Trustees’ Annual Report for the period of 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024
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
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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
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
Throughout the year, the community continued to serve in our various apostolates.
In May 2023 we completed a structural survey of the parish hall which has been derelict for twenty years. The building is structurally salvageable and so we are waiting for the quantity survey to tell us how much money this will cost. We continue to make improvements to the Priory and the whole property. It is going to take a long time, but we are slowly making progress. Thanks to the generous and kind donations we have received from various sources, we are able to replace the church roof. This was originally blown off in the Blitz during the Second World War. At that time, it was replaced with slates from nearby houses that had been destroyed, but this was only meant to be a temporary solution. After eighty years, there was no option but to replace it.
We celebrated together our first St Norbert’s day in our new home. At first vespers, we welcomed around forty local clergy for a meal together and then, on the day, Mass and celebrations with the parish and wider community.
In July, we held a Vocations Day at the priory. This is the first time we had held a day to invite men to visit and learn more about our life together. We welcomed eight men to the day, and it was a great success. We are very hopeful that one or two of them will join our novitiate soon.
After seventeen years at Lymington as chaplain to the Dominican sisters, our Fr Richard has a new mission in Yorkshire. He has become chaplain to Burton Constable House and cares for the family church at Marton, East Yorkshire.
We held our Canonry Retreat in the last week of August and then welcomed the Abbot General for his first visit to Peckham. He and Fr Stephen then flew to Australia for the Visitation of Queens Park Canonry.
In September, our eldest confrere, Fr Michael, celebrated his 92nd birthday and earlier this year celebrated 65 years of priesthood.
Fr Gildas has been appointed chaplain to St Thomas Hospital and Guys hospital. Both hospitals are on the bank of the river Thames, overlooking the
Houses of Parliament. Fr Pius continues his work in the parish and the archdiocesan Tribunal.
An exciting new venture for our priory and parish has been the establishment of a choir and we now have a group of “choral scholars” to help with the liturgy. Thanks to a donation from a Catholic charity, we can pay for four student singers to sing at our Conventual Mass on Sundays and on feast days. It is a beautiful addition to our life together and helps the students with their studies.
In November, the community had a series of meetings to review our book of customs in preparation for the visitation in February 2024.
Work on the church roof was delayed by the late arrival of the new slates from a quarry in Wales. The work was meant to be completed by Christmas, but eventually began just before Christmas and is still on-going.
December began with retreat days for the religious of the archdiocese. The archdiocese covers a large area, so retreat days for religious are held in two venues to enable the various religious communities to attend. In the archdiocese, we have sixty-two communities of women and twenty-two of men.
On the second Sunday of Advent, our new auxiliary bishop in the archdiocese, Bishop Moger, celebrated our Sunday conventual Mass and spend the day with the community. Before his appointment, he had been the rector of the shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.
December also saw continuing renovations and decorations around the priory. This time it was the refectory and the community common room.
After Christmas, the community welcomed some students from St Norberts College, Wisconsin, who were on a tour of European sites.
In February, we welcomed Abbot Dane of De Pere and Fr Joshy of Mananthavady for our Visitation. It was a blessed and grace filled time and we all benefited from their kindness and wisdom.
Shortly after, the Abbot General arrived for the election of a new Prior de Regimine. After serving eighteen years (six as administrator and twelve as prior de regimine), Fr Hugh Allan was re-elected for another term.
• 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 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 focus for the site will be seeking to re-open the derelict parish hall.
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
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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.praem. |
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| Full Name | David Hugh Allan |
| Position | Prelate and Chairman of Trustees |
| Date | 26th March 2024 |
Canons Regular of Premontre Canonry of Chelmsford Income and Expenditure for the year ending 31st March 2024
Income
| Christmas and Easter collections 6,423.15 Donations 124,716.52 Hospital Chaplaincy 10,866.49 Interest Income 2,848.05 Other Revenue 15,521.40 Rental Income 28,194.68 Standing Order Donations 2,095.00 Stipends 8,337.00 Stole Fees 13,026.00 Investment 59,141.18 Miscellaneous 88,458.58 CAF Donations 10,126.21 Donations for Church roof 211,289.22 Refunds -53,796.54 Supply 783.00 Total In Expenditure Audit & Accountancy Fees -670.00 Bank Fees -375.00 Books -2,279.38 Cleaning -14.56 Clothing -1,974.86 Employers National Insurance -327.60 Entertainment - 0% -1,667.43 Fr John Allowance -2,615.90 Fr Richard Saksons -7,917.44 General Expenses -20,564.24 Health Care -370.05 Household -12,361.08 It Software and Consumables -400.74 Litergy and Chapel -799.29 Motor Vehicle Expenses -9,421.62 Nursing Home Costs -6,000.00 Postage, Freight & Courier -935.40 Printing & Stationery -1,008.36 Repairs & Maintenance -320,406.13 Student fees & training -2,779.80 Subscriptions -751.29 Telephone & Internet -2,721.04 Travel - International -9,158.53 Travel - National -15,513.06 Total Out Income - Expenditure Funded By:- Bank 1 Closing Balance 51,082.15 Bank 2 Closing Balance 250,645.28 Investment Closing Balance 577,060.19 Less Bank 1 Opening Balance -103,412.82 Bank 2 Opening Balance -150,458.65 Investment Opening Balance -517,919.01 |
528,029.94 -421,032.80 106,997.14 878,787.62 -771,790.48 106,997.14 |
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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 2024. J. L. Mooney
Canons Regular of Premontre Canonry of Chelmsford Income and Expenditure for the year ending 31st March 2024
Income
| Christmas and Easter collections 6,423.15 Donations 124,716.52 Hospital Chaplaincy 10,866.49 Interest Income 2,848.05 Other Revenue 15,521.40 Rental Income 28,194.68 Standing Order Donations 2,095.00 Stipends 8,337.00 Stole Fees 13,026.00 Investment 59,141.18 Miscellaneous 88,458.58 CAF Donations 10,126.21 Donations for Church roof 211,289.22 Refunds -53,796.54 Supply 783.00 Total In Expenditure Audit & Accountancy Fees -670.00 Bank Fees -375.00 Books -2,279.38 Cleaning -14.56 Clothing -1,974.86 Employers National Insurance -327.60 Entertainment - 0% -1,667.43 Fr John Allowance -2,615.90 Fr Richard Saksons -7,917.44 General Expenses -20,564.24 Health Care -370.05 Household -12,361.08 It Software and Consumables -400.74 Litergy and Chapel -799.29 Motor Vehicle Expenses -9,421.62 Nursing Home Costs -6,000.00 Postage, Freight & Courier -935.40 Printing & Stationery -1,008.36 Repairs & Maintenance -320,406.13 Student fees & training -2,779.80 Subscriptions -751.29 Telephone & Internet -2,721.04 Travel - International -9,158.53 Travel - National -15,513.06 Total Out Income - Expenditure Funded By:- Bank 1 Closing Balance 51,082.15 Bank 2 Closing Balance 250,645.28 Investment Closing Balance 577,060.19 Less Bank 1 Opening Balance -103,412.82 Bank 2 Opening Balance -150,458.65 Investment Opening Balance -517,919.01 |
528,029.94 -421,032.80 106,997.14 878,787.62 -771,790.48 106,997.14 |
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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 2024. J. L. Mooney