Trustees’ Annual Report for the period of 1[st] April 2022 to 31[st] March 2023
Charity of Canons Regular of Prémontré Canonry of Chelmsford
Registered Charity number: 1104904
Priory of Our Lady of Sorrows, Friary Road, London, SE15 1RH
Section A Reference and administration details
Names of the Trustees who manage the charity
-
The Reverend Darren Pius Collins
-
The Reverend Alexander Stephen Morrison
-
The Right Reverend David Hugh Allan ~ Prelate and Chairman
Principal address
Priory of Our Lady of Sorrows Friary Road London SE15 1RH
Tel. No. 020 7639 0947
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 re-established 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
The main event for our charity in the past year has been the decision to move from Chelmsford to Peckham in South London.
The Pandemic was a time when our community discovered more and more about our strengths and our weaknesses.
It was an incredible privilege to be able to visit the sick and dying in hospital during that time, especially on the covid wards. Our local hospital was outstanding in doing everything they could to enable us to be there for people who needed a priest, even when sometimes families were not able to be there. It was a humbling privilege to be able to serve both the dying and those caring for them.
The only way that we managed this is that we were all together in the Priory. We know what an incredible gift we had in being able to be together, but also to be able to continue to offer the Holy Mass and to sing the Divine Office, when so many others were deprived of the sacraments and common prayer.
The Pandemic was the first time the confreres had been able to celebrate the great feasts together, especially Christmas and an Easter, since we had moved to Chelmsford. The demands of two parishes and three places of worship have meant this had never been possible. Oddly, the Pandemic meant we could do that for the first time in fourteen years. This and other aspects of our life together showed us what we had missed since our arrival in Chelmsford, even as we had been truly blessed to be there in other ways, not least the friendship and support of parishioners.
The experience of the pandemic had shown us an area of our life that we needed to ensure continued as life returned to normal. Sadly, we realised that it was just not going to be possible to do that in our old home; the physical geography of having a separate Priory, and two parish churches did not allow us to live our Norbertine vocation to the fullest.
In the midst of this, the Archdiocese of Southwark asked us if we would be willing to take over a former Capuchin monastery and the parish of Peckham in South London. It provided everything we had been looking for. It is one church, one parish, and an attached house with space enough for us to grow
and perhaps even build one day. After much careful thought, prayer, and consideration we accepted the offer, and so began the transition to a new priory.
It was a hard decision to leave Chelmsford, but we left filled with gratitude for the parishioners love and friendship. We were obviously sad to be leaving somewhere we had the privilege of serving for fourteen years, but we also left with hearts filled with excitement about the future and how we may continue to be of service to God’s Church in our vocation as Norbertines.
The archdiocese of Southwark has given us the property in South London, so we own the church, priory and surrounding property and land. It is a large site for a London property and will provide stability and space for the community to grow.
Sadly, the buildings have not been maintained well. Despite the history and beauty of the buildings, the buildings have been badly neglected. There is a lot of work to be done to bring the church and house back to life. This will take many years, but we hope to be here for many years to come.
On 29th September 2022, Archbishop Wilson came to the priory to celebrate a Mass to mark the opening of the new priory and to induct Fr Stephen as parish priest. It was a wonderful occasion with other 60 priests here to support the community and a packed church of parishioners and friends from near and far. It was a great privilege to welcome the Deputy Lord Lieutenant who represented the King and many religious sisters from across London. It marked a very happy and blessed beginning to this new chapter in the life of our community.
With the move to the new priory, the confreres accepted some extra appointments within the archdiocese. Fr Hugh has become the Episcopal Vicar for Religious, Fr Pius has taken up work in the archdiocesan tribunal and Fr Gildas is now chaplain to St Thomas’s and Guys Hospital.
One of Fr Hugh’s first tasks as vicar for religious was to give a day of recollection to the religious of the archdiocese at Aylesford Priory, a Carmelite Priory which is also the shrine of St Simon Stock. Around one hundred brothers and sisters from across south London and Kent attended.
We were blessed to have a few vocational visits in November, and we pray the good Lord will bless us with novices soon.
As winter arrived, we really began to realise how important a heating system is. The main boiler for the heating system was condemned a couple of years ago and there is no heating on the ground floor and top floor of the priory and no heating in church We hope to do something about the heating eventually, but our priority is to fix the church roof, which is in a very poor state of repair. The church roof was blown off during the Blitz in World War II and replaced with temporary tiles, which have done a valiant job for 70 years, but now need to be completely replaced. Both will require major fundraising efforts.
In December, despite the arctic temperatures, we held Quarant Ore for the first time in our new home. It was a wonderful few days of prayer and devotion. Our new parishioners (and many from across south London) really loved being able to spend time with the Lord. A great blessing for our priory and for the parish community.
Fr Stephen and Fr Pius continue to make great improvements to the life of the parish and the new year began with various projects. It is heartening to see their hard work bearing fruit and the numbers attending Mass increasing week by week.
Holy Week and Easter in our new home were incredibly beautiful and filled with many blessings. Again, it was heartening to see great numbers coming to the liturgies of Holy Week and joining in the prayers of the community.
• 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 apostolates of the Canonry consist in serving the parish of Our Lady of Sorrows, Peckham. In addition to this work, we also serve the local primary school and are "on-call" to the local Hospital when needed. One of the priests is also chaplain to St Thomas’s and Guys Hospital and the community support him in this important ministry.
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 Gildas Parry is the chaplain to St Thomas’s and Guys Hospital, London.
Fr Pius Collins in addition to his work in the parish also works for the Diocesan Tribunal
Fr Hugh Allan is the Episcopal Vicar for Religious. He helps as an on-call chaplain to Kings Hospital. He also continues his work as Apostolic
Administrator of the Falkland Islands and Superior of the Mission sui juris of St Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha.
Fr Stephen Morrison in addition to his duties as Parish Priest, is a chaplain to the Knights of Malta and organizes their Lourdes Pilgrimage.
• School and University Chaplaincy Work
Fr Stephen Morrison and Fr Gildas Parry at Governors of St Francis School, Peckham. Fr Stephen also says a weekly Mass for the school and provides pastoral support.
Fr Hugh Allan is a director of SELCAT (South East London Catholic Academies Trust).
Different members of the community have celebrated Mass for and supported the work of the university chaplaincy at Guys.
• 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 fulfills duties as confessor to the nuns of Tyburn Convent and various other convents.
Fr Pius Collins is chaplain to Catholic Men UK.
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.
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 Archdiocese of Southwark The Diocesan Tribunal Office The Vicariate for Religious in the Archdiocese of Southwark Bishop's Conference of England and Wales Southwark Borough Council Tyburn Convent Catenian Association Knights of St Columba
Day with Mary St Francis Primary School, Peckham Alcoholics Anonymous A.I.C. Nigerian Association Ghanian Association Sierra Leone Association Catholic Youth of Peckham Peckham Youth Choir SELCAT Marriage Care Knights of Malta Catholic Men UK Good Counsel Network The Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham Parish foodbank Falkland Islands Government Falkland Island Conservation Society St Helena Government Ascension Island Government
Plans for the future
Having completed the move to Peckham, the focus has been building up the life of the parish and priory.
Various repairs and redecorating continue around the property.
The main fund-raising drive will be for repairs to the church roof (likely to cost around £400,000) and to the church boiler. Plans will also be prepared to look towards the reopening of the derelict parish hall. This will be a major focus of the years ahead.
We number eight 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 Standards Safeguarding Agency (CSSA).
Section E Financial Review
Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves
- (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.
-
(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.
-
(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.praem. Full Name David Hugh Allan Position Prelate and Chairman of Trustees Date 27[th] March 2023
Profit and Loss
Canons Regular of Premontre, Canonry of Chelmsford For the year ended 31 March 2023
| Account 2023 Turnover Christmas and Easter collections 7,000.00 Donations 42,090.51 Interest Income 313.09 Other Revenue 29,565.74 Standing Order Donations 4,279.00 Stipends 11,928.20 Stole Fees 28,157.27 Total Turnover 123,333.81 |
Account 2023 Turnover Christmas and Easter collections 7,000.00 Donations 42,090.51 Interest Income 313.09 Other Revenue 29,565.74 Standing Order Donations 4,279.00 Stipends 11,928.20 Stole Fees 28,157.27 Total Turnover 123,333.81 |
|---|---|
| Turnover | |
| Christmas and Easter collections 7,000.00 |
|
| Donations 42,090.51 |
|
| Interest Income 313.09 |
|
| Other Revenue 29,565.74 |
|
| Standing Order Donations 4,279.00 |
|
| Stipends 11,928.20 |
|
| Stole Fees 28,157.27 |
|
| Total Turnover 123,333.81 |
|
| Gross Profit 123,333.81 |
|
| Administrative Costs | |
| Audit & Accountancy fees 641.20 |
|
| Bank Fees 6,911.91 |
|
| Books 2,118.11 |
|
| Charitable and Political Donations 1,170.00 |
|
| Clothing 16.00 |
|
| Employers National Insurance 2,113.46 |
|
| Entertainment - 0% 1,295.67 |
|
| Fr John allowance 3,312.37 |
|
| Fr Richard Saksons 8,242.00 |
|
| General Expenses 15,441.30 |
|
| Health care 112.09 |
|
| Household 7,825.38 Investment loss 35,688.41 |
|
| IT Software and Consumables 950.84 |
|
| Liturgy and Chapel 73.29 |
|
| Motor Vehicle Expenses 7,677.49 |
|
| Nursing home costs 7,300.00 |
|
| Postage, Freight & Courier 16,514.19 |
|
| Printing & Stationery 558.57 |
|
| Repairs & Maintenance 137,075.06 |
|
| Student fees and training 4,578.50 |
|
| Subscriptions 577.36 |
|
| Telephone & Internet 1,799.95 |
|
| Travel - International 10,593.48 |
|
| Travel - National 8,579.37 |
|
| Total Administrative Costs 281,166.00 |
|
| Operating Profit -157,832.19 |
|
| Other Income | |
| CAF donations 757.30 |
|
| Donations for church roof 48,707.84 |
|
| refunds 21,737.11 Loan 100,000.00 |
|
| Supply 177.40 |
|
| Total Other Income 171,379.65 |
|
| 13,547.46 Profit |
| Funded By | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank 1 Closing Balance | 103412.82 | ||
| Bank 2 Closing Balance | 150458.65 | ||
| Investment Closing Balance | 517919.01 | ||
| 771790.48 | |||
| Less | |||
| Bank 1 Opening Balance | (54778.70) | ||
| Bank 2 Opening Balance | (149665.51 | ||
| Investment Opening Balance | (553798.81 | 758243.02 | 13547.46 |
I hereb� certif� tha� t� th� bes� of m� knowledg� thes� ar� � tru� an� correc� representatio� of th� account� for th� year endin� 31s� Marc� 2023
Profit and Loss
Canons Regular of Premontre, Canonry of Chelmsford For the year ended 31 March 2023
| Account 2023 Turnover Christmas and Easter collections 7,000.00 Donations 42,090.51 Interest Income 313.09 Other Revenue 29,565.74 Standing Order Donations 4,279.00 Stipends 11,928.20 Stole Fees 28,157.27 Total Turnover 123,333.81 |
Account 2023 Turnover Christmas and Easter collections 7,000.00 Donations 42,090.51 Interest Income 313.09 Other Revenue 29,565.74 Standing Order Donations 4,279.00 Stipends 11,928.20 Stole Fees 28,157.27 Total Turnover 123,333.81 |
|---|---|
| Turnover | |
| Christmas and Easter collections 7,000.00 |
|
| Donations 42,090.51 |
|
| Interest Income 313.09 |
|
| Other Revenue 29,565.74 |
|
| Standing Order Donations 4,279.00 |
|
| Stipends 11,928.20 |
|
| Stole Fees 28,157.27 |
|
| Total Turnover 123,333.81 |
|
| Gross Profit 123,333.81 |
|
| Administrative Costs | |
| Audit & Accountancy fees 641.20 |
|
| Bank Fees 6,911.91 |
|
| Books 2,118.11 |
|
| Charitable and Political Donations 1,170.00 |
|
| Clothing 16.00 |
|
| Employers National Insurance 2,113.46 |
|
| Entertainment - 0% 1,295.67 |
|
| Fr John allowance 3,312.37 |
|
| Fr Richard Saksons 8,242.00 |
|
| General Expenses 15,441.30 |
|
| Health care 112.09 |
|
| Household 7,825.38 Investment loss 35,688.41 |
|
| IT Software and Consumables 950.84 |
|
| Liturgy and Chapel 73.29 |
|
| Motor Vehicle Expenses 7,677.49 |
|
| Nursing home costs 7,300.00 |
|
| Postage, Freight & Courier 16,514.19 |
|
| Printing & Stationery 558.57 |
|
| Repairs & Maintenance 137,075.06 |
|
| Student fees and training 4,578.50 |
|
| Subscriptions 577.36 |
|
| Telephone & Internet 1,799.95 |
|
| Travel - International 10,593.48 |
|
| Travel - National 8,579.37 |
|
| Total Administrative Costs 281,166.00 |
|
| Operating Profit -157,832.19 |
|
| Other Income | |
| CAF donations 757.30 |
|
| Donations for church roof 48,707.84 |
|
| refunds 21,737.11 Loan 100,000.00 |
|
| Supply 177.40 |
|
| Total Other Income 171,379.65 |
|
| 13,547.46 Profit |
| Funded By | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank 1 Closing Balance | 103412.82 | ||
| Bank 2 Closing Balance | 150458.65 | ||
| Investment Closing Balance | 517919.01 | ||
| 771790.48 | |||
| Less | |||
| Bank 1 Opening Balance | (54778.70) | ||
| Bank 2 Opening Balance | (149665.51 | ||
| Investment Opening Balance | (553798.81 | 758243.02 | 13547.46 |
I hereb� certif� tha� t� th� bes� of m� knowledg� thes� ar� � tru� an� correc� representatio� of th� account� for th� year endin� 31s� Marc� 2023