Manoeuvres
Friday 06 Sep 2024
» This morning Fr Abbot has left for Rome for the quadrennial congress of Benedictine abbots. Covid disrupted the orderly succession of the congresses, and apparently this congress there could be up to 60 abbots attending their first congress.
» This is the time of year that monastic manoeuvres, if any, are usually made. There a few changes to the disposition of the brethren in effect from this autumn:
- Fr Godric is now Parish Priest of Scarisbrick as well as Ormskirk, assisted by Fr Joseph Jacob SSS;
- Fr Oliver, from 20 September becomes Parish Priest of Stratford-upon-Avon;
- Fr Alexander, from the same date, becomes the monastery's Guestmaster;
- Fr Hugh is now the community's Procurator. He is working with the lay Bursar, Mr Gordon Heslop, who started in his post at the beginning of August, who will have immediate responsibility for the community's property, staff, and financial management. Fr Hugh also becomes Master of Ceremonies, assisted by Br Aidan.
» At a meeting of the conventual chapter on Monday, Br Tobias was approved to make first profession of vows, which he will make before the abbot and assembled community in October. Ad multos annos!
» The community was saddened to hear of the premature death of one of the younger Old Dowegians, Paul McWilliams. He remained in regular contact with the community over the years. His final illness was diagnosed only recently and took him very quickly, and he died with his family beside him and fortified by the sacraments of the Church. May he rest in peace.
Also very recently, we have heard of the death of two of the late Fr Bernard's siblings, Hilary and Tony. They had been regular visitors to Douai over the years. Also recently dead is the late Fr Finbar's sister, Kathleen, who lived in Ireland. May they all rest in peace.