16th November - St Barnabas, Oxford

The chapter celebrated its annual Requiem Mass for past members of the Guild on Wednesday, 16th November at St Barnabas's Church, Oxford. Fr Dennis Mason officiated, assisted by Fr Jason St John Nicolle. Afterwards, the secretary made a presentation to Fr Dennis on behalf of the members and supporters of the chapter to mark his retirement as chaplain.

Present: Frs Dennis Mason, Jason St John Nicolle, Michael Wright, Bros Jim Curtis, Sid Cox, Dennis Dean, Ken Belcher, Ben Heffer, Trevor Langrish, Bruce Armour, John Stack, Robert Warren, Sr Angela Dean, Mrs Rona Warren, Mrs Armour, Mrs Barbara Belcher. Apologies: Sr Susan Greenaway, Bro Stan Goodwin.

Fr Dennis' Retirement

On the occasion of your retirement as our Chaplain please accept this Lladró Image of the Holy Family as a token of our esteem and in grateful recognition
of your years of service to the Guild of Servants of the Sanctuary in Oxford.

With heartfelt thanks and best wishes
from the members and supporters of the Chapter of St Birinus.

16th November 2005

Chapter Chantry Book

Of your charity, pray for
the repose of the souls of:~

Brothers & Sisters
Jim Alder
Bernard Allsopp

Frederick Bateman
Richard Beattie
Ken Belcher (Dec 2014)
H B Boyd SSJE
Kenneth Brookings (Nov 1984)

Cecil Calcutt (supporter)
Gordon Cartwright (Jan 1997)
Kenneth Clarke (Dec 1986)
Thomas Cooper (Jan 2000)
Peter Corlett (Mar 2001)
Sid Cox (Mar 2012)
George Crook (Jan 1985)

Richard Dawson
Dennis Dell (1992)
Anthony Denner (Jan 2006)
Kenneth Dykes
John Grimsdale

Charles Henderson (Mar 1975)
Bernard Hepburn (May 2013)
Ernest Huckin (2003)
Gordon Jones (Nov 2009)
Jack Knibbs (Feb 1980)
Harold Ling
Harry Lord (May 2009)

Leonard Mallett
Edgar Marden-Mowbray (2002)
Albert Pelham-Miller
John Moir
John Moles (Dec 1992)

Kenneth Pinder (Aug 1992)
Donald Pennycott
Ernald Prytherch (Apr 2004)
Eileen Quinell (supporter)
William Quinell (Mar 2011)

George Slack
John Slaughter
Walter Smallbone
William Smallbone
W K Smallwood (Aug 1979)
Charles Smith (Aug 1975)
John Stack (June 2006)
Stanley Stevens
Michael Tredwell (Jun 1997)

Albert Webb (2002)
James Webb
Jack Webster (Jan 2008)
Phyllis Webster (supporter, Nov 2006)
Kenneth White (Jun 1977)
Michael White (Aug 2009)
Stephen Williams (supporter)
Arthur Young (Jun 1982)
F W Young

Priests
Hugh Beard
Arthur Bisdee
Hubert Brazier (Oct 1981)
Evan Burrough
John Davis (Oct 2009)

John Fox
Alan Gordon (Jan 1995)
Thomas H Harrison (Jan 1986)
John Hooper
Dr C Hope
Philip Hunt (Aug 1999)
Leonard Janes
Tony Knox (Oct 2007)

Frederick Lancaster (May 2002)
Arnold Mallinson (1985)
Reginald Molyneaux SSJE
John Overton
Charles Overy

Geoffrey Pinnock (Sept 2006)
Tony Waker
William J Waker
Esmond Sherwin-White
Kenneth Wigston

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.
Et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Guild Recommendations

For the better carrying out of the objectives of the Guild, members should:

1. Make confession to a Priest as conscience may require;
2. Communicate with special intention for the Guild;
3. Make the objectives of the Guild a matter of special self-examination at night on a serving day;
4. Attend, if possible, an additional celebration of the Holy Eucharist each week, in addition to times of duty and obligation;
5. Be ready to help fellow servers, whensoever, wheresoever and howsoever the opportunity may occur; and
6. Endeavour to take part in the Annual Festival and, as far as possible, to attend meetings of the local Chapter.

New Chaplain

Revd Jason St John Nicolle, the assistant curate in the Kidlington Team Ministry, will succeed Revd Dennis Mason as chaplain of St Birinus' Chapter. We are grateful to Fr Jason for his help and support this year and we are delighted that now, following his ordination to the priesthood this last Petertide, he has agreed to become our chaplain. We look forward to worshipping together under his lead and pray that he too will be blessed in this aspect of his ministry.

Chaplain Retires

Fr Dennis Mason, after many years service has reluctantly decided to stand down as chaplain of St Birinus Chapter. Neither he nor Edna, his wife, have enjoyed the best of health over the past two years and it is a testament to his loyalty that he has continued to lead our worship during this time. He first joined the GSS as an altar server in Scarborough, becoming a life member in 1980 at St Barnabas Church. In the time running up to his retirement from the bank, he trained for the sacred ministry at St Stephen’s House and was ordained in 1988, succeeding Revd Philip Hunt as our chaplain. I know that chapter members past and present would want me to express how much we have valued Fr Dennis’ support and friendship. I certainly believe that we have been very fortunate to have in Fr Dennis a chaplain who has not only led the ceremonial of the Guild Office prayerfully and reverently but has been a tower of strength and support to all the chapter officers over the years. We all wish Fr Dennis and Edna a speedy recovery and many happy years ahead.

Patronal Festival

The Chapter celebrated St Birinus’ Day at St John’s Church, Kidlington with Guild Office, Sermon and Benediction. Revd Jason St John Nicolle officiated and gave the address taking as his theme Birinus’ mission to the West Saxons, which serves to remind us that to mission to those outside the faith is an essential part of our calling. We met in the recently refurbished Lady Chapel and whilst we were few in numbers, many of our regular members being away, it was nevertheless a joy to sing the office there and pray together in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.

Present: Fr Jason Nicolle, Bros Ken Belcher, John Stack, Jim Curtis & Ben Heffer; Srs Susan Greenaway & Iris Darville.

Apologies: Bros Julian Calcut, Denis Dean, Sid Cox, Matthew Bemand & Trevor Langrish; Sr Angela Dean and Fr Dennis Mason.

Collect for St Birinus

Everlasting God,
whose servant Birinus
carried the good news of your Son
to the people of Wessex:
by his prayers,
grant that we who commemorate
his service may know the hope
of the gospel in our hearts
and manifest its light in all our ways;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

6th July - Bartlemas Chapel

On Wednesday, 6th July, the chapter met in Bartlemas Chapel for Guild Office, Sermon and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Fr Jason St John Nicolle officiated and Fr Adam Romanis gave the homily taking as his theme the words of the Magnifcat. It was a joy to pray the office in this beautiful chapel once again so suited to our style of worship. Afterwards we enjoyed a glass of wine at the vicarage. Our thanks to Fr Adam for his kind hospitality.

Present: Frs Adam Romanis and Jason Nicolle; Bros Trevor Langrish, Dennis Dean, Jim Curtis, Jack Webster, David Price, Sid Cox, Robert Warren and Ben Heffer; Srs Angela Dean, Jenny Pittaway and Verona Harris.

Apologies: Fr Dennis Mason, Sr Susan Greenaway.

St Birinus' Carol

The following carol was sung at the Birinus Pilgrimage Service in Dorchester Abbey on Sunday, 3rd July 2005

(Tune: Greensleaves)

Birinus holy, touched by grace,
in him th’enabling Spirit moved
and to our heathen land he came
for love of God who first us loved.

Saint, bishop, patron true,
for bringing Christ we honour you.
Lest from His paths we stray
O guide us on our pilgrim way.

Milan’s Asterius laid his hands
upon the benedictine’s head,
a bishop made in Peter's line
the first apostles to succeed.

Sent by Honorius' decree
endued with power and grace and zeal
he faithful to our Lord's command,
to ’Go to teach, baptise and heal.'

He carried always at his side
that keepsake which he treasured most,
a gift of purest linen fair,
therein the Sacramental Host.

At length on Britain's pagan shores
in Wessex near the river Thame,
he taught how God had sent the Son,
his wayward peoples to reclaim.

To Cynegils and all his kin
Birinus preached the gospel word
and helped by Oswald’s fervent prayer,
the Saxon tribe confessed the Lord.

Birinus helps us by his prayers
to heed the urging gospel call
and nourished by Christ's body here
to show and live His life for all.

All glory be to God on high,
heaven and sea and earth adore,
who in His angels and His saints
is blesséd now and evermore.
B D Heffer © 2005

24th May - Hampton Poyle

The chapter met in the beautiful church of St Mary the Virgin, Hampton Poyle for Guild Office and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Revd Jason St John Nicolle officiated for the office and Revd Jim Turner preached and gave benediction. Fr Jim took Corpus Christi as his theme for his sermon. Prof David Murray played the organ.

Present: Revd Jim Turner, Revd Jason Nicolle, Trevor Langrish, Dennis Dean, Angela Dean, Sid Cox, Ben Heffer, John Stack, Bruce Amour, Stan Goodwin, Ken Belcher, Barbara Belcher, Clive Tilling & David Murray.

Apologies: Susan Greenaway, Frank Howlett, Revd Dennis Mason.

Programme 2005/6

Tuesday, 24th May at 7.30pm
St Mary the Virgin, Hampton Poyle
Guild Office & Benediction
Preacher: Revd Jim Turner

Wednesday, 6th July at 7.30pm
Bartlemas Chapel, Cowley Road, Oxford
Guild Office & Benediction
Preacher: Revd Adam Romanis

Sunday, 4th September at 6.30pm
St John the Baptist, Kidlington
Patronal Guild Office & Benediction
Preacher: Revd Jason St John Nicolle

Wednesday, 16th November at 7.30pm
St Barnabas, Oxford
Chapter Requiem Mass
Preacher: Revd Dennis Mason

Wednesday, 25th January at 7.30pm
St Mary Magdalen, Oxford
Guild Office & Benediction
Preacher: Revd Peter Groves

Wednesday, 15th March at 7.30pm
St Mary the Virgin, Kidlington
Guild Office & Annual General Meeting
Preacher: Revd Anthony Ellis

Minutes of AGM 2005

Minutes of AGM of GSS – Chapter of St Birinus held on 16th March 2005 at St Mary Magdalene’s Church, Oxford

Present: Bros. Jim Curtis, Bruce Armour, Ken Belcher, Denis Dean, Trevor Langrish & Ben Heffer (Chair), Srs. Angela Dean & Barbara Belcher

1. Opening Prayer – the meeting was opened with prayer led by Bro Ben Heffer.

2. Apologies for Absence – apologies were received from Sr Susan Greenaway, Bros. Matthew Bemand & Daniel Smith, Fr Dennis Mason and Cllr Clive Tilling.

3. Minutes of the AGM 2004 – the minutes of the meeting held on 17th March 2004 were read and approved.

4. Matters Arising – Bro Ben reported that due to a computer crash the minutes had been lost but he had compiled them from memory.

5. Secretary’s Report – Bro Ben Heffer presented the Secretary’s Report. Bro Jim Curtis proposed a vote of thanks to Bro Ben for his work as secretary, seconded by Bro Trevor Langrish.

6. Treasurer’s Report – Bro Trevor presented the treasurer’s report and audited accounts, which were approved and accepted. The chair proposed a vote of thanks to Bro Trevor for his work as treasurer.

7. Election of Chapter Officers – There being no other nominations, Bro Jim Curtis proposed that Bros Ben Heffer and Trevor Langrish should be re-elected as Secretary and Treasurer respectively. Seconded by Sr Angela Dean.

8. Chapter Programme 2005 – it was agreed that the chapter should meet in May, July, September, November, January & March. Venues suggested include Kidlington, Hampton Poyle, St Mary Mags, St Barnabas and Bartlemas Chapel. Bros Trevor and Ben would meet to arrange a programme.

9. Any Other Business – It was noted that both Fr Dennis and Mrs Mason have been suffering with poor health over the past year. The meeting sent best wishes to them both. It was agreed that the chapter should not make unnecessary calls on Fr Dennis’ time. Revd Jason Nicolle has indicated his willingness to help on occasions.

10. Closing Prayer – the meeting was closed with prayer by Bro Ben Heffer.

Secretary's Report 2004/5

The chapter roll stands at 39, comprising 23 members, 3 priest associates, 13 life members.

We have been pleased to welcome to the roll Daniel Smith and Matthew Bemand who are ordinands studying at St Stephen’s House and benefiting from a COF grant; and Bro Dick Peters, from Wantage who joins us from another chapter. During the year we have noted with sadness the passing of Bro Ernald Prytherch, a past member of the chapter. Our best wishes to Fr George Coppen who is retiring to Scotland in April.

Of the 39 members of the roll, I note that that 20 have attended meetings during the year and 14 of those have attended regularly. We are also blessed with five non-members who regularly support us. It should be noted that most of our non-attending members are elderly and I know they support us with their prayers and like to be kept in touch with chapter events. There are 49 on the mailing list to whom I send the Chapter Newsletter including the other secretaries in Group 9.

I am pleased to report that Bro Clive Tilling has been re-elected as Group Councillor for Provincial Group 9. Congratulations to him; we very appreciate his help and support.

Since our last AGM, the Chapter has met 5 times.

In May for Guild Office and Benediction at SS Mary & John’s Church, Cowley; our thanks to Fr Adam Romanus for officiating and preaching.

In July we met at St Mary’s Church, Kidlington on the Eve of St Mary Magdalen’s day. Fr Dennis officiated and Fr Anthony Ellis gave the address.

In September we celebrated our Patronal Festival at St John’s Church Kidlington with Mass, Guild Office, Procession & Benediction. Our chaplain, Fr Dennis officiated assisted by Revd Deacon Jason Nicolle. We were joined on this occasion by members and friends from other chapters in Group 9.

In November we remembered the departed members of the chapter with a celebration of Guild Office and Benediction at St Andrew’s Church, Headington, when Fr Michael Brewin officiated and preached.

In January, we met at St Stephen’s House, when Dr Jeremy Sheehy officiated and preached. We were joined on this occasion by a very able altar party of ordinands from the house.

I am grateful to all the parish clergy who have opened their doors to us this last year and particularly to Fr Peter for welcoming us here tonight.

My thanks especially to Fr Dennis our Chaplain, Professor David Murray who has played the organ for us at a number of our meetings, Revd Deacon Jason St John Nicolle for his help and support and to Bro Trevor Langrish for his work as treasurer.

Treasurer's Report 2004/5

2004 was relatively quiet with regard to the chapter's finances, which are still fairly healthy - income was £259.10 (£47.29 up on 2003), expenditure was £211.08 (£31.01 up on 2003). The increase in income was mostly due to the increased number of meetings. The increase in expenditure can be mostly accounted for by the increase in the purchase of postage stamps, and a small increase in the magazine subscriptions. Nonetheless, the end of year balance on our cheque account was £545.72 (compared with £395.09 at the end of 2003). The deposit account remains untouched and is accumulating interest - the balance on it is currently £1,118.61. I still enjoy being treasurer and am willing to continue. This year, for the first time, membership subscriptions and magazine subscriptions are being collected centrally by Direct Debit and should not be paid to me. Members should have received from the Secretary General before Christmas, 2004, a Direct Debit mandate form to be filled in by them and returned directly to him. Any chapter donations should still be paid to me. Finally, I would like to thank Brother Ben Heffer for all his hard work as chapter secretary. I would also like to thank Father Dennis Mason for auditing the accounts for 2004, thereby checking that I am doing business correctly.

Receipts
GSS Subscriptions 2004 18.00
GSS Subscriptions (other years) 2.00
Chapter donations 75.30
St John's refreshments collection 9.00
Magazine subscriptions for 2004 52.00
Magazine subscriptions (other years) 5.20
Donation in memory of Mrs Curtis 5.00
Cheque not presented at bank 7.80
Lloyds TSB Bank interest 5.24
Sub total A 179.54

Collections:
Mar - St John's, Kidlington 15.00
May - SS. Mary & John 19.86
July - St Mary's, Kidlington 13.00
Sep - Patronal Festival 20.00
Nov - St Andrew's. Headington 11.70
Sub total B 79.56

Total income (A + B) 259.10

Balance from 31 December 2003 1,508.46

1,767.56

Expenditure
GSS Subscriptions 2004 18.00
GSS Subscriptions other years 2.00
Magazine subscriptions for 2004 52.00
Magazine subscriptions for 2005 5.20
Refund of 2005 magazine subs 5.20
Treasurer's expenses:
Envelopes 12.12
Postage stamps 23.52
Secretary’s expenses:
Patronal Festival refreshments 8.63
Photocopying 4.50
Postage 56.28
Stationery 13.63
Donation to St Andrew's. Headington 10.00
Total expenditure 211.08

2003 cheques late in presentation 16.03

Assets:
TSB cheque account 545.72
Deposit account end of 2004 1,118.61
Total Assets 1,664.33

Less cheques/cash to be presented (123.88)

1,767.56

Guild Office Ceremonial

Entrance
Enter in procession: Servers, Cantor(s), clergy in choir, then at a distance the Acolytes, Thurifer (no censer), MC & Officiant. Acolytes may go first at the discretion of the MC.
Altar party enter sanctuary, bow to the altar together and go to places.

Versicles & Psalms
All sit during the first verse of the psalm.
Bow (straight in front) at each Gloria.

Short Chapter
At the end of the psalms, the Acolytes go to the centre, bow, take candles and move to a position either side of Officiant.
All stand.
The Officiant intones the Short Chapter.

Office Hymn
Acolytes return to the centre, bow and take up a position on either side of the sanctuary, facing altar.
All remain standing for the Office Hymn.
Thurifer brings censer to the sanctuary and takes up a position on the right facing altar.

Magnificat
Officiant and MC go to the centre, MC on the right.
Thurifer brings censer on the right of the MC.
MC holds boat while Officiant makes incense, holding the cope with other hand.
MC takes censer from Thurifer and hands back boat.
MC passes censer to Officiant.
Thurifer takes up position on Officiant’s left.

Officiant censes altar.
MC holds cope on the right. Thurifer holds cope on the left.
MC takes back the censer and the Officiant returns to the chair.

Accompanied by the Thurifer, the MC censes Officiant with three double swings.
MC censes clergy in choir with two double swings.
MC and Thurifer returns to the centre.

MC hands censer to Thurifer and returns to chair.
Thurifer censes MC, Acolytes, Cantor with one double swing each.
Thurifer censes congregation and returns to the centre. He remains facing the altar with Acolytes until the end of the Magnificat.

Collect & Conclusion of the Office
Acolytes go to the centre, bow and move to a position either side of Officiant.
Officiant intones the Collect and the conclusion of the Office.
Acolytes return to their places.

A hymn, sermon and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament follows.

Benediction Ceremonial

Preparation
Acolytes light the branch candles and take up a position either side of the sanctuary facing the altar. Thurifer takes up a position on the left with censer.

MC accompanies Officiant to the tabernacle and places the humeral veil on his shoulders. The bells are rung when the tabernacle is opened. All kneel.

Exposition
The Officiant places the Sacred Host in the monstrance and genuflects. Removing the humeral veil, he kneels in front of the altar, MC on his right.

While the hymn, O Salutaris, is sung the Officiant, MC and Thurifer bow low then rise to make incense (no blessing). All kneeling again, the Officiant censes the Blessed Sacrament with three double swings, the MC and Thurifer holding back the cope.

Adoration
The Officiant leads a time of adoration and prayer.

Then the hymn, Tantum Ergo, is sung. The Officiant, MC and Thurifer bow low then rise to make incense (no blessing). All kneeling again, the Officiant censes the Blessed Sacrament as before.

Benediction
Kneeling, the Officiant intones the responses and collect.

The MC places the humeral veil on the Officiant's shoulders. The Officiant rises, genuflects and taking up the monstrance, makes the sign of the cross with the Blessed Sacrament in silence.

The Officiant replaces the monstrance on the altar. Standing and facing the Sacrament he says the Divine Praises.

Reposition
The Officiant returns the Sacred Host to the tabernacle while Adoremus is sung. The bells are rung when the tabernacle is closed and all rise. Officiant returns to the centre and reverences the altar with the servers. Servers and clergy return to the vestry.