The Chaplaincy Diary 1997-1998

The Michaelmas Term opened on Sunday October 12th with the usual large crowds of fresh-faced students at the 11am Mass. Over the previous summer new lighting had been installed in the Newman Room and the unsightly fluorescent lights removed. At last it would be possible to welcome students without having to worry what they thought about the architecture of the room!

After Mass the Chaplaincy provided a buffet lunch for over one hundred students who had stayed behind. Many more had taken coffee and had looked round the Catholic Society Freshers’ Fair. It was a good opportunity for the Chaplains to meet some of the new students. Two days later this was followed up with a Freshers’ Drinks Party where it was possible to talk at greater length with the new students and try to explain the merits of the Chaplaincy.

A common experience of every Chaplain is the discovery of second and third year students who had either never found the Chaplaincy or who seemed oblivious to its existence. With such thoughts in mind the Chaplains divided the University into three pastoral groups to allow for better co-ordination between themselves and to give them the time to visit individual Colleges. So armed with bottles of wine, the three Chaplains ventured to meet the College Reps and all those Catholics who had answered their invitations. It is difficult to judge the outcome of such activity but the numbers attending Mass have increased slightly compared to previous years.

The early part of term was marked by our Annual Mass for the Oxford Martyrs which took place in Exeter College on Friday (Week 2) October 24th. A large crowd of students gathered for what has become a fixed event in the Chaplaincy calendar. Over sixty students attended and this was followed by dinner and drinks in Exeter Hall.

The following Monday (Week 3) October 27th saw the unveiling of the Millennium painting by His Honour Judge Sir Stephen Tumim. The painting, which hangs in the Newman Room, is entitled ‘The Triumph of Faith’ It was commissioned in memory of Fr. Michael Hollings, Chaplain between 1959 and 1970 and was painted by Kevin Sinnott, a Welsh artist. Fr. Nicholas James, a friend of the artist writes about the painting.

‘Kevin sets before us in full sweep that most fundamental drama by which each individual is brought into final true relationship with God. It is a drama which contains this further complementary and vital truth, that here is to be found the healing of all those other relationships which make our life in the world at once so varied, complex and susceptible to lasting damage. Above all it is a profound acknowledgement of the cosmic struggle between Good and Evil which can acquire a special perplexity during our student years’

(A reproduction of the painting might be seen on the back cover of the booklet.)

The unveiling was followed by a drinks party in the Narthex and afterwards a small dinner was held for Kevin Sinnott and his wife with Stephen Tumim, members of the Oxford Board and friends.

The Chaplaincy diary might give the impression that life here is one long party with the occasional formal dinner. This however would not be the full picture. Each term the Chaplains organise a steady number of College Masses, maybe two a week. These are followed, it is true, by some social gathering, but they have become an important part of the Chaplains’ mission. Here in the Chaplaincy the three Chaplains organised a series of introductory talks on the faith entitled, ‘The route to freedom’ Sr. Andrea continues to run the Women’s Theology Group which has regular meetings with speakers. Fr. Peter instructed a group of students, some to be received into the Church and others to receive the sacrament of confirmation. Alongside these are other student-led groups including the Newman Society, the oldest catholic student society with its own cycle of speakers and events. (A full list of groups attached to the Chaplaincy may be found elsewhere in the magazine)

The focus of our theological energies in the Michaelmas term was the organisation of the Millennium Conference held on Saturday (Week 5) November 15th. Fr. Gerald O’Collins, an Australian Jesuit, gave the keynote address on ‘Images of Jesus Christ’. A small dedicated group of students had come together to organise the day which met with moderate success. The Conference was jointly hosted with the Oratorians at St. Aloysius Parish. The key-note address was followed by discussion groups, a light lunch and in the afternoon short talks by Dom. Henry Wansbrough OSB; Dr Cecilia Pyper; Mr Clive Gillan, Fr. Paul King and Fr. Peter Newby. The day ended with a short liturgical drama choreographed by Sr. Andrea Le Guevel.

The following Friday (Week 6) November 21st saw the climax of the Cath-Soc year, the President’s Dinner. This annual black tie event is a dinner for about 60 students with a guest speaker. Our cook Mrs Bernadette O’Gara provided a splendid repast and the guest of honour was Miss Melanie McDonagh. Her speech, short and to the point was followed by that of the retiring president Mr. Paul McManus who gave a speech worthy of the Italian Parliament, forty-five minutes without notes! The Chaplain by tradition has to conclude this part of the evening with a speech extolling the virtues of the past president, a task which he willingly accepted. Later the diners retired to the Blue Room for after-dinner drinks and for a few photo opportunities.

On Sunday a new Cath-Soc Committee was elected with Amy Kieran as its new President and the old committee passed into folk memory and the history books. While these elections were being contested the Chaplains of Oxford and Cambridge revived an ancient tradition and exchanged pulpits. However by Sunday evening order had been restored and the Chaplains were back in their respective Universities.

The Michaelmas Term ended with an Advent Service oganised by Sr. Andrea and an advent party which forms the practise run for the Christmas season. On Friday 12th December Fr Peter and Sr. Andrea hosted a pre-Christmas lunch in honour of Mr and Mrs Boag, the previous Administrator, who were about to leave Oxford. The guests for lunch included Mrs Mary Ashby, Mrs Hilary Vaughan-Fowler, Mr John Prangley, the present Administrator, and his wife Clare. In this way four generations of Administrators were represented at lunch displaying a continuity in the life of the Chaplaincy stretching back to the time of Fr. Michael Hollings.

The Hilary Term began quietly enough but by the end of term it proved to be the most exhausting of the year and has come to be known as the ‘Term of the three Cardinals’.

The first Cardinal to visit the Chaplaincy was His Eminence Cardinal Basil Hume who came to preach at the 11am Mass on Sunday (Week 2) January 25th. To add extra colour to the day a hoaxer called the Chaplaincy to announce that a bomb had been placed in the Newman Room. Obviously the place had to be evacuated, the police called and the New Building searched. By then the crowd for Mass had spilled onto St. Aldate’s. Such acts were not in vain as a late arriving student thought that he was witnessing a demonstration to show off Catholic strength opposite Christ Church. The Cardinal seemed undisturbed at the fuss and took the opportunity to talk to the students in the street.

After the all-clear the Newman Room was packed for the occasion as the students had come out in force. The Choir under the direction of Charlotte Cummins surpassed themselves. It had been a major test of nerve for the Choirleader since she had only just taken over the previous week. After Mass many students stayed behind for a glass of wine and later the Cardinal had lunch with members of the Cath-Soc Committee and other students from Newcastle.

Over the following week the Chaplains met with their College Reps, those kind students who pass on Chaplaincy and Cath-Soc information to other Catholics in their Colleges. They came in the three Chaplain’s groups for tea and had the chance to speak about their experience of the Chaplaincy and on the difficulties they encountered in their respective Colleges. It proved to be helpful for them to discuss their role which is vital to the work of the Chaplains and the Cath-Soc.

The new Cath-Soc Committee had begun their work at the beginning of the Hilary Term and had already organised the termly Open Meeting and Bar Quiz. On Wednesday (Week 4) 11th February the Committee organised a Mass for Our Lady of Lourdes with Fr. Paul which was followed by the opening of the ‘Cath-Soc Curry House’. The announcement of dinner came early to the Chaplains as the smells of curry had been pervading the Old Palace in the afternoon and did not depart, despite ardent cleaning of the kitchen, for nearly a week. This format of Mass with dinner afterwards has become a successful formula for both the Chaplaincy and the Cath-Soc, and combines in good order, the spiritual and social mission of the Chaplaincy. A large group of students came to the Mass and stayed for the curry. Steve Conway, Vice-President of Cath-Soc and his two flatmates cooked. The Bar was open selling Indian lager to give that extra air of authenticity to the evening!.

At the end of that week on Saturday 14th February it was time for another Lourdes event, that of the annual reunion of those past and present members of the Oxford and Cambridge Pilgrimage. The pilgrimage was originally founded by Fr. Michael Hollings over thirty years ago. Last year a total of 40 pilgrims, including 20 currents students, travelled to Lourdes to work for the Hospitalite. After the Mass, supper was provided in the narthex, and later in the Blue Room two students spoke of their experiences to potential new-comers to Lourdes. For those of a strong disposition the Valentine Ceilidh was a possibility in the Newman Room. Cath-Soc Ceilidhs have a justly famous name in the University.

Five days later on Thursday (Week 5) 19th February Lord Nolan gave the annual Thomas More Lecture entitled ‘Integrity and Corruption in Public Life’. He was glad to inform the audience that despite popular opinion corruption was not widespread in public life though there were notable exceptions in the conduct of some MPs. He felt that this was an important message to convey since so many public institutions had come in for constant criticism over recent years, much of it hostile in intent. In attendance at the Lecture were Lord Windlesham, Principal of Brasenose and His Honour Judge Sir Stephen Tumim, Principal of St. Edmund Hall. Later we were joined by Mrs Maryln Butler. Principal of Exeter College whose husband is professor of International Law. All three Heads of Houses joined Lord and Lady Nolan for dinner in the Chaplaincy.

Each year a number of retreats are organised by the Chaplains for students. Fr. Paul runs a retreat in daily life for students over four weeks in Lent. This yearly retreat follows the work of Fr. Edward Yarnold from Campion Hall who had in the past led the 19th Annotation Retreat in the Chaplaincy. Both Fr. Peter and Sr. Andrea take some students away to experience monastic life over a weekend. On Friday (Week 5) February 20th Fr. Peter took eight students to Downside Abbey. The group were able to stay in the guest house and participate in all the monastic offices though this meant rising at 6am, a novel experience for most of the students. The monks made us very welcome and the group were shown round the Abbey and later Dom. Daniel Rees gave a detailed tour of the Library revealing the many treasures that it holds. Later that term Sr. Andrea took a group of women students to Stanbrook Abbey. Here they participated in the monastic life of the nuns and were given talks on monastic spirituality.

On Monday (Week 6) February 23rd the Chaplains hosted the traditional pre-Lenten Senior Members party when catholic senior members are invited along with friends of the Chaplaincy for an evening of drinks and conversation. It provides a good opportunity to meet many senior members who are normally immersed in their own Colleges and teaching commitments. On the following day it was the turn of Cath-Soc to have their own pre-Lenten celebration. This consisted of a votive Mass for St. Thomas More held at Lincoln College with the kind permission of the Chaplain, Rev. Robin Griffiths-Jones. After Mass the Cath-Soc committee led an impromptu invasion of Balliol Hall whose manager was mildly surprised to have so many extra diners that night; a case of Gerry Clancy, Martin Crotty, two Balliol students with thirty friends!

The penultimate week of term began in quiet preparation for the visits of the Cardinals. On Friday (Week 7) March 6th His Eminence Cardinal Thomas Winning and his Press Secretary Fr. Thomas Connolly arrived at the Chaplaincy to stay for the weekend. Cardinal Winning was to address the Gift of Human Life Conference organised by Denis and Valerie Riches. That evening Fr. Peter organised a small party for the Cardinal to meet some Scottish students and those who live in Scotland. The evening proved convivial and he enjoyed meeting the students. On the following day the Cardinal spoke at the Conference but after an evening meal with the organisers it was not possible to persuade him to join the Cath-Soc Ceilidh. On Sunday Cardinal Winning preached at the 11am Mass to a crowded Newman Room about his Diocese’s work of providing shelter to single pregnant women who might otherwise have had abortions and the message of hope that such work brings.

There was to be little respite before the third Cardinal was to arrive, His Excellency Cardinal Marcello Gonzales, retired Archbishop of Toledo and Primate of All Spain. The Cardinal had been invited by the Newman Society to celebrate the 120th Anniversary Mass at Christ Church cathedral. Luckily for ourselves one of his travelling companions spoke Italian otherwise conversation would have been very difficult as no-one here spoke Spanish or Latin. The Cardinal stayed till Friday so much time was spent trying to find anyone who could speak Spanish. Luckily it turned out that a large number of students including one of our residents spoke Spanish and the Jesuits of Campion Hall provided spanish speaking priests for breakfast. The Cardinal very much enjoyed his visit and Christ Church cathedral was packed out for the Mass. On Friday evening it could be said that there had not been a meal in Chaplaincy without a Cardinal in attendance for a week, a record that is unlikely to be broken for a long while!

By the end of term, luckily the next day, the Chaplains were all looking forward to a rest after the previous term’s activities. Sadly it was also time to say goodbye to our chef, Mrs Bernadette O’Gara who was retiring after two years work here. Her departure was marked by lunch in the Elizabeth Restaurant where she is well known by the owner. They provided champagne and the lunch was a joyous occasion.

During the Easter holidays Sr. Andrea chaired the annual Conference for Chaplains in Higher Education, a post to which she had been elected the previous year. Fr. Paul attended the Conference as a delegate of the Chaplaincy

The Trinity Term began on Sunday 26th April and like every term it opened with the Cath-Soc Open-Meeting and lunch after the 11am Mass. The members of the committee outline the events of the coming term and inspire the College Reps and others to attend these happenings. Just before dessert is served, by now the traditional apple strudels, the students can ask questions of the Committee and suggest ideas. A good number of students participate in these elementary acts of democracy and information exchange as well as consume the free lunch.

The Easter holiday had been marked by a singular lack of success in discovering a new chef and both Fr. Peter and Sr. Andrea resigned themselves to taking over the cooking. It looked a daunting prospect at the beginning of term but in reality did not prove too taxing. However every effort is being made to find a chef for the following term.

By the first Thursday of term, Fr Peter had departed to Rome to a Conference
for Chaplains at European Universities. Only the Vatican could organise a Conference that began on a Public Holiday and where no public transport was to be found and all the shops shut. At least the city centre was quiet and the weather was good.

Fr. Peter’s return coincided with another Bank Holiday. This time the Chaplaincy was hosting a visit by a delegation from Beauvais Diocese who had come on an exchange visit to Birmingham Diocese. Luckily Sr. Andrea speaks French and gave a talk in the Blue Room on the University in general and the life of the Chaplaincy in particular. Afterwards a few French speaking students gave short tours of the University in the afternoon.

The intensity of Oxford and Chaplaincy life can give rise to curious clashes. On Friday (Week 2) 8th May His Grace Archbishop Maurice Couve de Murville gave his annual drinks party at St. Benet’s at exactly the same time as Fr. Fergus Kerr OP was to address the Newman Society, having been invited to speak by the Chaplain. On the next night the Newman Society Drinks Party (tweed jackets essential) clashed with the Cath-Soc Mexican Night (sombrero and poncho de rigueur) An element of sanity was restored on Sunday (Week 3) 10th May when the Archbishop received two students into the Church and administered the sacrament of confirmation to a further four. It was a great privilege for everyone to see students making a commitment to the Catholic faith

The Trinity Term is for most students a time of revision and the Cath-Soc and Chaplaincy events are tailored accordingly. Both the Feasts of Ascension and Corpus Christi were celebrated in the now normal Cath-Soc manner, Mass with music followed by dinner. On Wednesday (Week 4) May 20th the vigil of Ascension was celebrated in the Chaplaincy and a light supper in the Narthex. Energy was being preserved for the social event of the term, the Cath-Soc Dinner-Dance. This glittering annual occasion has become famous for good food and entertainment. The Diner-Dance had been preceded by four weeks of ballroom dancing classes on Sunday evenings. On the night itself the dinner proved a bit of a nightmare as the oven that failed to stay alight, the contract chef failed to appear and the menu proved over ambitious. It all made for a hair-raising time in the kitchen. Luckily our guardian angels were in attendance and no-one suffered from the underdone poussins! The band and dancing made up for all earlier difficulties.

The term ended with having to say goodbye to a large number of students including many stalwarts of the Chaplaincy who had worked on the Committee over the years. It is sad to see them depart the University but it gives hope to Chaplains for the Church at large in this country. This year five past students have discerned a possible vocation to the priesthood or religious life and they follow seven students from the previous year.

As for the Chaplains the year ended with the Oxford Board meeting on July 1st with a review of the past year and the making of plans for the future. Fr. Paul undertook to travel to Lourdes this summer with the Oxford and Cambridge Lourdes Pilgrimage with about thirty students from both Universities.

Here the chronicle of the past year must end. Elsewhere in this magazine are brief descriptions of the student groups that have operated over the last year in the Chaplaincy. Much of the work of the Chaplains cannot be recorded in such a way as being personal and individual but written down are the memorable public events of the past year.

Kevin and Susan Sinnott

Past and present members of the Cath-Soc Committee

Crowds dispersing into Rose Place after the bomb scare

Cardinal Hume celebrating Mass in a crowded Newman Room

The Chaplaincy Choir

Cardinal Hume with the Cath-Soc Committee

Lord and Lady Nolan at the dinner in the Chaplaincy

Cardinal Winning with Scottish students

Cardinal Winning, Fr Tom Connolly and altar servers

Cardinal Gonzalez and Sr. Andrea le Guevel

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

OXFORD UNIVERSITY

CATHOLIC CHAPLAINCY

Annual Review Volume 1 (1997-1998)

The Triumph of Faith

A Millennium Painting in memory of Fr. Michael Hollings

Chaplain 1959-1970

Artist: Kevin Sinnott

From the Archives:

Above; The original Chapel in the top of the Old Palace

Below; A watercolour of the ‘Ronnie Knox’ Nissen Hut

The Coat of Arms of St. Thomas More that used to be on the front of the old Newman Rooms

WEELY TIMETABE DURING FULL TERM

Sunday Mass: 9:00, 11:00, 5:45, 8:30 (Graduate)

Monday to Friday: 7:45, 12:15 (1:10 on Tuesday)

Saturday: 12:15

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CHAPLAINCY GROUPS:

1. General

The Catholic Society (Cath-Soc) Every Catholic student is automatically a member of the society. The Executive Committee is elected each November to serve a year. The Committee put on various social and spiritual events each term and through its work introduces many students to the Chaplaincy.

The Graduate Society. This society caters for the need of catholic graduates with a Mass each Sunday evening followed by a social afterwards and other talks and retreats.

2. Theological

Theology Group: This group has been led by Fr. David Albert Jones OP. In the Hilary Term the group addressed a number of contemporary moral issues while in the Trinity Term four talks were given on the major Vatican II documents.

Women’s Theology Discussion Group: The focus of this group, co-ordinated by Sr. Andrea Le Guevel to discuss issues with relevance to women, and men, in the Church. Over the year there have been eight meetings including Mary Kenny; Joanna Boagle, and Sr. Elaine McInnes

The Newman Society: The oldest catholic students society in the University provides a cycle of eight to ten speakers each term on a variety of topics. Notable among this year’s speakers were Prof. Henry Mayr-Harting, Fr. Fergus Kerr OP, Fr. Robert Ombres OP, and many others.

3. Pastoral

Oxford Life Group: The focus of this group is twofold, firstly a series of speaker meetings and workshops on life issues, and secondly some active work within the City itself

Friends of the Homeless: The Chaplaincy has a long tradition of providing helpers to work at the Porch and the Gatehouse in the town. Both organisations have commented on how dedicated are the students who come from the Chaplaincy.

Children’s Reading Group: A long-standing commitment by the Chaplaincy is to provide students to listen to 7 and 8 year olds read in a local primary school near the Cowley Road.

THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY CATHOLIC CHAPLAINCY

The Old Palace, Rose Place, St. Aldate’s, Oxford OX1 1RD

Telephone: (01865) 276993 Fax: (01865) 276991

Email: cathchap@sable.ac.ox.uk

Chaplain: Fr. Peter Newby M.A.(Cantab), Ph.L.(Rome)

Assistant Chaplain: Sr. Andrea Le Guevel F.C.J. M.A.(London)

M.A.(Sorbonne), M Phil.(Manchester)

Part-time Assistant Chaplain: Fr. Paul King, M.A.(Oxon)

INTRODUCTION

May I introduce you to a new Chaplaincy venture, that of the publication of an annual review of events that have taken place in the Chaplaincy over the last academic year. George Orwell once wrote that most school magazines rarely lasted longer than two issues as the enthusiasm of their teenage editors quickly withers away. I hope that this particular magazine will have a longer run than that! However only time will tell.

It has long been my intention to produce such a magazine of our activities in order to give some idea to our supporters and friends of life in the Oxford Chaplaincy. Throughout the year many former students have visited the Chaplains and spoken of their fond memories of the Chaplaincy and of the support they received as students from past Chaplains. One of the aims of this publication is to show that the same work continues today. I also feel strongly that those of you who have given so generously to the Newman Trust over the years should receive the magazine as a small token of the Trust’s gratitude for your support.

I hope you enjoy reading this report of the last academic year. This magazine will probably reach you after the long vacation and preparations will already have begun here for the following year. As always we live in hope of the arrival of yet another generation of dedicated students who will fill the places of those who have gone before, and we look forward with pleasure to getting to know another year-group of students.

Fr. Peter Newby