CorrespondentCorrespondent Miss Mary Dobson, Teddington, Middlesex, writes to identify the church with a memorial book for Japanese held POWs in WW2. Interested in her brother's record (John Robert Dobson) being in the book. Also, Sister Isabel at Sacred Heart Primary School in Teddington is interested in her relation - Donald Lawless.
CorrespondentMrs S Walker writes about a proposed Ecumenical Centre at a quiet Cambridgeshire farm house. Currently more Anglican oriented than not, after listing several individuals involved, asks if the Cardinal would be interested in being a member of a Council of Reference to assure people that they are not a "weird cult".
CorrespondentPhotocopy of a promotional pamphlet
CorrespondentCommenting on the "heresy" to be found in a course advertised in the weekly new sheet from Our Lady and the English Martyrs in Cambridge. It was run by the Diocesan education Department. The writer quotes from the course, course material and a book he bought subsequently. Considers "Informed Criticism" will demolish all belief - "surely we must have some form of indoctrination?"
CorrespondentCovering letter for a petition which was also sent to Bishop Grant
CorrespondentPage 1: Petition text: loss of daily Mass and related devotions following proposed re-alignment of parish boundaries; much fund-raising done for the Church; Rural nature of Downham Market parish would make it difficult for a priest based at Swaffham. Hence request the Bishop reverse the decision affecting Downham parish
Page 2: 1 copy of petition names - column 1 35 names; column 2 32 names
Went to Downham for the Mass and stayed a week. Why do you persecute a priest because he refuses to be a heretic? 5 years ago deviant behaviours (pop masses, dancing masses...) would have resulted in excommunication on the spot. Who is right Fr Baker, or those in a free for all.
Copied to Cardinal Heenan, Apostolic Delegate, Bishop Grant
Concerned about the saga concerning Downham Market. Great respect for Fr Sketch in the short time he has been with the parish he has cone a great deal. There are many who feel that Fr Sketch is well able to tackle the problem.
CorrespondentSides 1-3: Alan Smithies (author & poet) writes following hearing the Bishop on the radio discussing the Tridentine Mass, its discontinuation by Rome and the subsequent mass protests. As an Anglo Catholic author he holds no brief for the Tridentine Mass; discusses the 1549 prayer book (a wholly Catholic Mass). Anglicans are in more disarray with their various services, with Series III replacing good English with journalese (as with your English mass). Discusses the nature of the language and its uses, the Bishops of earlier ages; modern bishops too influenced by the popular. People do want good but simple everyday English. Appends some hymns if the Bishop would like to use any of them then he'd be delighted.
Sides 5, 7, 9: "Office for Saint Bede" 5 four-line verses; "For Saint Clare" [written for the nuns of Lynton, on the Feast of St Care, 1975] 8 six-line verses; "Hymn for Saint Nicholas" 6 four-line verses; "Office Hymn for Saint Andrew" 6 four-line verses
"These hymns are written with the intention that they should be sung, wherever possible, in plainchant."
1 1/2d stamp; Addressed: "The Bishop of / Northampton / Bishops Palace / Northampton"
Correspondent"My Lord, Fr Flynn of this town has asked me to write to you as to his condition - This is the 2nd time I have been called in for the same trouble - gastritis gastric catarrh or nervous depression - He is now progressing well but I have advised to take complete rest to thoroughly restore himself - He is a very highly strung and neurotic patient - but has no organic disease to account for these attacks - I would be very happy to insure his life - I think I have cheered him up & that he will return practically fit from his holidays - Very faithfully yours D J Rygate Surgeon"
manuscript annotation: "Should a man of his temperament take alcoholic drink, or abstain from it rigorously under all circumstances, esp. fro whisky & other ardent spirits?"
Correspondent"I hereby testify that Fr C S Flynn has been under my care suffering from gastritis & neurasthenia which had prevented him taking his services on two occasions" D J Rygate MRCS LRCP MA
CorrespondentR S Flynn (Fr Flynn's father) writes to inform the Bishop that his son has Bronchitis following on from Influenza. He might not be able to say mass on Sunday - the doctor hopes that he will. Mr Flynn, Snr. feels his son is too limp and washed out. Fr Page has been asked to help,but it is thought he too may be ill.
Manuscript annotation: "Answered. Too late to find a supply. Better stay in bed rather than risk after effects of "Flu" if Fr Page cannot help him."
J Day (St Joseph's, Farnborough Road, Farnborough, Hants) asking if Fr Flynn, as nearest RC clergy, could be the officiating clergyman for Air Force personnel at Bircham Newton. 14 Catholics on the airdrome - numbers may be increasing.
manuscript annotation: "Sqn 2 arrives in Summer [3 words illegible] ; but wd welcome extra stipend. Cd not guarantee quality or best of health."
J Day (St Joseph's, Farnborough Road, Farnborough, Hants) acknowledging Bishop's letter and informing the authorities of the appointment of Fr Flynn subject to conditions. He will not be required to say Mass on Sunday at Bircham Newton. The men are taken to Hunstanton in a tender.
CorrespondentW E H Bull saw Fr Flynn this week - he is ill with influenza and his nervous system is completely run down. Consider it a personal favour if the Bishop gives his request urgent consideration for Fr Flynn to have two months off for complete rest. Fr Flynn leads a lonely life and this is worse since his sister died in December.
Manuscript annotation: "Answered. as also Ketterer C report annexed"
[undated, unsigned] [very shaky hand] "My Lord, I think you ought to know about Fr Flynn here. He is a very ill man and something ought to be done for him. He only has Mass on Sunday - and these looks as if he might die on the altar. Only last week he was over to take a wedding but went to bed in the hotel at once, too ill to do it. I am only a visitor here and therefore it is not my business but it is very serious I beg to remain one of your Lordships flock."
CorrespondentAsking for proof that a Fr Flynn exists in Hunstanton so that a friend's family member's will executors can send some money for Masses. Executors want proof as this approach has been fraudulently used by those posing as Priests to get help from Ireland. Her daughter was baptised at 24 hours old in Beccles by Fr Peter [?] just before he left.
Manuscript annotation: "Answered, Congrats on "Margaret Mary"! Suggested that executors in Ireland cld send money for Masses to me, I wld sent it on to Fr Flynn at Hunstanton"
Thanks for kind wishes and blessing for little "Margaret Mary". She will pass on the bishop's letter to the executors. No idea how much money but no doubt it will be a help to Fr Flynn. Yes, her brother-in-law is Austin Snowden who is at Isay.
Correspondent