| Description | Sunshine in Melior Street', from The Tablet, Saturday 4th January 1919, p.13.
'Our New Objective'; accompanied by further miscellany, including: Memorial Mass Order of Service for Fr John Peckham 26.01.1993; correspondence between PP Michael J. Cooley and Bishop Howard Tripp concerning the work of parish priest and difficulties encountered, 1993; Mgr. J. McGettrick to Very Rev Michael A. Harty, Bishop of Killaloe in Ireland regarding the marriage of a Catholic to a non-Catholic from a Communist country, 1977; similarly, correspondence of baptisms for the same year, all copy letters; other forms of registration and copies of an oath form, c.1976; parish priest arrangements including Chaplaincy for HMS Belfast-based City of London Sea Cadet Unit, 1973; use of Guy's Hospital for Celebration of a Catholic Marriage, 1972; letter appointing Rev. John Madden, Assistant Priest of the parish as Chaplain to Guy's Hospital, 1970; correspondence regarding Faculties, 1969; wider discussion of chaplaincy and unofficial chaplaincies at Guy's, and last sacraments for named patients, 1967-1969; correspondence related to La Salette Primary School of Melior Street, Bermondsey, including inspection information and statistics, 1965-1966; 1951-1965 discussion of baptised children, readings, use of His Lordship's Pastoral (Advent) in a parish diary produced by Graham Cummings, information on Evening Mass in relation to Guy's, more baptisms and revalidation of marriage, inauguration of a federation under the title of Senior Catholic Men's Social Club Federation in 1951; 1949 allegations made by a patient attempting to speak to a priest at the hospital; mention in 1947 of the boundary problem between Dockhead and Melior St. Parishes; 1946 discussion of a couple living in 'concubinage' and the marriage situation between them; document in Italian of 20.11.1946 signed Tommaso T[?]i; letter of gratitude for Fr Murphy in the parish from Charles Jones, 1941 with mention of Jones's health concerns; 1941 letter of gratitude for His Grace's contribution to the Seminary Fund; reference request for Rev. Charles Eric Jones to Rev. C. C. Cowderoy from London City Council, 1941 and separately for Rev. Thomas Murphy; Charles Jones writes regarding his appointment in 1940; discussion of a girl from Dr. Phillips' parish being sent as refugee to non-Catholics in New York, America in 1940 - concerns for her spiritual care are mentioned; letter to Cyril in 1940 enclosing Pia Petitio and mention of Ad Clerums; Franciscan Sisters of Fenning St., Bermondsey and approval from His Grace that one of the Peckham Fathers act as their ordinary confessor, 1938 (2); related correspondence from the Mother General of the Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement - St. Francis Convent in Graymoor, Garrison, New York in 1938 regarding the preparations for foundation in the Diocese. On April 28th 1932, Right Fr Amigo is sent a published booklet on 'O. L. of La Salette' from Wolfgang [?]; a list of funds including Quinquagesima, Lenten Alms, Ecclesiastical Education, Rosary Sunday, Bishop's Sunday, African Missions, Holy Places, Peter Pence, Propagation of the Faith, Good Shepherd Sunday and the Seminary Fund. Fr Jons given as Priest. Undated.; Letter from Alan C. Flanagan in Durrington House, Boscombe 17.08.1937 enclosing a letter from Mother General of (presumably Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement) before she sailed for America; discussion in 1937 of a one, perhaps three year trial period for the Sisters in Melior St. from Alan C. Flanagan, for Parochial Works, with the understanding that they may leave when they wish; letter from O'Riordan of Parkers' Row on 20.04.1937 regarding collectors who called on 'some of our people this side of Bermondsey', despite the boundaries having been redrawn; Fr Flanagan writes with enclosed correspondence on 25.04.1937 mentioning 'that two-and-three-quarter minute walk' and the 'impossibility of leaving things as they are'; O'Riordan is written to on 25.04.1937 with the suggestion that his statement was untruthful and inaccurate, suggesting that the only 'redrawing' to his knowledge of the boundaries was decided by the latest Boundary Committee in 1925, as approved of by the Bishop. Flanagan illustrates the reality of the circumstances of the parishioners.; 19.08.1937 letter explaining that Miss Berkeley met his Lordship at Shoreham at the Knights of St. Columbia camp and discussed were the Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement 'whom we hoped you would allow us to bring into our little St. Francis House in the parish of Our Lady of La Salette, Bermondsey' with Fr Flanagan's warm approval. He queries whether there be doubt about their maintenance in the parish. The author, [Florens?] Roch offers to support the Community whilst they work in the parish for the sum of £4 per month per nun, with this amount to be left to them in her will. Though founded in America, they have a house and novitiate in Ireland, and houses in Rome and Assisi, having been especially founded for work among the poor; a letter preceding this of 27.07.1937 from Mother Monica Francis to Rev. Arthur Flanagan regards the taking up of Settlement work in Melior St, stressing obedience to the Bishop, outlining the situation with Mass in that this would not remove numbers from the Parish, that Mrs. Roch will provide support, and that they look forward to working in Bermondsey.; a letter from Fr Flanagan's doctor to Fr Flanagan, 15.08.1936 regarding his health and how he must adhere to the doctor's suggestions, including not fasting before Mass; this generates a discussion between Fr Flanagan and Lord Bishop.; a letter of 08.02.1936 explaining that after consideration, a change of curates should take place - Frs. Kavanagh and Davis to be informed of their appointments. Flanagan is asked to represent the Bermondsey Deanery temporarily in Canon Mahony's place; Letter from J. Walsh of The Limes, Nonington, Near. Dover, to Mgr Banfi writing that he will 'report for duty' on Monday 25th to Flanagan.;
Letter to Bishop Amigo from Alfred Lucas on 01.07.1935 in anticipation of his response, his having as promised, discussed an issue with colleague Bishop Brown; another letter references Lucas's desire for a meeting. The letter is signed 'Seymour Lucas'.; a letter in response requests Lucas's patience; a follow-up letter of 08.07.1935 communicates facts from the Bishop of Southwark on a situation with Miss Woolgar and her brother, Oswald Woolgar, as regards Miss Woolgar's income. The letter is financial, and follows another letter, from Anna Mathew [?] of 27.06.1935; Alfred Seymour Lucas writes on 15.07.1935 of his considerable disappointment, referencing 'the great financial imbursement into which they have been plunged by the cruelty and inhumanity of your Father Flanagan'; the response of 18.07.1935 came that there are 'no charitable funds for such purposes as you mention' and they the Church can in no way 'mitigate' the misfortune.; Lucas writes on 06.08.1935 that Miss Woolgar is not the first victim of Fr Flanagan - referring to his other teachers and the late schoolmaster, and writes in indignation that 'this Irish charlatan is allowed by you to say Mass on the Altar'. He suggests that he shall place the 'whole of the facts in the hands of the Editor of John Bull for the edification of the public in general and the Scandal of the Catholic Church.';
Letter of 21.06.1934 to Canon Banfi from Herbert W. Loader [?] regarding Fr Rhead, Fr Quealy who was uncertain as to when he would be leaving Sutton, Fr Bayliss who was due to leave Ash', in assurance that any hitch was not his doing; letter of 03.06.1931 apologising in the delay in sending the accounts; copy letter from Southwark in Latin of June 1931; letter to Canon Banfi from Loader, regarding an apostate, Annie Andrews, whom it is hoped could be reconciled, 1931; a letter from 21.05.1931 illustrates the case against her - namely that she communicated in protestant worship, partook of the Eucharist, received communication in the protestant church; a 20.05.1931 letter suggests that the woman seeks to be reconciled with the faith;
Letter from Flanagan to Fennessy of 02.04.1930 regarding Riley's ill health; 07.05.1929 letter suggesting that Flanagan stated he would not consider being a 'consenting party to this new move'; letter from Flanagan of The Presbytery at Melior St. on 30.01.1927 having re-consecrated the High Altar; as on 22.10.1926; letter of 11.11.1923 regarding 'the Riley Case' regarding an owed sum; a letter of July 1923 indicating that there was friction in the parish, and a suggestion made that 'all activities of a parish must be under the full control of its priest'; 19.06.1923 letter regarding a meeting of the Guild of Blessed Sacrament and Fr Flanagan, where objection was taken to Flanagan's actions by G. Nolan, Warden;
1913, 1914, 1922 Foundation Mass details, with financial information about payments for: £10 for endowment of a Mass in Perpetuity for Rev. E. Buckley, memorandum from R. M. Buckley of £25, and £90 for Raeffallo and Giusseppi Manze;
Letter enclosing cheque for £25 to Richard M. Buckley's brother Fr William Buckley, for the purpose of founding two Masses to be said at Melior St. for Fr Simon McDaniel [N.D.] and Fr Edmund Buckley (22nd November);
Note that Edward P. Fennessy joined in matrimony George Ward and Ada Street in, noted by Francis Cassells, P.P. 20.01.1912;
Letter to Lord Bishop from Collierstown, Ballymahon[?] in thanks for the letter and enclosure from Mr. Powys, 05.08.1912, with the suggestion that a Sister of Charity help at Melior St. If he would provide £100 annually to maintain a third priest at Melior St., then better still, from F. Cassells, opining that Flanagan and he would struggle as is; he provides in a letter of 04.06.1912 that he feels an incapability on his part for the position; a letter of the same day from the same author reminds Lord Bishop of the discussion of a third priest at Melior St.; 07.10.1909 sending of an £80 cheque to Lord Bishop, with explanation provided by author H. M. McG[?];
Large plan of Melior Street Church, Priests' House, Schools, undated;
27.08.1918 Letter to Bishop Amigo enclosing a gift 'to be used as the previous one, my name not to be mentioned', from May Smail, with mention of paying off a debt;
01.07.1918 letter regarding a sum of £1100, informing that 'my arrangements with the Tablet' have been cancelled as far as possible without loss, with a campaign to be opened in the Catholic Times. Sender Thomas Ryan then promises to work Melior St. hence force 'as well as I can, on the normal lines of a normal Mission, without any appeals to outside help.' |