Reunion of London University students chaplaincy

More than 80 past London University students from the early 70s received a warm welcome from Fr Peter Wilson, the current senior chaplain, at a reunion in Newman House, Gower Street on Saturday.

Many travelled long distances to be there - one even from Los Angeles. Several chaplains from those days, Frs Adrian Walker and Reg Riley, Sisters Mary Magdalen SM and Sister Jacinta O'Driscoll OP were present and much nostalgia was the order of the day.

Bruce Kent, then senior chaplain, told all present that his labrador dog Arthur ought to have been listed as an honorary chaplain.He was a favourite with all students and many a student problem was settled by a quick walk with Arthur around Regents Park.
 
Nearly all stayed for the celebration Mass afterwards at which a collection for the present work of the chaplaincy raised £500. Bruce Kent reminded everyone that it was due to the 'get up and go ' spirit of Cardinal Heenan that the diocese acquired such excellent premises. The Cardinal rose from his sick bed in 1966 to inspect the Gower Street Sisters of Charity property, which was close to being sold to others, and made a decision on the spot to buy it.

 (Note: There will be more 'then and now' pictures in a story in next month's Westminster Record.)