From Monday 27th October to Wednesday 29th October 2008, Salesian Parish Clergy from England, Scotland and Guernsey met at Hothorpe Hall in Leicestershire. The meeting was organised by the Parishes sub-committee of the GBR Province Youth Ministry Team, Frs Kieran Anderson, Peter Brealey, and Christopher Heaps.

In the GBR Province there are now more Salesians (18) working in parishes than in schools, and most of them were able to attend the meeting. Bishop Malcolm McMahon OP, Bishop of the local diocese of Nottingham, spoke on the contribution of religious working in parishes.

The other external speaker was a diocesan priest, Dr Joseph O'Hanlon, who is a Pauline specialist. Fr Mervyn Williams, our Provincial Economer, led a session on parish finances and Fr Michael Winstanley, our Provincial, led a session on the province plan for 2008-2009. Fr Bob Gardner, the Youth Ministry Delegate, was also at the meeting.

Fr Charles Chauvel, still involved in parish ministry on the island of Guernsey, celebrated his 88th birthday on the 29th October and led the final Mass in honour of Blessed Michael Rua.

Thanks to Fr George Robson, Parish Priest of St Dominic's Huyton, for sending the following photographs from the meeting:

Frs Charles Garrick, ---, Michael Winstanley, Peter Brealey, Tom Williams, Aidan Murray, Charles Chauvel, and James Mageean.

Frs Bob Gardner, Dan Donohue, Michael Duggan, Peter Dooley, Tony Sultana, Charles Garrick, ---, and Michael Winstanley.

Some of the group in the dining room.