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THIRD ORDER
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TON 13
2003
Provincial Chapter
Long gone are the days when the business of the
Third Order was conducted in hushed tones and our
membership of the Order kept very quiet, if not
secret. In that light, it is possible for Tertiaries to
read Chapter minutes. Admittedly there is a fourmonth
time-lag between the meetings and their
publication on the admin website because, as you
will understand, they need to be confirmed at a
subsequent meeting by the members of Chapter.
Actually, they are like most business minutes –
moments of high excitement among the humdrum.
That said, if you would like to read past minutes you
can do so by asking Alex Calveley our Administrator
for the Password, and then you can access the site.
At our meeting in February held at Domus Mariae in
Chigwell we welcomed the new members, Dick Bird,
Susan Holmes and myself, and bade our farewells to
Liza Coates, whose term of office as Link Tertiary
and a member of Chapter is at an end.
An interim planning team has been put in place to
look towards the York General Chapter 3-5 August,
2006 – its members are Dick Bird, Liza Coates,
Marion Mort, and Alan Williams. The theme of Being
Heralds of the Great King, is a wonderful one and we
will set-to in finding good people to stimulate our
hearts, minds and souls. More information in the
next issue of TON.
There exists an Anomalies Group, composed of
three Link Tertiaries, which is looking at things which
don’t quite fit or work since the Review and which
need tweaking. Like all times of development and
evolution, there are growing pains and the like, but
we will get there. Linked with this was a discussion
that as an Order we all make vows of Obedience to
the Rule – the Rule of the Order not our Personal
Rule of Life. The Rule of the Third Order grants
authority to Chapter to legislate on behalf of all
Tertiaries in the Province, and much like electing
governments, we might not always agree with what’s
decided but we should go along with it. And so we
talked about how we can best become a cohesive
April
Order where all Areas play by the Rules which have
been agreed on their behalf by those who have been
elected to Chapter. That conversation, I am sure, will
run and run.
Alan Williams
Can you help?
The Ministers of our First Order sisters & brothers
have written asking for volunteers of Third Order
priests (women or men) to act as chaplains to the
Second Order sisters for two week periods starting in
2004. The deal is: a two week residence in the Old
Parsonage Freeland ; a daily Eucharist at 8.30 a.m.;
some responsibility for hospitality e.g. being
available for a few hours a day to welcome people at
the front door when the guest sister is otherwise
engaged.; clearing tables & loading the dish-washer
& just being around. If the resident chaplain is
required to conduct a retreat for a Third Order group,
this will be negotiated well beforehand.
The accommodation is a pleasant room (double if
the chaplain is accompanied by a spouse) with a TV.
There is plenty of time for reading, walking and
seeing the local area. The food is good!
Offers to Br Desmond Alban, 87 Taysfield Road,
Birmingham B31 1JT as soon as possible please.
Richard Bird
First Order Minister General
Brother Daniel has been re-elected as Minister
General for the First Order for a period of four years.
The election was presided over by Bishop Matthew
Chung, Bishop of Seoul and Presiding Bishop of the
Province of Korea. He was acting on behalf of the
Protector General, Bishop George Connor who has
since officially ratified the election as required by
the constitution. Thanks and prayers to Daniel as he
prepares to continue his responsibility as Minister
General.
April 2003 1

Christopher John SSF, Korean Franciscan
Brotherhood
News from Alnmouth
Bob Langley, Archdeacon of Lindisfarne, writes that
despite the small number of Brothers, just under
3,000 overnight and 3,800 day visitors from various
religious and community groups stayed at the Friary
in 2002. Bob invites people to show their support in
prayer and by financial donations.
Over 50 years in the Order
Congratulations to Miss Dorothy Cummins of the
Newcastle Area who was professed as a tertiary in
1951. Over the years she has been involved in
every aspect of Third Order life. She still likes to
keep up with events and new members of the Order.
Prayer is still the focus of her life and simplicity the
hallmark of her lifestyle.
Environmental matters
Revd John Smith has agreed to be the spokesman
on environmental matters for the
Cumbria/Lancashire Area. John is very passionate
and well informed on such matters and for some
years has acted as the Convenor for the
Environmental Group in the Carlisle Diocese. His
contact number is 016977 41114.
Jenny Bate, Area Secretary for Cumbria/Lancashire
o
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o
The Pilgrims of St. Francis
invite you to join them in 2003
The International Chapter at Wardreques
near St Omer, 7 – 9 June 2003
The International Pilgrimage in the
Netherlands starting and finishing near
Velzen – Driehuis, 20km west of Amsterdam
28 July – 5 August 2003
The National (UK) Chapter at Exmouth,
24 – 26 May 2003
The National Pilgrimage from Romsey to
Winchester, 23 - 30 August 2003
For further information regarding costs and a
booking form: Stephen Isitt, National Publicity
Officer PSF,
25 Renfrew Court, Allfrey Road, Eastbourne BN22
7SZ. Tel 01323 739434
In times of War
“In such complex times and amidst various political
stances and opinions about strategies it is often
difficult to know exactly how to pray and how to
focus our efforts. We are reminded by the Apostle
Paul that ‘the (Holy) Spirit helps us in our weakness,
for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that
very Spirit intercedes with sighs to deep for words…’
(Romans 8:26). I urge us all to pray in the Holy
Spirit at this critical time in our history.
“And as we pray we may be led by the Spirit to
continue to hold before our leaders the need for just
actions as they work to resolve international conflict.
Such may also be the fruit of our prayer”
Extract from a letter from Masud Ibn Syedullah
TSSF Minister Provincial, Third Order, American
Province.
Separate interest groups?
When I was a parish priest in south London in the
1970s I sometimes thought, O Lord, another churchy
meeting. In fact what I was preparing for was a
meeting of the Third Order! It felt as though I was
getting ready for yet another meeting like the one the
night before and like the one tomorrow. I never said
this to anyone, I just carried on carrying on. Now
that I am retired and Minister Provincial, perhaps I
should air what I thought all those years ago. I know
now that other ordained members of the Order have
felt the same. The other day I met an ex-tertiary
who told me that he had finally left the Order
because he could no longer cope with Third Order
meetings that felt just like the meetings he had to
have in his parish and community all the time. Of
course we need to be committed to our local group
but what do we do about this quite widely held view?
I would like to know because the Third Order has a
large number of parish clergy who may well think as
I did. Or they may think quite differently. There is
room in the Order for different ways of being a
tertiary. Some want and need to be solitary, some
need to be contemplative, some need to think and
study, some need to join a praise and worship group.
All those expressions are part of Franciscan
experience and history. People are vastly different,
our ways of being human are different, our ways of
praying are different, our needs are different. I
rejoice that it is so. I am deeply saddened when I
hear that members of the Order have sought release
from their vows because they think there is no room
for them in the Third Order as it is presently
structured.
Perhaps from time to time, there could be a
gathering of ordained members of the Order for
instance, simply to consider together how most
creatively to be tertiaries and also ordained? There
could be other similar gatherings for those with other
concerns. This could be for a day in central
locations around the country. If we are to be
heralds of the Great King, it seems to me that we
should look at some of these issues.
Richard Bird,
April 2003 2

In pursuit of a vision
Richard Bird first saw this in the Manual in 1970s
and would like to know where it came from, who
wrote it and when?
Christ calls us to follow this way so that he may send
us, like Francis, to be heralds of the Great King,
offering all that we have and all that we are. We
shall strive to be living witnesses among all nations
to the great truth that in Christ ‘there is no distinction
between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and
free, between men and women’; that there are no
barriers of race or nationality in God’s family. There
is only one Father and, through his divine Son,
Jesus, there is one people, one family and one
communion in the Holy Spirit,
York General Chapter
3-5 August 2006
Please make a note of these dates.
South Lakes Third Order Franciscans
Pilgrimage to Assisi
17-24 June 2003
Accommodation:Third Order Guest House
Return flight from Manchester
Cost £684 excl airport taxes & ins
Contact John Sanderson 01229 832595
Diary 2003
June
20–21 Provincial Chapter, St. Columba’s House, Woking
July
9 Market Place Franciscans
14-18 Franciscan Reading Group, Almouth Friary
October
17–19 Provincial Chapter, St. Columba’s House, Woking
November
5 Market Place Franciscans
FRANCISCAN AID
please contact Faith Cairns
51 Alton Road, Parkstone, Poole BH14 8SP
01202 741912
JamesFaithCairns@cairns51poole.fsnet.co.uk
Retreats (full list in Chronicle)
St. Columba's, Woking.
Conductor: The Right Rev'd John Dennis
15-17 August 2003.
Cost £85 deposit of £10 to Edna Bond, 10 Harrier
Close, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 7BS. 01483 268672.
Stanbrook Abbey, Worcester
Conductor: Revd Prebendary John Hall-Matthews
TSSF
21-23 October 2003
Silent Retreat. Cost approx. £60+ Conductor’s exps
Organiser: Revd Sheila Datson, 17 Moorhall Lane,
Stourport-on-Severn DY13 8RB. 01299 823044
QUIET RETREAT IN ULLSWATER
Tertiary will accommodate holiday caravan in a fiveacre
cottage garden with hard standing and usual
facilities.
Isolated but only 2 miles from Ullswater, Cumbria.
Special non-commercial rate for tertiaries.
Contact Mrs Clare Taylor 017684 82430
Postulants, Novices, Professed
POSTULANTS (29)
Mrs Angela Adkins,
Ms Moira Blacklock,
Mrs Jean Bloomer,
Mr Roger Brooks,
Mr Philip Butler,
Mr Edward Dowland-Owen,
Ms Ann Eldh,
Mrs Jane Gibbs,
Mrs Francis Godbold,
Mrs Jane Goodenhough,
Mrs Sandra James,
Ms Ann Lewis,
Mrs Jennie Loasby,
Mr John Maguire,
Miss Fiona Maxwell,
Miss Jocelyn Merris,
Mrs Sharon Pendorf,
Mrs Christine Powne,
Rev John Race,
Mrs Rita Rigler,
Mrs Sue Savage,
Mrs Jenny Sellen,
Mrs Ellen Speller,
Miss Charlotte Stockbridge,
Mrs Julia Taylor,
Miss Hazel Tippett,
Mrs Jill Walters,
Mrs Anne Woolmore,
Mrs Verena Zimmer,
NOVICES (29)
Mr Robin Aconley Yorks N & E York
Rev Carole Aconley Yorks N & E York
Mrs Winifred Alford Blackmore Vale North
Miss Charlie Allen Cambridge Cambridge 4
Mrs Helen Bishopp Newcastle Morpeth
Mr Graham Boyd Beds/Bucks/Herts
Mrs Elizabeth Costard Channel Islands Jersey
Mrs Angela Duckworth Beds/Bucks/Herts
April 2003 3

Mrs Hilary Elliott Cambridge Cambridge 4
Mrs Susan Fellows Beds/Bucks/Herts
Mr Paul Freathy Solent Portsmouth
Mr John Garrett Solent IOW
Mrs Margaret Graham Newcastle Coast
Mr Nick Hance Oxford Isis
Miss Mary Hicks Beds/Bucks/Herts
Mrs Jo Hillier
Solent Fareham & Gosport
Ms Sheila Hughes Malvern
Mrs Angela Le Sueur Channel Islands Jersey
Mr Mike Newell Nottingham & S Derby Clifton
Mr Malcolm Nobbs Beds/Bucks/Herts
Mrs Lynne Novis Wales Swansea
Mr Michael Pearson Beds/Bucks/Herts
Dr Jane Preston Beds/Bucks/Herts
Bedford/Milton Keynes
Ms Diane Pullen Solent Portsmouth
Mrs Jean Rogers Wales Central Cambrian
Mrs Jean Smith Beds/Bucks/Herts
Rev Josephine Beds/Bucks/Herts
Williams
Ms Margaret Willis Malvern
Mrs Elizabeth Wilson Blackmore Vale South
PROFESSED (49)
Miss Janet Adams
Scotland N & E
Miss Susan Baines
Yorks W & Skipton
Mr Andrew Baker
Mercia
Rev Colin Bass
Berkshire
Ms Jan Benvie
Scotland N & E
Miss Mary Brenchley
Beds/Bucks/Herts
Ms Patricia Brown
Beds/Bucks/Herts
Mr Raymond Chuck
Ireland
Mr Howard Edwards
Wales
Mrs Becca Elliott
Solent
Mrs Elaine Farrell
Cornwall
Mrs Barbara Fowler
Blackmore Vale
Mrs Ann Gault
Scotland S & W
Ms Elaine Gore
Lincoln
Mrs Gloria Green
Channel Islands
Mrs Serena Hickman
Guildford
Mrs Hilary Holder
Devon
Mr Colin Hull
Beds/Bucks/Herts
Mrs Lynne Hutchinson
Yorks W & Skipton
Rev Marilyn Ilyas
Kent W
Mrs Jean Johnson
Cumbria/Lancs
Mrs Yvonne Knibbs
Cornwall
Mr Maurice Lakeman
Channel Islands
Capt Richard Martin
Kent W
Mrs Brenda Martin-Davis Canterbury
Mrs Hanna Monelle
Scotland S & W
Mr Nevil Newman
Cumbria/Lancs
Mrs Irene Nicholls
Mercia
Mrs Sheila O'Beney
Malvern
Mr Peter Ovenden
Cornwall
Mrs Diane Peters
Guildford
Mrs Liz Piper
Cornwall
Mr James Pitchford
Yorks S & N Derby
Mrs Rosemarie Powe
Malvern
Mrs Shirley Ann Raynes E Anglia
Mr John Sanderson
Cumbria/Lancs
Miss Gillian Shaw
London W
Rev Christopher J Shreeve E Anglia
Rev Brian Skelding
Cornwall
Rev Hazel Skelding
Cornwall
Bishop Malkhaz Songulashvili E Anglia
Olive Stevens
Cornwall
Mrs Caroline Ugbo
Guildford
Ms Ann Whitwell
Oxford
Rev John Whitwell
Oxford
Mrs Julie Williams
Mrs Ruth Winterbottom
Dr Denise Yeldham
Mrs Sandie Yeo
RIP (8)
Mrs Joan Baxter
Miss Mary Bicker
Mrs Helen Clark
Mrs Sheila Jackson
Rev Lalit Kundu
Mrs Meg McNay
Mr John Saunders
Mrs Janet Sugden
Solent
Mercia
Devon
Susex
Cambridge
London S
Newcastle
Severn
Blackmore Vale
Sussex
London E & Essex S
Sussex
Who to send things to
Changes in address, telephone number, TSSF Officer
role, e-mail address to Alex Calveley, 19 Nolan Street,
Southport, PR8 6QQ. Tel: 01704 532121. e-mail:
calveley@btclick.com
Information for the Chronicle to Rev’d Andrew Dotchin,
The Vicarage, Beccles Road, Holton, Suffolk IP19 8NG
Tel 01986 874548 e-mail: andrew.dotchin@ntlworld.com
Contributions for TON to Brian Berry, Editor, Birch Knoll,
2 Mulberry Close, Crowthorne, RG45 7LG Tel/fax: 01344
762784 e-mail: brianberry43@aol.com
Donations, TSSF expense claims and letters about
finance Derrick Gierth, 5 Holme Road, Bingham,
Nottingham, NG13 8DZ Phone: 01949 837519
E-mail: D-J-Gierth@beeb.net
Contibutions to Franciscan Aid to Clive Cresswell, 17
Treseders Gardens Moresk, Truro TR1 1TR.
Copy date for TON 14 – 1 July 2003
NB. Short articles on what your Area has
been doing would be welcome.
THE LORD
be with you
always
and be you with
him always and
everywhere
A Blessing of Saint Clare
April 2003 4