Rejects Downside Provincial (Abbot H E Moore) suggestion that Beccles district and Diss district should come under one priest at Bungay. Rather the Bishop will keep to the current boundaries - Diss and west of railway line will be Beccles' area. Asks the Abbot to appoint a priest to serve Beccles and start a mission there - may reside at Bungay for now.
Riddell, Arthur George Rev (1836-1907)Thanks the Bishop for the permission to appoint a priest to start a new mission at Beccles. Considers the priest should reside in Bungay and will make arrangements with Fr Guy there.
Downside AbbeyHopes to have Fr Boniface Mackinlay receive Bishop's approval and be sent to Fr Guy at Bungay. But, Fr President is going to Rome on 20th and will discuss the required "H. Sec" approval. Meantime can the Bishop provide approval from Fr Mackinlay as a suitable priest to assist Fr Guy in building a church etc etc at Beccles? If so he will go direct to the Bishop for his Missionary Faculties.
Downside AbbeyCardinal Simeoni writes that Abbot O'Gorman, President General of the English Benedictines has petitioned the Congregation for the faculty to found a new mission in Beccles. But before giving his confirmation, he seeks further information and views on the matter.
Congregation for the Doctrine of the FaithFinal [? not fully dated] draft of a letter to Cardinal Simeoni (Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for Propagation of the Faith) regarding an approval to assign a priest to Beccles (4,000 inhabitants) from the Benedictine Order which has a base at nearby by Bungay.
Riddell, Arthur George Rev (1836-1907)1st draft of a letter to Cardinal Simeoni (Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for Propagation of the Faith) regarding an approval to assign a priest to Beccles from the Benedictine Order which has a base at nearby by Bungay.
At the base of the second side, a manuscript amendment instruction [by the Bishop?]: "(1) you will omit the 'm' in both places will you?"
Requests a "line of recommendation" to the charity of the Faithful for himself and Fr Cox, the later will do most of the begging in Beccles. Requests permission to go begging for Beccles. Site (49 x 36 yards) in London Road, Beccles, purchased for £250. Requests faculties for Fr Cox and Canon Gunning. [A p.s.: "Poor old Gillett has completely broken down"]
Guy, Robert Ephrem Dom (-1899)New plot advantages: 3 times the size of previous plot (1 acre); potential for a cemetery; room for a school; higher plot - not overlooked; less outlay for wall/fencing/etc.
All agree it's a better plot even being £100 more. Can raise the money but might delay starting building. If the Bishop were to donate then this would encourage the people in Beccles.
Multi topic letter:
- Marriage paper included [not present]
- Postal Order for Jubilee Offering
- Statistic paper for 1886 [not present]
- What is the boundary between Bungay and Diss-cum-Gissing? Suggest Harleston as his boundary (not difficult to take on as no Catholics there at present)
- Nothing settled in Rome yet regarding Beccles & Battle
Contacting the Bishop to introduce himself and family as newly into the Diocese following inheriting Gillingham Hall. Requesting permission for the privilege of a domestic chapel at Gillingham to have Mass and the Reservation of the Blessed Sacrament - a large and suitable room is available. Expects to build a small chapel in time which would be open to any Catholics in the area (should there be any). If the Bishop can concede this, then "it will urge us to do, rather than hinder us, from doing, what we can to help the parochial mission and Church." Asks the Bishop to visit or send a representative to discuss these matters.
Kenyon, John George (1843-1914)Fr Fulton questions whether 5/- require to be paid for certificated teachers applies to nuns. They already get £70 per annum plus sundry other expenses (£50 part purchase money of convent).
On reverse: Copy of Bishop's reply, dated 22 February 1898: "As a rule the regulation applies to all certificated teachers including nuns. But if an order of nuns decide never to apply for any superannuation for any of their members then the 5/- in case of a nun of that order need not be paid. Ask the nuns...& act accordingly"
Room at Gillingham acceptable. Upgrading to a parochial church until Beccles is opened? H Sec will have to permit it to be opened as an oratory. Fr Ford is to be the first incumbent at Beccles. Things to be done:
- as Kenyons not to be permanently at Gillingham until 1890, manage as best we can
- Fr Ford to "beg" for £700 to complete house
- Supply for Fr Guy to mix begging with vacation
- Fr Ford to be in residence from start of Lent 1890
Provincial sanctions all these arrangements[?] - has commission Fr Guy to build the house as Fr Ford is fund raising.
"St Benet's Priory" foundation stone [brick] to be laid on 21st and ready for occupation in January 1890.
Mr Kenyon has given £500 towards the house plus £100 per annum for the priest of Beccles provided Mass is said at Gillingham two days a week. Fr Ford then in good position to start free from debt.
Appointing Fr Hugh Edmund Ford (late prior of Downside) to Beccles. He will be with Fr Guy at Bungay in late Lent. Bishop to grant faculties when he decides to do so.
Downside AbbeyLetter, left hand side: Enclosed ground plan for St Benet's, Beccles. Hopes to get the blue portion finished in 1890 (allows 3 rooms instead of two to be used for the chapel and one room downstairs for the priest. Seating for 50. "We ran first Mass of Beccles on 30th [October]".
Plan, right hand side: "Plan shewing scheme for completion of St Benet's Church, Beccles" Bernard Smith Architect, 8 Gray's Inn Square, WC. List of areas: coloured Red (completed parts of Priory), Blue (Remainder of Priory), White ([To be done?]; costs listed, Total £8,000
Picking up on the Bishop’s stated preference, made on his last visit to Gillingham Hall, for secular rather than religious teachers. Raises the matter of establishing a small convent which could house nuns who would undertake teaching in a catholic school. Mrs Kenyon has wished for a long time to start a small community of nuns. The nuns being considered are the Sisters of St Paul (already in Cossey [Costessey, near Norwich]). They are reported to teach well and go in communities of three. Mr Kenyon can contact them to see if they are willing to come [to Beccles]. There is a very suitable house in Beccles coming on the market; if the bishop approves then Kenyon will make an offer for it. If the Bishop can think the matter over and reply at his leisure.
Kenyon, John George (1843-1914)Requesting the Bishop to assign definite limits to the Beccles mission. It has been like this for a number of years and some Catholics may be overlooked because of this fact. Fr Ford can give the Bishop any information he needs.
Downside AbbeySecured £5,000 for the "new Minster Church here". Anne Kenyon ill with typhoid fever at San Remo.
Fulton, Francis Meinrad Dom OSB (1860-1912)"... building in the Gothic style, that Norman; good thick walls & piers - massive & without ornamentation."
Hopes to find a perpetuity lamp (promised) before the Shrine of the Sacred Heart and seven perpetuity lamps before the Shrine of "Our Lady of Pitie" for the conversion of England. £50 to endow a lamp in perpetuity. Anne Kenyon received the Last Sacraments. Joseph Kenyon returned today for his Christmas holiday.
Plans for the new church [not present]. Suggest the Prior of Downside lay the foundation stone and the Bishop to be there for the opening [later on]. A postscript states the plans have only just become available.
Fulton, Francis Meinrad Dom OSB (1860-1912)front cover:
"+ A Riddell" - manuscript name ; Printed title - "Christ is always with us / A Sermon / Preached by the Right Rev. John Cuthbert / Hedley, OSB, Bishop of Newport, / at the Opening of St. Benet's / Minster, Beccles, on / Sept. 4, 1901."
Pg 3-24 - sermon