Trustees’ Annual Report for the period of 1[st] April 2021 to 31[st] March 2022
Charity of Canons Regular of Prémontré Canonry of Chelmsford
Registered Charity number: 1104904
St Philip’s Priory 178 London Road Chelmsford Essex CM2 0AR
Section A Reference and administration details
Names of the Trustees who manage the charity
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The Reverend Darren Pius Collins
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The Reverend Alexander Stephen Morrison
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The Right Reverend David Hugh Allan ~ Prelate and Chairman
Principal address
St. Philip’s Priory, 178 New London Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 0AR
Tel. No. 01254 352898 Fax 01245 600043
Website : www.norbertines.org.uk
Email : community@norbertines.org.uk
Bankers
Santander Corporate Banking Bridle Road Bootle Merseyside L30 4GB
Investments
Fairstone Management Ltd 4th Floor, 25 Copthall Avenue, London, EC2R 7BP
Solicitors:
Davis, Blank, Furniss 90 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2QJ
Section B Structure, governance and management
The order of Canons Regular of Prémontré (the Norbertine Order) is an international Roman Catholic Religious Order. It was founded in France in 1121. Its Generalate is in Rome and it is constituted of autonomous canonries (abbeys and priories with their dependent works). The Order was reestablished in England in 1872. The new autonomous Canonry was established in 2004 under a new Scheme dated 29th June 2004 (Charity No. 1104904).
Governance and Structure
In terms of Canon Law the supreme governing body of the Order is the General Chapter which meets every six years. Between these times there is an Abbot General who meets twice a year with four Definitors. The Canonry is governed by its superior (known as the Prelate) and council. In terms of Civil Law the Order is governed by the trust deed.
The Trustees are members of the Order and have a detailed knowledge of the Order and its structure. The Trustees are responsible for the policies, activities and assets of the charities. They meet regularly to review developments with regard to the charities and its activities and make any important decisions.
Description of the charity’s trusts:
| Type of governing document | Trust deed |
|---|---|
| How the charity is constituted | Trust |
| Trustee selection methods | Appointed |
Additional governance issues:
The chairman appoints and nominates new trustees.
Section C Objectives and activities
Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document:
The trust fund and the income thereof shall be held on exclusively charitable trusts and shall be applicable subject to and in accordance with the provisions hereinafter contained for such charitable purposes as shall advance the charitable work for the time being carried on promoted or supported by the Society as the Trustees shall from time to time with the consent of the Prelate think fit PROVIDED THAT if at any time the Society shall cease to exist or to carry on promote or support any charitable works the Trust Fund and the income thereof shall be held for such general charitable purposes in
connection with the Roman Catholic religion as the Trustees shall in their discretion think fit.
Objects and Mission
The Canonry aims to support the religious and other charitable works carried out by the members of the Canonry and to care for those members throughout their lives with the Order.
Section D Achievements and performance
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year
Report of the past year
In April 2021, Fr Hugh attended the Bishops Conference by zoom, but on the last day, they managed to meet "in person" for the first time in over a year.
In May Fr Hugh was invited to preach at the annual service of remembrance for the Falkland war. In the 39 years since the invasion and liberation of the islands, it was the first time a Catholic had been asked to preach. Around the same time, we celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation for our parishioners who had been prepared by Fr Pius over the last year, again, mainly via zoom. To enable all things to be done following the covid regulations, we had a relay of Masses for the sacrament to be celebrated. At the end of May, Richard Hyslop visited the monastery. He is the Falkland Islands representative in the UK and it was good to welcome him to the Priory.
The greatest event for us in the past year happened in June with the Ordination and First Mass of Fr Gildas. This had been delayed from January due to the covid restrictions in place, but it was a wonderful way for us to celebrate the feast of our holy father Norbert (in England, his feast was celebrated on 7th June this year, with the 6th June being the transferred solemnity of Corpus Christi).
The beauty of the Mass was enhanced by a motet composed by our own Fr Stephen for the occasion. It was based on the Last words of Blessed William Davies, Martyred at Beaumaris, Anglesey, in 1593 and also the words of Saint Gildas the Wise, taken from his famous work, “On the Ruin of Britain." The next day, Fr Gildas celebrated his "first Mass" and again it was a deeply moving occasion. The highlight of our year.
Early in July Fr Stephen gave a retreat day to Knights of Malta in London. On the same day, Fr Hugh attended the first Mass to be said in the ruins of Colchester Abbey since the Reformation.
At the end of the summer our Canonry Retreat was given by Fr Stephen. We had hoped a confrere from Orange would give our retreat this year, but the ongoing restrictions to travel made this impossible. Instead, Fr Stephen gave an excellent retreat to the confreres on the virtue of fortitude. A truly blessed week of prayer and silence together.
At the beginning of September Fr Michael, our oldest confrere and dean of the chapter, celebrated his 90th birthday. Fr Stephen and Fr Pius joined him for the occasion.
Fr Gildas began course of studies in Psychology based at a university in South London. Later in the month we held our Canonry Chapter at the Dominican Convent in Lymington where our confrere, Fr Richard, is the chaplain to the sisters.
October began with two memorial Masses for priests associated with the parishes but who had died during the “lockdowns”, and so attendance as their funerals was not possible. Canon John Duckett and Fr Paul Dynan, both of whom were ordained in the parish church in Chelmsford.
November saw the usual rounds of Masses for the dead and blessing of graves. We also held our annual Quarant Ore devotion. As ever, it was a beautiful three days of prayer, praying especially for all those who suffered during the pandemic. At the end of November, Fr Stephen and Fr Pius travelled up to Scotland to give a parish mission in Rutherglen. It was a great success, and the parishioners were really inspired by our confreres.
At the beginning of December, Sr Elizabeth, a long-term member of the parish, left Chelmsford to move into the nursing home of her congregation. Sister had been headteacher of both our Catholic schools.
Advent began with Fr Hugh giving a retreat to the Ordinariate in London and a few days latter to the priests of the archdiocese of Westminster. Also, in Advent, some confreres joined the sisters at Tyburn for the silver jubilee of Mother General, Sr Marilla. Fr Stephen and Fr Pius travelled to Walsingham to record some Lenten reflections to be broadcast by EWTN.
In January, Fr Hugh travelled to California to preach the retreat to the sisters in Tehachapi. The sisters very patiently listened to Fr Hugh over nine days. Fr Stephen gave a retreat to the Guild of St Clare, a group for Catholics who enjoy sewing. It has done great work in repairing vestments around the country. He also gave a weekend retreat to the Knights of Malta.
In February, the confreres met for a Canonry Chapter to make an important decision about an offer we had received from the archdiocese of Southwark to take over a former Capuchin monastery in the diocese. It would be a new home for the Canonry and provide more space for the community to grow and receive visitors. The confreres decided to accept the offer and so the community will be moving to Peckham in South London later this year. The site needs a lot of work, and this will be a project for many years ahead.
• Caring for members of the Canonry
In common with many orders in Britain, the profile of the members of the Canonry varies from year to year as people come and go.
The Canonry has an obligation, both moral and legal, to care and provide for its members, none of whom have resources of their own and all of whom have devoted a significant part of their lives to the care of others.
The Canonry pays a monthly fee to the Little Sisters of the Poor for the ongoing care of our eldest confrere.
We have also continued to train men for the Catholic priesthood. We have one man training for the priesthood and after ordination he will continue with his studies. The Canonry is responsible for all his needs and costs.
• Parish and Pastoral duties
The main apostolate of the Canonry consists in serving two parishes in Chelmsford, Essex - Our Lady Immaculate Parish and Holy Name Parish. In addition to this work, we also serve the local primary school and are "on-call" to the local Hospital when needed.
The Parish work has involved visiting the sick in their homes, nursing homes and in hospital; in preparing couples for marriage; preparing parents for the baptism of their children; preparing enquirers for reception into the Church; counselling the bereaved and preparing for funerals.
Fr Pius Collins is Vice-Chancellor of the Diocese of Brentwood.
Fr Stephen Morrison is the Area Dean for Mid-Essex.
• School and University Chaplaincy Work
Fr Hugh Allan, as a Governor, and Fr Stephen Morrison, as chaplain, care for the pastoral needs of Our Lady Immaculate Primary School. They also help with the chaplaincy work at St John Payne Secondary School. Fr Stephen is a Governor of St John Payne School. Fr Pius Collins continues as the Catholic Chaplain to Anglia Ruskin University.
• Retreats and Spiritual Direction for other religious communities
Fr Richard Saksons continues to care for the spiritual needs of the Dominican Sisters of St Joseph at Lymington, Hampshire.
Fr Michael Gallagher continues to live in Manchester with the Little Sisters of the Poor in Longsight, Manchester.
Fr Hugh Allan, Fr Stephen Morrison, Fr Pius Collins and Fr Gildas Parry have all provided input for days of recollection and retreats in the local area and beyond.
Fr Hugh Allan fulfills duties as confessor to the nuns of Tyburn Convent, as a member of the Chaplaincy Council at Anglia Ruskin University and as a member of the Cathedral Council of Chelmsford Anglican Cathedral.
Working with other organizations
The charity works with other charities and public bodies in the services they provide. In some instances they are occasionally employed by these organisations, whilst in other instances the relationships are more informal. Examples of organizations for which the members of the Canonry have worked and with which they have co-operated during the year are as follows:
Roman Catholic Diocese of Brentwood Bishop's Conference of England and Wales Chelmsford Town Council Essex Education Authority Anglia Ruskin University Chelmsford Cathedral Tyburn Convent Catenian Association Knights of St Columba Churches Together in Chelmsford Brentwood Catholic Children's Society St. John Payne Secondary School, Chelmsford Ursuline School, Brentwood St. Cedd's Prep School, Chelmsford Marriage Care Manor Lodge, Ashleigh House and other local Nursing Homes The Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham Chelmsford foodbank Falkland Islands Government Falkland Island Conservation Society St Helena Government Ascension Island Government
Plans for the future
The community will be moving to a new monastery in Peckham, South London later this year. This will be the main project for the community to focus on in the year ahead.
We number nine members of our community.
Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults
Along with all other organisations that serve in the community, the trustees recognise the absolute necessity of ensuring the protection and safety of all those the Canonry serves. The trustees are committed to implementing all the policies and procedures of the Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service (CSAS).
Section E Financial Review
Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves
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(a) The trustees shall have power instead of applying any income of the Trust Fund for the aforesaid charitable purposes to employ the same in the creation of augmentation of any reserve or endowment fund or funds for providing by the income thereof for all or any of the said purposes but so that the Trustees shall be at liberty at any time or times to resort to the capital or any such fund for any of the said purposes.
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(b) The Trustees shall also have power to appropriate or set aside any part or parts of the capital of the Trust Fund in the creation or augmentation of any such reserve or endowment fund.
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(c) Any periodical payments or other monies or property of the nature of income which may be received by the Trustees whether under gift aid declarations or otherwise howsoever for the general purposes of this deed shall be treated as income of the Trust Fund.
Section F Other optional information
Trustees
As members of the Order, the Trustees' living expenses were borne by the Order but the Trustees received no remuneration or other benefits in connection with their duties as Trustees during the year.
Section G Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature David Hugh Allan, o.raem. Full Name David Hugh Allan Position Prelate and Chairman of Trustees Date 27[th] March 2022
Profit and Loss
Canons Regular of Premontre, Canonry of Chelmsford For the year ended 31 March 2022
Income
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|---|---|
|Christmas and Easter collections|24,721.90|
|Donations|26,615.67|
|Interest Income|13.02|
|Investment Income|16.78|
|Other Revenue|8,319.95|
|Standing Order Donations|8,712.00|
|Stipends|10,402.08|
|Stole Fees|36,047.20|
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Gross Profit 114,848.60
Expenditure
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Audit & Accountancy fees 511.01
Bank Fees 94.20
Books 906.11
Charitable and Political Donations 5,000.00
Cleaning 132.90
Clothing 1,947.32
Employers National Insurance 1,589.45
Entertainment - 0% 2,022.16
General Expenses 17,678.16
Health care 998.11
Household 9,017.82
Insurance 568.79
IT Software and Consumables 927.95
Legal Expenses 765.00
Liturgy and Chapel 11,130.31
Motor Vehicle Expenses 7,236.94
Nursing home costs 2,985.12
Postage, Freight & Courier 150.48
Printing & Stationery 682.50
Repairs & Maintenance 228.92
Student fees and training 15,708.25
Subscriptions 590.73
Telephone & Internet 1,677.76
Travel - International 6,123.23
Travel - National 8,700.71
Suspense 683.56
Total Administrative Costs 98,057.49
Operating Profit 16,791.11
Other Income
Car mileage from parish 3,532.95
refunds 1,660.42
Total Other Income 5,193.37
Profit / (loss) 21,984.48
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Funded By
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|||||
|---|---|---|---|
|Bank 1 Closing Balance|54778.70|
|Bank 2 Closing Balance|149665.51|
|Investment Closing Balance|553798.81|758243.02|
|Less|
|Bank 1 Opening Balance|-57790.46|
|Bank 2 Opening Balance|-124652.49|
|Investment Opening Balance|-553815.59|-736258.54|21984.48|
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I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge these are a true and correct representation of the accounts for the year ending 31st March 2022. J. L. Mooney
Profit and Loss
Canons Regular of Premontre, Canonry of Chelmsford For the year ended 31 March 2022
Income
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|||
|---|---|
|Christmas and Easter collections|24,721.90|
|Donations|26,615.67|
|Interest Income|13.02|
|Investment Income|16.78|
|Other Revenue|8,319.95|
|Standing Order Donations|8,712.00|
|Stipends|10,402.08|
|Stole Fees|36,047.20|
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Gross Profit 114,848.60
Expenditure
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Audit & Accountancy fees 511.01
Bank Fees 94.20
Books 906.11
Charitable and Political Donations 5,000.00
Cleaning 132.90
Clothing 1,947.32
Employers National Insurance 1,589.45
Entertainment - 0% 2,022.16
General Expenses 17,678.16
Health care 998.11
Household 9,017.82
Insurance 568.79
IT Software and Consumables 927.95
Legal Expenses 765.00
Liturgy and Chapel 11,130.31
Motor Vehicle Expenses 7,236.94
Nursing home costs 2,985.12
Postage, Freight & Courier 150.48
Printing & Stationery 682.50
Repairs & Maintenance 228.92
Student fees and training 15,708.25
Subscriptions 590.73
Telephone & Internet 1,677.76
Travel - International 6,123.23
Travel - National 8,700.71
Suspense 683.56
Total Administrative Costs 98,057.49
Operating Profit 16,791.11
Other Income
Car mileage from parish 3,532.95
refunds 1,660.42
Total Other Income 5,193.37
Profit / (loss) 21,984.48
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Funded By
----- Start of picture text -----
|||||
|---|---|---|---|
|Bank 1 Closing Balance|54778.70|
|Bank 2 Closing Balance|149665.51|
|Investment Closing Balance|553798.81|758243.02|
|Less|
|Bank 1 Opening Balance|-57790.46|
|Bank 2 Opening Balance|-124652.49|
|Investment Opening Balance|-553815.59|-736258.54|21984.48|
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I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge these are a true and correct representation of the accounts for the year ending 31st March 2022. J. L. Mooney