On Wednesday 11th July 2012 Catholic Women’s League (CWL) members from Clifton Diocese travelled to Oxford for their National Pilgrimage. Over 400 members from all over England and Wales gathered at the church of St. Aloysius within the Oxford Oratory to hear Mass celebrated by the Rt. Rev Peter Doyle, Bishop of Northampton and CWL Ecclesiastical Adviser.
We were there to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Margaret Fletcher who founded the League in 1906. Margaret was born in1862 in Oxford. She died in 1943 and is buried in Begbroke Priory, Kidlington, just outside of Oxford.
We were welcomed to the Oratory by the V Rev. Daniel Seward, Parish Priest and Provost at St. Aloysius. He told us that an old lady from the parish can remember Margaret Fletcher, who worshipped at St. Aloysius. Margaret was known to parishioners as Catty. Not as you may think due to a spiteful nature but because she kept about 14 cats at home.
After Mass Margaret Richards, our National President, invited ladies and guests to take the short walk to Oxford town hall where afternoon tea was served.
If you are interested in joining the CWL or in any aspect of our work then please go to our website of www.catholicwomensleague.org
Jean Coombs ~ Clifton Branch President
