I would hope that now the Guild has its own web site many Branches will be able to keep in regular touch with each other through this medium. However, if, like me, you are still not ‘on line’ (I think that’s the phrase!) I am here ready, willing and able to spread news of the Guild through the Newsletter. All you have to do is let me have your news or any other article of interest to Guild members and I will see that it is published. It is a pity in many ways that the Newsletter is produced only twice a year and I suppose that events, or the memory of them, get lost in the mists of time. However, even though your news may seem a bit old I’m sure that there are many who would be interested enough to read about it.

My usual thanks to all those who have submitted articles and donations and I look forward to receiving more of the same!

Articles and/or donations should be addressed to:
Mr C. E. A. Merritt,
8 Venetia Road,
South Ealing,
London
W5 4JD.

Please use this address only for the Newsletter. All other Guild matters, including orders for Guild goods, are dealt with by:

The Hon. Secretary
Archconfraternity of St Stephen
c/o St Joseph's,
339 High Road,
Wembley,
Middx.
HA9 6AG.

NOTE: Our address at Wembley is for correspondence only.

There is no one there from the Guild to deal with telephone messages or personal callers.

An Ailing Council

The Central Council seems to be an ailing body. Do not be alarmed - it continues to be a very efficient committee, but a number of its members are currently ailing.

Sadly, we have just learnt that Reg Newton, our Goods Manager for the past 12 years, despite a number of set-backs to his health over several years, has died, in St Joseph’s Hospice, on 8^th October. May he rest in peace. Reg’s work for the Guild, his advice and assistance, will be sorely missed. We extend our sympathy to Maureen, his widow and assure her of our prayers. An appreciation of Reg and his work for the Archconfraternity will be published in our next Newsletter. Our National Director, Father Peter Latham, recently suffered a slight stroke but we are pleased to advise that he has now been released from hospital and we understand that he is expected to make a full recovery. Danny McElligott, one of our Honorary Counsellors, has recently undergone two major operations but is now convalescing at home. We are also advised that our Director for the Archdiocese of Liverpool, Father John Harris, is in hospital recovering from a thrombosis.

We would recommend all these good servants of the Guild for your prayers.

Annual General Meeting

This year's Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday, 3rd December 2001 at St Vincent's Convent, Carlisle Place. Westminster. The official notice of this meeting is printed elsewhere in this Newsletter. The meeting will be preceded by the annual Mass for deceased members of the Guild, which will be celebrated in the meeting room, commencing at 6.15 p.m. The meeting will follow the Mass, at 7.30 p.m., allowing time for members to meet one another and chat before the meeting. Light refreshments will be provided and Guild Goods will be available for purchasing.

The annual elections to the Central Council will take place during the A.G.M. and enclosed with this Newsletter are full details of these elections and a form for nominating persons for election to the Council. Please study these and consider whether or not you are in a position to assist with the work of the Council. It is permissible for you to nominate yourself!

Annual Westminster Mass For Altar Servers

The Annual mass for Altar Servers is being planned for SATURDAY, 9TH FEBRUARY, 2002 and it is hoped that our Superior General, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor will be the Principal Celebrant. Full details of the Mass will be sent to our London Circulation List, early in the New Year.

Annual Guild Dinner

The date for next year's Annual Dinner has been agreed as Wednesday, 8th May, 2002. It will again be held in the Parish Centre of Holy Trinity Church, Brook Green. Further details will be circulated nearer to the date.

Revised "Rules of Procedure"

At an Extra-ordinary General Meeting of the Archconfraternity held in May a revised set of "Rules of Procedure" was adopted. These are the rules governing the operation of the Central Council. The main alterations concern the make up of the Central Council and the procedure for election thereto.These amendments are reflected in the papers. concerning the elections, enclosed with this Newsletter.

Guild Goods

Reg Newton's role as Goods Manager has been taken on by Kevin Bryant (St Anne's, Underwood Road), a co-opted member of the Central Council. We are grateful to Kevin for stepping into the breach. Kevin will also be relieving Will Marriott of the task of despatching Silver Medals and other awards. Orders for goods should continue to be addressed to the Goods Manager, Archconfraternity of St Stephen, c/o St Joseph's, 339 High Road, Wembley, Middx, HA9 6AG.

You are reminded that it is essential to allow plenty of time when ordering goods for St Stephen's Day. We ask that orders should reach us six weeks before the date (by mid November). We cannot guarantee that orders received after the beginning of December will be dealt with before Christmas.

Guild Handbook

The Guild Handbook has recently been out of stock. It is being reprinted to include some amendments to the chapter on the History of the Guild. We are assured that the new supply will be available within a few weeks in ample time to meet the pre St Stephen's Day demands.

A New Award

Over the past few years the Council has had to turn down a number of requests for the award of the Archconfratemity's Gold Medal because the proposed recipient, although having served for more than fifty years, has not been a member of the Guild for all of that time. (The qualification for the Gold Medal is fifty years’ serving as a member of the Guild.)

The Council has therefore introduced a new award "The Gold Medal of Merit" for those who have served for a minimum of fifty years but not necessarily as a member of the Guild. The award will be subject to the approval of the Central Council and a special application form will be required. As it is not proposed to engrave these medals they will normally be available from stock at a cost of £100.00 each.

Guild Visit to Rome 2001

In late July a party of 100 servers (male & female), chaplains and spouses of senior servers, ranging in age from 10 years to 84 years, spent a week in Rome and Assisi. Although the trip was not without problems, starting with a lad arriving at the airport with a passport more than two years out of date and ending with a young lady damaging her leg in an argument with a car in Assisi, the visit was a great success and was thoroughly enjoyed by the majority of the group. The Rome Committee would like to thank all those chaplains and leaders who contributed to this success.

My Time in Rome and Assisi
It was quite an early start as the plane that would take us to Rome left at 8.15. I felt quite nervous as my Mum and Dad disappeared around the corner I had never been abroad alone before. The flight was very nice and I especially liked the Flight Breakfast they gave us. When my Group arrived (Group A) we had to wait a long time for the coaches to pick us up but we got to the Hostel in the end in time for a late lunch. The Hostel we stayed at in Rome was very nice but it was let down by it’s breakfasts which weren’t very exciting. It had a piano for all those who could play (including myself) to show off their musical talents in the evenings, and a very good display of cars and motor bikes for people to buy. With not much to do in the evenings, some of the boys went off in search of a football pitch to play on and half an hour later a very boisterous game of football was being played in the field next door.

Going to Rome one of the things that you mustn’t miss is St Peter’s Square. It is a beautiful circle of pillars with a very tall and old obelisk in the middle. Coming with St Peter’s Square is St Peter’s Basilica, a huge and stunning building with lovely paintings on the roof and floor, making your own church feel like a whitewashed old shed.

Another thing we went to see was the magnificent Colloseum. The giant arena was really wonderful and the best part of my trip. Although massive and wonderful now you have to remember that there were also seven outer walls which have eroded away leaving a small circle compared to the full and new thing. For lunch we usually went to a restaurant and the food was very nice and I tried a lot of new foods. We had a problem in one or two restaurants when we discovered that the waiters didn’t speak English but with a lot of signing and pointing we got there in the end.

After a lovely few days in Rome we packed our bags and set off for the lovely town of Assisi. When we got there we discovered that the Hostel food was a lot nicer than in Rome and we enjoyed it a lot more. One really funny thing I will always remember is the way everyone woke up at 7am because of the booming bells coming from Basilica della Santa Maria next door. I myself found it a very useful alarm clock. In our day there we went to the Basillica of St Francis where I myself read in the Mass that we attended. And we visited the tombs of St Francis and St Clare. All in all I really enjoyed my stay in Rome and Assisi and I really want to go again.

Paul Coleman (aged 12)

A Job Well Done!

It was mentioned above that Kevin Bryant would be taking over. from Will Marriott, the task of despatching Guild Awards.

Will Marriott, KSG, is a brother of the late Canon John Marriott, a former National Director of the Archconfraternity. When Will retired from his occupation as a Bank Manager in the late 1960s (about 1967), the Guild was struggling to find someone to fill the role of Goods Manager and the Canon persuaded Will to assist him in this capacity. Will fulfilled this role with great dedication until Reg Newton took over in 1989, but even then continued the work of dealing with all requests for Guild Awards. Now, at the age of 97, Will has decided that he has done enough and is grateful to be relieved of that job. It is difficult to know how adequately to express the Council's thanks for his dedicated service and its appreciation of the tremendous support Will has received throughout this time from his wife May (of a similar age). We can only hope that the Good Lord will give them yet more years to enjoy life together and we assure them of our prayers for their future well-being.

How we can travel the road to God

Some years ago Cardinal Hume published the following article. I, like so many others, get so much out of his writings. I find them encouraging and spiritually uplifting no matter when or whatever season I read them. As Cardinal Hume reflects on death in the earlier part of the article, I thought it particularly relevant in the month of November when we turn our thoughts and prayers to those of our loved ones who have gone to their rest in the hope of rising again.

With the benefit of hindsight I find the article most poignant when recalling the wonderful example he gave us all when preparing for his own death in June 1999.

May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace. Amen.

Michael Chute
Member of the Central Council.

"As a small boy in Newcastle, I remember seeing a funeral procession. It was the first time I had seen a coffin. I was told it held a dead person going to the cemetery. I couldn’t accept death was the end. I knew I didn’t want to die. Life was too good.

As a teenager I reflected further. Death seemed such a mockery. Was all human achievement just to be tossed away, buried or burned?

I slowly realised that death was not the end of all that I loved, but a new beginning – I saw it as a gateway. I realised that I was not a permanent resident of this world, but a pilgrim walking through life.

And so began my journey in search of something, or indeed someone, who would make sense of my life.

Many people share this heartfelt longing. But the journey is always a personal one. No one can undertake it for another.

Others will have different starting points, leading them to see life as a pilgrimage.

The start for some may be a great shock or sadness – the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, a terminal illness.

For others it may be a good experience like falling in love or having children.

I see these as hints from God showing us that life’s riches and gifts point beyond themselves to a deeper everlasting joy.

As I grew older I recognised that the longing inside me was the beckoning of a loving God calling me.

What lies at the end of our earthly journey is not to be ignored or dreaded. Death can become a friend because there is Someone beyond it, ready to welcome and embrace all who truly seek Him.

If we honestly seek Him we shall find Him. But how do we know which direction to take?

We need guidance to find the right road, forgiveness when we have gone wrong, healing when we are wounded and strength to keep going.

Some are led to seek these in the Catholic Church. One reason is that the Church speaks with authority about the basics of Christianity.

It gives security and confidence. The Church points the way to God clearly and with a sure touch. It also provides moral guidance, warning us of pitfalls and dangers on the journey to the vision of God.

We all stumble and fall occasionally, but the Church always offers God's forgiveness and healing.

We are helped to resume our journey, refreshed and renewed.

The Church is uncompromising about moral principles but compassionate and understanding when people fail.

As a friend put it, "The Catholic Church is not a museum for saints, but a hospital for sinners." The Church may not prevent our suffering or take away our sorrows.

But even shocks and sadnesses can lead us closer to God, who says: "Come to me all you who labour and are burdened. I will give you rest."

That gives courage to keep on the pilgrimage through life with a lighter step. People on a journey of faith need each other.

So another reason why people are sometimes drawn to the Catholic Church is that they feel that this is where they belong. They are at home there.

The Catholic Church is primarily a community of people. To be a Catholic is to belong to a family which prays, believes and acts together.

Life is a journey to God. As we walk, we strive to love God and our fellow men and women.

The most profound truth of my faith is that there is Someone who loves me totally in spite of my weaknesses and failures. That keeps me going."

TRAINING VIDEO SUB-COMMITTEE

The Training Video Sub-committee has continued its work over the past few months. Valuable suggestions have been received from a few members. It was suggested that, rather than produce a Video, we should produce a DVD/CDRom. It was felt that this would be less expensive, both to produce and to market, and would, consequently, be a more attractive proposition. The Central Council has approved this proposal. The content of the production would not be affected to any degree.

Progress has been slow bur sure. Even though there is still some way to go before the finished article will be ready, we are getting there!

Roger Burton

Chairman

Archdiocese of Westminster

Church of Our Lady, St John’s Wood.

On Saturday 10th February, over 20 of our servers with their parents boarded a coach to Westminster Cathedral for the Annual Altar Servers’ Mass. The main celebrant this year was Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue, Bishop in West London. As in previous years we had a competition, which was won for the second successive year by James Timbers (aged 10). His summary of the Bishop's homily was as follows:

"In his homily the Bishop asked us if we liked stories. He told us three stories about the Church. The first story was that he had worked in the Cathedral for 11 years and used to do confessions in a confession box on the right hand side of the Cathedral. He said that he had heard many confessions but one boy had stood out from the rest. This boy was 11 years old and was very holy. The Bishop told us he had never met a boy as holy as this young boy and that he was almost like a saint and was probably the most holy person he had ever met.

The second story was about a recently married couple who lived in Cricklewood and would be woken at around 5 to 7 every morning by a young boy and girl who used to run past their house. The couple made enquiries around the neighbourhood and found out that this young boy and girl were altar servers running to the 7 o’clock Mass at St Agnes’ Church. This set such a good example that they decided to change their religion.

The final story was about a young Christian who lived in Rome. At the time Christians were being hunted and persecuted. This man was called Tarcissius and he used to bring Holy Communion to the sick and dying. The soldiers of the Emperor heard about him and killed him. But while Tarcissius was being killed he still protected the Holy Communion hidden in his clothes.

After these three stories, the Bishop thanked everyone for listening and asked us if we could do a little something for him and this small thing was to kneel down at some point every day and to tell Jesus how much you love him. Then he said that many people ask the question what is it to be holy?'. He told us the answer is simply that to be holy is to love Jesus and to know Jesus and lots about his life and have a wonderful relationship with him.'

James was presented with a book token at the Altar Servers Annual Meeting on 18th March. Also on that occasion Jacqueline Anyanwu and Chibuzor Uchea were presented with certificates for 5 years’ service in the Guild of St Stephen. The winners of the Group Competition were Group E led by Mark Woods and also including John Cheung, Ryan Woods, Ben Clarke, Adam Cheung, Sami Diab and Daniel Meredith. Congratulations to them all.

At the 10.0 Mass on St Patrick's Day, 9 altar servers were enrolled into the Guild of St Stephen:

Emmanuel Ngozi Nkadi, Nelson Barbosa, Ivan Davila, Maxim D'Souza, Paris McCullough, Marc Perez, Dominic Rogan, Ryan Woods and Longwa Yosem. We now have 90 servers, 54 of whom are in the Guild of St Stephen.

Fr Colin Davies
Parish Priest.

Sts Peter & Paul, Northfields

Saturday 8^th September was a very special day for our Parish community. It was then that we celebrated the 75^th Anniversary of the founding of the Parish, and the 70^th Anniversary of the building of the present church. The whole Parish came together, with a number of past priests of the Parish, for a wonderful celebration of Mass. All the various organisations took part in some way and our servers excelled themselves with a very good turn out in numbers and by their contribution to a marvellous celebration of the liturgy.

Our Guild was formed in 1932 and our current membership is the highest it has ever been. We are looking forward to another enrolment on St Stephen’s Day when those who have been serving regularly for a year or more will receive their medals. We had a large influx of new servers after the summer holiday – some 18 in all!

Unfortunately we’ve temporarily lost the services of John McCarthy who has gone to Bristol University, but I’m grateful for the help of some of the older servers who assist me at the weekly servers’ practise.

C Merritt MC.

St Etheldreda’s Ely Place

In June, Michael Moriarty, who is MC at St Etheldreda’s Church, Ely Place, London, and a member of the Central Council of the Archconfraternity of St Stephen, received his gold medal after more than 50 years as a member of the Guild of St Stephen from the Rector and Parish Priest, Fr Kit Cunnigham, IC, MBE.

Currently the Immediate Past President of the Chartered Institute of Journalists, which he joined as a junior reporter on the Kent Messenger in 1963, Michael has also been honoured by the Institute by being elected a Fellow. The presentation of his fellowship was made at a ceremony at the House of Lords on October 22^nd when the Institute was staging a Diplomatic Reception for Press Attachés at embassies and high commissions in London.

Diocese of Plymouth

St Mary & St Petroc’s,

Bodmin, Cornwall

As Bodmin’s first female altar server back in 1991, it was a very special day for me on Sunday 22^nd July, 2001, when I was presented with my Silver Medal by our Parish Priest, Fr Guy, for completing 10 years in the Guild.

Many thanks to our MC, Pat Jephcote for all his advice and encouragement over the years.

Gloria de Prazer.

Diocese of Lancaster

Altar Servers of Kirkham Deanery Unite!

The first Mass of its kind was celebrated on 6^th June at Our Lady Star of the Sea, St Anne’s. This Mass was for all the servers of the Kirkham Deanery. There was a great sense of joy and excitement as the various teams came together as one family, to share one bread and one cup, a living sacrifice of praise. It has been decided to make this an annual event in the Deanery.

The celebration brought together 50 servers from all over the Deanery to Our Lady's. It was interesting to witness the differences in theirapproach to serving. The team as a whole consists of 40% Ladies and 60% Gentlemen. This is a great move forward and very encouraging since the introduction of women into serving. The age range of the servers was from 7 to 76, the majority being between 7 and 20. It was most uplifting to see so many young people actively involved and their enthusiasm knew no bounds.

The congregation consisted not just of the parents and families but also parishioners that came along to support the servers and encourage them with their prayers. The atmosphere was unique. It was a High Mass, with responses sung by a beautiful choir. The lovely sweet smell of incense, the array of candles and the numerous servers all contributed to what could only be described as a spectacle. Also included in the celebration was the enrolment of 4 servers into the Guild, Christy Barlow, Katy Kendall, Jane Martins and Anna-Marie Walsh. Not all the parishes who attended were Guild Branches, but in seeing the sense of reward given by the Guild, hopefully others may decide to join.

The Mass was offered for the servant of the servants of God - Pope John Paul and also for the Guild of St Stephen and its invaluable work.

I would like to say a huge Thank You to all the Clergy who con-celebrated the Mass and made it possible; Fr Carey (PP & Chief Celebrant), also in attendance, Fr Cooper VF (Kirkham), Fr Bootle (Wesham), Fr Gibson (Freckleton), Fr Turner & Fr Geoghegan (Ansdell), and also those who were with us in spirit. May the Lord bless and guide them always.

Finally, Thank You to all the MC's and Servers who came in great numbers to celebrate the Mass, I hope they felt the saving power and presence of the Lord enter their hearts and so inspire them to keep their eyes fixed on the Lord, ever present before us in the awesome gift of the Blessed Sacrament.

Paul Briers PMC