AT a Christmas party for old friends held at Southwell House. London, last Saturday, Fr. Bernard Basset, Si., announced his departure from Southwell House for other work. He is to go to Farm Street Church when outstanding engagements are completed Fr. Basset has been actively connected with Catholic Action since 1945. In his farewell address he spoke of the effect on him and on so many others of the Royal Air Force courses run by the late Mgr. Beauchamp during and after the war. Fr. Basset himself copied Mgr. Beauchamp's methods and has organised four leadership courses a year for boys, girls, and adults on R.A.F. lines.
Fr. Basset has lived at Southwell House since 1950 and with Fr. Henry Sire established the retreat house for men in London in 1954. He has played a great part in bringing the Sodalities of Our Lady into line with Papal reforms.
In his farewell address, Fr. Basset paid great tribute to the CATHotic HERALD and its initiative in allowing him his column "All Sorts" for eleven years.
Fr Ralph Eastwell succeeds Fr. Basset as National Secretary of Sodalities.