FRIENDS OF THE ANNUNCIATION – MEMORIAL FOR FATHER BURGESS

A number of you will remember Father Michael Burgess who, from 1977 to 2005, was the Vicar of the Church of the Annunciation, Marble Arch. This is the church to which Hampden Gurney School belongs. Father Burgess was instrumental in the planning and the development of the new school building and all of us – governors, teachers, support staff, pupils and parents – owe a great debt to him. Father Burgess sadly died last year.

I am the Chair of the Friends of the Annunciation and we are currently making a collection for a fitting memorial for Father Burgess whose wish it was that his ashes be placed in the church which he served for so long.

With the kind permission of the Head Teacher, Mrs Chua, therefore, the Friends of the Annunciation are planning a

NON-UNIFORM DAY ON WEDNESDAY 21 MAY.

We hope that parents will  allow their child to take part in this event. In return for the opportunity to come to school in their own clothes without having to wear the school uniform, we would ask that each child brings a minimum of £1 (more would be very welcome, of course!). This will be collected and passed to the Friends of the Annunciation as a contribution to the memorial. Father Barrie Newton, the School Chaplain, will lead the school mass on that day and talk about friendship. Children will be able to record their own friends’ names on paper hearts which will all be made up into a “Friendship” banner.

We hope that this is a fitting way for Hampden Gurney School to be associated with the Friends of the Annunciation in their plans to commemorate the life and work of Father Burgess.

All are, of course, always welcome at the church.  A number of pupils and their parents already worship with us every Sunday morning. Our main service is the Solemn Mass at 11 am during which a Sunday School for the younger children is also held. If you would like to become a Friend of the Annunciation, please visit our website at www.annunciationmarblearch.org for contact details.

I look forward to joining in the day with the children on 21 May.

Paul Osburn

School Governor and Chair of the Friends of the Annunciation