The writer is directed by the Board of Trustees to ask for a reply to their letter of 15 December 1909. Fr Purcell is asked what arrangements he has made regarding the properties from which he receives rent. The writer call to Fr Purcell's notice that if the properties are not kept in good repair then "Mr Pauling, the great benefactor of your mission may cease to take further interest in the work at St Ives".
[The letter ends at this point - it is an unsigned draft]

Listing of conveyancing and mortgaging activity relating to plot 2 East Street, St Ives. Shows legal ownership by Mr John Saint.

R E Jefford, Act. Area Administrator, acknowledging to the Bishop Fr Kerby as the replacement chaplain for Papworth hospital.

R E Jefford, Act. Area Administrator, asking the Bishop for a replacement chaplain for Papworth hospital now Fr Drury has left the parish.

Writing to David Norris: Suggesting two couples for the Low Week Reception, both couples are Catholics:
Mayor & Mayoress of St Ives
Mayor & Mayoress 0f Huntingdon

Just back from Peru. This legislation will probably be more strongly urged in near future - that non-Catholics may not approach Catholic altars for Holy Communion. The Bishop explains this further. On Confession his advice is to leave as is for now, until there might be a reiteration of more restrictive legislation from Rome. At which point you will have to tell the lady the this permission no longer obtains. The bishop says he ought to let Fr Kerby know that John Drury is grateful to the people of St Ives.

Fr Kerby may seem gruff & unsympathetic - he's not really like that - he possibly did not know how many places the Parish would be assigned. The Vicar General, Mgr. McBride is writing to priests about the selection process. Bishop urges her to add her name and that she won't be the only one with a partner who is not a Catholic.

Bishop understand her frustration but will not comment on the details. Fr Kerby is a devoted priest but has his own ideas. Th Bishop will consider; he will not fail to discharge his responsibilities. "I ask you to continue your excellent and faithful catechetical ministry in spite of difficulties."

Sorry comfort in the words of Our Lady to Bernadette .. "she did not have to convince the hierarchy, she just had to give them the message and stick by its authenticity." We cannot convince Fr Kerby that his concept of ministry is out of kilter: but we can go on telling him. Bishop refers to Fr John (Drury?) being told that he lacks steel; sure that he is now making up for it in Talara. But is the congregation at St Ives too complacent? Bishop irritated that John Gardner is under employed.

Apologies for slow reply. Not the only one to write about Fr Kerby and the change of "style" at St Ives. Fr Kerby is dedicated to his priestly vocation, whatever style reservations there may be. He needs to be "discovered" and knows his Bishop does not go along with is more idiosyncratic approaches. You are not an outsider, we are all one family despite our divisions.

Hopes that Fr Drury has recovered from his unpleasant virus infection. Fr Wilson has suggested that Fr Drury visit Fr Byron to discuss his proposals. No flats over garages. Must do things through the proper channels engaging proper architects and builders. Bishop suspects Fr Byron will get mates to do the job for him.

Contact from Fr Emerson regarding Fr Drury's release for missionary work in South America. Considering release end of September. Offers to visit St Ives to discuss the matter, and will make the release public around Eastertide.

Peter Cansdale, to be ordained deacon, to be accepted by Fr Drury into the Parish for exposure to parish work as part of his training for the priesthood.

Bishop had an enjoyable visitation and savoured the badinage between them. Obvious that Papworth & St Ives love you and cherish your pastoral care. Some points in a separate document included in the letter [see below]. Glad Fr Kerby has £700 of Travel Vouchers for his next foray into Eastern Europe and beyond. Bishop asks Fr Kerby to look after himself more - age requires more care in regular food and sleep. Thank Ann K for excellent and succulent meals.
Visitation St Ives 23/24 May 1992
Many positive points, not least the organist. Church well groomed even if the predilection for statues is apparent. But points to consider:
1,. congregation to put their own breads into the ciborium. Tabernacle hosts reserved for the exception

2. Find chalices for the Precious Blood - better than glasses - a generous donor?
3. Altar server shortage. Not suggesting using girls but let it be known that he no longer feels they can be excluded.
4. nerves happen but readings should be at a good even pace with good enunciation
5. Sacristy very small - any way of using the rooms between church and presbytery?

Sacrament of Reconciliation advice - "it is the sin that needs (and can be) to be absolved rather than release from the penalty incurred. Make a prudent judgement and decide whether the penitent has really incurred the 'latae sententiae'".
The visitation is in danger of being overloaded - whilst the Bishop is not allergic to work the programme is not without confusion - can Fr Kerby puzzle out a less complicated agenda for his Bishop?!

Bishop happy to bless Fr Kerby's pastoral action to share in the "gnadenreiche Zeit" of Christmas. Bishop details his travel plans for Jonathan Salt's diaconate ordination in Innsbruck and invites Fr Kerby to join them - Nick Kearney is travelling with him & Jonathan is joining them from Munich. Bishop comments on Salt being too intent on the "material" celebration - "I beg our dear Jonathan to apply himself to his studies and to delay designing the invitation cards!"

Full text:
Dear Ray, Thank you for your two letters and forgive me if I reply with one! Suffice it to say that in your "sanatio" letter you have done right, but record it. As to your other "casus" , you have done right.
But I also want to thank you for agreeing to give your interest to a needy parish when and if this occasion presents itself. When all have answered my plea, I will be in touch.
I registered dismay that you still feel grieved that you were not given the "go-ahead" for a hall. You could certainly have carried the financial burden. But you will recall that my response was whether St Ives needed a hall, whether your present guild room was not adequate, whether this kind of money (for it is big money) was warranted, whether your congregation really were with you, etc. Should we have authorised this? I'm still gently unrepentant.
I'm slow to read your coded message ... about OAP's and all that. I thought one had to be 65 before reaching that honoured status. 65? YOU?
As always - and it has ever been so - I am deeply grateful for your generous ministry.

Thanks Fr Kerby for the CAFOD collection. Bishop wishes he had had a word with the matron, she may have known John Marden. Advises Fr Kerby to do a good painting and repair job on the house as it is getting tatty.

Confirmation on 14 January 1996. Bishop thanks Fr Kerby for wondeul hospitality at a great occasion and a lovely atmosphere during the Mass. Bishop did speak to many people and they seemed happy with everything. Thanks for the generous cheque. Enjoyed meeting Lucien who gave him quite an insight into Eastern Catholic Churches.

Confirms he has granted a "sanatio". Document to be forwarded as soon as possible.