For nearly 30 years the GBR Province has benefited from the expert financial assistance of Mr Raymond Elliot, a Chartered Accountant from Oxford. He has attended meetings of what is now the Finance, Investment and Property (FIP) Committee, overseen the drawing up of annual accounts for Rome and the Charity Commission, and made countless visits to communities to give advice on financial matters.

Mr Elliot, with his wife, receives the Rector Major's medal from Fr Winstanley

 

On Tuesday 16th June there was a celebration in Bolton, now the Provincial House, attended by many Salesians, members of the current FIP committee, and members of Mr Elliot's family. During the Mass, Fr Michael Winstanley read a greatly appreciated letter from the Rector Major, Fr Pascual Chez, and presented Mr Elliot with a medal of Saint John Bosco in recognition of his long service.

Two of the Salesian priests in the GBR province celebrated their Golden Jubilees of ordination this year.

Concelebrants at the Jubilee Mass in Glasgow

Fr Robert Coupe and Fr Michael Power were ordained to the priesthood at Melchet Court on 5th July 1959 together with Fr Edwin Slack, who died in 1982, and several other Salesians from Europe and further afield attending what was then an international house of theology.

Fr Michael Power, now working in a parish in South Africa, was the principal concelebrant at the Mass in the parish of St Benedict in Glasgow on 4th July and Fr Robert Coupe took his turn in the Thornleigh College Chapel in Bolton on 11th July. Both have given long service in our Salesian schools and parishes. Fr Power was also Provincial Economer for eight years and Fr Coupe was Novice Master for eight years.

On Thursday 9th July there was a Mass and a meal in the Salesian School Chertsey to celebrate the dedicated service of Sr Kathleen Jones FMA. The Provincials of the Salesians and the Salesian Sisters were present together with members of the Salesian Provincial Council, Governors of the school and family members. Sr Kathleen is 'retiring' this year after 61 years working for the good of the young people of Chertsey and their families as a Teacher, Head Teacher, Deputy Head Teacher and most recently as a Governor.

Sr Kathleen with the medal from the Rector Major

During the Mass Fr Michael Winstanley, the GBR provincial, presented Sr Kathleen with a medal of Saint John Bosco and read a moving letter from the Rector Major, Fr Pascual Chavez.