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Archive 2003 Most photographs can be enlarged by clicking on the thumbnail
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Obituary Father Bill Daly was a devoted priest who will be remembered with great fondness and affection by all those who knew him. Born in Cork in 1924, Fr. Daly came from a close and loving Irish family, and was one of ten brothers and sisters. As a young man, his first thoughts were of a career at sea but he was unable to fulfil this early ambition for medical reasons. The sea remained along with classical music one of his life long interests. Fr. Daly joined Dunlops in Cork and worked in the laboratory there for many years. Increasingly, he felt the call to the priesthood and eventually applied to Bishop Petit to be considered for the Diocese of Menevia, a ‘neighbouring’ diocese to his beloved Cork and Ireland. Having been accepted for training and formation, Fr. Daly studied for the priesthood first at Aberystwyth and then at St. Patrick’s Seminary, Thurless. He was ordained in 1968 shortly before the death of his mother, who thus had the great joy of seeing her son celebrate Mass before she died. Fr. Daly served first as a curate at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Wrexham, 1970-1972, and then as Parish Priest in Llandovery, 1972-74, Llay 1974-78, Conwy 1978-1982 and then in Pembroke from 1982 until his retirement in 2000. When he came to Pembroke Dock, Fr. Daly set about transforming the former post office into the new presbytery with his usual drive and determination. He soon became a much loved figure in the parish as an outstanding pastoral priest, warm and approachable, a man with great fund of common sense, humour and wisdom, and with a special love and concern for the sick and for children. A man of prayer, he was a man of a simple but profound Catholic piety, a love of the Lord to which he always remained true throughout the whole of his life. In 2000, Fr. Daly retired to Cork but sadly his retirement was to be a short one. He bore his last illness with courage and fortitude, and died on 14th November, 2003. His Requiem Mass was celebrated in the Church of Christ the King, Turners Cross, Cork, in the presence of a large congregation which included former parishioners who had travelled from Pembroke Dock to be present. Fr. John Dermody, Parish Priest of Pembroke Dock, Fr. Owen McGreal and Canon Michael Lewis were among the many priests concelebrating. As a priest, Fr. Daly was indeed ‘a good and faithful
servant.’ He will be much missed by all who knew him. May he
enter now into the joy of the Kingdom.
John Kenneth Hughes was born in 1942. He never knew his father, who served in the RAF and died during the war. He suffered a further tragedy when he lost his mother when he was only six years old. Fr. John was brought up by his grandparents on a farm in the Welshpool area.
He was baptised an Anglican and served for some time as an ordained minister of that Communion. His deep devotion to the Eucharist and strong sense of church history and tradition, led him to seek reception into the full Communion of the Catholic Church. This decision required no little courage and sacrifice as he left a position of some status and security for the uncertainties of seeking ordination as a Catholic priest. He was received into the Catholic Church in North Wales by Canon Michael Tomkins. Eventually, accepted as a student for the priesthood, he spent happy years at the Beda, which he adopted as his ’alma mater’. In 1986 he was ordained priest at Port Talbot by Archbishop Ward. He served the church faithfully, accepting obediently the various parishes to which he was appointed by the Bishop. He was parish priest of Crickhowel, Milford Haven, Lampeter and finally Llandovery. He had quite serious health problems for many years, which eventually necessitated his retirement from parish work, just three months before his death on 28th November 2003. He bore his various illnesses with patience and Christian fortitude. No doubt, his own infirmities and weaknesses led him to be such a good listener and a compassionate and gentle councillor. I think he would rather like the Italian description of being ‘sympatico’! Fr. John had an erudite knowledge of the Liturgy and
a deep affection for the old traditions and customs of the Church.
He would have taken quiet satisfaction in the fact that his life ended
in the final week of the church’s year and, thus, his passing was in
harmony with the liturgical season ! Mgr Brian Kinrade
The year 2003 was a busy year for the Parish of Aberystwyth. In particular, there were two big celebrations where Parishioners celebrated the ‘Centenary of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit’ and the ‘Diamond Jubilee of Religious Profession of Fr. John FitzGerald.’ The Daughters of the Holy Spirit (formerly Daughters of the Holy Ghost) was an order established in Brittany in 1706. Despite being persecuted during the French Revolution, the Order worked determinedly to help the sick and poor. By the 19th Century they had established many schools for the poor. However, in 1902, the French Government banned religious orders from teaching and, consequently, many Sisters left Brittany to establish communities in other parts of the world. In 1903, five Breton Sisters arrived in Aberystwyth and lived in temporary accommodation. They spoke no Welsh or English but they received a very warm welcome and generous support from townspeople. In a matter of just a few weeks they were able to buy a large house for themselves. These Breton Sisters – called ‘White Sisters’ at the time – felt very much at home in Wales. They earned enough money to support themselves by teaching French and needlecraft. From 1921 to 1995 they lived in what many locals still call ‘the Convent’ (the former Anglican vicarage of St. Michael’s) and were involved in running a school there (now Ysgol Padarn Sant) until 1985. Their worldwide community numbers 2,000 and a large contingent of Sisters came from Ireland and England to join local celebrations at St. Winefride’s in early October. There are now three Sisters in Aberystwyth. In November the Parish celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Fr. John FitzGerald’s Religious Profession with a special bilingual Mass. Fr. John joined the Order of Carmelites in 1943 and was a student at St. Mary’s College (which now houses the Welsh Books Council). Fr. John is Prior of the Carmelite Community in Aberystwyth and is Catholic Chaplain at the University. After Mass there was a celebration buffet at which many people paid tribute to him, including Gaby Staite (Chair of the PAC), Professor Joe Clancy (who read poems in his honour), and Phil Walker (President of CymGath/CathSoc).
As well as these big events the Parish has been busy with fund-raising: there have been various sales at the four churches – St. Winefride’s (Aberystwyth), Welsh Martyrs (Penparcau), Holy Cross (Aberaeron), Our Lady Star of the Sea (Borth) - and a busy programme of coffee mornings (which are held at the homes of various parishioners). There are many students involved in parish life too and this is much appreciated by everyone. Parishioners are supporting a project in Nampula, in Mozambique, run by Carmelite Sisters of the Sacred Heart, and have sent a Christmas gift of £1,200 towards the work of the project. The Parish of Aberystwyth is now looking forward to a happy, blessed, and busy 2004! Ad Limina Visit
Bishop Mark writes: The ad Limina visit of all the Bishops of England and Wales was an unforgettable experience; it began with Mass, concelebrated by all of us at the Tomb of St Peter. Twelve days of interviews at all the different Congregations followed, and a private interview for each one of us with the Holy Father, to whom I expressed the best wishes of the Diocese, as well as assuring him of our prayers; he feels immensely consoled and supported by all, and said so.
During the ad Limina we were also privileged to concelebrate at the Holy Father's Silver Jubilee Mass in St Peter's Square on the I6th October; also, we attended the Mass of Beatification for Mother Theresa of Calcutta, the Consistory at which 30 new Cardinals were made, and their Mass with the Holy Father. A busy time for us all, but a unique experience.
On Saturday 14th June, Canon Michael O'Donovan celebrated 50 years as a Priest. Canon Michael retired to Waunarlwydd, Swansea from active ministry in 1993 after 30 years of dedicated service to the Diocese. Twenty two years were spent as Parish Priest of St Benedict, Clydach and 8 years in St Benedict's Sketty. St Benedict seems to have wanted to keep guard over him! As Sketty was his last parish of active ministry, it was fitting that he should return there to celebrate his Golden Jubilee with former parishioners. Father Dan Williams, the present Parish Priest was delighted to welcome Canon. Bishop Mark, the chief celebrant was joined by eighteen priests and many parishioners and friends. Bishop Mullins who had been at the Seminary with Canon Michael preached the homily, acknowledging with gratitude his great contribution to the Diocese. Canon Michael's brother and sister in law made the journey from Ireland to be with him.
A happy anniversary, Canon! On June 17th the Parish of Milford Haven celebrated the 100th Anniversary of its canonical establishment. The town of Milford Haven is relatively new, having been founded by Quakers in the latter part of the 18th century as a whaler colony. Mass was occasionally said in the town by passing priests, the most famous being Blessed Abbot Marmion who would spend a night in the town and celebrate Mass for a few sailors on the harbour. The First Church: In 1903 Fr William Finucane of
Pembroke Dock canonically founded the Parish and built a small wooden
Church dedicated to St Francis of Assisi. The number of Catholics
in the town was negligible, but as the town of Milford Haven began to
grow, the catholic population increased.
To celebrate the parish 100th year, Bishop Mark
presided at a special Mass which he concelebrated with Fr Peter Allen,
the parish priest and a number of former parish priests, Frs Dan
Williams, John Hughes and Mgr Clyde Hughes Johnson, also Fr Andrew Cole,
a Milford boy. Guests included representatives of other Churches
and local dignitaries. During Mass, his Lordship had great joy in
bestowing Papal honours on five parishioners for their services to the
community. Mr Francis Newing was installed as Knight of the Order
of St Gregory for extraordinary services to the town and to the county
of Pembrokshire where he is greatly respected. |
Milford Haven Parish Bene Merenti Medals were given to Mrs Marie Wind who has given 40 years of service to the Church as choir mistress, to Mr and Mrs Michael O'Mara for many years of service to the now closed Catholic Church at Neyland and also to Mr David Phillips for his services to the Church and mission at Hakin. The resounding applause that broke out when the Bishop had given out these Papal honours demonstrated that the parishioners appreciated why these special people had been honoured in such a public way. After Mass, the parishioners had laid on an excellent buffet for everyone. It was an opportunity for the newly renovated hall with all its modern facilities to be seen, admired and enjoyed. This small Catholic community and Fr Peter Allen deserve admiration for the work that has gone into funding the full cost of this refurbishment. It stands as a fitting commemoration of the Centenary of the Parish and a symbol of its vitality at this point in its history.
Father Eric writes: 'I was baptised in the Anglican Parish Church of Christ Church, Swansea, according to the register, some ten days before I was born in 1933. It is thought that the aged vicar may have confused the name of the month and I am deemed to have been baptised some twenty days after I was born. But of my baptism there is not a shadow of a doubt. I then passed the following years being reared and immersed in 'anglo catholicisin'. After doing A levels at Dynevor School there came the rude awakening of National Service where I discovered the gusting winds of low church and broad church and no church and Roman Catholicism with a steady Irish breeze. On being 'demobbed' I retreated to the docile atmosphere of Carmarthen and Trinity College. Then on to one of the most colourful areas of Swansea where in Mayhill school I taught disadvantaged children with learning difficulties. Four more years and I was moved on, probably by the Holy Spirit, to St. Michael's Anglican theological college in Llandaff to train for the ministry and then on to my first curacy and the delights of yet another colourful part of Swansea, Oystermouth. After three years or so, I was off to the missions and the riches of tropical life in the West Indies. Ten years in Antigua to become a seemingly big fish in a very small pond and then the summons back once again to Swansea this time to be Vicar of St Gabriels for the next 25 years. Meanwhile much was changing in Anglican circles and I was being increasingly drawn to Roman Catholicism with everything it has to offer and everything it has lived through two thousand years and more. And on the feast of the Immaculate Conception 1998 I was ready to be received into the Catholic Church by Bishop Mullins. From there I began my preparation for the Diaconate and was ordained Deacon by Bishop Mark on Low Sunday 2003.
On the 13th September 2003, feast of St John Chrysostom, Bishop Mark ordained me priest of the Diocese at the Cathedral Church of St Joseph. Among the many Diocesan priests concelebrating the Mass were also three former Anglicans, Fr John Brophy, Westminster, Fr Timothy Ford, Birmingham Diocese and Fr Dan Williams, my Parish priest of Sketty. I t was a very uplifting celebration and I was so happy to see so many of my family and friends from St Gabriels and of course the Parishioners of Sketty who turned out in such great numbers. The Ladies of the Parish had a splendid buffet ready for everyone in the Parish Hall afterwards. I felt proud to be able to offer my first Mass at Sketty the following day, Sunday, the Feast of the Holy Cross, in the presence of a packed Church which included my family and friends and to be assisted by my three former Anglican friends. At the lavish buffet organised by the Ladies, I was presented with gifts from the Parish, the UCM, and the Choir of which I had been a member.
Many thanks to all who supported me on my journey to the Catholic
priesthood.'
On Saturday 12th April Bishop Daniel celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his priesthood at St Joseph's Cathedral, Swansea in the presence of faithful from all over the Diocese. Concelebrating with Bishop Mullins were the three Welsh Bishops, Archbishop Peter Smith, Cardiff, Bishop Mark Jaba1é, Menevia, Bishop Edwin Regan, Wrexham, also Rt Rev John Aloysius Ward, Archbishop Emeritus of Cardiff and Rt Rev Leo McCartie, Bishop Emeritus of Northampton who was a fellow student with Bishop Mullins. Bishop Edwin Regan who had served in the Cardiff Archdiocese with Bishop Mullins preached the Homily. We were reminded that when the newly ordained Fr Mullins arrived in Cardiff, he had been assigned by Archbishop McGrath as Curate of Maesteg Parish where the older Parishioners still remember him serving them with much affection. He was soon however to be sent to University to study Welsh, before being appointed as Archbishop's Secretary. He was to serve under Archbishop Murphy before becoming an Auxiliary Bishop of Cardiff on 1 April 1970, a position he held until his appointment as Bishop of the newly restructured Diocese of Menevia in 1987. Bishop Regan gave eloquent testimony to Bishop Mullins' mission as bishop and to his spirituality. Following the fully Choral Mass, ably led by the
Diocesan choir and orchestra, all were welcomed to continue the
celebrations in the Cathedral Hall and during which a presentation was
made by Monsignor Bottrill on behalf of the Clergy of the Diocese.
Bishop Mullins thanked everyone for attending the celebration with
special thanks to the Ladies of the Parish for the lavish and appetising
refreshments. Although suffering from ill health in the latter years, Bishop Mullins brought to fruition an inspiration he had during the Ad Limina visit of 1997, that of having a Diocesan Synod, which he described as a Pilgrimage to the Heart of the Gospel. This was held at Lampeter in September 2000. Over two years he painstakingly prepared the faithful for this especially through the Synod Sundays where he issued thoughts for reflection on various aspects of Church Teaching on a monthly basis. Another of his initiatives during his Episcopate were the Saturday Lenten Talks at St David's, Swansea on various aspects of Church teaching. With his fluency in the Welsh language Bishop Mullins
did much to weave the thread of Catholicism into the fabric of Welsh
life endearing himself in a special way to the Welsh speaking community.
On Thursday 13th March 2003, Bishop Mark Jabalé visited St Joseph's to say the Welcoming Mass for Year 7. It also marked the official opening of the new school hall. The Bishop concelebrated Mass with a number of local priests, including Fr Paul Watson (School Chaplain), Fr Joseph Cefai, Fr Graham Venn and Fr Andrew Cole. The Mass was a true celebration of the talents of young people. Bishop Mark highlighted the importance of Catholic Education in his homily, before everyone moved on to a fabulous buffet prepared by the pupils.
Construction of the new hall had started a year
earlier and we were all very keen to take possession of a much needed
new resource. It now means that Masses and Assemblies can take
place without affecting other activities within the school. It
also means that these events can be celebrated in a more suitable
environment. The new hall will also be the venue for examinations
and school productions. In fact, not only the secondary school but
also St Joseph's Junior School, Port Talbot have used it for such
productions.
Why do we have to go to France
for a Clergy retreat? This was probably the reaction of many of
the Clergy of the Diocese when Bishop Mark asked us to leave our
Parishes and gather together for a Retreat in an unknown place, in a
foreign land.
The Rt Rev Mark Jabalé, Bishop of Menevia, presented the Bene Merenti Award to Mrs. Rose Maunder during the 10.00 am Mass on Sunday, October 5th.
Rose has been an active member of St. Illtyd’s Church, Swansea since 1971 when she moved into the area. Her two sons were baptised into the church and, over a period of time, Rose became very much involved in their school life at St. Illtyd’s Primary School. She was a member of the school PTA, eventually being elected Chairperson, and she also became a school classroom assistant for nine years. When her sons became pupils at Bishop Vaughan Comprehensive School, Rose continued her involvement in education and was elected Treasurer of Bishop Vaughan Association for a number of years and was also invited to be a Parent-Governor of the school. At the same time, Rose has always been very much involved in parish activities. A number of years ago, she was asked to become a Reader and Eucharistic Minister (which also involved taking the Eucharist to the sick of the parish). Rose is also a Catechist, being involved in preparing youngsters for the Sacrament of Confirmation. She was a parish representative at the Synod held at Lampeter; has been a member of the Church Choir for many years, and, when there was a change in directorship and musical style about ten years ago, was a Founder Member of the present choir. Rose being a member of the Church Choir, the music for the mass was important for her and the choice of music was hers. This included the increasingly popular arrangement of Franck’s ‘Panis Angelicus’ for tenor/soprano duet with flute solo and organ accompaniment. Rose is part of a team on the Sunday ‘tea/coffee’ rota; part of a team for the church cleaning rota; co-ordinator for the annual SPUC White Flower Appeal; invited to become a member of the Parish Council and is also a member of the Diocesan Pastoral Council. Since 1989, Rose has been a member
of the U.C.M. and has held the position of Secretary for five years.
She is currently the Foundation President and has also served as
Diocesan Treasurer.
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