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.”

Fr Paul Chavasse, Provost of the Oratory 1992-2009, founded by Blessed John Henry Newman, preached.

Geoff Jones, the stalwart who did so much to enhance the work of the Catholic Church in Birmingham over many decades, died peacefully at his home in Edgbaston, close to the Oratory Church, on 17 October, aged 91. He was born in the Stechford district of Birmingham on 7 May 1920.

Geoff and Molly Jones pictured with Fr Paul Chavasse in the Oratory Church, Edgbaston, a few years ago.

Geoff was educated at St Philip’s Grammar School where he became head boy and met his lifelong friend Gerard Coghlan who introduced him to Molly Hartland, his future wife, when he was 19. A number of Geoff’s contemporaries from the old St Philip’s, situated next to the Oratory Church, were present, including Gerard Coghlan.

Geoff Jones was the founder and original Chairman of the Oratory Parish Council and he helped the Oratory Fathers in a number of ventures: he was governor to the Oratory Secondary school from 1962 to 1966 and faithfully served as governor and Chair of Governors to the Oratory Primary School for over 50 years. In 1982 he directed operations for the Papal Visit at Coventry Airport.

Geoff Jones Requiem Mass was held at the Birmingham Oratory, Edgbaston, on 26 October 2011.

Fr Douglas Lamb, Parish Priest of St Ambrose, Kidderminster, and the newly appointed Chairman of the Friends of Blessed John Henry Newman concelebrated. Fr Richard Duffield of the Oxford Oratory and a former Provost of the Birmingham community, and Br Richard Duncan, a novice at the Birmingham Oratory, were also present on the sanctuary.

Such was the esteem in which Geoff Jones was held that representatives of many of the organisations that he was involved in joined his wife Molly, his children, Philip, Rosemary, Michael, Susan and Roger, and their spouses Nuala, Michael, Pauline, Chris and Kathy, his 17 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren, for the deeply prayerful, emotional and memorable Mass.

When he left school Geoff spent time at Birmingham University where he joined the Officer Training Corps and began his involvement with the army. With the onset of war he left university to become a commissioned officer in the Royal Engineers in 1941. During the war he served in Italy and Kenya, in Nanyuki and Nairobi.

On 12 February 1942 Geoff married Molly at St Mary’s Church in Harborne. When the war ended Geoff reluctantly left the regular army and, with a young family to support, joined the National Mutual Life Assurance Society and became area manager, retiring in 1979.

Appropriately, Praise to the Holiest in the Height, by Blessed John Henry Newman, was chosen as the entrance hymn. After the first reading from the Book of Wisdom (read by Geoff’s daughter, Susan Dawe) the poignant singing of the Psalm, The Lord’s my shepherd, filled every corner of Geoff and Molly’s beautiful parish church.

During his exceptional and at times amusing homily, Fr Paul Chavasse told the congregation that one of the last things that Geoff Jones had said to Molly and him, one afternoon as they sat with him shortly before his death, was: “The Oratory has always been here for us.”

Fr Paul Chavasse pictured reading the Gospel before he preached.

 Fr Chavasse emphasised that: “Geoff’s life and work for the Church helped and encouraged so many people, who were inspired by his example.”

Geoff’s daughter Sue wrote in the service booklet: “As a family we are so very proud of his many achievements which have been recognised by the awards of the Order of St John and the Territorial Decoration. He was a Justice of the Peace, a Deputy Lieutenant, a Papal Knight of the Order of St Gregory and a Knight Comrade of the Holy Sepulchre. He was also professionally recognised as a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Insurance.

“Geoff’s other commitments included being a Commissioner of Income tax, a Guardian of Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House, a military member of the Warwickshire TA and AF Association.

“He was always willing to support any person or group who required help and then devoted his “spare time” to so many causes it would be impossible to name them all, but include work with The Army Benevolent Fund, St Philip’s Old Boys’ Association, St Chad’s Restoration Fund and the Catenians.”

Fr Chavasse recalled the words of the poem attributed to Hilaire Belloc (1870-1953), a former pupil of Newman’s Oratory School, seeing it as in many ways a fitting description of Geoff’s philosophy of life:

“Where e’er the Catholic sun doth shine,

There is laughter and good red wine.

I have always found it so:

Benedicámus Domino.”

Fr Paul Chavasse concluded: “But more importantly, Geoff, a poor sinner, would want our prayers and our Masses offered for the repose of his soul, as he enters on his most awesome journey.”

This vividly reminded many of us present of the powerful lines from the dramatic poem “The Dream of Gerontius” by Blessed John Henry Newman that portrays the death of and old man and what happens to his soul as he enters into eternity:

“Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison.

Holy Mary, pray for him.

All holy Angels, pray for him.

Choirs of the righteous, pray for him.

… All ye saints of God, pray for him.”

After Communion the black funeral pall was carefully removed to reveal the wooden coffin and the beautiful golden crucifix on the top. Bishop Philip Pargeter began the solemn prayers of Commendation while all the members of the community of the Oratory in Edgbaston stood with lighted candles around the coffin.

Bishop Philip Pargeter and members of the Oratory community pictured during the Commendation.

Fr Gregory Winterton, Provost of the Oratory 1972-1992, and now aged 89, was also present, as the Fathers and congregation sang the Song of Farewell - May the choirs of angels come to greet you.

Geoff’s sons then carried their father’s coffin shoulder high the length of the nave before it was taken by the undertakers into the cloisters leading from the church where there are tablets on the wall to the memory of the departed Fathers. Blessed John Henry Newman had composed a simple one for himself which expressed his whole life: Ex umbris et imaginibus in veritatem, (Out of shadows and images into the truth).

The coffin containing the earthly remains of Geoff Jones is carried past the tablet of Blessed John Henry Newman in the Cloisters.

Outside on the pavement in the bright mid-October early afternoon sunshine a group of school children from the Oratory Primary School, in uniform, formed a guard of honour. It was a simple yet moving tribute.

The funeral cars made their way slowly along Hagley Road for the journey to the cemetery at Oscott College, the diocesan seminary situated on the outskirts of Birmingham, where Geoff Jones was interred.

Afterwards, Molly Jones and family hosted a buffet luncheon at the Botanical Gardens, during which Philip Jones, the eldest son, proposed a toast to his father, Geoff: “a friend to all”.

Fr Gregory Winterton, Provost of the Birmingham Oratory, 1972-1992, pictured at the end of the Requiem Mass.

Bishop Philip Pargeter pictured with Gerard Coghlan, a contemporary of Geoff Jones at St Philip's Grammar School - then situated next to the Oratory House and Parish Church in Edgbaston.

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