Church of Our Lady & St. Wilfrid,

150th Anniversary Booklet

This month marks the 150th anniversary of St. Wilfrid’s Church and the 125th anniversary of St. Wilfrid’s School. This history book has been written to commemorate these two anniversaries and to understand, appreciate and give thanks for the many past priests and parishioners who strove tirelessly to build and develop a community.

The CHS has been pleased to write and publish this book for the South Wight Parish. It has a FOREWORD by Bishop Philip and Father Joe.

The booklet is available at the three churches of South Wight for just £2-50; or, it can be ordered

from our society. E. mail [email protected]

St. Wilfrid - Patron of the Island and titular patron of Ventnor’s .

This is a copy of a painting by Madeleine Beard, a Catholic artist and writer, and one of our mainland CHS members. The framed painting will be presented to South Wight parish next month, for St. Wilfrid’s Church, and to mark their 150th anniversary.

th S t. Saviour’s, Totland – 150 anniversary On the First Friday of September a special Mass celebrating the 150th anniversary of St. Saviour’s Church in Totland was offered in Weston Manor Chapel (just a stone’s throw from the church). It was the Ward family who built Weston Manor in 1871 and obtained permission to have their own family chapel within the house. They made it available for the Catholics of West Wight. William Ward was a contemporary of St. John Henry Newman and an influential figure in the Oxford Movement with the Church of . After converting to Catholicism, he was influential and supportive initially in , before moving to Totland. The chapel is exquisite with a marble altar (see photo - right) and adorned with wall paintings depicting symbols of Christ’s Crucifixion (nails, hammer, sponge, vinegar etc). This chapel served as the parish church of West Wight until the present St. Saviour’s Church was built in 1923. Catholics were delighted to be able to return to Weston Manor chapel for this Mass, offered by Fr. Emmanuel. It was tinged with some sadness, as this was just four days before Father leaves the Island and returns to his native Nigeria. In his sermon at the Mass, he reminded the people of the Ward family’s desire to provide a suitable home for the Mass and the for the spiritual nourishment of the Catholics of the surrounding area. We remember with gratitude the initiative of William and Frances Ward, as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of this beautiful chapel. After the Mass, a buffet lunch was arranged to the parish hall, where there was also an exhibition and display of some of the church vestments and a history of the chapel. The Mass, lunch and the exhibition was planned and co-ordinated by one of the parishioners, Barbie Straker. She has also written a history of St. Saviour’s, Totland, which is available from the church.

There is an article on the CHS website, which describes religious life at the chapel and how Holy Week was celebrated in 1905. Click on this link to read it:- Catholic History Society (iow-chs.org)

Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form) Latin Masses in the Extraordinary Form have been offered here on the Island for the past thirty three years. These Masses, they are continuing to be offered both here on the Island; mainly at Cowes; and at other churches in the where they have been celebrated on a regular basis; with Bishop Philip’s approval and support.

Latin Masses at St. Thomas’s are on Thursdays at 12 noon, with Confessions and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 11-15am.

Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham Inaugurated by Benedict For details of Ordinariate Masses here on the Island please contact Fr. Jonathan Redvers Harris. Tel. 07847521717 E. mail. [email protected] Poetry Corner Creation By Paul Howe of

This tiny, brittle thin, This life He made for us; Was it not fragile, this dust He gathered there to breathe upon? Particles to bring this man, And then this woman into being, Unique within the universe The Lord God was lonely, so He made man in His own image, Adam and Eve, to be created, to live a while In the Innocence of Eden, then through disobedience Of sin, to die …. Yet we are worthy through His Grace, To become the daughters and sons of God, Redeemed children of the Light.

Holy Communion By Elizabeth Foley of Seaview

I need to concentrate so well For at the Consecration bell If I could see with angel's eyes Heaven touches earth, but hidden lies From us who round the altar kneel, Where forms of bread and wine conceal THE SON OF GOD; Whose waiting there, Prepared with each Himself to share, At Communion in each breast Jesus Christ is each soul's guest. What preparation did I make? Or do I let the time slip by Complacent of my company? My Guardian Angel help me be Alert at all times God's with me. Please join me angel as I raise Songs in my heart of love and praise The Queen of Fair Women By Edmund Matyjaszek of Ryde

Tender to the touch A womb so warm, Beginning to bulge beneath the dress; A slight wobble in the walk, a breath Deeply taken, the lungs' lunge; While below the heart A sharp pain of joy and pride.

She walks through the crowded streets of her husband, Stops for the mild gossip of the morning, Carrying fresh fish, or hens' eggs, Goose feathers for a softer bed; Almost careless in grace, so abundant With the living presence of her Lord. Though years will take tears to tell, Shattering sorrow, bitter grief, bitter beyond words, Nothing can take away that morning When she stepped out lightly, laden with love

Confirmation Hymn By Andrew Pellow of Nettlestone

Confirm Lord, our heart’s desire From this day forth we turn to you As we before you bow, And with one voice declare; Pour on us your celestial fire; The Christian life we hold in view Take every part as you require; “Almighty God, our lives renew” – O come and bless us now. This is our fervent prayer.

Breathe your Spirit from above Our trust is in the Father, Son As we this promise make, And Holy Spirit, three; Descend upon us like a dove A pilgrim’s journ ey now begun; And fill us with undying love; In Him, by faith, agree. Defend us for your sake.

These poems and many others written by CHS members, can be found in a Poetry Book. Details on the CHS website.

20th Anniversary - Annual Walk from Ryde to Quarr

This year’s annual Walk from Ryde to was on the Feast of the Assumption. It was most appropriate walking from a parish (Ryde) where the church is dedicated to Our Lady, to an abbey (Quarr) also dedicated to Our Lady. Thirty four people joined the walk. This was a much improved attendance at this (Post Covid) time, for the 20th anniversary of this annual walk, organised by the Island Catholic History Society. (Picture below at the start of the walk. )

The origins of the walk, however, go back to Victorian times when Catholics would walk on Sunday afternoons in summer to the Medieval Cistercian ruins to pray for the return of monastic life to Quarr. This prayer was answered by God when the moved to Quarr in 1907 from Appuldurcombe (on the south of the Island). This short annual pilgrimage (just three miles) emphasises our affiliation with our Victorian Catholic ancestors who walked the same route.

The group was accompanied once again by Fr. Jonathan Redvers Harris, who has been a keen participant and supporter of this annual walk. It was good also to welcome Sister Philomena; a Dominican , who was staying on retreat at St. Cecilia’s Abbey. The pilgrims stopped en route at Westfield House, the former Summer residence of the Spencer family. The Passionist priest, Venerable Ignatius Spencer, converted to Catholicism in 1830 and was ordained in 1832. He spent his Summer holidays as a child at Westfield House. Just a few hundred yards away is Buckland Grange, the former home of the Bowden family. They were former Anglican friends of John Henry Newman. Like Newman, they converted to Catholicism and two of the family became Oratorian priests through Newman’s influence. In September, 1865 Newman came here to Ryde to spend a few days with the Bowdens at Buckland Grange. Whilst there, he celebrated Mass in St. Mary’s Church, before moving on to Swainstone Manor at Calbourne to visit Sir John Simeon, the convert Catholic M.P. for the Island in the 1860s and another former Anglican friend of Newman. The half way stop en route was the Medieval Church of Holy Cross at (once served from Quarr Abbey, wher Hilary Spurgeon gave us an interesting history of the church and its historical association with Quarr. We stopped then at the Cistercian ruins, where Ed Matyjaszek read a T.S. Eliot poem “Little Gidding” which describes the atmosphere surrounding abbey ruins; also, “Ode to Quarr” by Blake Everitt; and one of his own poems, “The Vigil of the Assumption” (most apt for today’s feast The group arrived at the abbey for the Office of NONE; after which, Xavier spoke the group about the Feast of the Assumption. He reminded us that this feast encourages us to look towards heaven and with Mary’s help and intercession, we can prepare for eternal life with Almighty God. Some of the walkers were able to stay for Solemn Vespers of the

Assumption followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. To learn learn more about the history of both the Medieval Cistercian abbey and the present Benedictine abbey at Quarr, click on this link:- www.quarrabbey.org

Picture above – Ed Matyjaszek speaks to the pilgrims at the Medieval Cistercian ruins. Below – Ed reads a poem outside the abbey. Farewell to Fr. Emmanuel Father writes:- “Thank you and goodbye! After six years of mission on the Island and nine and half years in Portsmouth diocese, I have come to the end of my ministry in the UK. I originally came to study before I got into ministry. I depart with a deep sense of gratitude to God for his unfailing love. I thank Bishop Crispian and Bishop Philip for the opportunity to serve in the diocese and for their fatherly love. And I also thank you my beloved parishioners for all you did to support my ministry and for the moments of grace we shared together. I entrust you all to God’s safe-keeping; to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. May the love of these two dear hearts never desert us in our Churches, families, schools, hospital and community. Do make welcome my priests who are succeeding me – Fr Joe McNerney and Fr Stephen Vooght”. Oremus pro invicem

Farewell to Fr. Joe Inevitably, there was much sadness at the departure of Fr. Jozef Gruszkiewicz last week after six years ministry. Father was the Pastoral Co-ordinator for the Isle of Wight. In this role he co-ordinated all Catholic practices and events which gave witness to the faith on the Island. Father Jozef introduced Polish Masses at Sacred Heart, , as well as the popular monthly Healing Services. It’s not easy having three churches in your parish, that, less then twenty years ago, ere three separate, independent parishes, each with their own priest. We remember Father accompanying us on the 2016 pilgrimage to Walsingham.

The CHS wish both priests well in their new parishes and we thank them for their support of our society. Kathy Grover R.I.P. Your charitable prayers are requested for the eternal repose of the soul of Kathy Grover of , who died recently, after a short illness, having been fortified by the Rites of Holy Mother Church. She is seen here with Fr. Glaysher. Kathy had been a CHS member for 15 years and accompanied us on several pilgrimages. She was a member of Ryde parish’s Latin group. Kathy was keen on local history and she was a guide at St. Mildred’s Church, Whippingham. Two years ago, she contributed this poem (below) to our society’s published poetry book. Her Funeral Mass is on Tuesday, 21st September (Feast of St. Matthew) at 10-00am at St. Michael’s, Bembridge. Requiescat in pace.

The Three‘Rs’ By Kathleen Grover

Refresh, Renew and Repent During this season of Lent And I meant, To do these things!

What can I give up, what can I do without? Absolutely Nought! The Lord knows my weaknesses, He knows my ways He knows what I can’t do without for 40 long days!

But God is Good, God is Wise He will find a way for me to compromise. I pray in the morning and each night before bed Knowing that his message will creep into my head,

To show me the way, give me a clue As to what I’m to do.

I knew He was listening, It’s come to me at last But I must act fast The days of temptation are almost down to nil, Not much time left for my penance to fulfil. New Book by Joanna Bogle

The Servants of God Mother Riccarda Hambrough and Mother Katherine Flanagan, English women called to serve the Church as Bridgettine , provided a courageous witness during the Second World War, sheltering Jews from Nazi persecution. Their story is the story of many religious in wartime Italy, and it provides a special insight into the role of the Church, often much misunderstood, and of Pope Pius XII himself. Here is a clear account of the inspirational lives of these two holy women, and of the heroic stance of the Pope himself. Mother Riccarda (1887-1966) is remembered especially for helping to hide about sixty Italian Jews from the Nazis during the Second World War in her Rome convent, the Casa di Santa Brigida. There are several Isle of Wight associations in this book. At one time, the Hambrough family owned Steephill Castle in Ventnor and Riccarda was greatly influenced by Fr. Benedict Williamson, the architect of Sacred Heart Church, Shanklin (built in 1906 …. destroyed by a wartime born in 1943).

The book is £6.99 from Gracewing Books 2 Southern AVE Leominster HR6 OWF or on line from www.gracewing.org. It can also be purchased from Amazon.

**************************************************** The Catholic Bishops of Arundel and Brighton

By Dr. Paul Severn Price £4-00 Copies available from the society E.mail [email protected] New for St. Cecilia’s Abbey On Wednesday 15 September (Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows) Sheila Macrae (photo – right) made her commitment as a Secular Benedictine Oblate. The short, simple ceremony took place during Mass.

Sheila chose the Oblate name of Sr. Columba (the dove). Her motto is: Veni Sancte Spiritus and her symbol is the Burning Bush (the symbol of the Church of Scotland where, as a child, she began her spiritual journey). Please remember Sheila in your prayers.

Anniversaries September 14th Sept. Titular Feast of (former) Holy Cross Church, Seaview (closed 2011) Opening of St. Saviours Chapel, Weston Manor, Totland Bay (1871) 15th Sept. Anniversary of the consecration of St. Patrick's, . (1938) First Mass at St. Mary’s, Ryde offered by Fr. A. Glaysher (2008) 20th Sept. Anniversary of the consecration of St. Thomas's, Newport (1992) 24th Sept. Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham. Inauguration of Bishop Philip Egan as Bishop of Portsmouth (2012) Titular Solemnity of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham 25th Sept. Opening of the third Sacred Heart Church, Shanklin (1949) 29th Sept. Feast of St. Michael. Patronal Feast of St. Michael's, Bembridge Restoration of English Catholic Hierarchy by Pope Pius IX (1850) October 5th Oct. First (Post ) Episcopal visitation to the Island (1794) 8th Oct. Foundation stone of second Sacred Heart Church, Shanklin (1906) 9th Oct. Memorial - St. John Henry Newman. Ordinariate Patronal Festival. 12th Oct. Feast of St. Wilfrid, Patron of the Isle of Wight. Anniversary of the dedication of St. Cecilia’s Abbey (1907) Anniversary of the dedication of Quarr Abbey (1912) 20th anniversary of inauguration of IoW Catholic History Society 24th Oct Death - Bp. William Cotter of Portsmouth - former Ryde P.P. (1940)

Keep in touch with the CHS

We would be delighted to receive any articles / information / photographs of events relating to Catholic history and culture from all areas of the Island.

Peter (on behalf of IoW Catholic History Society)