Scottish Region Meeting - 24 Jan 'O1.

Dear Pelicans

Just to keep you informed find below brief notes from the meeting that took place at Rutherglen.

l) In attendance: Frs Chris Wallbank and Pat Boyd, John Kelly, Pat Tierney, Bobby Brown, Eric Creaney and Vinny Callaghan. Frank Dillon joined us for tea after the meeting.

2) Apologies were received from: Fr. Albert Gardener, Therese Donnelly, Mrs. Christine Hughes.

3) Introductions and Welcome:

Fr. Chris extended a warm welcome to all of us. He expressed the views he held relative to our being able to support each other in the furtherance of the White Fathers missionaries activities. Fr. Pat re-stated the previous offers made, in that, the Scottish Pelicans should look to Milrig Rd. being the gathering point for meetings. Other events could be considered. Fr. Chris pointed out that the Pelicans would be welcome to attend at the Annual Mass for deceased White Fathers, Relatives and Friends on the Sunday following Easter Sunday and also to support the Annual Gathering hosted by the Parents and Friends Association. Both these events are advertised well in advance in the Magazine and the Catholic Press.

4) General Remarks: Vinny Callaghan highlighted some of the points made in his letter of the 16 Jan '01 and opened the meeting to discussions.

5) Discussions: Ideas were kicked around relative to the need for either a Co-ordinating Group, (made-up of a Co-ordinator, Secretary and Treasurer), or for someone to take on the role of Co-ordinator and co-opt additional help or support as needed. It was agreed that we pursue the latter course and appoint a Co-ordinator. Views were expressed relative to the need to consider younger candidates for this role as there was a real need to try and attract and make contact with ex-students of the late '50s and the ‘60s years.

6) Scottish Region Co-ordinator: Eric Creaney was invited and reluctantly agreed to take on the role.

He can be contacted at -
l4 Laird St.
Coatbridge.
ML5 3LJ
01236 422751
and,if you happen to be 'on-line' for E'mails then use eric @ creaney.org

He tells us the latter route is his preferred option as he is not really into this letter writing business! Alas, he will just have to live with what my 'off-line' word processor produces. Apart from that he has been assured of our total support.

7) The Way Forward: Some time was spent in deliberating how we could best proceed with a view to meeting the Pelican objectives previously set-out in part of our letter of 16 Jan' Ol. The meeting together was not too much of a problem but that was not the case in the expanding of the membership. At the moment we rely upon existing members remembering who they had known when at WF Houses and ,thereafter, trying to locate them. But tapping in to those who came after us tends to be a bit of a lucky-dip at the moment. Two ideas were agreed upon and put forward for further consideration. They were as follows:

a) A block advert be placed in the Scottish Catholic Observer under a suitable heading such as "Ad Salvandos Afros" with the names of the Houses of Study/Formation and an invite to all former students to attend a Mass at Rutherglen on Sunday 1 April 'O1 at 2.OOpm.

b) Try and get the Scottish Catholic Observer to produce an article giving some details of the Pelicans achievements to date and, in the article, to extend an invitation to all former students to attend at the Mass as above.

Eric Creaney mentioned that some of his friends were having a St. Patrick’s Night Dance (16 Mar 'O1) and would be prepared to donate some of the proceeds from same to a nominated White Father on the Missions.

It was felt that we could use this event with point b) above by having a White Father at the Dance, wearing the Habit, to receive the Cheque and also having the paper and their photographer to capture same and produce an article that included the invite. The photo might be the eye catcher! Eric and Vinny are to meet with a view to firming-up on one of the above options. In the event that we go the St. Patrick’s Night Dance route then we will contact you to give details of venue and cost so that Pelicans can consider supporting same.

8) Pelican Events in 2001.

From Eugene's last Pelican newsletter and to be confirmed:
2-3 June : Pentecost Gathering at Bishops Waltham.
5-7 Oct : Annual Gathering at Templeogue, Dublin.

From this note:
1 April 2001 : Scottish Region at Rutherglen: Mass, 2.00pm.
22 April 2001 : WF Relatives and Friends, Rutherglen: Mass for Deceased.

9) Next Meeting:
We will try to have a brief meeting following our Mass on the 1 April 'O1

Once Eric has had time to fully assess what he has got himself into (or should it be what we have talked him into?) then I am sure that he will be in touch with you to advise on further events and gatherings. In the meantime, accept our best wishes and our prayer that the good Lord will bless you and yours in the year ahead.

My dear Pelicans

I hope to launch a directory of those receiving this newsletter each October. Two of them have now gone out for October 1998 and 1999. Tommy Price had the 1999 edition in his jacket pocket and it did not half come in useful at Stanstead Airport on the way to Rome and in Rome itself, so it shows you. As ever, there will be mistakes. For instance, Brian Geraghty's 'phone number in Canada is 613-230 1236 and not as printed last time. The White Fathers in Rome are now on the mailing list: Via Aurelia 269, CP 9078, 00100 ROMA, Italia. Telephone: (39) 06. 39. 36. 34. 1; e-mail: mafrg@rm.nettuno.it. The Padri Bianchi gave us an overwhelming welcome on our first Monday in the Eternal City with a tour of the Generalate that took us up in brilliant sunshine to the roof, followed by a visit to the archive where Fr Ivan Page read to us from Mgr Livinhac's actual diary about the about the Martyrs of Uganda. Some of us went back there for evening Mass on the feast of Saints Simon and Jude, celebrated by Pierre Féderlé WF, whom I hadn't seen since Totteridge 1961. Fr Page and Fr John O'Donoghue then came out with us for our last supper to the Ostelleria dei Pontifici near St Peter's and the Casa tra Noi where we stayed.

Before leaving for Rome I attended the funeral of an old Pelican (93), Mary Logan. Mary used to get this newsletter until her sight went. She was the cousin of John Ryan (Brother Aidan) WF who was boss of the Brothers' team that built so much of St Edward's and did so much fine work in the British province in the late fifties and early sixties. John recruited Mary as a WF housekeeper and she served in Heston, Palace Court and Holland Villas until retirement. I lost track of her for many years but began to visit her in Balham and Streatham when John Boase WF gave me her address. She loved to reminisce about the White Fathers and her favourites were undoubtedly Father Prentice ("Wee Pren") and Frank Briody. Every so often she would come out with a howler e.g. "He left the White Fathers and joined the Church"; "Father Moran had the 'flu so 1 made him a pot of tea and he got into bed with it." She died on October 16th and was cremated on the 22nd. She would have been 94 next April 12th. She used to ask me what age she was and I would tell her and she'd let out a gasp of air: "Dear God, who would have ever thought it!" She was strafed by the Luftwaffe near Arding and 'obbs at Clapham Junction in the early days of the War (she saw the bullets kick up in the grass) but undoubtedly, to hear her talk, service with the White Fathers was the most exciting time of her life. May she rest in peace.

HAVE YOU BOUGHT YOUR PELICAN LAPEL BADGE YET? This is a limited edition of 100 only so don't be disappointed if they sell out and you haven't got one. They cost £10 each p & p. The design is a replica of the old Priory cap badge. We wore ours with pride in Rome and very were much admired. To order, ring me at 01476-561890. Do it today!

Something I forgot in the last letter was to ask: PLEASE TELL ME IF YOU'RE GOING TO RUTHERGLEN FEBRUARY 19 and 20 AD 2000. It's no time at all now until the middle of February and Rutherglen will be asking me for numbers. I hate having to say, I dunno, so, please, if you intend to go, don't think I can take it for granted. Our hosts need to know how many so please pick up the 'phone and tell me: 01476-561890.

The Pelican website is making progress under the aegis of Paul West. If you have any WF material, ancient or modern, which you think might enhance it, Paul will be very glad to hear from you at 5, Carlton Villas, Sontley Road, Wrexham LL13 7EH (01978---263085).

I got a quote from Sligo for Peter McKenzie's headstone which would have set Africa back £2100. However, Tommy thinks he can have a headstone made in Newry, good quality, in the region of £600 with a party in Enniskillen able to do the installation for £200 more or less. I have sent him photographs of the grave to give an idea of what needs to be done. I am quite anxious that we spruce up wee Pete's lying-place as a Pelican project. If you want to do something for Peter, please send your donation to Pat Gibbons at 84, Albert Road West, Bolton, Lancs BL1 SED (01204-842525).

HAPPY CHRISTMAS! Eugene

Newsletter 27: Lenten Hortatory Edition 1999

My dear Pelicans

The main aim of this Lenten encyclical is to announce that Fr O'Donnell, having consulted Marion, who as you know was not well with her heart last year, has agreed to receive us for a plenary session at Preston on May 22 and 23 (i.e. Whitsun eve and Whit Sunday). It was Chas who approached TO'D and TO'D consulted Marion. Marion has to go back into hospital sometime but is willing to receive us at Pentecost. I suggest that we do as much as possible to keep her load light, e.g. all the clearing-up and washing-up after meals. Please book in with TO'D. If you've already mislaid your directory, he's at 37-39 Victoria Parade, Preston, Lancs PR2 lDT (telephone 01772-722378). 1 think we should all be booked-in by April 30 but as soon as possible to give Father a chance to arrange things if accommodation gets tight. Thank you very much, TO'D.
Rome in October may be under way for a small group but I am waiting to hear from Bishop Fitzgerald. Bishop Michael was in Tamale (Ghana) where he "was chuffed to see a monument to the "founding fathers" of the Church there, including Tom Tryers and John McNulty!"

My most recent message from Treasurer Gibbons reads as follows: "Bernard Melling sent £100 from the Bispham (Blackpool) "Help the Hungry" Group. They have been very good to us over the years. I sent £150 to Fr Alec Easton; this leaves us with £38 in the bank. Hoots, mon!"

Do not despair if you have not received your lapel badge. Derek has got 57 orders and will be placing them with Fatterini shortly as soon as a certain ship comes in.

I've had a letter from Paul West. Paul proposed to create us a web-site but in the meantime has not had his troubles to seek in terms of business problems that a corrupted hard disk did nothing to allay. Now hear this from Paul: "I need to ask you now about what you would like the Pelicans website to contain. Would you give it some thought and let me know so that I can get on with fulfilling the promise I made to get this facility up and running?"

I've told Paul I think this is outwith my brief and I'd need to refer it to the Pelicans in this letter. We are in no hurry, so I suggest it is something we might profitably discuss at Preston. If you have a brainstorm in the meantime, contact Paul at 01978 263 085. Thank you, Paul.

Now hear this from Peter Finn:

"I am compiling a list of former Priory, St Columba and Philosophy students. The list currently has over 700 names but it is far from complete. I would appreciate any information readers can give me about their own dates and colleges attended and of any other students they recall even if it is only their names. I am also accumulating information about the Priory and would like to have any recollections, stories, facts, myths or anecdotes. Even what may seem inconsequential may be of interest for the record. I would particularly like to borrow copies of The Priorian, The Columban, and The Pelican, with a promise to return them very quickly. Already 1967-68 is fading into the mists: Where did the 6th formers live in Southsea? Who were they? Who was their superior when the Priory closed? If we don't capture the record now it will be lost for ever."

This is the sort of thing Peter would appreciate: Think of the big guest parlour below the oratory at the Priory. In wartime it was a dormitory, l2 beds packed tight. “. . . the blackout had been pulled back when the siren went off denoting an air raid in progress. Then a whisper: “There's one caught in the searchlight." The result was a headlong rush of bodies in pyjamas to the windows. The l2th man, meanwhile, rolled up all of Hoss's bedclothes including the mattress onto a locker at the foot of the bed opposite and meandered casually to see the sights in the sky. It was like firework night. Then the inevitable: "Here comes Connie!" (Fr Kinsella). There was a dash to get back and curl up under the covers–except for Hoss who hit the naked spring and moaned out a cry for help: "Where's ma bed?" Connie came through the door. As the only one in the know, I was eating my pillow. Connie was aware that something was afoot but the Grand Silence was electric. . . we might as well have all been lying gassed. . . I don't know if I relented, I don't know if I told Hoss where his bed was, I don't know if I said I was sorry. What I do remember is the pain trying to hold back the laughter at Hoss's high speed landing on the wire spring..."

Fr Stevie Collins has a new address: St Francis House, POB l 0241, FONTEINREIT 1464, RSA: "l gave a workshop on AIDS, tried to get the sick to take the AIDS test but no one wants to be tested. Some gay lawyers have persuaded the government to insist on the human right of people to keep AIDS confidentiality and so the virus is spreading in secret. S Africa has the fastest growing rate of AIDS incidence in the world. .. Uganda is the only country where the rate of incidence is falling... "

Dan Sherry and Tom Rathe, who taught some of us, are 50 years ordained this summer. Donations please to Pat Gibbons towards a presentation to these two fine lads.

God bless, Eugene.

P.S. Prayers needed for Jarlath and Hugh Campbell, also Brian Geraghty. £288 received from Tony Guilfoyle. THANK YOU!