An Unusual View of the Church

It is not often that the outside of the altar end of the church is visible;  when the church was built there was an open field behind it, but, alas, the Jesuits did not buy it, and it has now been totally built up.  But in this view you can see the curve of the apse, behind the rather unprepossessing end wall of the former school.  It is in front of this wall that the accommodation block is to be built, thus presenting a much more attractive facade to our neighbours, but not overlooking them at all.  It won't even cast a shadow, since the church was built back to front, the "east" end is really the west, so our new buildings will all be to the north of our neighbours.  We hope to finalise planning permission for this very soon, and with the help of our benefactors to make a start on building here, so that future priests can be accommodated for their training.



Incidentally, we have just discovered how to find out who has been giving to us using the "justgiving" panel alongside.  Many thanks to you all, especially those who have opted to remain anonymous: we will try to thank the named donors personally very soon!

London Marathon

Regina Lally has completed running the London Marathon on Sunday 25th April. They did threaten unsuitable weather, but a little sprinkling was arranged to lay the dust. Now it's not too late to see her "JustGiving" page and sponsor her, please click here.

Thanks Regina - what will you do next?


Here is Regina Lally with her daughter (also Regina) at the end of the Marathon.

Planning application

The first major step in our Planning Application took place on Wednesday.  Our architect, surveyor, planning consultant and ourselves met Fr Brian Doolan of the Historic Churches Committee and his architect, and the City of Oxford planning officer and conservation officer.   The plans were presented, explained and defended.   It was agreed that the plan for a new portico on the front of the Church would be withdrawn, but everything else seemed to be acceptable, subject to further consultation.  So we are progressing.

The most attractive part of the new building from the outside will be the Cortile, which will provide a covered space around a central open area, so that parishioners can move between the church, the new chapel and the parish centre undercover, or sit in the sunlight around the fountain as social events in the Hopkins Room spill out into the summer evenings.  The rain-water recycling tank will be underneath the cortile, so there can be a fountain in the middle.  Probably potted plants and creeping things festooning the arches as well.

Distinguished Visitors

We are accustomed to distinguished visitors at the Oxford Oratory, most of them incognito (yes, we did see you) but recently two have come to see the Church and look at our plans and designs.  On Sunday 18 April our new Archbishop, the Most Reverend Bernard Longley, came to celebrate the High Mass, and to meet parishioners afterwards in the Hopkins Room. He took a close interest in the unfinished large scale model of the new chapel and adjacent buildings.





For the weekend of Low Sunday the professed members of the Hospitaller Order of St John (the Knights of Malta) held their meeting in Oxford, and came to visit us on the Saurday afternoon, among them His Most Eminent Highness the Grand Master.

Our very own Marathon runner

Regina Lally, who is running around London in aid of our Campaign, writes:

"Regina Lally via Virgin London Marathon 2010 Just in case anyone watches - please see statement below. No excuses not to be sponsoring me! Sponsorship is going to two very good causes and everyone running on the day has put in a lot of hard work and training to just get round and raise money!

"London Marathon statement on Dispatches
bit.ly
The London Marathon Limited and the London Marathon Charitable Trust Limited totally deny any allegations of wrongdoing and are surprised and shocked at the lack of evidence presented by the programme's ..."

so now you know. There was some electronic gadget attached to Regina's message, but it doesn't seem to have come across, sorry about that!

The restoration work so far...

In(ter)dependence week

Forthcoming American extravaganza from 3rd July for a week... some of our stalwart supporters are organising a week of cultural events with a trans-Atlantic theme. It begins with a Festival, a Function or Fete, on the Saturday afternoon, with cajun music and food; 11:00 High Mass on the Sunday with all-American composers, an organ recital on the Monday, tours of Oxford during the week, and more. Keep watching for more details.