Prayer for Europe with responses.

Pat Browne, Westminster. Details enclosed for the 30 day vigil as it has taken place so far. Each Diocese is doing it its own way (examples enclosed). Middlesborough are ending on 17 March, would it be possible for East Anglia to take it up from then until end of April?

Image caption: [crossed out: "Monastere et Pensionnat de Religieuses Ursulines"] manuscript: "Institution St Alyre" a Clermont-Ferrand.
[Original manuscript in French.]
Given to understand that your Lordship will lay the first stone for the Catholic Church in Aldeburgh on 16 July. We thank God and are grateful to you for all the interest you have in the small mission in which we have worked so much. Enclosed is a cheque for £10 and apologies for the small sum, but cannot afford more. Allow me to remind you what was agreed with his Lordship Mgr Keating. 1st - that a small plaque of stone or metal will commemorate the stay of the Ursulines in this place; 2nd - Each year 4 masses will be said for the 4 religious who lay in the vault. You may find these conditions in the papers of the Aldeburgh Mission.
Manuscript annotation: "Answered. Thanks, very much. Do not know whether I can fix the Masses on the Parish [indecipherable] as there is no money to cover this. Will look up the agreement when I find it. (Mentioned it to Archbishop Keating in my Letter)."

Responding to Pat Browne at Westminster. Very much in favour of the suggested vigil - unfortunately Lent is a difficult period for scheduling these things. Later date? October?

Writing to express sorrow at Fr Nesden's sister's death. Remarks that an infinitely merciful God asks us to pray. He wishes that Fr Nesden's grief will not be too heavy to bear.

Meeting of Presidents of Bishops' Conferences in Europe; Pope called for a special day of prayer for peace in Europe, in particular the Balkans. Cardinal Hume is recommending to the Bishops the 1st January for this.

Pope John Paul II and Dr Runcie, Archbishop of Canterbury, will be at Assisi to pray for peace. Norwich Christian leaders will join in prayer on Saturday (25th) and Monday (27th). Service of praise to be held at Norwich Cathedral followed by a picnic; mediation and prayer at St Julian's church and the United Reform church; procession from St Peter Mancroft to Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist.
Our Lady's Shrine - Walsingham holding an all-night vigil in the Slipper Chapel and the Reconciliation chapel.

The letter outlines his ideas and plan for the Spiritual Development of Walsingham. It has taken time to produce mainly due to demonstrated perseverance and growth. The rich spirituality can only be lived by a Christian Community - not embodied in the buildings ... a simple life-style can be both satisfying and attractive ... not a prayer group ... a "base community" trying to live the Gospel.
The letter is to set things out clearly and to ask the Bishop's blessing.

Good news that the eye surgery date is fixed for the Bishop.
Item 3 in the Ad Clerum 7/75 - Travelling Mission (TM) - an example of why there was cynicism in the Deanery meeting, decisions are made without consultation. The small committee to discuss this matter was to have its first meeting on 18 November. The next paragraph discusses the value of the TM for small parishes in the time of a priest shortage.
The blunt statement in the Ad Clerum about the TM makes it more difficult to take future consultation seriously.
Second matter is about the doxology of the Eucharistic Prayers - how can one stop the congregation from spontaneously joining in, as they have been doing so for many years? More the spirit of the law than the letter of the law.
Off to USA for his annual holiday but hopes the Bishop won't take a rigid line on the second matter and put priests in a very embarrassing sitiuation with their congregations.

Acknowledges receipt of the cheque from Guild of Our Lady of Ransom. Delay in responding due to services in the week of prayer for Christian Unity. Will write to Fr Stark. Thank the Bishop for his kindness and assure him of our prayers for a complete and speedy recovery.

List of Walsingham Association branches by day order on which they are scheduled to pray.

Memorandum regarding the need to encourage people to pray; encouraged to recite the Angelus; suggesting a leaflet be produced to build up a Walsingham guild of prayer

Supply for Fr Vermuelen is Mgr Charles Browne of Westminster - request faculties for him. Fr Vermuelen is on his second visit to Lourdes this year and hopes to meet the Bishop there with the English Pilgrimage. Her son may be improving slightly - are invoking Teresa Higginson and think there was a slight change after their novena.
manuscript annotation: "Answered by VG [Vicar General?]"

[undated; unattributed]
Image: 2 pupils (Emma Gormley & Ivan Keeler) from Notre Dame High School.
text: Both are representing the Diocese of East Anglia and will meet the Pope in Assisi on Friday.

Final details for settling the account results in a cheque for £152 for Hunstanton Mission. "In conclusion the executor had directed me to express his gratitude to those interested on the estate for the arrangements come to and for the avoidance of the necessity of applying to the Courts, and further, although not himself a member of your Church, to express the pious hope that the members of the Mission would sometimes remember in their prayers the soul of his late sister as would be her wish."
manuscript annotation: "Date of Death May 28/23."

[undated; unattributed]
Description of the day of prayer, starting and finishing at the two cathedrals in Norwich. Two pupils will meet the pope as representatives of the Catholic Diocese of East Anglia.

[undated; unattributed]
Walsingham held an all-night vigil timed with the meeting of Pope John Paull II and 150 leaders from all Christian denominations at Assisi, Italy. Fr Pat Clearly delivered a message from the Bishop, Alan Clark.