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Archive Record
GB ARCHON 2913 PA30-01-0-4-50 · Item · 11-7-1953
Part of Our Lady of Good Counsel and St Peter Parish, March

Letter to Bishop Parker describing state of Chatteris property which he visited "on my way home". Generally poor condition with much damp in the walls. Mr Dodds , Clerk of the Council and Secretary of the Friends Meeting Society (who are selling the chapel - valued at £250) showed him around and admitted no repairs done for 17 years. Builder in contention to buy would probably out bid the church. Canon Malone & Canon Hunting agree that they should not proceed further. So has stopped a bid and put Withams on standby. Fr Collins could not contact Fr Gaffney by telephone.

Collins, Gerard A Rev
GB ARCHON 2913 PA30-05-03-02 · Item · 1954
Part of Our Lady of Good Counsel and St Peter Parish, March

Soft card cover; 8 printed pages; centre folded sheet of Blotting paper
Advertising inside front cover, inside & outside back cover
Page 1: Image of Mass celebrated at opening of new church (17 May 1953); Fr Gaffney (PP name & contacts); Weekly service for OL & StP; Chatteris Mass centre - Sunday Mass
Page 2: "The Catholic Church in March" 1346-1953 by Fr Gaffney
Page 3: "Catholic Schools in the Diocese"
Page 4: Pictures of "Corby Modern School"
Page 5-12: Mass Calendar 1954
Page 13: "Centenary Thank-Offering" - article re Cathedral of Diocese of Northampton with note from Pius XII
Page 14: "Blessed be Her Glorious Assumption" - article re stained glass to be erected at Slipper Chapel in Walsingham - invitation to go see & make a donation.

Gaffney, William J Rev
GB ARCHON 2913 PA30-04-02 · File · 22-7-1979 to 29-6-1988
Part of Our Lady of Good Counsel and St Peter Parish, March

1979 - Fr Smith informs Bishop that the Anglican Vicar offered Catholics first refusal on mission hall in Chatteris. £3000 in kitty; perhaps could sell presbytery. Bishop suggests keeping the two issues apart and think through whether this is needed pastorally. 1981 - Bishop not for a new church in Chatteris; summary (unsigned but probably by Fr Peter Wilson) sets out position regarding loan & anonymous donation - there is friction as some in Chatteris congregation believe they were promised a Church and they were saving for it. Frank Molyneux (parishioner who does the parish accounts) supports Fr Smith's view that Chatteris retention of collection funds (as allowed by Fr Donald Hillier) did not benefit the parish as a whole. Fr Smith understands that this situation arose back in Fr Gaffney's time. Two letters from parishioners (Green & Rudd) set out the Chatteris perspective on the expectation for their own Church. Fr Smith hopes to take a shorthand writer to take notes at a meeting with parishioners in April. He will make his & the Bishop's position clear. It was a difficult meeting. Bishop asks Fr Smith to "Cool it": concentrate on Sisters' arrival and Presbytery nearing completion. Fr Peter Wilson will be brought in to aid Fr Smith. FR Smith is disappointed in the Chatteris people who cling to the desire for their own Church - but not enough to form a sustainable congregation. But at least he now knows who the agitators are. 1988 - suggestion of sharing Church with the Anglicans - this would replace the community hall they currently use in Chatteris. The vicar, Fr Myhill, will discuss it with his council and understands the Bishop makes the final call. Bishop good with the idea; there are a few considerations, but Fr Smith can explore the opportunity. The PCC meeting minutes support the idea but "no poaching by either side" and "no incense at any time"! Bishop says go ahead for a 3 to 5 year trial.

Smith, James M Rev
GB ARCHON 2913 PA30-01-0-5 · File · 3-1-1978 to 18-2-1987
Part of Our Lady of Good Counsel and St Peter Parish, March

1977: Fr Smith needs to undertake Vatican II reforms in March; thanks for appointment - will get Bishop biting dog! 1978: Fr Smith says Parishioners not got habit of giving & resent providing for Cathedral costs. Introducing Planned Giving (manuscript note: Lord, preserve my parish from legacies!") (bishop concurs); Parishioner professional fund raiser & says 1978 £1000 for Diocese no problem - relating to Cathedral Fund; Fr Smith tells John Smith he has not yet stayed 1 night at the presbytery - commuting between March & Peterborough. Presbytery work good - consecration of Church in October? 1979: £220 from Sir Pierce Lacy Trust (grandfather of Rev Peter Wilson); 1980: thanks for visitation; plans for house vetted by parishioner civil engineer who will supervise work gratis; bishop OK with plans but worried about costings - need to speak with Peter W, sensitive about using Chatteris money; 1981: Cheque from Sir Lacy Trust, "the box"remely busy, religious practice appears on the increase. 1982: Fenland District Council unhappy about staircase in new Presbytery - served notice to fix or pull down. 1983: Fr Gus Berrell receives £536 from Sir Lacy Trust; Bob Manley very ill - spending last days in Sheringham; Bishop off to Peru and will tell John Drury all the news. 1983: set up Parish Advisory Committee; heating needs replacing. Ransom Gift of £220 - Bishop asks Fr Berrell to write a thank-you note to Mgr. Stark. Go for Gas! £560 Lacy Trust provided. 1984: Extensive Nun sick list - Sr Elizabeth has much back trouble and is in hospital. House suffering from shrinkage & cracks - concerned. 1986: "Princely sum" allocated to March (thanked Mgr. Stark). Water seepage made electric wiring dangerous. PAC writes to Bishop re proposed move of Nuns - parish upset and told Mgr. McBride so. Mgr. McBride suggested sell off presbytery & retain house - parishioners not happy. Note from Fr Berrell to Bishop re issues round house & Presbytery - parishioners upset about delay in getting back into presbytery. 1987: Ranson gift acknowledged. 5 bursts/leaks 7 ceiling collapsed plus a theft of £12 value. Agreement that Fr Berrell moves back into presbytery.

Smith, James M Rev
GB ARCHON 2913 PA30-01-0-2 · File · 1950
Part of Our Lady of Good Counsel and St Peter Parish, March

Statistics return - assumed to have been created by the priest in charge for 1950 & 1951 - Rev Gaffney.
1980 report (4 pages typewritten) on "Our Lady of Good Counsel and St Peter, March" with annexes: 1. Life Group newsletter; 2. Parish Newsletter for October 18/19; 3. Personal account 'The "Magic" of Lourdes' by Molly John dated 22-9-1980, 4 sides typewritten with manuscript annotation "An MS sufferer".
Fr J Smith letter 1 page manuscript dated 24-4-1982 - reporting 1236 Catholics instead of 750 earlier reported.
22-10-1987 2 page Briefing for Bishop on visit to March.

Gaffney, William J Rev
Visitations
GB ARCHON 2913 PA30-02-02 · File · 1974
Part of Our Lady of Good Counsel and St Peter Parish, March

Correspondence discussing Bishop's planned visits to March / Chatteris. Some contain an outline schedule for the visitation usually including an opportunity to visit (seriously) sick parishioners. Fr Smith asks bishop to consecrate the Church in 1978 (Comment: one lad said to his mother "I want to be a priest . Not a holy priest like Fr Hillier, but one like Fr Smith") (Bishop approves). 1980, Fr Smith opens discussion on papal award for a parishioner and comments that the parish is doing well. Bp secretary provides a description of process required for such awards [Bishop Clark's operation on 8-5-1980]; personal letter from Pat following a visit. Fr Bell, 2 months into the parish, invites the Bishop and to undertake confirmation for 12 children in the Summer of 1989.

Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)
GB ARCHON 2913 PA30-05-03-03 · Item · 1959
Part of Our Lady of Good Counsel and St Peter Parish, March

Soft card cover; 8 double sides; printed pages;
Advertising inside front cover, inside & outside back cover
Page 1: Fr Gaffney (PP name & contacts); Weekly service for OL & StP; Chatteris Mass centre - Sunday Mass
Page 2: "The Eucharistic Feast" article about new rules and rite for Eucharist
Page 3: Colour image: "The Adoration of the Shepards"
Page 4: Image of Cathedral in Northampton & short article
Page 5 & 6: "The Secular Priesthood" article
Page 7 -10: Advertisements
Page 11: Mass Calendar (October - December)
Page 12-14: "New Catholic Schools" article with images of schools in Gerrards Cross, Ipswich, Northampton, Peterborough & Slough
Page 15: Advertisements
Page 16: "The Best of All Prayers - The Our Father" - Article

Gaffney, William J Rev