The Bishop is reluctant to allow leave to reserve the Blessed Sacrament at isolated places such as St Thomas More chapel in Hemsby. But as Fr Webb says it was justified last year then he grants permission provided due care is taken to see that the church is properly attended by a reliable person.
Bishop's OfficeRequesting permission to hold Mass in a large and very suitable room at Dr Kelly's in Ormsby. 30 Catholics in the vicinity who cannot now come to Yarmouth on Sundays.
Manuscript annotation: "Yes. B[ishop] gives permission, provided not a bedroom & decent - God bless to enterprise."
Addressed to Fr Atkinson [Bishop's secretary?]. Encloses an enquiry from Italy which refers to Caistor near Grimsby not the one in this parish [Caister]. Mass is not being said at 9 o'clock on Sundays in Hemsby - this was only done by Army Chaplains when the camp was there - it is said at Dr Kelly's. When this is not possible he requests permission to say Mass at Major Barber's. Enquiries are being made to acquire ground at Hemsby or Ormsby to set up a chapel-of-ease.
Manuscript annotation: "Now & again per modum actus [this faculty?] for the sake of the Sacraments the Bp will permit Mass to be said t .... So long as the room is decent & not a bedroom."
Now in "the saddle" and glad to be there. Issues to raise:
- Fr Webb dated 4-11-1958 from the Bishop grants faculties to "the priest who supplies and arrives provided he is one of yours and has faculties elsewhere". Fr Wilfred Jolley SJ and Fr James Evans SJ are here and the Provincial wishes them to be retained as assistants.
- Two absences - cancelled one, but not the other - this is leading a Pilgrimage as Spiritual Director to Lourdes from Mar 26 to Apr 4.
- Requests renewing permission to duplicate for all three priests.
- Requests delegate visiting SJ priests for hearing confessions
- Two permissions for (a) Public Processions in honour of Our Lady on Sundays (not frequent), (b) Exposition on Sunday after Feast of Sacred Heart.
- Permission granted for public procession of Blessed Sacrament on 2nd Sunday of Pentecost - not keen to renew but if Bishops wants it...
Manuscript annotations at paragraphs: (1) "yes herewith"; (2) "Yes"; (3) "Yes no form and applies to those serving Yarmouth even supplies"; (4) "Yes if facs. elsewhere"; (5) Yes. add to Ben. Pagella in space below"; (6) Bp. not keen & it may be discontinued".
Saved up a few matters in one letter for simplicity.
Sanato-in-radice returned, signed; woman concerned made wonderful spiritual recovery.
- Faculty required to permit triplicating to meet holiday demand in July and August with visiting priests. Would Bishop give faculties should the need arise? Permit annual use "usque ad revocationem"?
- Fr Jerome Lambert OSB from Ampleforth is to stay with a relative. Faculty requested for confessions during his short stay?
- Visitation in July; arranging for Sunday Mass in Hemsby. Would Bishop like to be assisted by another priest?
- Blessed Sacrament has been reserved, he is informed, for "always" in Hemsby for July & August wit Benediction after Sunday Mass. Fr Dennis cannot see the need, unless the Bishop requires it.
Manuscript annotation by paragraph: "(1) Yes. Yes; (2) Yes if...; (3) Yes. Indifferent; (4) Bishop objects to Reservation & glad to stop it. Benediction could be given if someone wishing HC would 'receive' the large host after Benediction. He doubts of Ben. is necessary."
Pastoral letter hit nail on the head. Local M (Mr Anthony Fell of Yarmouth) in Acle congregation - wonder whether he digested the passage about exports and unnecessary industries!
Saved a few items for a convenient time to write to the Bishop:
- Parish Trip to Rome - permission to accompany them from April 8th to 23rd; Fr Evans would be Vicarius Substitutus.
- Permission for Friday weekday Evening Mass/
- Mass Centres at Caister, Hemsby & Acle: Caister - Centre badly situated. Acquisition of a site and erection of a chapel indicated; Hemsby - suffices except in Summer. Extension urgently desirable. A new church would be costly but several more wealthy people have expressed willingness to help financially. Sufficient funds for a temporary enlargement; Acle - chapel adequate now, needs minor repairs. Housing development happening so may need a more permanent Church.
Suggests a Fund for Future Development. Makes estimates for first and second collections at each centre plus need for other donations and fund raising activities. Currently a net surplus of £2000.
Caister Catholic Cemetery much improved - tidy and cared for.
Mission run jointly with Gorleston disappointing - "It was the good who came, and profited; the luke-warm and bad stayed away. I wonder what is the modern approach to the tepid in the face of TV and over-time?"
Mrs Simpson's illness (thickening of cardiac arteries) means she needs medication after 12. Asks for a dispensation for her. ("Incidentally she is leaving all her property to the church"). Asking for permission to raise £1500 against the presbytery to finish the church.
Davidson, Charles Madgwick Rev DD BASends 10/- for the Simpson dispensation. Asks for leave to borrow £500 against the security of the house next door (worth £1500) to build a permanent sacristy and undertake certain interior decoration. This scheme is small and unpretentious; another matter to finish the Church.
Davidson, Charles Madgwick Rev DD BAPlanning permission for the erection of a church and presbytery with conditions. Assume no objection to these and will complete on receipt of funds from Canon Hunting.
Witham, Weld and CoMichael 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.
CorrespondentHe has not participated in the St Felix pilgrimage because he considers the blessing of the sea, success to sailors and fishing, prayers against coastal erosion, as being sensational and meaningless adornments (witness headlines in the Universe) to the pilgrimage. Also, having asked Bishop Rudderham to lead the pilgrimage and do what the Bishop disapproves of is a tacit criticism of his own attitude. If this item is dropped from the agenda then he shall be pleased to tell the Bishop of Clifton that he will be welcome to come .
Parker, Thomas Leo Rev (1887-1975)Before the Bishop goes to Rome, two questions:
- Asking for written approval (for the archives) to confirm a verbal authority to hold the ceremony for the Anointing of the Sick during pilgrimage masses
- Bishop of East Anglia has authority from the Conference of Bishops to make an appeal - has anything been done?
manuscript p.s.: "P.S. My replies from the Cardinal made no reference to the Press Conference..."
(Dated Vigil of Pentecost 1984) Rev Howard Weston-Smart introduces himself as a member of the Old Roman Catholic Church who regularly visits Walsingham. Provides some background information about himself, his wife and the school they work at. Asking the Bishop for permission to say Mass when next in Walsingham. He notes that permission had, in the past, been granted to members of his Rite to offer Mass privately in the Slipper Chapel.
Weston-Smart, Howard RevAcknowledges that permission was given to Bishop Luker to celebrate Mass in the Holy Spirit chapel attached to the Slipper Chapel. Willing to express permission subject to the Director doing so too. Most interested in your "itinearium ad Deum".
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)(Dated Vigil of the Nativity of S. John Bapt.) Had to express his thanks - much as the leper was the only one of the ten who returned to give thanks to Our Lord for being healed.
Weston-Smart, Howard RevProvided Fr Allen agrees, then he gives permission for a Tridentine Mass as last year. Same restrictions apply - Fr Paul Chavasse, officiating, is accepted.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)[Draft text]
Bishop does not know of the organisation West Mercia Roman Catholic Mission nor how it integrates with Catholic Churches and the Diocese of Shrewsbury. He would need to know a great deal more before granting permission for the Tridentine Mass at Walsingham. Bishop sets out that such permission is for private, small groups, a minimum of publicity, and a genuine spirit of devotion. That a weekend long pilgrimage is planned does not meet these requirements. The Latin Mass Society have long pleaded their case but the Bishop is adamant that no public manifestation of divisiveness can be sanctioned or endorsed at Our Lady's Shrine.
Paul F Nixon (general secretary) has been asked to organise a traditional Roman Catholic Pilgrimage to Walsingham. He has written to Fr Allen to make arrangements for the use of the Abbey grounds and is contacting the Bishop for permission to use the Tridentine Mass on the Saturday and Sunday.
West Mercia Roman Catholic MissionAsking permission to buy 59 High Street, Walsingham. Adjacent to No 75 with is their Convent. The two buildings were formerly on family house. This would improve on the currently limited accommodation for the Sisters.
Caulfield, Kathleen Sister SM (-2006)Planning permission for an application dated 26 March 1982 for demolition of garage; convert two buildings back to dwellings and re-form existing garage at 37 High Street, Little Walsingham. As per plans.
North Norfolk District Council