New Year 2006


Dear Pelicans

I've been out of touch since February  last year for which I have an excuse of sorts (bowel cancer).

We had 2 reunions during 2005: Bishops Waltham in mid-May for Pentecost and Preston 6 June.  Zelda and I were at Blacklion for Cemetery Sunday at the end of July to stand by Peter McKenzie's grave.


(source : Michael Byrne)

Turn out for the reunion at Bishop's Waltham, May 2005 — taken outside Our Lady, Queen of Apostles church (built in the old Priory grounds for local parishioners).
Front : Pauline Guilfoyle, John Morton, Zelda, Margaret Morton, Eugene MacBride and Peter Vale-Humphreys
Back : Tony Guilfoyle, Mike Byrne and a lady that I know but whose name I have forgotten (sorry).


At Preston (to fete Leslie Croaghan and his wife Joyce home on holiday from New Mexico): Fr Patrick Harrity (our host), Peter Finn, Pat and Pauline Menzies, Robert and Jess Clyde, Pat and Norma Gibbons, Chas Robinson, Paul West, Bernard Melling, Chris Benton, Zelda and me.  Muriel and Jean made us an absolutely A-1 lunch and the craic was good all through. (Photo below)

I learn to my amazement  that at the end of this academic year, the WFs are closing up St Edward's, Totteridge where they've had a theology school since the end of 'sHeerenberg in 1958.  I don't know what happens to Oak Lodge.  Theology students will now train in Africa or France.

John Strain tells me that the present student body will say goodbye at St Alban's church, Tilford Road, Beacon Hill, HINDHEAD, Surrey GU26 6PX on MOTHERING SUNDAY 26 MARCH 2006.  The service will start at 10.30.  Fr Pat Shanahan will preach.  There will be lunch afterwards.

With Fr Buckley's blessing we will be having our annual reunion at Bishops Waltham this year on Friday 2 June, Saturday Whitsun Eve 3 June and Pentecost Sunday 4 June.  If you need accommodation, Tom Wilkie is still in business.  Phone him now on (01489) 890188.  For our Saturday (3 June) trip this year, we plan to do the Watercress Line at Arlesford.  My number is (01476) 561890 if you need to be in touch

Are you thinking Africa?  Well, it would certainly seem so to judge from the money flowing into our treasurer's pouch.  Remember that if you send a cheque made out to The Pelicans (Pat Gibbons, 84 Albert Rd West, Bolton, Lancs BL1 5ED) Pat gets it out to Africa  without a penny skimmed-off.  And you can nominate where you want it to go!

Might you be interested in a Pelican Reunion in Rome for October this year, our first in the Eternal City since 1999 when we were mistaken at the General Audience for Juridical Vicars? I've been asked to float the idea but as ever, if I don't get any positive or quasi-positive replies, I shall quickly allow it to sink.

If you're interested, say yes and I'll see what we can do.  I shall take a prolonged silence as a heartfelt no.



Dominus vobiscum, Eugene