A Unique Retreat

Sisters arrived in Canterbury for their retreat at the FISC, pictured outside the FMSL convent where they will stay for the week. 

On 30th August, four FMSL Sisters: Susan, Innocentia, Rose and Attracta, came to Canterbury from Littlehampton and Bradford to have a unique retreat at the Franciscan International Study Centre (www.franciscans.ac.uk).  It is a Franciscan directed retreat.  During this week, each retreatant will meet daily with an assigned spiritual director from a newly-trained team.  The experience of giving a directed retreat will complete these students' course in Franciscan spiritual direction.  During the retreat, the four Sisters will stay in the FMSL convent in Canterbury, which is ten minutes walk from the Study Centre. At the Centre they have meals, communal prayers and the daily meeting with their directors.  It is a special opportunity to listen to God's voice in times of silence and share their spiritual journeys.

Comments from retreatants:
'"It was a very good preparation for my renewal of vows."'
'"It was good.  I learned more about myself during the retreat."'
'"It helped me to know better what Jesus is asking me to do - just to be, like the jonquil."'
'"The directors were very good.  Everything was very well prepared."'

Rest In Peace Our Willie Anderson

Remembering Our Willie (William Neil Anderson) with love and gratitude to God. May he rest in the peace and joy of heaven.

Willie's Canterbury History

by Sr. Elizabeth

We moved into this house, Monte Bre in Dec 1974. The Sisters in the convent worked at the Franciscan Study Centre in Giles Lane - a place of Formation and Studies for the Franciscans of the Order of Friars Minor, of Friars Minor Conventuals and of the Capuchin Friars the three branches of the Francisan men - Franciscan Friars. Sr Agnes saw Willie sleeping rough at the woods behind the Study Centre and asked the superior of the convent, Mother Angela, if she could have a blanket for the man. Approval was given for the blanket - and then when it had been raining, Sr Agnes asked again about him as the blanket would be wet and now no use to him. So permission was given for him to come and have shelter in the shed at the bottom of the convent garden. In the meantime because he was of no fixed abode, Willie had to walk each day to Military Road to collect £1.25 in Social Security Benefit. Being a smoker and an alcoholic Willie then had to beg in the town for extra cash. Many times when he would be under the influence of alcohol while begging within the City Walls, the police would take Willie to the Police Station where he would spend some time until he was sobered up. All of the local police knew him and some would hand in blue shirts to the convent door for him. All the bus drivers knew him and would stop and pick him up and drop him off at the bus stop outside of the convent front gate.

Prior to coming to Canterbury he had been homeless and sleeping rough in Folkestone.

Someone advised Sr Immaculata, another sister of the community here, that since he could give the convent as his address, then he could claim the full amount of weekly social security benefit. This was back-dated to the date when he first moved to the shed - and the arrears of benefit paid for his first caravan. Electricity was connected up to his caravan and a heater and tv bought for him from his weekly benefit.

He would go up to the Franciscan Study Centre kitchen for his main meal at lunch time and receive breakfast and supper from the convent; and on a Saturday night the OFM friars would allow him into the Friary to have a bath. In later years he stopped going to the Study Centre for lunch and his bath and had everything here at the convent.

Over the years he has been banned from every shop, pub and the local Catholic Church: St Thomas'. He could be very disruptive during a service when he attended while under the influence of alcohol. Also similar behaviour at the Study Centre Mass on a Sunday.

He helped in the convent garden and did a lot of work re the grounds etc and became a sort of voluntary caretaker and groundsman in gratitude for being allowed to stay in his caravan and have some sort of stability in his life.

He was born with rickets of the spine and so did not have good posture; he was sort of hen toed as a result and it was easy for him to trip up and fall over. His Dad died when he was 5 or 6yrs old. He had what would now be called dyslexia - and spent most of his schooling in special schools and institutions because of his physical and what was seen as a mental disability. He told me recently that he spent some time in Carstairs Mental Hospital in Scotland. He rendered himself homeless at a young age although I don't know exactly when - and would get involved in petty crimes so that he would be sent to prison - which gave him board and lodgings - least of all a roof over his head. He was an ideal inmate and behaved as he was no criminal and therefore was given a lot of privileges and as a result learned a lot of skills during short spells in various prisons through the UK.

In recent years he stopped going down the town - and the furthest he would walk would be to Rough Common Post Office for his weekly pension and daily papers. He would only really get drunk on his pension day.

In recent years he stopped going to the town to beg

In the last three years of his life he did not take any alcohol at all during the day and would have half a bottle of wine dry white ... and nothing other than that would do!] at 8pm each night and that would pacify him.

In the last two years he befriended a friend's puppy chihuahua by the name of Maximus who would spend the odd weekend here when his owner was away for any reason. Max and Willie became the best of friends. So much so that last summer [August 2011] Willie was missing the dog so much that I took him to Cornwall to visit with Max - as he was there for the summer with a mutual friend, Mary, as the owner of the dog is an American friar and goes home to USA for the summer.

Max and Willie were inseparable for the few days that we were there and Willie told me that it was his first ever holiday... at 75.

In December 2010 for his 75th birthday we had a celebration Mass and dinner at the Franciscan International Study Centre - a great day enjoyed by Willie and all present.

He has had a relatively short illness - admitted to K+C hospital on Jan 8th until 20th and came home to the convent for palliative care. When he knew that there was no treatment for the malignant tumour in his throat - he said that he did not want to die in the hospital - that he wanted to die at home. He knew that he could not return to the caravan - that we would have a room here for him in the convent.

While in hospital for the two weeks - he was overwhelmed by everybody's kindness and care towards him. He said to one of the specialists: " I have been a failure all my life."

I have known him 21 of his 37 years here at the convent - and yes when he was drunk he was a nuisance. When sober he was and is the kindest- hearted person you could ever hope to meet and know.

He was always very faithful to the sisters here at the convent. He didn't like with when anybody was moved to another community.

Last year he wanted to go visit Sr Fidelis who used to be here. She was based in Bradford and had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. She had been very good to him when she was based here and he returned that kindness by making the effort to go up to Bradford to visit her. It was a long, long journey for him in the car with his back being very aching with the rickets problem. He was a gentleman and was so loving towards her when he was there for the weekend...

In Kent and Canterbury Hospital where Willie spent one week after he was taken ill.

Allowed outside for a smoke

Maximus was very popular with all the staff on his visits to Willie

Willie enjoyed watching his favourite comedies on DVD and listening to Mario Lanza.

And a visit from Max's little brother, Alphie

Back home in 'William's Pad' in the convent

Sr. Rose came from Bradford and stayed to help care for Willie. Rose's family also visiting here.

...He was three weeks at home here being nursed by the community here supported by the District Nurses and the Hospice Palliative Care Team from the Pilgrims Hospice. He had three weeks of being able to express his gratitude for all that he has received in life - as he kept saying: "God has been good to me." He accepted his fate with great grace and it was prayer answered that he had a peaceful death on Thursday 9th February at 7.30pm.

Preparing for Willie's Requiem Mass at the Franciscan Study Centre on 27th February

Sr. Innocentia led an African Mass setting with drums

In the chapel, displays of photos told the story of Willie's 37 years at Monte Bre, from as early as 1975.

After Mass, a collection was made for Catching Lives, a charity tackling homelessness in Canterbury.

At a private meal following the crematorium Service

Pat and Debbie, who served Willie a burger from their van every week and became his firm friends.

Br. Ninian, who knew Willie from his early days in Canterbury

Below: Br. Marc (left) who helped carry Willie's coffin and Br. Seamus (centre) who preached at his Mass.

Br. Jack also a coffin bearer and Mary, who also knew Willie and brought Willie's old friend Sean (below, centre) to his funeral.

Marjorie (top right) a Canterbury resident, had known Willie for many years.

Sr. Veronica (top left) knew him from her time in Canterbury.Angie (centre) became Willie's friend when she began to do the gardening at Monte Bre.

Srs. Rose and Attracta who helped care for Willie in his illness.

Sr. Paul (bottom left) beside Sr. Clare who both knew Willie from living in Monte Bre Community.

Left: Sr. Innocentia, who helped care for Willie and Jodie, a resident student in Monte Bre

.

Sr. Concepta (left) knew Willie from his earliest days at Monte Bre.

Sr. Anne, Mother General shared a few fond words about Willie at the end of Mass

Above: Sr. Elizabeth, who cared for Willie for many years at Monte Bre and arranged his care during his final days and his funeral celebration, toasts his happy memory.

First Snow of the Year

Sisters Innocentia and Attracta were excited by the first snow of the year, especially as it was a new experience for Attracta. They braved the cold to go out and get some photographic evidence.

AGM of Josephine Butler Society

The Annual General Meeting of the Josephine Butler Society held on the 12^th Oct, 2011 at St. Peter's Church Eaton Square, London.

I left with Valerie who is the chairman of the society at 1.30pm to board a train at Faversham. She began by looking into the minutes of their last meeting which were approved by the members.

Valerie Gore, Chairing the Meeting

After that, there was refreshment of sandwiches, soft drinks and tea which was followed by an input by a retired Chief Constable who has always worked hard against human trafficking,

Dr. Timothy Brain.

The Josephine Butler Society is a society of people who work hard to stop human trafficking and help those who are victims, whether they chose to do that or they have been forced into it. Much mention was made of children, and he praised THE CHILDREN'S SOCIETY for raising awareness of children on the street prostituting and BARNARDO'S for doing a report with recommendations. Both charities are organisations whose work is to help children involved in any kind of abuse. Dr. Brain said that human trafficking and prostitution has been an issue in this country and that they have been working hard on it. Any kind of work relating to that should always be dealt with and not be ignored. He said that one of the major problems police face today concerning prostitution is that some police look at it as if it is a distraction to their work. They feel that they have to pay more attention to burglers, or any other offence more than that of prostitution.

He said that in recent years, it has increased and decreased. The number of those who are brought into Britain for this always gets higher in number. They come mostly from Asia, Eastern Europe, South America and Africa. Though some of these ladies are forced into it, when they have a way to escape and get the help they need, they can care for themselves. He said that children of 16+ should not be treated the same way as adults. Though it is a crime, there should be some consideration, because these children are victims. Therefore the best thing for them when they are caught is not to subject them to more punishment but to help them find a better way of life.

Some of these 16+ might have had difficult relationships, and then gone away from home, eventually getting involved with 'friends' who pretend to love them. They then teach them to drink, take drugs, keep secrets from adults, go to pubs and stay out late at night. Then these 'friends' will start selling them to men for money.

The meeting finished at about 8:20 pm. We helped to clean and put things in order and then headed for the train station.

By Sr. Innocentia

Making a Big Hash of It

Sister Attracta, now one month in Novitiate, has begun to join Sisters Innocentia and Clare in voluntary kitchen work at the Catching Lives Centre for homeless people in Canterbury. On Friday 7th October they were working with volunteers David, Roz, Rebecca, Lawrence and Terry (staff). What can you make for lunch with vast quantities of donated apples, lots of potatoes and not much else? The answer was apple crumble and corned beef hash. After Innocentia made the crumble, more of the apples were peeled and stewed, to be frozen and used later. Here's how they went about making corned beef hash for around 20 people:

Wash, peel and boil around 30 potatoes together with 2 giant (or four average) chopped onions

Empty out 9 tins of corned beef (carefully) and divide into two large, deep trays. Chop up into small chunks.

Add to these trays:

The cooked potatoes and onion

a whole white cabbage chopped (cooked from frozen)

a large tub of blanched garden peas (from freezer)

several cans of mixed veg and carrots

sprinkle with salt and pepper

a generous splurge of a variety of bottled sauces: eg. ketchup, brown sauce, horseradish

Mix together.

The hash can now be warmed in the oven and served. It has a reputation for tasting much better than it looks.

From left: Sr. Attracta, Lawrence, Rebecca and Sr. Innocentia, peeling apples. Front: two trays of magnificent hash.

For more information about the Catching Lives charity, visit www.catchinglives.org

Day for Religious at Aylesford Priory

On 23rd September 2011, Srs. Attracta, Innocentia and Clare Bernadette attended a day for religious for Southwark Diocese at Aylesford Priory. Sr. Anne, Mother General, came too, as she was visiting Canterbury for a few days. Sr. Anne Bross FMSJ also travelled with us from Canterbury.

Fr. Martin Poulsom SDB led the day. He is a Salesian of Don Bosco, a lecturer at the Religious life Institute, Heythrop and an activist for Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation. Martin is also a singer-songwriter and illustrated parts of his presentation by playing guitar and singing songs he had written. Bishop John Hine also attended the day, since Archbishop Peter Smith was otherwise engaged.

Fr. Martin gave a thought-provoking reflection about the state of religious life today with the need to unite its contemplative and active or 'prophetic' aspects. I was heartened to hear St. Francis of Assisi mentioned together with Hildegard of Bingen as two mystics who inspired a contemplative approach to creation. Yet it struck me as he spoke that the spirituality of Francis offered the very unification of contemplative and prophetic ('being' and 'doing') approaches that Fr. Martin was seeking to establish for Religious Life today. The value of this talk for me was to place Francis' significance for ecology in a wider context of Religious Life than the Franciscan family. It showed me the potential fruitfulness of dialogue, collaboration and networking with other Religious persons and groups involved in JPIC today. It was good to meet and discuss with representatives of so many different religious groups from diverse cultures.

Fr. Martin Poulsom SDB delivers his talk, 'Religious Life in the Midst of Creation, the Challenge of Justice and Peace and the Integrity of Creation.'

Srs. Innocentia and Attracta meet Sr. Elizabeth Obbard, a Religious Solitary attached to the Priory. Having been learning about the lives of women hermitesses and recluses at the time of St. Francis, they were delighted to meet in the flesh a modern version of the solitary vocation and to learn that Sr. Elizabeth follows the spirituality of Julian of Norwich, a 14th Century English recluse.

Photocall at the end of the day: Srs. Attracta and Innocentia with Sr. Anne McLaughlin (back) and Sr. Anne Bross FMSJ (front)

by Sr. Clare Bernadette

Renewal of Vows and Reception of Novice Sister

On 8th September, Sr. Rose of Lima renewed her vows in St. Joseph's Convent in the presence of Sr. Anne, Mother General and a large gathering of Sisters and other witnesses.  After lunch, Srs. Rose and Clare Bernadette took a walk on the sea front.

Later, during Evening Prayer, Attracta was received into Novitiate by Sister Anne, Mother General.


Mother General, having accepted Attracta's wish to enter Novitiate, asked Sr. Clare Bernadette, Novice Formator, to present her with the Bible and San Damiano Crucifix. Mother General then presented Attracta with the FMSL Rule and Constitutions. Finally, she was given the simple white veil of a Novice Sister.




After the Prayer, many FMSL and other witnesses were waiting to congratulate Sister Attracta. That evening, she returned with the Sisters from Canterbury to the Formation Community there, where she will be based for the next 2 years joining her fellow novice Sister Innocentia.

Please remember Srs. Rose and Attracta specially in your prayers as they continue their Franciscan journey in response to God's call.