Dear Church Family,

This is rather a struggle I fear, the pesky computer mouse seems quite uncontrollable (must be losing my grip) but then you will have heard that I am a very groggy moggy. Having lost my appetite, and my get up and go (it just got up and went), Sr.Infirmarian, accompanied by Br.V. drove me to see my consultant on the Saturday before Holy Week. Alas the prognosis was not good: some infurnal, inopurrable condition. At least it gives me time to set my affairs in order and to say my furwells. I paid one last visit to the Grand Cell on Palm Sunday, and wonderfully I was able to be with everyone for Easter Day when the Choir sang my favouritist anthem, Brother James’s Air. A setting of the 23rd Psalm, the words were such a comfort, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me”: they sang it beautifully.

Being but a poor Brother I have little to leave, but I’ve asked Br.V. to be my executor as there are a few bequests I wish to make. I’d like the sisters to have my best china bowls and dishes as a little keepsake – perhaps they could become plant pots?! Sr Cook-Laundress, Sr Infirmarian, Sr Almoner and Sr Cellarer have been so caring, I can never thank them enough. My cell I hope will be retained lest some poor cousin seeks sanctuary as I did, but my beanbag, bedding and larder, together with a small sum each from my piggy bank, I would like given to my consultant’s surgery and her special charity ‘Lonely Pawz’, for all her kindness to me, and to the Cats’ Protection League for their good work. The remainder – the bulk of my estate - I bequeath to two church projects - the Choir Robes Fund for new surplices (over the fur), and to the refurbishment of the kitchen, where I spent so much of my time. How blessed I have been these past nine years: you all dear friends have been so kind. And now I entrust myself to God the Creator of us all who, as Jesus tells us, knows when even the smallest sparrow falls to the ground ... hmmm - so there’s hope for me!. Br.V.has kindly said that I may be laid to rest in the churchyard, within the sound of the Angelus Bell – so I shall be able to keep a watchful eye over you! Remember me kindly.

God bless you all.

Yours purrfully,



(James Archippus)

How we shall miss him. Eds

With great sadness we report the death of Br James Archippus on 8th April. So much has our little feline friend contributed to the life of the church for the past nearly nine years, he somehow seemed rather more than a cat. Like many creatures he possessed an extraordinary knowing spirit and achieved a certain notoriety – known far and wide, much further than many of us.
From the day he first appeared at my side at an interment of ashes in the summer of 2001 he has been a constant presence. He rarely missed a service, Sundays, the daily Mass and Offices of morning and evening prayer, Lent Courses, weddings and funerals - especially the latter when he brought comfort to many. The ‘Officiant’ at Pet Services (perhaps a little grudgingly), he was also part of the welcoming team at art exhibitions, attended concerts, and even contributed regularly to the magazine, prompting occasional correspondence! With his missionary spirit, not only did he greet people to church, but also called on those tending graves in the churchyard, and much to everyone’s concern had a penchant for crossing a busy road to visit residents on the other side. In recent months he has befriended the builders and workmen, and paid regular visits to the organ loft to check on progress there! He also knew those who disliked, or even perhaps treated him unkindly – when the paw would shoot up, though that of course would happen whenever he was in defiant mode!

Personally I shall miss his occasional visits to the Vicarage (the ‘Grand Cell’) – sitting outside the study widow or on the wall by the kitchen window asking to come in, waiting for me by the bottom garden gate at 6.00pm for Evensong, sitting in the belfry as I rang the Angelus, and then at my stall the little ritual at Matins or Evensong, when he would knock his head against my crossed-over foot before jumping onto my lap to purr the Office - though sometimes he would sit under my chair, head peeping out from beneath my cassock . Often he’d leap off to greet others, but always deserted me when quite uncannily, before she even opened the door, he would know that Wendy (‘Sr.Cook’) had arrived. Especially devoted to her – and she to him - he supervised her and the cleaning team on Fridays, and accompanied her in the churchyard pruning, or collecting stick! The other ‘sisters’ – Penny, Jo and Lorna – also had a special place in his affections.
With his loyalty, trust and unconditional love he has engendered much goodwill and been a unifying presence, contributing greatly to the family spirit of the church.

Whether or not animals have souls is much debated, but spirit they surely possess, and in the case of this creature most certainly so. It seemed only right that such a faithful servant of the church and friend to so many be given a Christian burial, and a number attended the service of thanksgiving in church, with the interment just across from the porch, where he spent so much of his time.

In gratitude, we commend the spirit of one of his special creatures to God the Creator of every living thing, and the Father of us all.

Fr John