Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, was the principal celebrant and more than 18 bishops and 30 priests concelebrated Mass. Among then was Archbishop Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, and  Bishop William Kenney CP, Auxiliary Bishop of  Birmingham.

The Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, Archbishop Antonio Mennini, was present on the sanctuary for the joyful, memorable and important occasion in the history of CAFOD.

Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, pictured with Bishop John Arnold, Chair of CAFOD Trustees and Mr Chris Bain, CAFOD Director, before Mass in Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 28 January 2012. Exclusive picture by Peter Jennings.

The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood was packed to capacity with CAFOD workers and supporters from throughout England and Wales, together with representatives of Caritas agencies across Europe. Mr Chris Bain, Director of CAFOD, warmly welcomed everyone present during a short address before Mass started at 2pm.

In the service booklet, Mr Bain wrote: “Thank you for being with us here today and for the tremendous support you have given CAFOD throughout the last 50 years. I hope we can recommit ourselves to building a just, peaceful and sustainable world.”

Bishop John Arnold, Chair of CAFOD Trustees, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, preached a challenging homily about the work of CAFOD. He said: “The work of CAFOD is founded on the Gospel, from which are drawn the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. CAFOD’s work with partners is based on those core values of Compassion, Dignity, Hope, Partnership, Solidarity, Sustainability and Stewardship.”

Bishop Arnold added: “These principles guide and give shape to CAFOD’s work. These are the same principles that guide Caritas International, which now has 154 member organisations throughout the world, which when it pools its resources is second in size only to the International Red Cross.”

Details about a unique opportunity that CAFOD has during Lent Fast Day 2012 were included on the back of the service booklet.

In recognition of the generosity of CAFOD supporters the British Government has agreed, that through UK Aid Match funding, it will match a pound for pound every donation given to CAFOD to help some of the poorest and most disadvantaged people in the world.

Father Gregory Winterton 1922-2012, pictured in Cardinal Newman's Room at the Oratory House, Edgbaston.

Bishop Terence Brain, Bishop of Salford and Bishop Philip Pargeter, retired Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham, were present on the sanctuary, together with Fathers from the London and Oxford Oratories including the Oxford Provost, Father Daniel Seward.

Father Robert Byrne, Father Dominic Jacob and Father Richard Duffield, who left the Birmingham Oratory in September 1990 to found the Oxford house, were also here to say a last goodbye to their former Provost.

The Oratory Church is also the parish church and it was packed to its doors for the sung Latin Mass.  Members of Father Gregory Winterton’s family, including his nephew Michael Winterton, parishioners, and former parishioners, and priests from the Archdiocese of Birmingham were among the great company of mourners.

Also present were representatives of many of the organisations that Father Gregory had been involved with over the long decades since his ordination in March 1963 as priest of the Birmingham Oratory.  The Birmingham Oratory, along with the Oratory School, was founded by Blessed John Henry Newman.

After the welcome by Father Chavasse, a special message from the Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, was read by the Vicar General, Canon Timothy Menezes.

Canon Timothy Menezes, Vicar General, pictured reading the message from Archbishop Bernard Longley at the Requiem Mass for Father Gregory Winterton, on 24 January 2012.

Archbishop Longley expressed himself in these thoughtful words: “As you gather today at the Oratory for Father Gregory Winterton’s Requiem Mass I wish to unite myself with you in prayer. I am sorry that a long-standing pastoral commitment in Staffordshire prevents me from being with you this morning.

“Father Gregory would wish us, above all, to pray that he may now be admitted to the company of the saints with all his sins forgiven through the death and resurrection of Our Lord. May we not also imagine the welcome awaiting him from Christ and entrusted to his brother Oratorian and his guide Blessed John Henry Newman?

“We offer a prayer of gratitude today for the way that God’s Providence led Father Gregory to work so assiduously for Cardinal Newman’s canonisation. We can be thankful that he had the great joy of taking part so recently in the Beatification ceremony at Cofton Park, close to the cemetery at Rednal where he will be buried today.”

Archbishop Longley concluded: “As we bid farewell to Father Gregory we know that it is only for a while, and we can be certain that he will be praying for the well-being of his home for so many years, the Oratory in Hagley Road, and for the Fathers and parishioners who have been so dear to him. Let us commend his soul to the loving-kindness of Our Lord and to the prayerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”

By custom, no homily or panegyric is preached at the funeral Mass of an Oratorian Father. During the distribution of Holy Communion two of the great hymns by Blessed John Henry Newman, Praise to the Holiest in the Height, and Firmly I believe and truly were sung.

After Communion the pall was carefully removed to reveal the American light oak wooden coffin and the simple crucifix on the top. Bishop Philip Pargeter began the solemn prayers of the Final Commendation while Bishop Brain and the Fathers of the Birmingham, London and Oxford Oratories and other visiting clergy stood with lighted candles around the coffin.

Bishop Philip Pargeter retired Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham pictured during the Final Commendation at the end of the Requiem Mass for Father Gregory Winterton.

The Fathers and congregation sang the Song of Farewell - May the choirs of angels come to greet you, as the coffin containing the earthly remains of Father Gregory Winterton was taken in solemn procession out of the church and carried past the tablet dedicated to Blessed John Henry Newman and the deceased Fathers in the Cloisters.

The procession pictured at the end the Requiem Mass.

The funeral cars made their way solemnly along Hagley Road, at the start of their journey to the Oratory House at Rednal on the outskirts of Birmingham, where Father Gregory Winterton was buried in the small secluded community grave-yard.

The hearse pictured outside the Plough & Harrow Hotel as it made its way slowly to the community graveyard at Rednal.

That earlier drizzle had stopped and the sun was gently breaking through the late January clouds as Father Paul Chavasse said the final prayers. The coffin was lowered gently into the newly dug grave situated not far from where Blessed John Henry Newman had been buried on 19 August 1890.

The procession pictured as it entered the secluded Victoria graveyard at the Oratory House, Rednal.

It was a deeply emotional but memorable moment as this last in a long-line of much-loved “old-style” Birmingham Oratory Fathers, going back to Blessed John Henry Newman, was laid to rest.

The grave of Father Gregory Winterton is to the right of the green covering and near to where Blessed John Henry Newman was buried in August 1890 (centre of the picture).

Fr Gregory Winterton was born on 9 July 1922. He was Provost of the Birmingham Oratory 1971-1992 (except for six month). He died in the care of the Little Sisters of the Poor at their home in Harborne, on Wednesday 18 January. Like his father Major-General Sir John Winterton and Blessed John Henry Newman, he was aged 89.

*NB All pictures are my copyright but be used provided they are acknowledged: Picture by Peter Jennings.

The coffin containing the earthly remains of Father Gregory Winterton pictured in the hearse outside the Oratory Church, Edgbaston in Birmingham.

The simple plain coffin made of light American Oak (English Oak is not good for coffins because it warps too quickly) with a crucifix on top and six Oxy Silver handles (made up until the 1960′s), was gently lifted from the hearse under the supervision of Undertaker, Andrew Taylor of A B Taylor Funeral Services Ltd in Birmingham.  Father Chavasse sprinkled the coffin with holy water.

Then accompanied by the Fathers and Brother of the Birmingham Oratory community, visiting priests, and Archbishop Bernard Longley, the Archbishop of Birmingham, the coffin was carried slowly through the darkened cloister leading to the Church and past the tablets on the wall to the memory of the departed Fathers. In the centre is the tablet to Blessed John Henry Newman 1801-1890, who composed its Latin inscription: Ex umbris et imaginibus in veritatem  (Out of shadows and images into the Truth).

The coffin was placed on the catafalque under the dome in front of the sanctuary and then covered with a purple pall. Father Gregory’s beretta, purple stole from his confessional and chalice were then carefully put on the top.

The coffin containing the earthly remains of Father Gregory Winterton.

The Parish Church was full including former parishioners who had travelled long distances to be present at the Solemn Vespers of the Dead, sung in Latin.  It was a deeply moving and prayerful occasion that concluded with the words: “Requiescant in pace. Amen.”

Archbishop Bernard Longley was among those present in choir who sang the Solemn Vespers of the Dead in Latin.

Father Gregory Winterton Memorial Card.

*Please note that all the pictures included are my copyright but may be used with due acknowledgement: “Picture by Peter Jennings.”

Father Gregory Winterton pictured in the Cloisters at the Birmingham Oratory.

I had the privilege as a teenager of attending the Ordination of Father Gregory to the priesthood in the Newman Memorial Church, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, Edgbaston, on 9 March 1963. I then worked closely with him on the Newman Cause from the mid-1970′s.

I saw Father Gregory Winterton for the last time at about 10.55am in his room at the Little Sisters of the Poor in Harborne, on Saturday 7 January 2012. His body was frail but his  memory was remarkably good as he recalled events from the past. I gently held his right-hand for a moment. I said “goodbye” knowing it would be the last time that I would see him alive. Father Gregory replied: “Goodbye and God Bless You.” It was a deeply poignant and memorable moment.

I was in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia on Wednesday 18 January when I received the text from Father Paul Chavasse with the news that Father Gregory had died peacefully  a few hours earlier.

Father Gregory Winterton and me pictured by Cardinal Newman's Grave, at the Oratory House Rednal, on 11 August 1990 - the Centenary of Newman's death in 1890.

I plan to publish a full Obituary including personal memories of Father Gregory Winterton.

Father Gregory Winterton pictured in Cardinal Newman's Room, in the Oratory House, Birmingham.

Monday 23 January: 6.30pm Reception of Father Gregory’s body into the Oratory Church followed immediately by Solemn Vespers of the Dead sung in Latin.

The Oratory House and entrance to the Parish Church, Edgbaston.

Tuesday, 24 January, Feast of St Francis de Sales, Bishop, Patron Saint of  Writers and Journalists.

8am Matins & Lauds of the Dead.

11.30am Funeral Mass of Father Gregory Winterton – Principal Celebrant Father Paul Chavasse.

According to a very old custom, no sermon or panegyric is given at the Requiem Mass of a Father of the Oratory.

Father Gregory Winterton and Father Paul Chavasse pictured at the end of Mass on St Philip's Day, 26 May 2011,

Following Mass Father Gregory Winterton will be buried in the small secluded community graveyard at the Oratory Retreat, Rednal.

The community graveyard at the Oratory House, Rednal, where Father Gregory Winterton will be buried on Tuesday, 24 January 2012..

*Please note that all the pictures included are my copyright but may be used with due acknowledgement: “Picture by Peter Jennings.”

Bishop William Kenney CP, Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham, Moderating Bishop of the 2012 Holy Land Co-Ordination.

“It is deeply frustrating to see good believing Catholics so limited in what they are permitted to do and how travel is restricted because of the ongoing political and economic situation,” emphasised Bishop Kenney, choosing his words with care.

“I visited and was among the concelebrants at the Mass of the Baptism of Our Lord, celebrated by the Apostolic Delegate to Palestine, at the Holy Name Catholic Parish in Gaza on Sunday 8 January.

“After Mass I met a young Catholic lady who told me that she could not travel to the recent wedding of her brother in Bethlehem. She is aged between 16 and 35 and travel permits are not given by the Israeli authorities to people in Gaza of that age.  She was both upset and frustrated,” said Bishop Kenney.

“The level of poverty for the ordinary Catholics of Gaza has increased during the last two or three years since I was last there. There was less traffic on the streets. Shops I passed had fruit and vegetables for sale but not many customers.

“We visited one of the three Catholics schools in Gaza.  We stayed for lunch with the religious sisters and the leading members of the parish. It was so frustrating to leave being only able to pray for them and not being able to do anything more to relieve their difficult situation,” said Bishop Kenney.

The Christian community of Gaza is made up of about 2,500 people, of whom Catholics number around 300, in a total population of some 1.5 million people.

“In Ramallah we met the Chief Palestinian Peace Negotiator. It is frustrating that so little progress has been made towards a lasting peace,” stressed Bishop Kenney, during this interview at Archbishop’s House in Birmingham.

“We were held-up at the border between Ramallah and Jerusalem for more than 30 minutes while the Israelis went through all our passports, added Bishop Kenney, the Moderating Bishop for the 2012 Holy Land Co-Ordination Meeting.

Bishop Kenney has now been part of the Holy Land Co-Ordination on 11 of its 12 annual visits since it was mandated by the Holy See. He did not go in January 2003.

Archbishop Patrick Kelly, Archbishop of Liverpool and Bishop William Kenney together with archbishops and bishops from the USA, Canada, France, Germany, Spain and Italy, signed the hard-hitting Final Communiqué, released on 12 January.

Bishop Kenney described it as “the best yet” and drew particular attention to part of the first paragraph. It states: “While the faith we see in the Christians of the Holy Land is an inspiration to all, we have heard repeatedly and have seen ourselves that occupation and insecurity, fear and frustration dominate the life of people across this land. Blaming the other is an abdication of responsibility and a failure of leadership, a leadership that the people so desperately need.”

Isle of Man 2012 Olympic stamps on special first day cover.

The stamps – 37p, 38p, 58p, 68p, 76p, £1 and £1.15 values and £3 miniature sheet – were designed by Sir Paul Smith the distinguished fashion designer, at the invitation of the Isle of Man Post Office.

Sir Paul Smith, a life-long cycling enthusiast, was inspired by his friend, Olympic Cyclist and local Isle of Man hero, Mark Cavendish MBE, in his design of the 38p value stamp that features a Cycling Road Bike and the £3 stamp included in the miniature sheet.

Sir Paul Smith said: “It’s a real honour to be asked to design these stamps. I have tried to make them positive and colourful with a strong graphic style of design.”

The fashion world was not Paul Smith’s first choice of career; he wanted to become a professional racing-cyclist.  Unfortunately this ambition was thwarted following a road accident at the age of 17 that necessitated three months in hospital.

The Men’s Road Race (250 kilometres) starting on The Mall near Buckingham Palace, has been chosen as the opening event in the Cycling Programme on Saturday, July 28, the day after the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Mark Cavendish, who was voted the BBC Sports Personality of 2011, is quoted in the special Presentation Pack: “I have already inspected the route and I am confident it provides me and my GB Team mates with the best possible opportunity of a victory. I am certainly motivated to win in front of my home crowd and become Olympic Champion.”

The Manx cyclist added: “My great friend and cycling enthusiast, Sir Paul Smith, has designed the Olympic stamps for the Isle of Man Post Office which includes two cycling stamps and I see this as a good omen for the GB Team – we will be ready to take up the challenge!”

Tommy Godwin now aged 91, Great Britain double Olympic bronze cycling medallist at the 1948 London Olympic Games was enthusiastic about the stamps. He said: “I like this Isle of Man London 2012 Olympic Games set of stamps. I am delighted that Sir Paul Smith has included cycling on two stamps.”

Mr Godwin, who won bronze for the 1,000 metres Time Trial, and the 4,000 metres Team Pursuit, added: “I hope that these particular stamps will encourage many young people to take up cycling at this exciting and successful time for the sport.”

Tommy Godwin pictured holding the original 1948 Olympic Torch that lit the flame during the Opening Ceremony in London - and me. Picture by Mrs Kay Jones, Tommy Godwin’s daughter.

Isle Isle of Man Stamp & Coins stamps and miniature sheet include the official London 2012 Olympic Games logo and were printed by the Lowe-Martin Group, in Canada, using offset lithography. The stamps were printed in sheets of five.

Other related London 2012 Olympic Games products available from Isle of Man Stamps & Coins include: a first day cover, presentation pack, souvenir sheet incorporating two full sets of stamps – ideal for framing, stamp cards and a beautiful collector’s book.

These London 2012 Olympic Games stamps will be collected and treasured by stamp collectors and spot enthusiasts throughout the world.

Tommy Godwin, Great Britain double Olympic bronze cycling medallist at the 1948 London Olympic Games, pictured holding the Isle of Man 2012 Olympic Games sheet of five 38p ‘cycling stamp’ that he autographed.

Many collectors would welcome a special Isle of Man Post Office “London 2012 Olympic Winners” postage stamp if Team GB cycling team win the first gold!

Isle of Man London 2012 Olympic Games miniature sheet, held and autographed by Tommy Godwin.

During his sermon Archbishop Bernard Longley said: “Looking at the tiny child in the manger reminds me of how God can reach us and touch us with very few words – we need only hear his one beloved Word who became a human being for us. There is a child born for us, a son given to us. God enters into dialogue with us.

The Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, pictured after the blessing of the Crib, in St Chad’ Cathedral, Birmingham - packed of the occasion.

“God enters into dialogue with us and he begins a conversation of friendship through this Christ-child whom we welcome.

“This brings to mind all those who reach out in dialogue to other Christians and to the members of others faiths, offering to share the unity which Christ gives to those who come close to him.

“When you go to pray at the crib tonight remember first all the people in your own life given to you as precious gift. Then ask how each of us as individuals and together as a Church can bring the gift of Christ more effectively into the lives of others as a New Year beckons us. I am also thinking of those who work in media.”

The Archbishop emphasised: “Next year will undoubtedly bring great challenges, economic and social, but the gift of Christian faith can help us face these and offer something uniquely Christian for the common good of our cities and our communities.”

Archbishop Longley concluded: “As we celebrate this Christmas may God’s blessings reach you and your families and may we repeat with thankful and generous hearts – thanks be to God for the gift of a child born for us.”

The Crib in St Chad’ Cathedral, Birmingham - Christmas 2011.