Memo with main headings: 1968 Bishop Grant's long-term plans; The situation today; A Forecast; Proposals for - Authority, Land, Buildings Maintenance, Inadequacies of Buildings, Development of Slipper Chapel Area (Parish Church, Confessions, Sacristy, Blessed Sacrament Chapel); Shelter; Development in the Village; Finance; Staffing (Lay, Priests, Volunteers).
Connelly, Roland William Rev SM MA (1921-2004)Management
50 Archive Record results for Management
Unsure as to why the customary letter regarding not being appointed as a school governor was not sent to Mrs Bramley. As Fr Watkin was not reappointed at the same time perhaps he could contact her and discuss.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Understands the problem. Asks Bishop Cleary to read the minutes of the Shrine Council. Bishop Clark is worried as the man hoped to take the post of Administrative Officer (Manager) has jibbed. Main concern is the bewildering indebtedness of the day-today running of the shrine. "Clive seems impervious to my directive ... he'll have to go. But I want your wise counsel."
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Councils that Hawkes needs to be very cautious than he is about the path he is treading. Your Deputy Director appointment is not an Executive appointment but one that Fr Birch has made himself. The new Director and the Marist Congregation have to be consulted. Clarifications: 1. cannot endorse proceeding to priesthood; 2. You are a Permanent Deacon with a licence for this Diocese; 3. Only wear the Franciscan habit on very restricted occasions- it is causing confusion.
This may seem hard but it is for your benefit. Feel free to discuss with Canon McBride.
Bishop congratulating Fr Allen on the event yesterday [National Pilgrimage]. Well planned and executed; requires a lot of backroom work. He was happy to accompany the Cardinal on the walk.
Worried about the phrase "The Shrine Management" - watch it - this is the Shrine Council and Executive, not Bernard and John. Bishop abhors "creeping power as much as creeping infallibility!".
Establishing a chain of command for events like the TV Easter Sunday Broadcast:
Presenter; Fr Tony Rogers); Producer (Malcolm Allsop); Yourself (Director of Shrine); myself; Mgr McBride; Rev Paul Maddison; Stephen Dean etc.
This badly needs attention,. Gerry [Moorcraft] would laugh cynically! A visit to Walsingham is indicated - Michael Ward (solicitor) assures him that all is in order. Roland is an admirable Pilgrimage Director but hopeless with staff. Campbell Steward speaks accurately. Maybe John Drury could be introduced to this difficult area.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)The Shrine is now the responsibility of the new Diocese of East Anglia and the Treasurer of the Diocese will be responsible for the Shrine's financial administration. Your points are noted - agreed that a governing body must be formed which will take a lot of work.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Confirmation of invitation for post and your acceptance of it. The Executive Council will consult with you over the responsibilities and powers as well as salary. You known expertise will be required to halt the alarming drift into insolvency and you will have commensurate authority.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)General Observations - general agreement; schedule A redrafted; diocese allows appeal funds to accumulate not offset debt
Responsibilities (at the Shrine) - Director (shrine to pay its way): Bishop Clark (oversight) answerable to Bishop Grant (and Fiance Board)
The Pilgrim Church - to await loan reaching whole cost is unrealistic / uneconomic ; need a loan - will the Diocese guarantee it?
Personal Comment - transition form local to national shrine; charge to Diocese remains and must be honoured; focus on Pilgrim Church, rest in suspense
Interest charges - puzzling - Diocese levying interest on itself?
In receipt of correspondence relating to running of Shrine Council. Cannot attend. However, observes that clash of personalities likely with problems the Shrine has had. Must be clear on responsibility of Shrine Director else becomes a "general dog's body". Similarly for the Manager. Relationship between the two roles is important. Perhaps this will afford Bishop Clark the opportunity to tease out the underlying issues.
McGuiness, James Rev (1925-2007)Agrees with Fr Rear's suggestions for 1999's Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and happy for him to go ahead.
Smith, Peter David Gordon Rev LLB JCD (1943-2020)Bishop is convening the Council for the Shrine and asking Wilson, as current treasurer of Walsingham, to be a member. Two other Bishops (Cleary & McGuiness) will be active participants
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)- Vicar General compliments slip: "E&OE bashed out quickly. Forgot to ask what about Stan Tucker. Mac"
[E&OE - Errors and Omissions Excepted - document may contain mistakes or may not include some details] - Notes for a no-nonsense meeting with Fr Birch. Many issues to address largely to do with Fr Birch doing his own thing despite directions from the bishop, the Vicar General and the Executive Committee. Several examples given of wayward behaviour - "my position becoming intolerable as a result". Decisions and actions taken which were not within Fr Birch's remit. Peter Wilson: "did you think we were fools... ?"
Direction by the minister of Education that the school shall be an aided school.
Education (Government Department)Headline on page 1: "Complete Version to Bishop Clark, Fr A Barker SM, Mgr Canon McBride, Fr P Allen SM Only"
Birch, Clive Rev SM LGSM"... the Shrine wishes to see the Director performing a much more spiritual role... "
"The following recommendations will be seen to take account of the reports of Stan Tucker, Jim Bolton (of Charles Hawkins) and Don Healey (Catering Lecturer in Norwich)".
Restructuring of Shrine, Pilgrim Bureau and Activities - recommend (1) lay administrator, (2) Director to have total responsibility for the Shrine and complex
Director's Responsibilities
Manager's Responsibilities
Liaison between Director and Manager
Further recommendations - 8 off
Typical minor problems
In conclusion - need for a manager, Director distracted by wearing too many hats,
Opening paragraph: Last report to Shrine Council before Fr Peter Allen SM takes over.
Preamble: The final report is intended to be as objective as possible "for the sake of 'building the Kingdom of God'"
Staffing: difficult times in reducing staffing levels for financial and managerial reasons. Manager employed to handle Bureau aspects. Guestmasters - included a Job description and recommendations about the role alongside the Manager's own
Faint and Trust: Bishop Clark wrote in 1981 "It is only because of mutual trust that we can collaborate." problems over trust has caused unhappiness, insecurity and concerns over the future. The Shrine Council has not maintained confidentiality as it aught.
Position and Authority of the Director: Urgent need for a clear job description and to have clear reporting/authority lines. Similarly for financial matters. Gives examples of where these have all failed.
Review of Management Situation: Financial, Staff administration, General Administration.
Walsingham Association: a growing organisation with certain influences and potential to become an independent commercial enterprise. The Shrine Council need to be aware and respond appropriately.
Golden Jubilee: expenses breakdown, Celebrations, Income.
Finances 1984/85
Walsingham Community
Ecumenism
Piety Shop: Concern over service and articles sold. Goodliffe Neale experiment operating for a year (a year to go) and the promise to "eliminate 'plastic rubbish' has not been fulfilled.
Conclusion: Much achieved; administrative side leaves much to be desired; staff relations to be addressed; summary of Fr Birch's time at Walsingham "I shall never forget this unique experience and opportunity to grow in all respects. Thank you for that."
Note A: Staffing; comparison of 1981 and 1984 ; suggested organisation/reporting hierarchy diagram
Note B: Staff who left
Note C: [description of a personality clash and resultant implications]
Note D: Proposed Job Description for the Director of the Shrine
Note E: Job Description of Manager of Pilgrim Bureau
Note F: Suggestion for Central Banking System for Shrine and Bureau - to separate Shrine and Bureau monies and financial management
Note G: [Job Description for] Guestmaster/mistress
Note H: Estimates of Expenditure and Income - Shrine 19845
"Additional Information on terms and conditions of employment"
Birch, Clive Rev SM LGSMIn accordance with the Instrument of Management (#1000) Bishop Grant appoints 4 individuals to be Foundation Managers for St Martha's for a period of 3 years: Fr Hammons, Mrs Catton, Mr Thomas, Mr Ward.
Grant, Charles Alexander Rev LCL BA (1906-1989)