Page 78 - Old Ratcliffian 2020 Edition

RATCLIFFE LINKS NEWS OF THE ROSMINIAN BRETHREN

Here in the Rosmini Centre at Ratcliffe, we have a community of
Fr Barry Farmer (48). Fr Bill Curran has a live-in carer. Also in the
seven: myself, Fr Ted Mullen (60), Fr David Tobin (59), Fr Tony community are Fr Robin Paulson and Fr Bill Jackson. Fr Tom Deidun
is rector at St Etheldreda’s, Ely Place. In St Patrick’s, Newport,
Furlong, Fr Philip Sainter (69), Br Nigel Cave (72), and Fr Denis
we have Fr Brian Cuddihy and, in retirement, Fr Eric Willett. In
Labartette. I have been the novice master for two years. We
Cardiff, we have two parishes. Firstly, St Peter’s, with Fr Chris
began with three novices, with one completing, who is now Br
William Rees. He made his fi rst vows at a Mass in the aerodrome Fuse as parish priest and provincial. With him are Fr Aji, Fr Michael
farm hangar in September this year. Br William is now in the McCarthy, and Fr Jim McKnight. Secondly, in St Joseph’s parish,
community at Porta Latina and is studying Philosophy at the we have Fr Justus Okibo, from the East African Province, as parish
Gregorian University. priest, and Fr Philip Scanlan, in retirement. Also in the community is
Br Brian Butler.
I recently returned from preaching an eight-day retreat to six of
our young men preparing for their fi nal vows as Rosminians - four In other Rosminian news, accompanying Father General, Don Vito
from India and two from Africa. Fr Ted Mullen recently handed Nardin, on his Curia are myself, Fr Felice Muratore (also rector in
over the local parish of St Theresa in Birstall to one of our Indian Stresa), Fr Geoffrey Feldman (from the East African Province),
brethren, Fr Tom Thomas. Fr David Tobin takes care of our ascribed and Fr Laiju (secretary general). Geoffrey and Laiju are very much
members, and he is ready to draw up a programme of talks and involved as formators of the students, and they look after the
events for the Rosmini Centre, once COVID regulations allow daily business arrangements. Fr Mario Natale is the rector of the
it. He loves the quiet life and gardening. Fr Tony Furlong has community. We have 18 novices in East Africa, seven in India, three
recuperated well after a major health problem two years ago, and in Venezuela, and one in Italy. We have 21 students, including Br
he is now in active retirement. Fr Philip Sainter is Father President William in Porta Latina, Rome. The rest are from India, Africa, and
of the College, and he is admirable in his care for his mother, who is Venezuela, and they are all studying for the priesthood.
96 and living in Wilmslow, Cheshire. Br Nigel Cave is very involved
in First World War affairs, while writing and editing books on the A few years ago, the Indian Province branched out to Palmerston
various battlefi elds. Fr Denis Labartette was the last chaplain at North Diocese, where Charles Drennan was bishop; he has since
Grace Dieu, which, sadly, has had to close. He helps out in so many retired. Fr Manoj and Fr Robin have a large parish in Palmerston
ways, winning all with his hospitality and cooking! North, and they have also been able to successfully see a postulant
through his early formation. He is from Vietnam and wants to join
In Mansfi eld, Fr Antonio Belsito is our province procurator and is in the English Province, but he has visa problems. After his year of
charge of Rosmini Publications. There is a plan for that house to be postulancy, he could not get a visa to come to the UK, but he is
sold, and to develop what was the farm milking parlour here into being nurtured in our novitiate in Coimbatore. There is another
his residence, whilst also providing some extra accommodation student from Vietnam who has recently completed his time of
for the centre. Fr Paul Gillham is parish priest at St Mary’s, postulancy and is looking for ways to get a visa. Because of COVID,
Loughborough, and he is assisted by Fr Simon Giles (60), who has he cannot get one for India. Let us hope and pray to the Lord that
been saying Mass for our sisters in Loughborough. At St Marie’s in we can fi nd a solution.
Rugby, Fr Shinto is parish priest, and Fr Jose is rector of the retired
community. Both are from India, as are Fr Tom Thomas in Birstall, Fr Finally, Fr Michael Hill and Fr Aidan Cunningham live a faithful and
Aji in Cardiff, and Fr George in Derryswood, Guildford. Also in the interesting life down in Dunedin. Michael is an able writer, and
Rugby community are Fr John Buckner, Fr Charles Sormany (48), Aidan is parish priest in North East Valley, Dunedin.
Fr John Bland (53), and Br Joseph Gardner.
If anyone would like any further information, please email me at
Fr David Myers (59) is rector at St Mary’s, Derryswood, and anthonymeredith@mac.com.
he is ably assisted in so many ways by Fr George; he is a Fr Anthony Meredith (57)
great worker, an enthusiastic gardener, and he cares well for

78 The Old Ratcliffi an 2020