Father Dickinson's News Page

FINAL CURTAIN FOR A GREAT ACTOR (12/08/08)

Terence Rigby, who died yesterday, and who had a long and very distinguished career on stage, in films and on TV, was born and brought up in the Abbey parish, and  parishioners remember his gifted performances in our parish amateur productions back in the 1950s.  My more recent memories are of him walking up and down the path in our cemetery memorising his script. 

GOODBYE DES (11/08/08)

Des Furey, who has kept the Abbey grounds in a spectacular condition for nearly twenty-five years has retired.  It is hard to imagine him putting his feet up, and I'm sure he will still find plenty to do, but we sincerely thank him for his outstanding service.

WELCOME VISITOR (02/08/08)

We are always glad to welcome former priests of the Abbey community, and this week we have had the pleasure of a visit from Fr. Michael O'Flynn.  After 35 years giving parish missions and retreats throughout the British Isles he is now resident in our Irish retreat centre is Esker, and still busy welcoming priest retreatants and serving the local people who frequent the church.

FREE TO TRAVEL (31/07/08)

Our leader, Fr. Gabby Maguire, celebrates his 60th birthday today.  His efforts to keep it quiet only drove a small group of saboteurs (the usual suspects, pictured with him) to publicise it even more.  The trap they set for him failed to spring at the appointed time because he was proving very elusive (suspicion:  that he had gone to get his free bus pass!) but he eventually fell into it, or rather threw himself into it, as he could hardly fail to realise what was in store when he saw the welcome banner outside the parish hall.  Happy birthday!  Enjoy your cake!

PURE GOLD (23/07/08)

Today we celebrated Mass with Kathleen & Tony Walsh on their Golden Wedding Day.  Fifty years together through thick and thin, and they have known both, particularly because of Tony's long term MS.  Their daily Mass-going is an inspiration, their cheerfulness amazing.  Tony's "buggy" is always a popular sight in the village, and he is caught up in so many conversations it is a miracle he gets the shopping home in time for lunch.  Loads of love to you both from all your Abbey friends today!

 FAIR DAY AND SHOWERS (19/07/08)

Undaunted by the weather forecast, our team of hefty hearties had the booths set up at the crack of dawn and in next to no time.  Of showers there were a few in the afternoon but they didn't daunt our festive spirits and we had a cracking time.  Fr Gabby expressed his appreciation and said he was "made up", but this was pretty obvious, as you can see.  Thanks to all our organisers, helpers, donors, sponsors, performers, and the hundreds of you who came to enjoy the fun - and contribute to our parish coffers.   Total raised: £7,770

AN UP-OVER VISIT (18/07/08)

We have just had an up-over visit from a down-under priest: Fr. Max Barrett is a Redemptorist from our Australian Province.  He and I first met over forty years ago when we were both involved in Redemptorist writing and publishing work.  Since then we have only met another twice but have kept in touch.  Unlike me, he has managed to keep up his literary work and written several books, including homilies, biographies and poetry.  Our next meeting? Merrily in heaven.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF.......(12/07/08)

...you were walking down a busy road at 10.30pm and saw men up on a church roof?  Following the theft of our lead we had a couple of men on our church roof at that late time laying a temporary covering.  Of all the people who passed by, not one stopped to say as much as, "Hoi!"

NOT SO SERENDIPITY (07/07/08)

The concurrence of July monsoon weather and a visit from lead thieves who have stripped the church flashing is not a happy one.  Fr. Gabby is having to scratch the itchy fingers he would like to get on the rogues, and is feeling some sympathy with  Sharia law which would leave them without any.

SUMMER FETE GOES GREEN (06/07/08)

It is traditional to hand out plastic bags after Masses today so that parishioners can return them filled with goodies for the Summer Fête in a fortnight.  But this year we have gone green and are asking people to provide their own bags.  I hope this will be noted and appreciated by the world leads at the G8 meeting in Japan who are looking for solutions to global warming.

"BRINSCALL HOUSE" (01/07/08)

An unfamiliar name to many parishioners, but the original one of the fine Georgian House that fronts our hall and is the location of our parish office, "holy shop" and meeting rooms.  It was the home of the brother of Fr. William Haigh the founder of the Abbey church, and later of the Gately family.  It was purchased by the Redemptorists in 1927 and the parish hall added to it the following year.  We have just completed repairs to the sash windows, restoring them in accordance with the listed status of the building

FAREWELL, FATHER TIM (15/06/08)

This is Fr. Tim Buckley's last weekend with us before he leaves to help form a mission development group in our Liverpool community.  Needless to say, we will miss him greatly and can only express our gratitude for his presence and ministry over the past 18 months.  Parishioners wished him a fond farewell at a gathering in the hall yesterday evening.  The cake, in the form of a suitcase with many labels, marked his various appointments over the past 38 years, while the big screen showed pictures and scenes of his past, including television appearances during his previous existence as parish priest at the Abbey.

VIRTUAL VISIT (14/06/08)

 Our thanks to Mike Carus of Newline Computing Systems Ltd. for the panoramic views that now let you make a virtual visit to our beautiful church and view the interior from four different perspectives.  Don't miss is - see our home page.  (PS: Right-click on the picture to go full screen and take control of your tour.  Ctrl/Alt/Del to exit) Before long we hope to be able to invite you to make a similar visit to our grounds as well.

A SAD BUSINESS (21/05/05)

The passing of the Embryology Bill at the stage where Labour Members had a free vote is a desperate disappointment, particularly in the failure to lower the abortion time limit.  Once accepted that, certainly in the case of later abortions, the unborn child is undoubtedly a human being that can be killed for the social good of its parent(s), then  "viability" becomes incidental to the main issue and, legality apart, I can't see any essential distinction between abortion and infanticide.

RCIA PARTY (20/05/08)

Our RCIA programme wound up in the hall this evening with a party for those who were recently received into the Church along with their families, sponsors, and  Fr. Gabby and The Team for whom it is now "get your breath back" time in readiness for the new sessions in the autumn.  If you, or anyone you know, would like to know more about the Faith - for your better appreciation or with a mind to becoming a Catholic - then watch the Parish Newsletter for further announcements.

MAY PROCESSION (18/05/08)

Children, parents and parishioners turned out in force for our May Procession on a sunny but slightly chilly Sunday afternoon.  As always, we processed with and crowned the statue of Our Lady of Erdington.  I know we Redemptorists had this statue commissioned many years ago, and I have set myself the task of finding out just when, so watch this space.  It was recently restored and repainted with great skill.

FR. P. MEEHAN (11/05/08)

We have just received notice of the death of Fr. Patrick Meehan who was rector and parish priest at the Abbey from 1970 to 1975.  Following his time here he joined the secular clergy and continued his priestly ministry in Canada where he died in November at the age of 75. 

MP ON EMBRYOLOGY BILL (02/05/08)

Acknowledging the high volume of correspondence he has received and the most vocal feeling in Erdington, MP Siôn Simon has stated his intentions when the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill comes before the House.  While his personal instinct was in favour admixed hybrids, he will abstain from the vote.  He will not vote in favour of further liberalisation of the law of abortion, should such a vote arise.  However he will vote in favour of the clause that proposes to replace "the need for a Father" with "the need for supportive parenting" in the case of children born through IVF treatment. 

BEST BEFORE...... (20/04/08)

Thanks for a timely reminder given me by one of our parishioners who was asking about the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses (one of whom he works with) and especially about their belief in life after death.  "I suppose you think about it a lot yourself now you have passed your sell-by date," he said.  Well, if I wasn't before, I am now!

SOFT CENTRE (18/04/08)

One of the signs of Fr. Gabby's soft centre is the bird table in our garden and his delight in the pleasure given to our little feathered friends.  Unfortunately they have brought me some grief: I sent an email to a friend at her business address, telling her of the cole tits, great tits, blue tits, sparrows, redbreasts and blackbirds who came to savour the nuts and seeds we provided. She didn't get it: it was returned to me censored for "unacceptable language and inappropriate material".

BEIJING BOUND (10/04/08)

We share Margaret Miley's joy and pride in the swimming achievements of her granddaughter Hannah at the World Championships in Manchester.  She broke the old world record in the 400 metres medley, after setting two new European records in other events.  Watch out for her at the Olympics in Beijing!

EH? (01/04/08)

A young girl was washing her hands vigorously in our sacristy toilet and I said a word in praise of her cleanliness.  "Oh, I don't do it at home," she said, "There isn't a notice up there!"..... And.... A lady asked for a Mass to be said as soon as possible.  I said the earliest was the 13th of the month.  "Better make it later," she said, "Some people are superstitious about the 13th."

STAYING AND GOING (30/03/08)

Despite rumours to the contrary (begun by people taking one of my end-of-Mass jokes seriously) you will be relieved to know that Fr. Gabby has been re-appointed as our leader for another three years.  Result: he will launch himself into a new frenzy of activity now that the uncertainty is over.  Our grateful thanks and good wishes to  Fr. Tim Buckley who will be leaving us to become a member of a new mission development team based in our community in Liverpool.  Among  many changes taking place, your old friend Fr. Philip Jones will move from Perth to Sunderland.  All other moves available on request!

EASTER CHAOS (23/03/08)

While our Easter Vigil Mass was only moderately attended, we were bursting the walls at the five Sunday Masses:  in particular there was chaos in the road as those leaving the 9.15am and arriving for the 10.30am clashed in the car park and caused mayhem out in Sutton Road.  If only half the "irregulars" became "regulars"!  Half?  In truth we couldn't deal with more!!

PENITENTS A-PLENTY (18/03/08)

The church was full for our pre-Easter Penitential Service.  With help from surrounding churches we mustered seven confessors, but it still took over and hour to hear all the confessions.  Thanks for your patience!  One man said, afterwards, "I committed more sins in the queue than before I came!"

HOPE AS IT SHOULD BE (14/03/08)

A lady called Rose, who is a resident in one of our local homes for the elderly, said to me yesterday, "I am waiting patiently for the call.  And when it comes, I will run!"

JEROME ON FILM (13/03/08)

Our loyal altar server and helper Jerome Cowan has been facing the cameras today as a video is made of his daily life.  Jerome is an outstanding example of how to cope with Phenylketonuria (PKU), and this film is being made to inspire others who live with this serious medical condition.  Jerome not only copes - he triumphs over it, leading a full and fulfilling life despite the very severe dietary plan he has to follow.

TO GO OR NOT TO GO? (11/03/08)

The visit of new Redemptorist Provincial team last week will be followed by a new list of appointments.  At the end of the first Mass I said on Sunday I jokingly suggested I was planning to oust Fr. Gabby and take over (though I promised I would have a waxwork model made of him to stand at the church door - a position he takes up before and after every Sunday Mass).  Some people took me seriously, but it brought Fr Gabby so much affirmation I decided to repeat it at my other two Masses.  To put the record straight, it is 99.999% he will survive.

HISTORIC LITTLE GIFT (24/02/09)

An antiques house has given us this little (2½") vase which is a miniature model of a Roman  cinerary urn from around 200AD found at Felixstowe (without the picture of the rear of the Abbey Monastery on it!).  It was produced for some special event in the late 19th Century by the firm of W.H. Goss which specialised in commemorative chinaware.  As the supreme optimist I am wondering if anyone has any family history of the event or even a similar pot.  (To enlarge this and other pictures on this page: right click on it and then left clock "open".)

CON DRISCOLL RIP (19/02/08)

The church was packed for the funeral of our great parishioner Con (Cornelius) Driscoll.  He and his wife Kitty had a great devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes and had been to her shrine regularly for the past twenty years or more, including the last three when he was struggling with his cancer. In his final illness his regret was that he wouldn't be able to go this year.  His wish was to die on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11th, and this was granted him. 

TIME TO CAMPAIGN (17/02/08)

The Government is committed to seeing through the Human Fertilization and Embryology Bill and is denying MPs a free vote to make sure it does.  We need to campaign for amendments, especially regarding the proposed immoral creation and destruction of cybrids (part-human-part animal-embryos) to obtain stem cells for therapeutic use, especially (quite apart from moral grounds) when "adult" stem cells from a person's own body are already being obtained and beginning to be used without the problem of rejection.  The Bill will also deny IVF children their true identity by making the partner - male or female - of the mother its official "father".  Furthermore an amendment is being proposed which will make abortion more easily available and remove the right of doctors to conscientiously object to arranging or performing an abortion.

PULL IN YOUR OAP BELTS (04/02/08)

A correspondent asks: "Who has to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday?"  Church law (latest 1983 edition) says from attaining majority to fifty-nine.  It is interesting that this hasn't changed since the days when a fifty-nine year old was teetering on the brink.  According to a recent survey, pensioners now think that old age begins at seventy-eight!  So even if we wrinklies are not obliged to fast we might well feel we can celebrate our extended youth by joining in.

TWO LEFT FEET? (27/01/08)

Sale notices continue to intrigue me. This one is in a local shoe shop: "Buy one get one free".

REMEMBERING MOTHER TERESA (24/01/08)

Here is John Conneely and his family in New Zealand.  John was a pupil at the Abbey School in 1974 when Mother Teresa visited Erdington and he has emailed to ask if we have any photos of the occasion to show his children.  Can you help?  Your pictures are safe, as they won't leave this office.  In the meantime we have sent him Mona Robinson's account of the great occasion.

SORRY, WRONG NUMBER!  (22/01/08)

Each year parishes submit returns which include baptisms under the categories "0 to 1yr" and "Over 1yr".  Some labour MPs have seized on these to claim that now 30% of baptisms are in the latter category, a sign that lapsed Catholics are only having their children baptised to get them into Catholic schools.  Is it true?  Not in our experience.  Of the 38 children we baptised in 2007: 29 were under the age of one, 6 were 1 year old, and only the remaining 3 at ages 4,5&8 were in the range that suggests  school entry might have been the possible motive.  However, the claim is another reminder for  us to be on our guard against the attack on our Catholic Schools.

END IN SIGHT (18/01/08)

Over the past few months our indefatigable painters, Peter and Tom, have swept through the church, the sacristy and the back sacristy and door area.  They have now almost completed the choir room, the organ loft, and area leading to the sanctuary door.  I believe their grand finale will be St. Alphonsus' chapel where Fr. Gabby is also going to have a heater installed for those who keep up our daily Adoration of the Blessed  Sacrament.  As for P&T, fear not that their brushes will be stilled: they are in great demand elsewhere.

A NICE SURPRISE (10/01/08)

A young fellow came to the door yesterday.  Until recently he had been a regular visitor with older men of the road and we had been particularly concerned about him.  His smart appearance was a revelation,  He has a regular job and accommodation and came to thank us for our help (little more than tea and sandwiches) in his time of need.  He insisted on giving us £5 towards our good work.  Nice one, R.....: we're delighted for you.

I WOULDN'T BET ON IT (08/01/08)

It's that time again, and the other day I saw a SALE sign in a betting shop window. What does it offer?  Back one get one free? Three bets for the price of two?  Maybe someone out there could satisfy my curiosity, because I have no idea what goes on within the walls of those popular establishments.  Mind you, when Fr. Jones was here he had a lot of success following the horses, as the enriched soil of our little presbytery garden  gives ample proof.

GREETING WITH A CRIB (04/01/08)

Thanks to Nicholas and Cynthia Bartleet for this picture of the crib in their porch which is greeting visitors to their home over Christmas.  Much more to the point than any flashing Santas, and more environmentally friendly into the bargain.  A good idea for next year?  Come on, put your faith where your front door is!

WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR (02/01/08)

On New Year's morning Fr. Buckley led us in a fittingly celebrated Mass for the Motherhood of Our Lady.  On the previous evening families gathered in the hall for a party to see in the New Year.  On New Year's day a kind parishioner treated Fr. Buckley and me to seats at the Villa v Spurs match.  The last time I was at Villa Park was for the 1963 FA Cup Semi-final when Man United beat Southampton 1-0.  The stadium has changed quite a bit since then, as so have the players, as so have I.  The man on the turn-style didn't seem to remember me.

WIGGLY GREETINGS (27/12/07)

Did you get worms this Christmas? (Beg your pardon for asking!)  I did, plus two lots of tools and seeds.  All world gifts from CAFOD to make poor families in Africa more independent.  Last year I got two goats and would like to think some family is raising kids and selling milk by now.  However, I did hear that in Kenya goat is a Christmas delicacy!

FR. GABBY'S GIFT.... (26/12/07)

...to you this year is the Abbey calendar, with superb picture of the interior of the church and details of the services we offer.  Unintentionally it serves a dual purpose.  As people left Mass in the rain on Christmas day they held it over their head for protection.  I wonder how many dried it out and ironed it flat when they got home.

HARD CHRISTMAS SOAP! (23/12/07)

"Has Alf  killed Pippa?.....Gray's vicious lies unravelled......All hell breaks loose....Kevin's shocking end....Angry Lauren has the incriminating evidence"  All in your festive Soaps.  Merry Christmas! 

BLACK MARK, MAIL! (21/12/07)

This week Fr. Gabby celebrated Requiem Mass for nineteen year old Daniel Judge who died in a car crash.  This was given prominence in the Evening Mail.  But all it  said of his carefully prepared and sensitive homily was, "Father Gabriel Maguire led Daniel's funeral service and paid tribute to him.  'It is always a tragedy when someone so young loses his life.'"  Sorry, Mr. Mail reporter, Fr. Gabby deserved better than that.

HO! HO! OH! NO! (17/12/07)

Fr. Gabby may have pulled the wool over his face but not over the eyes of some of the older children when he performed Santa's duties in the primary school this afternoon. However, the little ones were blissfully unaware of his identity and presents went down well with all.  Definitely 9/10 for trying.

CAMPION CAROL CONCERT (12/12/07)

The choir and musicians of St Edmund Campion School, under the direction of Mr. Francis and Mr. Dawson gave a magnificent carol concert in the church in aid of SPUC.  The highlight of evening, for many of us, was their superb rendition of "O Holy Night".  It was my privilege to say a few words of thanks and to encourage them, having sung up for unborn children, to stand up for them as well.  A collection was made for SPUC and refreshments served in the hall.

S.V.P. CHRISTMAS DINNER (09/12/07)

Our S.V.P. members and helpers put on an excellent Christmas Dinner in the hall for the elderly people they visit: sherry, soup, turkey+ veg with wine, mince pies and tea or coffee. Over 50 persons sat down to dine in style.  Half-size Santa turned up with presents.  For many it was a great treat just to get "out of the house" for a while, and for some it was a great change from the "ready meals" they usually have.  The S.V.P "choir" rounded off the occasion by leading the carol singing.  Don't give up the day job!

RAINING ON OUR FAIR (08/12/07)

The heavens opened on the morning of our Christmas Fair, but it did little to deter our parishioners and the 'locals' who come looking for a bargain.  There was a noticeable shortage of children, however, and Santa was somewhat underemployed: not the half-size Santa who was due to appear, but a far more robust one.  My personal thanks to Nick Malone for delivering me from this fate.  Final takings still to be announced, but somewhere in the region of £3,300.

CHRISTMAS FAIR (01/12/07)

Are you ready for our great Christmas Fair next Saturday?  Come and win back the prizes you have given to our Grand Draw and Bottle Stall.  Browse and buy.  Half-size Santa (guess who!) to greet the children in his grotto.  (Memo to me: be sure to have appropriate footwear because a child told one of my impersonators he couldn't be Santa because he didn't have his boots on.)  If you want to visit him and you haven't got a child, beg, borrow or buy one for the occasion.  And try to keep a straight face.

NANCY AYLEY (01/12/07)

Nancy wishes to be remembered to those parishioners whose memories go back as far as the Abbey schooldays when she was on the staff with Miss Rose and Miss Jones - and memorable days there were, so I'm told.  Nancy is now in a retirement home in St. Albans.  She still writes a good letter and recalls the days when the organ console was in the Passion Chapel and the church was reordered (early 1980s).  She moved from Erdington to Bishop's Stortford when it was  one of our parish communities, and was a great help to our priests there, particularly to Fr. Gus Teasdale in his later years.