9 in attendance [note: first time names provided of meeting attendees]
Walsingham Pilgrimage - programme awaited; coach to be booked; Mr Smith to do posters
Quiet Day - contact Fr Elias; November date
Ecumenical Centre - churches to be viewed on 20 April at 3pm
AOB - Statue to be made of oak and be hollow; letter of thanks to Mr Mellamphy; Ecumenical Society of BVM requested a talk about the Guild - July 4 at Tolleshunt Knight.

"poorly attended"
postponed election of officers; Guild in existence for 10 years - tried many things to increase interest and membership; suggestions as to barriers to membership; suggestions as to approach to gain members. "Home" of the statue, when delivered mid-year, discussed

The Bishop and Mgr McBride were aware of the sensitivity in removing the Blessed Sacrament from the Slipper Chapel and agreed to reconsider if a negative response was forthcoming. However the arrangements he has in mind are based on the Lourdes model and considers Fr Birch's idea as being consistent and tidy but "unrealistic" for Walsingham.

Agrees that the Chapel of Reconciliation is a "wonder". The gift [£25] will be sent to the Appeal committee.
"The Pope, of course said what I wanted him to say 0 and then did what I never imagined he would! Put the statue like an icon on the altar (the liturgists were embarrassed - but when HH says "put, you put)..."

Mrs Cecily Green, sculptress of St Joseph statue in the Chapel of Reconciliation, would like professional monochrome photographs taken of it. She thinks that the Carmelites at Quidenham could print it and sell it as a card. Provides her address and suggests that Warwick contact her. He adds in a p.s. that Sister Noreen knows of this.

Proving an explanation for not giving a project [not explained] his blessing. His jurisdiction is within Diocese of East Anglia and he cannot give permission for another Diocese. Walsingham is particularly about a place and not a statue or picture (quotes from Mgr Stark's brief history of Walsingham). He has consulted with Shrine Council and his College of Consultors and reached this decision - the project is not appropriate for this diocese and the invitation from Our Lady is to make a pilgrimage to Walsingham, this is not matched by taking a statue around the Diocese.

Discussions with the Cardinal (in Denmark, with Canon McBride) suggest that the Shrine will be the National Shrine. The Shrine Council should not forget the intense efforts over the last 15 years, in which Roland Connelly should receive much credit. Given that the Ordinary of East Anglia is considered “accountable” for Walsingham Shrine, then the Bishop has directives:

1. the Vicar General (Canon McBride) to be chair of the Executive Committee
2. the Cardinal insists that “we get it right”: the Mass will be the Mass of Our Lady, statue of Our Lady is to go to Wembley for the Pope’s visit; Fr Birch to produce the detailed programme
3. A statue of our Lady of Walsingham should be in the Chapel of Reconciliation – tapestry idea is troubling
4. Anglican Administrator invited to Wembley for Ecumenical representation
5. Slipper Chapel development to be completed before property initiative
6. Consecration on 25 March to be low key with Shrine Council members in attendance and any others who can attend; not specifically inviting the Hierarchy.

1. 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]
2. 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... ?"

Charity Card
Front: Image of Oak statue
Inside "Madonna of Ipswich / English Oak 50" / (c) Sculpture Robb M Mellamphy"
Back: "Sold in aid of Meryemana Foundation, Ipswich / Charity No. 802312"

Insurance of the golden crown of the statue of Our Lady of Walsingham. An insured value of £10,000 for the statue which included £6,000 for the crown. You consider that the insured contents of the Slipper chapel is adequate to include the statue itself, but the crown being irreplaceable need not be insured. However whilst it is outside the control of the Diocese you want to insure it for the duration of the Papal visit. Premium is subject to agreement with Catholic National Mutual Ltd and that Papal Visit Ltd. should be debited for it.

Minutes by Chris Lindley. Committee discussing events in the Centennial Year. Flower Festival (11-13 September); Parish Dinner (11 October) at Guildhall; Statue of Our Lady, regilded, to go to Holy Family Church for those who do not go to St Mary's; Concert (20 December) by St Martgaret's Choral Society and St Martha's School choir.

Minutes by Chris Lindley. Committee discussing events in the Centennial Year. Parish Dinner (11 October) at Guildhall; Statue of Our Lady, regilded, to go to Holy Family Church for those who do not go to St Mary's; Exhibition to remain until December when 2 panels ill be replaced with photographs; Celebration for Children (November).