Platernian

Newsletter

Autumn 2013

A Fresh Start

The announcement that Pope Benedict was to stand down took many by surprise. With you we welcome Pope Francis I as the new leader of the flock. Sadly events closer to home and the fact that the Bishops of England and Wales were not represented at the conclave was a disappointment. Pope Francis faces many challenges which need to be addressed if those in the Church, lay and ordained, are to be energised and released to give witness to a new Spirit of Hope. We live in a world that is in need of hope and new paths to integrity. Many former Platernians will understand that throughout its history there have been struggles to ensure that the role of the Catholic laity is fully recognised within the work of the Church. Increasingly there is a call for the laity to be better represented and heard at senior levels within the Church at diocesan, national and local level. The decrease in clergy due to reduced vocations and the growing number of elderly clergy, means we must continue to find new ways of “being the Church” in the World. This has to involve the restructuring of many parishes and a greater reliance upon the laity to take up their responsibilities so that they are beacons of Christian witness and practice alive in our communities. New forms of collaboration and engagements are needed if we are to fulfil the unique task we have been given. The Papacy is a difficult role in a world that changes so fast. No longer are people willing to accept long held traditions or for that matter, give respect unless it is earned. A growing secular agenda impacts upon the legitimate role of the Church within the public arena, alongside the continuing struggle for human dignity and respect for people in all stages of their life journey. All of this underlines the significance and importance of the adult laity engaging in, understanding and developing the mission of the Church wherever they are in economic, community and political life. This is something which Plater College did well and to which many are indebted. A question needs to be asked as to how we are investing in the formation of laity for the future and what changes will we see in Church structures to enable the voice of the laity, male and female, to be better heard and respected at all levels. Together we can face these challenges, building and renewing the Church to carry out its mission in the world. People have to feel their role is valued and affirmed at all levels of leadership within the Church. Pope Francis has set a good example, he has reaffirmed that we are “the church of the poor” and we need to lead by example at all levels of community and church life. He is calling us to a approach and is setting good examples in what he is saying and doing. Let us pray we will see a new fresh approach in the Church in England and Wales that embraces the role of all in the Church, and releases a new spirit of hope and determination to reflect Catholic Social Thinking in action not just words. This edition of Platernian News pays tribute to those who have sadly died in recent times and gives testimony to the struggle for social justice and on-going commitment shown by people to Church teaching. K W Flanagan Director St Antony’s Centre

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A Tribute to Tony Burns

A Tribute to David Byron

David Byron was born in Sunderland on 1 April 1930 and died there on 15 March 2012 aged 81. He lived in Sunderland throughout his life, virtually the whole of that time in St Joseph’s Parish where he was a highly regarded and well respected parishioner. Dave was one of eight children, two boys and six girls, and he attended St Joseph’s school, progressing through the infant, junior and senior departments; on leaving school he obtained employment as an apprentice joiner in the local shipyards. As part of his apprenticeship training he was required to attend night school then, after completing his apprenticeship he went on to qualify as a cabinet maker. Dave was called up for National Service and he joined the Royal Air Force, most of his RAF service being spent in Egypt. On demobilisation, Dave returned to his home town of Sunderland and resumed his career as a carpenter and joiner. He was interested in Catholic Social Teaching and he joined the Sunderland Branch of the Catholic Social Guild. He then began attending CSG meetings and participating in the discussions. It was through attending the CSG meetings that Dave learned about the Catholic Workers’ College in Oxford and decided to apply for a place, commencing his studies there in 1957. Dave enjoyed his time at the College and after completing his studies, he became a regular attendee at the Annual Re-unions and retreats along with other former students and was a generous supporter of the Platernian Association. He started his own business as a building contractor, carrying out building maintenance and repairs, also house extensions and other small contracts, becoming quite successful with a reputation for work of high quality. Eventually he retired but was still being asked to carry out work for the family and friends. He was often found working on repairs to the Holy Cross Home, run by the Little Sisters of the Poor in St Joseph’s parish. At his Requiem Mass, the Parish Priest of St Joseph’s described Dave as a devout Catholic, a man of tremendous faith, who attended daily Mass, had a cheerful personality and a smile for everyone. Dave Byron will be sadly missed by his family and many friends in his local parish and the wider community, especially former students of Plater College. May he rest in peace.

Since our last edition we are sorry to report the passing of Tony Burns who was a very active Platernian throughout his time as a former student and a member of the Platernian Association. When Tony finished studying at Plater College he returned to Manchester becoming a popular Manchester Councillor for Wythenshawe and eventually being appointed Mayor of Manchester. He regularly took part in the Platernian reunions and meetings, taking every opportunity to promote the work of the College and to encourage students to take up offers to attend as fulltime students. Tony was also recognised for his work in the Apex Union in the Manchester Central Branch and for the GMB Union which merged in 1989 with Apex where Tony continued as an active member of the Stretford 153 Branch. He was well loved as a Councillor and was appointed as the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire. He was also active in the Diocese of Shrewsbury promoting Catholic Social Thinking in the Wythenshawe Deanery. Tony Burns, funeral took place at St Antony’s Church, Wythenshawe which was attended by representatives from Manchester City Council, Members of Parliament as well as Lord Alf Morris, who sadly also passed away a few months later. Paul Goggins the MP for Wythenshawe, paid tribute to Tony and his work and for the devotion shown by his family to the needs of the areas which he served so loyally.

“The world has become an idolater of this 'money-god”

Enclosed with this edition of Platernian News is a copy of the address given

by Pope Francis to workers and those seeking work in Italy on his visit to Sardinia.

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Former Miner Remained True to His Roots

GEPO Manchester Conference

In September St Antony’s Centre welcomed 40 delegates from across Europe from Catholic agencies engaging in Pastoral Support and Engagement in the world of work. The Centre has been a member of GEPO at a European level for over 6 years. During the past 3 years GEPO has shared its work on Migration and its impact on people within the European community. St Antony’s Centre for Church and Industry is a key partner for the work. The conference was held from September 18th to 21st at Salford Quays, close to the Centre. Speakers included Kathleen Walker-Shaw GMB European officer based in Brussels and Cathy Corcoran, CEO of the Cardinal Hulme Centre in London. Delegates visited three Manchester Projects, Revive, working with asylum seekers and Cornerstone supporting and feeding homeless and those on the margins of society. The third visit was to St. Antony's Centre on Economic justice and work issues.

He was a former pitmen, and he championed the cause of miners after he became a politician. Patrick Bartley was born in Washington, then in County Durham, on March 24, 1909. He went to St Joseph’s Elementary School in the town, leaving at the age of 14 to become a miner. Bartley spent his spare time studying, and in 1930, he was accepted for a two-year course at the former Catholic Workers’ College in Oxford. From 1933, he was branch secretary of the Mineworkers’ Union at his pit, Washington F. He also became active in politics in the Labour Party, and in 1934, he was elected to Washington Urban District Council. In 1937, he was voted onto Durham County Council, a role he undertook for 12 years. Bartley also acted as agent to Jack Lawson, Labour MP for Chester-le-Street, a constituency including Washington at that time. In 1942, he left the coalface to become a Regional Assistant Labour Director. After Britain’s collieries were nationalised in 1947, Bartley became Conciliation Officer for the National Coal Board’s Northern Division. Lawson was made a baron in 1949, and Bartley was picked to follow in his footsteps after being named as Labour’s candidate for the Cheshire-le-Street constituency. At the 1950 general election, he was elected with a majority of 24,969, an even bigger majority than Lawson’s last one. Bartley used his position in Parliament to support nationalisation of the mines, arguing that it had produced a greater sense of communal responsibility than ever before. He also criticised discrimination against Roman Catholics in Northern Ireland.

During the 1951 general election campaign, Bartley was forced to go into hospital due to ill health, and his campaign was conducted by volunteers on his behalf. This proved no disadvantage as his subsequent majority of 24,879 was one of the highest in the country. In May 1952, Bartley’s championing of the case of a constituent denied compassionate leave by the Army to see his dying father was so forceful that the then prime minister, Winston Churchill, had to step in to defend the Cabinet member involved. On October 25, 1953, during a discussion in Parliament on the fuel and power industries, he said: “Listening to the debate, I have found it difficult to believe that I was in a real world. “Years ago when I was in the pit, I discussed nationalisation with my fellow workers on many occasions, but none of us ever dreamed that we should see the day when members of the Tory party would be expressing agreement with public ownership, especially in the coalmining industry”. Bartley also took up the issue of agricultural land in his constituency which had been lost to mining subsidence, and he continued to raise issues related to the mining industry. However, his health remained poor, and he was again admitted to hospital in June 1956. Three days after his discharge, he died suddenly. (from the Washington Star March 2013)

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1. Anchor House – the Brentwood Diocese’s Caritas initiative

(£47,500)

2. The Ambassadors project – Salford Diocese Caritas (£37,374)

3. Prison Advice & Care Trust (PACT) (£75,971)

4. Saint Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) (£22,435)

Plater College 1940s

At the beginning of the year the Plater Trust made awards to several organisations on the theme 'Leadership development for the laity, particularly in the area of social justice and social action, to equip individual Catholics to apply Catholic social teaching and play an active part in the Church's mission.' Archbishop Vincent Nichols welcomed the reception to Westminster for the award.

Thank you to Andy McKeown for the photographs of students at Plater College in 1940s Do you recognise anyone?

Plater Trust Awards Winners 2013

The four successful award winners in 2013 were:

Plater Trust 2013

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Albert Taylor

25 February 1931 to 14 August 2011

Fr Plater and South Staffordshire - By Michael Doyle

Albert joined the YCW in Hanwell, London, where he was an active member. In 1956, following the Hungarian uprising, along with a group of YCW members, he volunteered to work at a refugee camp in Austria. He spent a year there, Helping those who had decided to flee their country as a result of the uprising, to prepare a life in another country. This experience had a significant Impact on Albert which was to last for many years. On his return to London he picked up where he left off with the YCW and in 1960 went to work at the YCW headquarters in Clapham Road, London with his great friend Frank Lane. During this period he met Mary Cater, another worker at HQ and they subsequently married. Like many other YCW leaders at the time Albert decided that he should return to full-time education and spent a year at the Catholic Workers College in Oxford studying social science. Albert together with Mary was very important in sustaining the Cardijn Association, over recent years. A lot of charity work locally was also part of Albert and Mary’s contribution to community.

My experience of Albert was that of him being totally reliable; if asked to do something he would always do it. This admirable characteristic served him well in the many and varied aspects of his life. He was very sociable, a beer and a chat with Albert was always a memorable and enjoyable experience. I remember one occasion when I was a very new organiser a group of us were in a pub just near HQ and a very deep discussion about theology started. I recall Albert participating actively while I felt overawed by the occasion. Albert will be missed by Mary and his family, by members of the Cardijn Association, YCW and in fact by all who came into contact with him throughout his life. (First published in the YCW Newsletter)

Fr Charles Plater S.J. was a prominent figure in the growth and development of Catholic Social Teaching in England during the early part of the 20th Century. He toured the country spreading Catholic Social Teaching to all groups in society; he also organised retreats for working men as they had hands on experience of industrial problems. During a visit to the Midlands he had the greatest belief in Birmingham and hoped it would become the centre of Midlands retreats. Fr Keefe from Cannock sent a large number of men to a retreat at Birmingham from Cannock and Chasetown. It was stated by Fr Martindale, S.j., that Fr Plater had a “great affection for Cannock” and the mining population as a whole. The organisation was very good and the singing at Mass and Vespers involved all members of the congregation. The Christian community, it pointed out, was one of “good will”. Perhaps this closeness reflected the Loyalty of commitment “down pit”.

McNabb was to be found. The Priests walked together over the 400 acres of the estate belonging to the Priory where they discussed future ideas. Fr McNabb, O.P., wished that some day the “beautiful place might be used for the poor; Catholic Institutions were to settle there, chaplained by the Friars”. Fr Plater hoped to continue with his retreats for working men. However, both men prayed for the re-Christianisation of the Social Order, an aim we still have to achieve today. And so Cannock and Chasetown were participators in the early efforts of social Catholic action, which is indeed a worthy

inheritance.

Fr Joe Carter We record our appreciation to Father Joe Carter co-founder of St Antony’s Centre for Church and Industry who died on 5th November 2012. Fr Joe served as a YCW Chaplain and Industrial Chaplain and as the Spiritual Director of the Centre. The Centre has launched a memorial fund in the memory of Fr Joe.

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When I was up at Plater College in the 1960s religious practice was a very strong and essential part of college life. Plater College was set up in 1921 to enable working men and women to obtain an education in economics and politics. However the most important part of the course was the in-depth study of Catholic Social Teaching. The week started on Sunday with morning Mass celebrated by Fr Henry Waterhouse, S.J., the College Chaplain. He had been a school master in Yorkshire and was the college principal before the advent of Joe Kirwan, the then said principal. In those days there was no shortage of servers or readers, the students were keen to be involved in all the services. Before the evening meal on Sunday we had benediction, in Latin of course, which was always well attended. The chapel was situated a few minutes walk from the main college building; however it was always cold in the summer (Trinity) term. The alter was made from solid red brick which had been made by two miners during their time at the college. During the week Mass was celebrated by Fr Waterhouse in the evening with other priests who may have been staying for a particular qualification. Tutorials and lectures always finished before Mass, which was the norm at that time in a Catholic College. Before meals we said Grace together and after our meal we all retired to the chapel for prayers of thanksgiving. These were led by the principal Mr Joe Kirwan. In Lent we had meals in silence as readings for each day of Lent were read for our spiritual well being. In fact, Plater College had been greatly influenced by Frs Plater, O’Hea, Pridgeon and Waterhouse. Being Jesuit they brought with them the Jesuit roots for disciplined prayer and strong academic debate. Towards the end of 1966, Fr Waterhouse was able to obtain “Documents of Vatican II” by the American Jesuit Walter Abbott. We all discussed and debated the various papers in a truly “S.J.” Style. I believe, we were the first Catholic College to have had this collection of documents in the UK. Plater College is no longer in being, but thanks to the great idea of The Most Rev Vincent Nichols we have The Charles Plater Trust. This “Trust” allocates financial aid to projects which reflect Catholic Social Action and The Common Good.

This article was first published in the Platernian Newsletter some years ago and sent to us recently.

Religious Practice at Plater College Oxford

Plater College

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Tributes to charity stalwart

A Stalwart Washington, Rotarian and much-loved family man has been remembered in song during a touching tribute at his wake. Friends fulfilled a last wish of Terry Gibson’s by hiring a singer of swing to perform and close pals Cliff Chapman and Simon Dent also gave an impromptu a capella-style performance of one of his favourite tracks, Harry Belafonte’s Scarlet Ribbons. They gathered at the Washington Arms pub in Washington Village to honour the 72nd year old after his death from cancer on Saturday, March 2nd. The retired engineering firm boss, of the Avenue in Washington Village, was so popular that there was standing room only at his funeral at Our Blessed Lady Immaculate Church. Friends say Mr Gibson, an ex-president of Washington Rotary Club, was a leading light in helping the needy by organising fundraising events. Mr Gibson, father to Siobhan and a grandfather of four, studied economics and politics at Oxford University. He enjoyed a varied career and later became a director of PDQ Engineering, based at Hertburn Industrial Estate in Washington. He and wife Sheila were due to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary later this year. He died in Gateshead’s Queen Elizabeth hospital after a short illness. Washington Rotary Club’s community services chairman described Mr Gibson as “an amazing fundraiser”. (Thank you to John Prendergast for sending the newspaper cutting)

PLATERNIAN NEWS Spread the word

If you were a Plater “Graduate” or know of others who may be

interested in this publication, please send their details to us.

To reduce cost, we are encouraging people

to receive the Newsletter by e-mail in PDF format. We will also place it on St Antony’s Centre’s

website for wider readership.

A limited number of printed copies will be produced and posted upon request to former members of the Association.

Given the significant increase in postage,

you can help our resources go further by receiving your copy by e-mail.

If you would like to donate towards the work of the Centre, or the

newsletter cheques should be made payable to

“St Antony’s Centre”.

All receipts will be acknowledged. If you know of someone who is not on the mailing please let me

know by email to kflanagan@stantonyscentre.org.uk

Why not write a brief story about Plater or your experience over the years?

Congratulations to the 1961-63 intake who had a mini reunion in September 2011 at Oxford to mark their 50

Years:

50th Anniversary Reunion 1961-2011 on Saturday 24th September 2011

Attendance List

Brian Bone (Wales)

Colin Cummings—1960 (Kent)

John Dunleavy (Abingdon)

Emanuel & Rose Ellul (Malta)

Bill Foy (Scotland)

Terry & Sheila Gibson—1962 (Washington)

Keith & Kathy Hawley (Oxford)

Fr. Frank McHugh (Donegal, Ireland)

Tony & Traude Murray (Manchester)

John & Jane Prendergast (Washington)

Gerard Purnell (Wales)

Eliott & Aurelia Victor (Gibraltar)

Other News

Platernian Newsletter 8

The Centre has a unique history which was founded in the roots of the YCW Cardijn method of see, judge and act and in a desire to develop Catholic Social Thinking following a period of study undertaken at Plater College between 1976 and 78 by its Founder and Director, Kevin Flanagan. The Centre has, at a practical level continued the important work of Plater College by providing education and training opportunities for adults wanting to re-enter education. It is an accredited Centre with City & Guilds and the Open Awards Network offering functional skills in numeracy and literacy, IT qualifications in ITQ Levels 1 & 2 as well as running a range of work clubs and support for those who are unemployed. At present employees across the North West can access free accredited ITQ training and the Centre has been successful in running a Response to Redundancy programme visiting a wide range of factories and workplaces across the North West to support people as they face the uncertainty of redundancy. The Centre has developed a network of learning centres and also manages the GMB Reach Out Project, which is the Unionlearn project serving the GMB membership in the North West & Irish Region. This is a unique collaboration between a trade union and the Centre. Over 6000 people have been supported through this route in the past 2 years which develops the Union Learning Representatives in the workplace, builds partnerships between trade unions and the employers and helps to broker and deliver new skills to meet the changing demands of our economic environment. The Centre also operates a double-decker learning bus which visits sites and helps to promote education and training in the wider community. More recently it has been engaged in a series of visits to outlying areas of Manchester and the inner city to promote and encourage members of the community to take up new tech-nology in order to bridge the digital divide. A New Future ? Following a proposal to merge St Antony’s Centre with the new Salford Diocesan charity Caritas-Salford, further discussions are now on the way to look at the Centre becoming a Charity in its own right or to be retained within the Salford Diocesan structures. However there are a number of conditions being attached to remaining as a member of the Diocesan structures which could inhibit the work as it moves forward and create significant problems in terms of its future management and the ability to respond quickly to the needs of the wider community. These issues are forming the basis for a series of discussions between the Diocesan Trustees and the Centre Management Committee. We therefore ask for your prayers and support during this difficult period. In preparing the way forward the Centre has developed a new Business Plan and is looking at all of the issues that will need to be addressed in the future, particularly in relation to promoting Catholic Social Thinking as it applies to the world of work. This is still an area of mission that does not receive appropriate attention within Church structures and is sadly a poor partner in terms of the mission of the Church. The idea of establishing other mini Centres for Church and Industry in other Diocese is one that a number of people have requested and may well become part of the future development plan. We would like to discuss with any individuals the possibility of replicating the model in other areas and building the network of agencies involved with the world of work and the mission of the Church. If the Centre has to establish a new Charity then we will be looking to our many friends and supporters to help us to create a robust organisation that is able to respond quickly and effectively to the growing demands being made of the Centre and its services in response to the ongoing problems faced by people in the community, the world of work and to continue its mission to develop Catholic Social Thinking. We will be inviting friends and supporters to a Conference at the Centre in November to discuss this area of mission, if you are interested let us know.

Platernian Newsletter

c/o St Antony’s Centre for Church and Industry Eleventh Street Trafford Park

Manchester M17 1JF Tel: 0161 848 9173 Fax: 0161 872 9480

E-mail: secretary@stantonyscentre.org.uk

Web: www.stantonyscentre.org.uk Twitter: @KflanaganKevin

Fr. Joseph Carter co-founder of St. Antony’s Centre died on November 5th 2012

following a long battle with illness. His Reception Mass was attended at St. Antony’s

by over 400 people followed by a Requiem Mass at a packed Salford Cathedral,

offered by Bishop Brain. Fr. Joe was an industrial chaplain to Trafford Park and

Chaplain to YCW and the National Council of Lay Associations (NCLA).

A Mass will be offered at St. Antony’s Church on the afternoon of Sunday

November 10th 2013 commencing at 2:00pm to mark his first anniversary. All are

welcome– refreshments in the Centre following the service

The Centre for Church and Industry