St Joseph's Society
CHAPLAINS AND CONFESSORS Our earliest memories are of Fr Francis Turner, who served us as chaplain for 25 years and who used our chapel as his parish church until St. Teresa’s was built in 1955. Then Fr Alex Jones took over and he gave us wonderful talks on Scripture, as well as two inspiring retreats. In a different key, after Mass he quite often went along to the extern kitchen to beg some bread to feed the birds on his way back to the College!
Fr Worden, his successor for eleven years, was also a Scripture scholar, and he gave us monthly talks which are now in booklet form. About this time the JB translation was published, a great achievement. Fr Worden was asked by Cardinal Heenan to go as a peritus for the English hierarchy to the last session of Vatican II. On his return he helped us to learn, accept, appreciate and absorb the spirit of Vatican II documents and also to adapt to the new liturgy in the vernacular.
Then came Fr Austen, a classics scholar, who liked to say a Latin Mass once a month. His vital personality and humour always gave us uplift.
Archbishop Beck, when he retired to the College, was confessor and occasionally concelebrated Mass with Fr Austen. His favourite Jaffa biscuits were always set out with his tea after confessions!
Fr JW Mercer was our chaplain for a few years and confessor for many years. We appreciated his quiet and discreet presence – always a support. Fr English, spiritual director at the College, could always be counted on to supply any need.
Mgr. Devine came for Mass in the last days of the College – accompanied by his Alsatian dog!
Then Fr Gilmore SVD from St. James’ parish was chaplain for a while when the College closed.
Fr Christopher Cunningham was chaplain for fourteen years and was a great help with the singing in the Liturgy, and he taught us new Masses and hymns. He also brought his brother and sister to enhance the liturgy at Christmas and Easter.
Fr Denis Harvey was always an inspiring example of courage and cheerfulness while bearing painful illness.
KINDNESSES Procurators Fr Callon and Fr Butchard were always very generous with practical help, such as four pints of milk delivered each day, with sacks of potatoes, sprouts and swedes ‘grown for the cows and the Carmelites!’ Fr Callon also gave us good advice about trees etc.
From June to November 1994, through Fr Devine, we were allowed to stay in the back of the College while our Carmel was refurbished in preparation to receive the Tavistock community of five sisters whose Carmel was about to close.
Welcoming hospitality was given to the priests who gave our annual retreats.
After the College chapel was stripped we were given the Stations of the Cross, hand carved by the well-known woodcarver, Stuflesser. All the surrounds were cut away and the Stations are now mounted on the walls of our cloisters at Maryton.
STUDENTS They visited our shop regularly, coming to the Turn to order special personalised cards and scrolls which we framed, if they wished. The last year students came to order albs and vestments, and special souvenir cards and scrolls.
All the newly-ordained priests came to offer one of their first Masses in our chapel and to give us their blessing. Some of these kept up the friendship. Archbishop Charles Dufour, who was one of three Jamaican students, has made a point of visiting us every time he comes back to England and always keeps in touch. Fr. Michael McCoy gave us a large Papal Blessing from Rome, and Mgr. Stephen Alker has shared his varied and interesting life by letter.
One year, before Father’s Day, a group of the youngest students came to the Turn and asked for a special Fathers’ Day card for Fr Butchard. The poor Turn sister said, ‘Do you realise that he is not that kind of father??’ They answered, ‘We know that, but we want it just the same!’
We were also allowed to share some of the lighter moments, e.g. ‘This Is Your Life’ for Canon Hanrahan when he was appointed a Canon. We sang, on tape, ‘Deo gratias’ to the tune ‘Tit Willow’ and by the end all the students were joining in. M Margarita, now 95, quotes a song by a team of several students -
We are the Canon’s men,
We work from eight to ten.
We carry his books to the Lecture Hall
And we carry them back again!
On another occasion the brass band came and gave us a concert of great variety!
UNI When UNI was set up after both Houses were closed, we were given a share in lectures, partly by tapes, but also in person e.g. Fr Brian Newns gave us talks on liturgy, Fr Vincent Nichols on St Margaret Clitheroe, Fr Peter Wilkinson on the Eucharist, and visiting lecturers were also brought down, such as Fr Bernard Haring.