MGR. MASTERSON VISITS FAMILIES

Back in his erchdlocese, following his ad limina visit to the Holy Father In Rome, Mgr. Masterson, Archbishop of Birmingham, Is getting to know his flock.
" One of the best welcomes I have yet received," said the Archbishup, when he presided at tea at St. Osburg s. Coventry, where Dom Basil Griffin, 0.S.13., brother of the Cardinal is Rector and received 18 of the largest families in the parish.
Three of these were families of 11 children, one of the mothers being a non.Catholic widow. No family present numbered less than five members and despite the absence of many through work and serince. over 150 welcomed Mgr. Masterson.
126 COUSINS The Archbishop said that the Church was proud of such families and added that with 18 such, any priest could start a flourishing parish. His own family, he added, had once counted up 126 COMM, scattered throughout the world-in itself there was enough to start a parish.
The Archbishop confirmed 200 members of the parish, including 50 adults, and after Benediction in the evening received the members of the parish in their hall.
MOTHER CHURCH On Sunday, June 1, Mgr. Masterson presided and preached at the solemn re-opening of the Church of SS. Peter and Paul. Wolverhampton, at which the Mayor and Mayoress. arid Director of Education were pre sent. The Archbishop mentioned that during his recent visit to Rome the Holy Father had empowered him to grant a plenary indulgence on one occasion in the Archdiocese on his return. He wanted to grant it to the faithful present at this solemn re-opening of the mother church of the Midlands.
On Monday, June 2, St. Richard's College, Hadzor, Droitwich had a celebration of welcome in honour of the Archbishop and a large gathering of clergy including the priests of the Stourbridge deanery were present to welcome him. After lunch the students of St. Richard's presented a musical and dramatic performance. The celebrations came to a close with Pontifical Benediction in the College chapel.
The Inter-Guild Retreat of the Birmingham Catholic Evidence Guild, given by Fr. Mark Brocklehurst, 0.13., at Harbourne Hall, Birmingham, was attended by members of eight guilds. Mgr. Masterson, Archbishop of Birmingham, after being welcomed by the Birmingham Diocesan Master (Mr. V. Carroll), remained for the Whit Sunday evening discussion.
It is announced that the Rev. A. Akel, of East Cowes, Isle of Wight, has been elected chairman of the District Nursing Association. Fr. Akel has been prominent in local affairs for many years.