St Catherine's Trust 2009 Events

Family Retreat
Friday 27th (afternoon) to Sunday 29th March (Passion Sunday weekend, before Easter) Traditional Sung Mass each day, Compline, Saturday Vespers and Benediction, spiritual conferences from our Retreat Giver Fr Andrew Southwell, activities for children.

£95 per adult, couples £150, under 18s FREE.
Booking deadline 1st March.

At Ardingly College, Haywards Heath, Sussex.
Summer School
Sunday 2nd to Sunday 9th August, for ages 11 to 18.

We accept donations, but no one should be put off coming because of lack of funds!

Booking deadline 15th June.

Daily Traditional Sung Mass, catechesis, teaching in a wide range of subjects of Catholic interest by our volunteer staff, outdoor activities and outings. At Ardingly College, Haywards Heath, Sussex
Please support our work with a donation!

See our Website: www.stcatherinestrust.org
Email: info@stcatherinestrust.org
Tel: 07913 481014
John Tennant, St Catherine’s Trust
58 Thornton Road,
LONDON SW12 0LF

Registered Charity No. 111041

David Foster RIP

David Foster (not to be confused with my predecessor as LMS Rep for Oxford, David Forster, who is in rude health!) has unexpectedly died. I'm not aware of any particular connection with Oxford but he was the founder and leading organiser for a quarter of a century of the 'International Summer School', which took place in the Oratory School outside Reading, which was very much the inspiration for the St Catherine's Trust Summer School. David was very happy to see his work being extended; he visited the SCT Summer School in 2006 and gave a talk to the SCT Family Retreat in 2007 (picture). A number of people have taught at both Summer Schools, sometimes in the same year. I am glad to see that the International Summer School will continue; these schools are very small in relation to the Catholic population, and we could do with a great many more of them.

Here is what Fr Tim Finnigan has posted on him, which includes a short obituary.

During the Faith Winter Session, I received the sad news of the death of David Foster, a great teacher, a faithful Catholic, a tireless defender of the faith, and an enthusiastic communicator of Catholic truth to young people. Here is a short obituary that I have received:

David Foster died on the 29th of December 2008, the day before his 76th birthday, after a short illness which began just before Christmas. He died fortified by the rights of Our Holy Mother Church. These he received from the hospital chaplain, Fr Mark Swires, a priest who had been a student at both the Summer School (see below) and at Campion School, where David taught for over 30 years.

David was an English teacher, husband of Dora for 49 years and father of three sons; John, Stephen and Martin. He became a Catholic in the 1950's and for 25 years ran the 'International Summer School'. The week of the Summer School gave those who attended a varied curriculum where everything was taught within an orthodox Catholic framework and integrated our Catholic heritage. Vocations to the priesthood and several religious resulted among those who attended (at least 4 priests, 3 sisters and a brother). Dominic Sullivan, also a teacher, who has been involved in running the Summer school over recent years will continue this work. (This year the dates are July 25th-August 1st 2009, further details can be obtained from Dominic Sullivan on 0208 788 8659.)

During recent years David continued the Pro Fide Forum meetings in London after the death of John Edwards.

He supported Burnley Football club (his father's hometown) and attended cricket matches whenever possible throughout the Summer.

He is fondly remembered by many, for many reasons. For my part I knew that he would proof read articles and newsletters; once he had done this one could rely on there being no spelling or grammatical errors remaining!

David Foster's Requiem Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral Church of St Mary and St Helen, Brentwood on Tuesday 13th January 2009 at 1pm. The celebrant will be Fr Nicholas Schofield (Roman Miscellany).

TCFA dates for the New Year

The Traditional Catholic Family Alliance meets in Reading and at St Edmunds College Ware (and sometimes elsewhere). I've just had an email about the latter: their dates for the New Year are (all Saturdays):

17th January
7th February
7th March

The days begin with Traditional Sung Mass at 11am in the splendid Pugin chapel at the school, and continue with talks and catechesis for adults and children of all ages. All are welcome; there is no fee. If anyone would like to know more, please contact me.

Sung Mass at SS Gregory & Augustine

Friday 12th December saw the first Missa Cantata in SS Gregory & Augustine to be served by parishoners and accompanied by the Parish Choir. Fr John Saward preached on his recent visit to Lourdes.

The church is undergoing restoration. The floor has been sanded, and the wooden pannelling on the East wall has been prepared for painting. The curtain behind the altar is new; eventually it will be used for the church's 'Lenten array', but for the time being it hides the unfinished work on that part of the wall.

Press release from the LMS on Merton

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE LATIN MASS SOCIETY

 For Immediate Release

 15 December 2008

 * LMS Training Conference at Merton College, Oxford for Priests Wishing to Learn the Extraordinary Form of Mass (Traditional Latin Rite), August 2009

 

The following is a statement from Mr Paul Beardsmore, Secretary of the Latin Mass Society:

 1.      The LMS Committee has not cancelled the Oxford Training Conference, and Merton College has not indicated to the Society that permission to hold the Conference has been withdrawn.

 2.      Mr David Lloyd’s views concerning the Oxford Conference held in July 2008 were considered by the LMS Committee three months ago and did not receive the support of the majority of its members.

 3.      The LMS Committee – including Mr Lloyd – is unanimous in its commitment to the implementation of the Motu Proprio, ‘Summorum Pontificum’, and consequently to the training of clergy to celebrate Mass in the Extraordinary Form.

 4.      The leaking to the press of Mr Lloyd’s confidential e mail, and the attempt to link this e mail with the LMS Committee’s recent decision concerning the administrative arrangements for the Conference are mischievous.

 Statement ends.

Pro-Life Witness

This took place as usual last Saturday and was well attended despite the cold weather. We prayed the Rosary by the entrance to the John Radcliffe Hospital, the only place in Oxford where abortions take place.

Join us at the next ones! They take place on the last Saturday of each month - not December, but from 3pm to 4pm

January 31st
and
February 28th

The Blessed Sacrament is exposed in St Anthony of Padua and the witness ends with a short Benediction. The Rosary is led by Fr John Saward.

Traditional Pilgrimage to Lourdes

This was joined by a number of Oxford traditionalists, and was led by Fr Andrew Southwell. A full report can be found here.