Colwich Abbey - Chronicle 2006

The Colwich Chronicle

St. Mary's Abbey Colwich Stafford ST18 0UF

Advent 2006

Abbess Gertrude re-elected

The community re-elected Mother Gertrude Baker in April for a second term as Abbess. She was first elected in 1994 and has served for 12 years. Later this year she celebrated her 80th birthday quietly with the community. The Abbot President, Abbot Richard Yeo, celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving on this occasion. We all owe her a great debt of thanks too!

Solemn Benedictine Profession of Sister Sheila

Sister Sheila Kearney made her Solemn Benedictine Profession on 20th March, the Solemnity of Saint Joseph.

She began her religious life with the Visitation Sisters and has spent five years at Colwich preparing to join the community as a permanent member. This was the first Solemn Profession at Colwich for some years. The Abbot President presided, and concelebrated with many priests.

There was a host of guests, from the Visitation Sisters, family and friends. The singing of the profession chants and Sister Sheila's offering of herself to God in the community made a deep impression on all.

Sister Sheila with her godmother
Sr S

Stability in the Community

The vows that Benedictines make are: Obedience, Conversion of Life and Stability in the Community.

Sr Cordis with Daughters of Mary
Sr C

On 29th July, the Feast of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus, it was the turn of Sister Cordis Onwuegbuna to make her Promise of Stability for three years. Sister Cordis is transferring from the Nigerian Congregation of the Daughters of Mary, Mother of Mercy. She has been with us for two years.

Before that she was engaged for some years in pastoral work in England. Her Provincial from London and other Daughters of Mary attended the ceremony, and danced and sang the offertory procession at Mass with Sister Cordis.

Oblates

Two new oblates made their oblation this year. They promise to live according to the spirit of the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict as far as their circumstances and surroundings allow. On 27th May, the Feast of Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Teresa Young made her oblation, taking the name Sister Mary Magdalen. On 2nd August, Maria Cholerton made her oblation.

The Passing of Friends

Our tenants the Middletons have been in the Abbey Cottages as long as any one can remember. After a time of illness, James Middleton died on 8th December 2005, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady. Never separated in life, they could not long be parted. Jean Middleton died on 26th January 2006. May they rest in peace. Our sympathies go to Barry Middleton, who remains our tenant, and to the rest of the family.

Platinum Chaplain

Congratulations are due to Father Edward Delepine, monk of Fort Augustus and Ampleforth Abbeys. He has been our Chaplain at Colwich now for 12 years. This year he quietly kept his 88th birthday. Soon afterwards he took it very calmly when his brand new printer/fax machine was struck by lightning as he sat in his room saying his Office. He rounds off the year with his Platinum Jubilee of Clothing, celebrated with Holy Mass at Colwich with fellow priests and friends.

"Let them vanish like water that runs away" (Psalm 57:8)

We survived various domestic disasters: a water leak in a disused outbuilding that never showed a drop on the ground but certainly showed up on the bill; torrential rain that flooded the cloister on one occasion, and wrecked the fan on the central heating chimney another; several fairly short interruptions of electricity, and one quite long one of telephone. Two successful insurance claims redressed the balance!

Day of Prayer

All that paled into insignificance compared with the disasters afflicting various parts of the world. In particular, we took part in the Holy Father's day of prayer and penance for peace in the Middle East.

Seventy Years Ago: from the Colwich Chronicle 1936

We had an odd experience with an aeroplane, a private one it is said. The pilot brought it down just over the roof and proceeded to gambol with it, turning somersaults and twirling about. This happened on two successive days, and the second day he completed his performance by flying past the dormitory windows. Mother Cellerere saw him distinctly from her room on the ground floor; unluckily she did not see his number, his advent took her by surprise, so that there was no complaining to the police of his illegal behaviour. One wonders if he were trying to induce the nuns to run out and look at him. If so he must have been woefully disappointed as he was only seen by Mother Cellerere and two or three who were at work in the poultry pens.