Notices

Franciscan Missionary Sisters of

Littlehampton

Francis, the Holy Jester

Tuesday 21 September 2010 7.00pm

Not to be missed

Francis, the Holy Jester - Performed by

Mario Pirovano

Tuesday 21 September 2010 7.00 pm St Joseph's Chapel - Littlehampton. Written and directed by Dario Fo recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature 1997. Translated and performed by Mario Pirovano, friend and collaborator of Dario Fo. The charismatic Pirovano acts out episodes in the life of St Francis and the result is a deeply entertaining and informative theatrical experience.

Tickets £5.00

'This production is the most entertaining and funny history lesson you could hope to see, given a captivating performance by the Charismatic Pirovano.' David Chadderton ***** British Theatre Guide

Admission by ticket only.

Limited numbers.

Telephone: 01903 714039 for tickets

The ‘Friends of FMSL’ will be holding a pre-Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, 20 November 2010 at St. Joseph’s. A planning meeting will be held in the Convent Hall on Thursday, 9 September at 7.00pm. Please come along if you can help in any way - new ideas and fresh thinking are most welcome! We would like to include a stall for Knitted goods (scarves, hats, gloves etc.,) if you would be able to contribute any of these items we would be most grateful.

The next Day of Reflection is scheduled for Tuesday 14 September 2010, at St Joseph's Convent Littlehampton, starting at 9.00am and led by Mgr Michael Jackson. If you would like to join us for the day please phone to let the Sisters know. Or, e-mail to book your place using fmsl@franciscan.co.uk (Suggested donation £5.) Includes a simple lunch of bread and soup, tea and coffee breaks.

Tuesday 23 November 2010 at 7.00pm the Sussex Gruffs Male voice choir will give their second charity concert at St Joseph's Littlehampton in order to raise money for the FMSL missions in Peru and India. The purpose of the choir is to have fun and raise money for charity. There will be no entrance fee, but there will be a retiring collection, for the missions..

From midday on 28 November to 4 December 2010 Bishop John Crowley will lead a preached retreat in St Joseph's convent Littlehampton.

Fr Andre Cirino OFM and Sr Ann Bremmer OSF, will lead a retreat on on the Evangelical Life from 16 to 26 February 2011 at St Joseph's convent, Littlehampton.

A to Z of West Sussex. Sketches by Anne Bell.
This book is not only a pictorial record of some of the prettiest places in the county but a guide to the sightseer who needs a little more than a list of the ‘standard’ beauty spots. With the use of the map on the back cover, readers can plan a day, or even a week, of seeing the delights of the famous and lesser known places of interest and enjoy the facilities they offer at the same time. Anne Bell has given over the copyright of this book to The Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Littlehampton. It is Anne’s wish that the new edition will be sold and the money raised from the sale, will go towards the Sisters Mission in Peru, India or in the U.K (wherever the need is greater.)
Why not buy as a gift for a friend at Christmas? Price £3.50 per book.

Copies from St Joseph’s Convent

Tel: 01903 714039 Fax: 01903 731097

It has come to our attention that an e-mail is being circulated in our name asking for money. The e-mail asks for sponsorship for the construction of an educational Institute in Santa Rosa, Lima, Peru. This e-mail has not been authorised by The Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Littlehampton (FMSL) although it includes the names of our two Sisters in Santa Rosa. Please ignore the e-mail if you receive one. If you have any queries please contact us direct via fmsl@franciscan.co.uk

We are deeply saddened to announce that Sister Immaculata died on Saturday 25 October 2008. Her Requiem Mass took place at 11.00am Wednesday 5 November 2008 at St Joseph’s Convent, Littlehampton. Followed by burial at Littlehampton cemetery. Please pray for the repose of Sister Immaculata’s soul and all the (FMSL) Sisters.

Who among us ever thought that Immaculata would fly to God and leave such a gap in our Congregation, family and the world? On behalf of the McGonagle Family and the Congregation, I thank you sincerely for being here to give the praise to God, for creating Immaculata, such a unique person! You are here also to say your own thank you, for the way she touched your life and the lives of so many people. Immaculata had without doubt, the rare quality of making each person feel very special. She had genuine love and respect for each individual who crossed her path and knew how to create community and inspire helpers as she sought to build up the Body of Christ. There have been many, many messages from so many people. I can only select a few of the thoughts expressed. Our Cardinal wrote “Immaculata was a wonderful person and a great witness for the Lord in so many ways.” Fr Tony Collins also echoes similar thoughts. “Immaculata was an amazing person who was light years ahead of her time in so many ways." He continues “I remember so well from my early days, her appearance on “Houseparty” and her work for the down and outs in Littlehampton. She had the gift of bringing Christ to others in a practical way and doing so much good in debunking the myths about Religious Life. In all she was a true disciple and faithful follower of her beloved Francis.” Stephanie & Derek wrote “We were very fortunate and privileged to meet her on several occasions. We quickly became aware of her considerable energy and astute mind”.
Immaculata saw herself as a follower of Francis. Away back in 1939, her letter to Mother Aloysius, asking to be admitted into the Congregation makes this clear. She says “I feel happy since I took the notion of becoming a child of St Francis. I went to Holy Communion last Sunday in Bocan (which is our neighbouring Church) and with God’s help I will go also on Sunday coming……………Dear Rev Mother, I hope you have the children and the Sisters praying for me…..”
Father Mc Kenna our Parish Priest wrote in the same year “ Anna Mc Gonagle…is a young girl of the highest moral character, whose baptismal innocence is hardly stained. In addition she belongs to a very respectable and a very religious family” The family who are present, know our home mirrored a model of Christian upbringing, where the weary traveller found a haven and shelter. It was here that young Anna learned in a positive and stable way her own worth and ability. She “held her own” in the daily tumble of family life having boys on either side of her in the family. Our Parents imbued us with their Christian spirit. Anna took me to school when I was 3 and then the following year went off to Littlehampton!
I can remember, even at that age, her great organising skills at getting others to do the work! Each of us had our little task to do and she supervised! She was very creative; a great story teller and play writer. She was a born leader and was game for anything!
Shortly after Anna entered in Littlehampton, war broke out but we, in Inishowen (the most northern point in Eire), were protected from its ravages.
She had to adjust and settle in very quickly because 1939 - 45 were very distressing times and the children’s safety was paramount.
Sisters and children were evacuated to Copthorne, Burgess Hill and Sunningdale. Her Profession Crucifix and ring were the symbols for her of her commitment and dedication to Christ and his Gospel way of Life.

Her great faith and insight and empathy with all types of people were God’s gift to her and she treasured this gift. No one had to teach her the difficulties endured by people as they tried to live the Gospel within a world, torn apart by war and conflict, unrest, unease and mistrust. She felt keenly for those who were labelled 2nd class citizens. She had an inbuilt sense of deeply understanding human personalities.
Her whole focus in life was to restore the dignity of each person, as Francis did in 1209. She knew that it was only God who enabled her to be his hands; his heart; his mind. Using these in very creative ways so that each person on her road of life, appreciated God’s love and friendship. She challenged them to face their situation and to turn disadvantages into advantages! She chose the name Immaculata on her Clothing Day, so that Our Lady could be her helper too.
As a young teacher in St Catherine’s School she developed her own style of teaching challenging and encouraging pupils to use their gifts and abilities. Her thesis “An Experiment in Teaching Art to Young Adolescents” has her approach well recorded for her Diploma in Education in Manchester University. Many of her subjects were the precious Boys and Girls who were here at the Convent at the time.
She organised the Guild of St Agnes; the Production of Hiawatha; the many trips to broaden the pupils’ experiences, which in turn fed back into their learning. Some of these boys and girls are here today to testify for what Immaculata gave to them.
From St Catherine’s she moved with the older children to St Philip’s in Arundel and when the new Philip Howard School in Barnham opened she moved again and continued her heroic work in opening new horizons for so many children.
Then Sussex lost her when the Congregation opened a Mission in Bradford at the invitation of our good friend John Carmel Heenan, then Bishop of Leeds. Immaculata was part of the community and went as Senior Mistress to the newly opened St Blaise Secondary School in Bierley in 1960. Her girls were her pride. The great Social problems of the big city didn’t deter her. They only challenged her to find a different way to tackle them. The girls designed their new school uniform. Vocational courses in Nursing, Commerce, Hairdressing, Cookery and Child Care became the norm within the school. Immaculata, as the pivot, organised Teachers in different Departments to play their part. The Mill Owners and Store Bosses in the City, each had their function providing finances and jobs for her girls. With Una and the teaching Staff she organised holidays in Skerries Dublin and the weekly “Pot Hole Club” for out of School activities. Immaculata knew that Education was broader than what happened in school. She tackled Dads who spent their time in pubs depriving Mums and children of the bare necessities of life by selling the children’s clothes for beer.
She spent hours and hours in Court speaking up for someone who had fallen by the wayside. She questioned the unjust systems that caused deprivation where vulnerable people felt abandoned, lacking hope.
Our Willie and Greg are here today as proof of what someone can become when given a helping hand. She never worked alone. Many of you were drawn by her charismatic personality. Once you were hooked there was no escape! You had better continue because she will be checking on you from Heaven!
Immaculata’s first haven, was her faith in God’s loving care, with prayer and contemplation top of the agenda. She found solace through wood carving; art; music and nature (She had an eye for the beauty within; even in the bog oak she spotted in her beloved Donegal bogland! She had a great love for the Church and the gift of our Sacramental Life.
Following her spell as Mother General of the Congregation, she moved in 1975, to our Community in Canterbury and the Franciscan International Centre, where life gave her the space to study and reflect on her faith and develop her love for Francis and Clare and the Gospels. It is good to have Fr Philippe OFM and Fr Michael Copps his Provincial here with us today as a link with this era in her life. While in Canterbury, she became involved in Adult Education within the Diocese of Southwark and Canon Tom McHugh and Canon Mc Namara are here with us. They put up with her determination and challenge to make the faith alive for ordinary people. No wonder they gave her an office in Ashford where she had her own team of helpers!
Father Ignatius Kelly; Fr Eric Doyle and Fr Austin Linus, and many within the Franciscan Family, were her support. She organised, and they gave the talks in various Parishes; thus making the message of Christ accessible, alive and real for today and for many people.
In 1993 the Lord let her return to Bradford and Cenacolo. With her supporters she set up a thriving Prayer Group in St Anthony’s. Through the kindness of Bishop Roche of Leeds and this group of dedicated people, her life-long dream of a halfway House (for those who need a helping hand to come off drugs and drink) reached fulfilment a few weeks before God invited her to share with Him the full life of the Trinity.
However, that isn’t the end of the story.
I have given permission for a past pupil of Immaculata’s (Josephine Kennedy nee Gill) to write her biography. You can help by adding your memories of her. Please send them to me, or Josephine. When the book is published the proceeds will go towards the “St Anthony’s Halfway House Project”.
Here is where I stop, with deep gratitude to everyone who have been part in this beautiful service of thanksgiving. Thank you for being here and for your love and support. Thank you to Immaculate for being such a great Sister to so many people. We ask her to pray for us now in heaven, with Francis and Clare.

At the Memorial Service in Bradford I added a welcome to priests on the Altar in St Anthony’s: Canon (Mgr) John Murphy who was in charge of the Catholic Rescue in the Diocese and who helped create Pot Hole with Immaculata and her team and the Guiry Family; Father Michael McCormack Chaplain to the Cenacolo Community Kendal in Lancashire; Fr Peter Kravos last parish Priest of St Anthony’s and Father Maurice Pearce present P.P. People from Liverpool and Hull Cenacolo support group. My Nephew Cahill McLaughlin and Elizabeth came from Leeds.
Sister Anastasia McGonagle FMSL

	Friends of FMSL meeting Thursday 9 Sepetember 2010
	The ‘Friends of FMSL’ will be holding a pre-Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, 20 November 2010 at St. Joseph’s. A planning meeting will be held in the Convent Hall on Thursday, 9 September at 7.00pm. Please come along if you can help in any way - new ideas and fresh thinking are most welcome! We would like to include a stall for Knitted goods (scarves, hats, gloves etc.,) if you would be able to contribute any of these items we would be most grateful.

	Day of Reflection 2010 Tuesday 14 September 2010
	The next Day of Reflection is scheduled for Tuesday 14 September 2010, at St Joseph's Convent Littlehampton, starting at 9.00am and led by Mgr Michael Jackson. If you would like to join us for the day please phone to let the Sisters know. Or, e-mail to book your place using fmsl@franciscan.co.uk (Suggested donation £5.) Includes a simple lunch of bread and soup, tea and coffee breaks.


	Pre-Christmas Bazaar
	Saturday 20 November 2010 - St Joseph's Littlehampton. Details to follow later.

	The Sussex Gruffs Male Voice Choir Tuesday 23 November 2010
	Tuesday 23 November 2010 at 7.00pm the Sussex Gruffs Male voice choir will give their second charity concert at St Joseph's Littlehampton in order to raise money for the FMSL missions in Peru and India. The purpose of the choir is to have fun and raise money for charity. There will be no entrance fee, but there will be a retiring collection, for the missions..

	Francis, the Holy Jester		Tuesday 21 September 2010 7.00pm
			Not to be missed Francis, the Holy Jester - Performed by Mario Pirovano Tuesday 21 September 2010 7.00 pm St Joseph's Chapel - Littlehampton. Written and directed by Dario Fo recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature 1997. Translated and performed by Mario Pirovano, friend and collaborator of Dario Fo. The charismatic Pirovano acts out episodes in the life of St Francis and the result is a deeply entertaining and informative theatrical experience. Tickets £5.00 'This production is the most entertaining and funny history lesson you could hope to see, given a captivating performance by the Charismatic Pirovano.' David Chadderton *** British Theatre Guide Admission by ticket only. Limited numbers. Telephone: 01903 714039 for tickets**


	Preached Retreat
	From midday on 28 November to 4 December 2010 Bishop John Crowley will lead a preached retreat in St Joseph's convent Littlehampton.

	Retreat on the Evangelical Life
	Fr Andre Cirino OFM and Sr Ann Bremmer OSF, will lead a retreat on on the Evangelical Life from 16 to 26 February 2011 at St Joseph's convent, Littlehampton.

	A to Z of West Sussex. Sketches by Anne Bell.
	A to Z of West Sussex. Sketches by Anne Bell. This book is not only a pictorial record of some of the prettiest places in the county but a guide to the sightseer who needs a little more than a list of the ‘standard’ beauty spots. With the use of the map on the back cover, readers can plan a day, or even a week, of seeing the delights of the famous and lesser known places of interest and enjoy the facilities they offer at the same time. Anne Bell has given over the copyright of this book to The Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Littlehampton. It is Anne’s wish that the new edition will be sold and the money raised from the sale, will go towards the Sisters Mission in Peru, India or in the U.K (wherever the need is greater.) Why not buy as a gift for a friend at Christmas? Price £3.50 per book. Copies from St Joseph’s Convent Tel: 01903 714039 Fax: 01903 731097

	Urgent Notice
	It has come to our attention that an e-mail is being circulated in our name asking for money. The e-mail asks for sponsorship for the construction of an educational Institute in Santa Rosa, Lima, Peru. This e-mail has not been authorised by The Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Littlehampton (FMSL) although it includes the names of our two Sisters in Santa Rosa. Please ignore the e-mail if you receive one. If you have any queries please contact us direct via fmsl@franciscan.co.uk

	Sister Immaculata
	We are deeply saddened to announce that Sister Immaculata died on Saturday 25 October 2008. Her Requiem Mass took place at 11.00am Wednesday 5 November 2008 at St Joseph’s Convent, Littlehampton. Followed by burial at Littlehampton cemetery. Please pray for the repose of Sister Immaculata’s soul and all the (FMSL) Sisters.


	Sister Anastasia's Eulogy at the funeral Mass of Sister Immaculata
	Who among us ever thought that Immaculata would fly to God and leave such a gap in our Congregation, family and the world? On behalf of the McGonagle Family and the Congregation, I thank you sincerely for being here to give the praise to God, for creating Immaculata, such a unique person! You are here also to say your own thank you, for the way she touched your life and the lives of so many people. Immaculata had without doubt, the rare quality of making each person feel very special. She had genuine love and respect for each individual who crossed her path and knew how to create community and inspire helpers as she sought to build up the Body of Christ. There have been many, many messages from so many people. I can only select a few of the thoughts expressed. Our Cardinal wrote “Immaculata was a wonderful person and a great witness for the Lord in so many ways.” Fr Tony Collins also echoes similar thoughts. “Immaculata was an amazing person who was light years ahead of her time in so many ways." He continues “I remember so well from my early days, her appearance on “Houseparty” and her work for the down and outs in Littlehampton. She had the gift of bringing Christ to others in a practical way and doing so much good in debunking the myths about Religious Life. In all she was a true disciple and faithful follower of her beloved Francis.” Stephanie & Derek wrote “We were very fortunate and privileged to meet her on several occasions. We quickly became aware of her considerable energy and astute mind”. Immaculata saw herself as a follower of Francis. Away back in 1939, her letter to Mother Aloysius, asking to be admitted into the Congregation makes this clear. She says “I feel happy since I took the notion of becoming a child of St Francis. I went to Holy Communion last Sunday in Bocan (which is our neighbouring Church) and with God’s help I will go also on Sunday coming……………Dear Rev Mother, I hope you have the children and the Sisters praying for me…..” Father Mc Kenna our Parish Priest wrote in the same year “ Anna Mc Gonagle…is a young girl of the highest moral character, whose baptismal innocence is hardly stained. In addition she belongs to a very respectable and a very religious family” The family who are present, know our home mirrored a model of Christian upbringing, where the weary traveller found a haven and shelter. It was here that young Anna learned in a positive and stable way her own worth and ability. She “held her own” in the daily tumble of family life having boys on either side of her in the family. Our Parents imbued us with their Christian spirit. Anna took me to school when I was 3 and then the following year went off to Littlehampton! I can remember, even at that age, her great organising skills at getting others to do the work! Each of us had our little task to do and she supervised! She was very creative; a great story teller and play writer. She was a born leader and was game for anything! Shortly after Anna entered in Littlehampton, war broke out but we, in Inishowen (the most northern point in Eire), were protected from its ravages. She had to adjust and settle in very quickly because 1939 - 45 were very distressing times and the children’s safety was paramount. Sisters and children were evacuated to Copthorne, Burgess Hill and Sunningdale. Her Profession Crucifix and ring were the symbols for her of her commitment and dedication to Christ and his Gospel way of Life.
	Her great faith and insight and empathy with all types of people were God’s gift to her and she treasured this gift. No one had to teach her the difficulties endured by people as they tried to live the Gospel within a world, torn apart by war and conflict, unrest, unease and mistrust. She felt keenly for those who were labelled 2nd class citizens. She had an inbuilt sense of deeply understanding human personalities. Her whole focus in life was to restore the dignity of each person, as Francis did in 1209. She knew that it was only God who enabled her to be his hands; his heart; his mind. Using these in very creative ways so that each person on her road of life, appreciated God’s love and friendship. She challenged them to face their situation and to turn disadvantages into advantages! She chose the name Immaculata on her Clothing Day, so that Our Lady could be her helper too. As a young teacher in St Catherine’s School she developed her own style of teaching challenging and encouraging pupils to use their gifts and abilities. Her thesis “An Experiment in Teaching Art to Young Adolescents” has her approach well recorded for her Diploma in Education in Manchester University. Many of her subjects were the precious Boys and Girls who were here at the Convent at the time. She organised the Guild of St Agnes; the Production of Hiawatha; the many trips to broaden the pupils’ experiences, which in turn fed back into their learning. Some of these boys and girls are here today to testify for what Immaculata gave to them. From St Catherine’s she moved with the older children to St Philip’s in Arundel and when the new Philip Howard School in Barnham opened she moved again and continued her heroic work in opening new horizons for so many children. Then Sussex lost her when the Congregation opened a Mission in Bradford at the invitation of our good friend John Carmel Heenan, then Bishop of Leeds. Immaculata was part of the community and went as Senior Mistress to the newly opened St Blaise Secondary School in Bierley in 1960. Her girls were her pride. The great Social problems of the big city didn’t deter her. They only challenged her to find a different way to tackle them. The girls designed their new school uniform. Vocational courses in Nursing, Commerce, Hairdressing, Cookery and Child Care became the norm within the school. Immaculata, as the pivot, organised Teachers in different Departments to play their part. The Mill Owners and Store Bosses in the City, each had their function providing finances and jobs for her girls. With Una and the teaching Staff she organised holidays in Skerries Dublin and the weekly “Pot Hole Club” for out of School activities. Immaculata knew that Education was broader than what happened in school. She tackled Dads who spent their time in pubs depriving Mums and children of the bare necessities of life by selling the children’s clothes for beer. She spent hours and hours in Court speaking up for someone who had fallen by the wayside. She questioned the unjust systems that caused deprivation where vulnerable people felt abandoned, lacking hope. Our Willie and Greg are here today as proof of what someone can become when given a helping hand. She never worked alone. Many of you were drawn by her charismatic personality. Once you were hooked there was no escape! You had better continue because she will be checking on you from Heaven! Immaculata’s first haven, was her faith in God’s loving care, with prayer and contemplation top of the agenda. She found solace through wood carving; art; music and nature (She had an eye for the beauty within; even in the bog oak she spotted in her beloved Donegal bogland! She had a great love for the Church and the gift of our Sacramental Life. Following her spell as Mother General of the Congregation, she moved in 1975, to our Community in Canterbury and the Franciscan International Centre, where life gave her the space to study and reflect on her faith and develop her love for Francis and Clare and the Gospels. It is good to have Fr Philippe OFM and Fr Michael Copps his Provincial here with us today as a link with this era in her life. While in Canterbury, she became involved in Adult Education within the Diocese of Southwark and Canon Tom McHugh and Canon Mc Namara are here with us. They put up with her determination and challenge to make the faith alive for ordinary people. No wonder they gave her an office in Ashford where she had her own team of helpers! Father Ignatius Kelly; Fr Eric Doyle and Fr Austin Linus, and many within the Franciscan Family, were her support. She organised, and they gave the talks in various Parishes; thus making the message of Christ accessible, alive and real for today and for many people. In 1993 the Lord let her return to Bradford and Cenacolo. With her supporters she set up a thriving Prayer Group in St Anthony’s. Through the kindness of Bishop Roche of Leeds and this group of dedicated people, her life-long dream of a halfway House (for those who need a helping hand to come off drugs and drink) reached fulfilment a few weeks before God invited her to share with Him the full life of the Trinity. However, that isn’t the end of the story. I have given permission for a past pupil of Immaculata’s (Josephine Kennedy nee Gill) to write her biography. You can help by adding your memories of her. Please send them to me, or Josephine. When the book is published the proceeds will go towards the “St Anthony’s Halfway House Project”. Here is where I stop, with deep gratitude to everyone who have been part in this beautiful service of thanksgiving. Thank you for being here and for your love and support. Thank you to Immaculate for being such a great Sister to so many people. We ask her to pray for us now in heaven, with Francis and Clare. At the Memorial Service in Bradford I added a welcome to priests on the Altar in St Anthony’s: Canon (Mgr) John Murphy who was in charge of the Catholic Rescue in the Diocese and who helped create Pot Hole with Immaculata and her team and the Guiry Family; Father Michael McCormack Chaplain to the Cenacolo Community Kendal in Lancashire; Fr Peter Kravos last parish Priest of St Anthony’s and Father Maurice Pearce present P.P. People from Liverpool and Hull Cenacolo support group. My Nephew Cahill McLaughlin and Elizabeth came from Leeds. Sister Anastasia McGonagle FMSL