Home / Assisi Anglican Congregation in Assisi / LATEST NEWS

We were delighted to welcome Rev Paul Duffet and Anita back to St Leonard's at the end of July 2010.  He took our service on 25 July while Bro Tom was in the UK.  Many thanks Paul and Anita.

We have moved our church services into our church hall for the foreseeable future as a result of renovations work being undertaken in the church

MANY APOLOGIES BUT FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO UPDATE THIS NEWS SECTION ON A REGULAR BASISI.   HOWEVER, I WILL TRY AND KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE GENERAL WEB SITE.  AGAIN, MANY APOLOGIES BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL SOON.

YOUR WEB REPORTED WILL BE AWAY FOR THREE WEEKS - MANY APOLOGIES - IF I GET ANY INFORMATION I WILL POST IT TO THE WEB SITE

4 April 2010 - Bro Tom led a strong congregation for the Easter eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome visitors from Italy, Yorkshire and Australia.

2 April 2010 - Bro Tom led a very small in a special service for good Friday

28 March 2010 - Bro Tom led a good congregation in the weekly eucharist.

26 March 2010 - The AGM was held in the church hall.  There was strong representation from the congregation and Clive Morton (on behlaf of Bro Tom) chaired a very successful meeting

21 March 2010 - Bro Tom led a small congregatioin in the weekly eucharist

14 March 2010 - Bro Tom led a small congregatioin in the weekly eucharist

8 March 2010 - the whole of the St Leonard's congregation were saddened to learn of the death of Victor Funnell this morning.  He was a well loved and welcome visitor to our church.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

7 March 2010 - Bro Tom led a small number of core congregation in the weekly eucharist.

28 February 2010 - Bro Tom led the congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We were pleased to welcome back Rob and Janina Cusham from South Carolina who also have a house near Todi - they were accompanied by their friends Greg and Meredith Konz - also from South Carolina.   Shelagh, Anne and Jean from Tuoro were also welcome return regulars

21 February 2010 - Bro Tom has returned to Assisi and led a small congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We were pleased to welcome Bro John from Leeds and Steve Gray, Anglican Chaplain, Sherborne School, Sherborne, Dorset

14 February 2010 - Bro Tom is currently in the Netherlands visiting his family.  Bro Benedict is kindly standing in and led a very small congregation in the weekly eucharist. 

7 February 2010 - Bro Tom led a small congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome Bro Benedict who is in Assis for 2 weeks.  In addtiion, it was great to have Rev Pat and Helen Mossop visit us yet again - they have been regular visitors over the last 3-4 years.  We were also joined by Rev Richard Carter (curate at St Martins-in-the-Fields, London) and Vincent Finnegan from Co. Mayo, Ireland

31 January 2010 -  Bro Tom led a very small congregation in the weekly eucharist

24 January 2010 - Bro Tom led a small congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome Martijn (Bro Tom's nephew) from the Netherlands

17 January 2010 - Bro Tom again led a small but enthusiastic congregation in the weekly eucharist

10 January 2010 - Bro Tom led a small, but very vocal, congregation in the weekly eucharist

Your web reported had a break in Malta over the festive season visiting famiily - sorry for not being able to keep everyone informed.

22 December 2009 - Bro Tom led the annual service of Readings with Carols.  The church was packed and was definitely 'standing room' only.  Following the service we held a reception for the whole congregation and feasted on mulled wine and mince pies - wondeful!  The core congregation and some visitors then adjourned to I Monaci for a light dinner.  It was certainly a case of 'a good time was had by all'.

20 December 2009 - Bro Tom led a small but enthusiastic congregation in the weekly eucharist - and, in a very cold church.  Again, we were blessed with Ottello in our congregation

13 December 2009 - Bro Tom again led a very small but enthusiastic congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome Ottello in our congregation - a regular visitor these days!

6 December 2009 - Bro Tom led a very small but enthusiastic congregation in the weekly eucharist.

29 November 2009 - Bro Tom led a small congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We were sorry to say goodbye to Christine and Brian Ellams, Lisa Smith and Bro Richard, who are all returning to their homes for the winter in Brecon, Canada and California, respectively.

22 November 2009 - Bro Tom led a good congregation in the weekly eucharist.  Unfortunately this was the last service for George and Beryl Leopardi before their return to their home in Perth, Australia for the Winter/Summer.  However, Brother Richard from California is still with us.

8 November 2009 - We started the weekly service with an Act of Remembrance for all those who have lost their lives in war.

Bro Tom let a good congregatioin in the weekly eucharist during which we celebrated the Feast of St Leonard (even thought St Leonard's day was on 6 November 2009).  We welcomed visitors from the USA, Kent, East Anglia.   

2 November 2009 - Bro Tom led a small congregation in a special eucharist to celebrate All Souls Day.

1 November 2009 - Bro Tom led a strong congregation in the special eucharist for All Saints Day.  We were delighted to welcome Bro Richard from San Francisco who is spending a month in Assisi with Bro Tom.  Wendy Murray was given a warm reception on her return to Assisi but unfortunately she is only with us for one week.  We also welcomed visitors from Derbyshire, Bath and Norfolk.

26 October 2009 - Bro Tom held a marriage blessing for Mari Ishizuga and Stephen Sawhill in St Leonard's.  Many members of our congregation were priveleged to be asked to attend the service as Mari and Stephen were not able to be supported by their friends and family due to the travelling distances involved.  We wish them both a life time of love and happiness.

25 October 2009 - Bro Tom led the weekly eucharist for a good congregation.  We welcomed visitors from the USA, Sweden, Canada, Japan and the UK.  We were all delighted to welcome Mari Ishizuga and Stephen Sawhill who will be having their marriage blessed in St Leonard's tomorrow.  Also, we were lucky to meet Mougeh Mozafarian and Chald Walters who will have their marriage blessed by Bro Tom in May 2010.  After the service the two happy couples and the rest of the congregation really got to know each other over lunch at the I Monaci.

18 October 2009 - Bro Tom led a small but solid congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We welcomed visitors form Essex, Gerrard's Cross and the USA

11 October 2009 - Bro Tom led a large and powerful congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We welcomed visitors and pilgrims from across the world, including an enthusiastic group of Quakers

4 October 2009 - Bro Tom led a good congregation in the weekly eucharist.

1 October 2009 - Bro Tom and the congregation of St Leonard's were delighted to host the annual Archdeaconry Synod final eucharist.  The service was led by Bishop Geoffery and during the service he collated Canon Jonathan Boardman as the new Archdeacon of Malta and Italy.  We were all very pleased to welcome guests from throughout Italy as well as Malta and Gozo.   At the start of the service the Bishop of Assisi gave some very warm words of welcome.  After the service everyone attended a reception hosted by St Leonard's at  I Monaci across the road from the church.  On behalf of Bro Tom and the congregation of St Leonard's, May Feltcher presented Archdeacon JOnathan with an olive wood Tau to commemorate his collation in Assisi.

27 September 2009 - Bro Tom led a powerful congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome visitors from Australia, USA and the UK.  Following the service our core congregation had the opportunnity to have a chat with our visitors during the post-service reception

20 September 2009 - Bro Tom led a good congregation in the weekly eucharist

13 September 2009 - Bro Tom led a strong congregation in the weekly eucharist

6 Septembr 2009 - Bro Tom has returned from his well earned rest in Canada and led the weekly Eucharist.  Bro Daniel, who is still in Assisi, was joined by Bro Bruce-Paul from Stroud in Australia.  We were also pleased to welcome visitors from Peterborough and Cheshire/Cortona.  The service was followed by a reception in the church hall and then on to I Monaci for lunch.

30 August 2009 - Bro Daniel led a large congregation in the weekly Eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome visitors from Scotland, Australia and Canada.  The service was followed by our traditional St Leonard's reception in the church hall.

23 August 2009 - Bro Daniel led the congregatioin in the weekly Eucharist.  The very strong congregation included visitors from the USA, The Netherlads and the anitpodes.  The service was followed by a reception so that the congregation could have a good chance to chat with all the visitors.

16 August 2009 - As Bro Tom is in Canada the weekly eucharist was taken by Bro Daniel, who is currently visiting Assisi.  Rev Leighton Thomas, who is also currently visiting Assisi, gave the sermon.  A large and strong congregation gave their best for hymn singing.

9 August 2009 - Bro Tom led a very strong congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We were delighted to welcom Rev Leighton Thomas and his wife Viv who will be standing in for Tom during hsi three holdiay in Canada.  We also welcomed visitors from the UK, USA and The Netherlands.  Everyone joined the small reception after the service.

The Congregational  Council held a meeting in the Church Hall after the service.

2 August 2009 - Bro Tom led a strong congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome the return of Beryl and George Leopardi for their annual 4 month pilgrimage to Assisi.  IN addtion we received visitors from Canada, The Netherlands and the UK.

26 July 2009 - Bro Tom led a small congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We welcomed visitors from Peterborough.

19 July 2009 - Bro Tom led a strong congregation in the weekly eucharist.  The service was held in honour of Peter Hurd (founder of the Anlgican Church in Umbria) who attended the service with other representatives from St John the Baptist, Citta della Pieve:  Pam and Des Turley and Victor Furnell.  In addtion we welcomed visitors from Norway and Canada.  Following the lunch everyone adjourned to the Il Paradiso restaurant just outside Assisi for a lunch in honour of Peter Hurd.  The congregation presented him with a print of a 1908 picture of St Leonard's together with a first edition copy of 'Assisi of St Francis' (published in 1908 with a print run of 112 copies only!!) as a mark of their respect for the work put in by Peter Hurd.

12 July 2009 - Bro Tom led a small congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome Bro Chrisopher John from South Korea (he is also the Secretary of the SSF) and Bro Nathaniel from Papua New Guinea, who was on his visit visit to Assisi.

5 July 2009 - Bro Tom led a good congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We welcomed visitors from Ipswich and the USA.

28 June 2009 - Bro Tom led an enthusiastic congregation in the weekly eucharist.  Visitors from Ipswich were given the traditional St Leonard's warm welcome.

21 June 2009 - Bro Tom let a powerful congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome a large group of young pilgrims from Sweden.  These were complemented with visitors from the USA, UK and Australia. 

14 June 2009 - Bro Tom led a good congregation for the weekly echarist.  We welcomed visitors from Denmark, Australia and the USA

7 June 2009 - Rev paul Duffett led us in the weekly Eucharist.  Paul has been standing in for Bro Tom who has been in the UK for the last two Sundays to attend the annual meeting of the Anglican Order of Franciscans.  Paul is a great friend of St Leonard's but unfortuantely he was not able to bring his wife Anita with him on this occasion.  She remained in the UK for he birth of their latest grandchild.  We were delighted to welcome visitors from the UK, Australian, USA and Denmark.

AGAIN, MANY APOLOGIES FOR OUR LACK IN UPDATING THIS NEWS SECTION.  THIS HAS BEEN DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, FAMILY ILLNESS AND EXTENDED TRAVEL.  WE WILL NOW TRY AND UPDATE ON A WEEKLY BASIS.

15 March 2009 - Bro Tom led a good congregegation in the weekly Eucharist.  WE were delighted to welcome Sister Bevereley after a gap of three years - she was accompanied by sisters Liz and Polly.  A strong represetnaion of third order Franciscans from Texas also contributed to our numbers and we look forward to seeeing them again in the future. 

APOLOGIES FOR THE GAP IN THIS NEWS SECTION BUT YOUR REPORTED HAD TO RETURN TO THE UK AGAIN DUE TO SERIOUS FAMILY ILLNESS.

18 January 2009 - Bro Tom led a very small congregation for the weekly eucharist in a very cold church

11 January 2009 - Bro Tom led a small congregation in the weekly eucharist.  WE we pleased to welcome Bro Edmund back to our church as well as Fergus - both from London.

APOLOGIES - YOUR CORRESPONDENT HAD TO FLY BACK TO THE UK UNEXPECTEDLY DUE TO A FAMILY ILLNESS.  THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY HIS OWN ILLNESS ON RETURNING TO ITALY.  MANY THANKS FOR ALL THE WELL WISHERS WHO HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT

22 December 2008 - The service was really beautiful.  The church was lit with 200 candles  and enhanced by our Christmas Tree and Presepe (crib).  Beverley Willcox  was our musical director and keyboard player - how he makes St Leonard's sound like Westminster Cathedral, we will never know, but she did!!  Beverley, our very grateful thanks.  The congregation of over 50 was in fine voice and we had visitors from many parts of the globe - including Italy.  The traditional service of readings and carols was led by Bro Tom.  After the service we had mulled wine and mince pies in our medieval church hall - a lovely occasion for everyone to meet each other.  A very big thank you for all those who provided the wine and food and made it possible.  Then, the hardcore of 20 moved across the road to 'I Monaci' (the Monks) for a meal of pasta and pizza.  All in all, a wonderful occasion which we hope all will remember for many years.

21 December 2008 - Bro Tom led the weekly eucharist.  Although the congregation was not huge the singing was magnificent - a good practice for our Carol service tomorrow!!

14 December 2008 - Bro Tom led a small congregation in the weekly eucharist

7 December 2008 - Bro Tom led the very small core congregatioin in the weekly eucharist

30 November 2008 - Rev Paul Duffett led the small congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We were delighted that Lisa Smith was part of our congregation during a fleeting visit to Assisi.

24 November 2008 - Bro Tom returned to the UK for a ten day visit to his 'house' in Oxfordshire.  We look forward to his return.

23 November 2008 - Bro Tom led a small congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome Rev Paul and Anita Duffett (from Barton, Cambridgeshire) back into the congregation during their latest visit to Assisi.  We were also pleased to welcome Father Robert Norwood from Wanstead.

16 November 2008 - Bro Tom led a small but enthusiastic congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome Hiroaki Nishino from Tokyo as well as Iain Robertson and Martyn Crompton from Yorkshire.

9 November 2008 - Bro Tom led the congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome three visitors from Swnaley in Kent and one from Maggione.

SORRY ABOUT GAP IN NEWS BUT YOUR CORRESPONDENT HAS BEEN AWAY FOR THREE WEEKS

12 October 2008 - Bro Tom led an enthusiastic congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We were very pleased to welcome visitors from Dublin, the UK, the USA and Australia.

5 October 2008 - Bro Tom led weekly eucharist.  WE were delighted to welcom visitors from the USA, Australia and the UK, including the Bishop of Coventry. 

4 October 2008 - Bro Tom led the eucharist to celebrate St Francis day for a small congregation.

28 September 2008 - Bro Tom led a small but powerful congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome a small group of visitors from Yorkshire and Cornwall.

21 September 2008 - Rev Maggie Guillebaud led an strong congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome visitors from the UK and Sweden.

19 September 2008 - The Anglican Church in Umbria held a meeting with the Archdeacon with a view to discuss the re-structuring the diocese in general and the church in Umbria in particular.  We will keep you informed of any developments.  We hope that the final decisions will be announced by the Bishop at the Synod in Venice in two weeks time.

14 September 2008 - Rev David Prothero led the service while Bro Tom was standing in at All Saints in Rome.  Rev Prothero was leading a group from the West Country on a week's piligrimage to Assisi.  Rev Maggie Guillebaud led the congreation in the weekly perambulating theology (particpative sermon!).

7 September 2008 - Rev Maggie Guillebaud led a small but enthusiastic audience in the weekly eucharist.  Maggie is on loan for a month from Salisbury Cathedral where she is a deacon.  We were pleased to welcome visitors from the UK and USA.

31 August 2008 - Bro Tom led an excellent congregation in the weekly eucharist. We were delighted to welcome Rev Tom from Edinburgh who was leading his annual pilgrimage to Assisi (20 years!) and our church (only 3 years!).  Our visitors included representatives from New Zealand, USA, UK and Australia.  We were also pleased to have Maggie and Hugh Guilliebaud back in the congregation - they are in Italy for about a month for their annual holiday.  Maggie will be assisting Bro Tom over the next month as part of her post ordination training.

24 August 2008 - As Bro Tom is in The Netherlands to be with his family during this difficult time, our weekly eucharist was taken by Rev Sarah McVane from the Anglican Centre in Rome.  We thank her for coming to Assisi so soon after returning from in international trip.  We were delighted to welcome a group of pilgrims from the Lutheran Church in Stockholm.  We were absolutely enchanted by their unaccompanied singing and harmonisation.

21 August 2008 - WE WERE VERY SAD TO HEAR THAT BROTHER TOM'S SISTER PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING AFTER A LONG ILLNESS.  OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH BRO TOM AND ALL HIS FAMILY.

17 August 2008 - Bro Tom led a solid congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome visitors from South Wales but sorry to hear that our Assisi Outlook editor (Mary Fletcher) was under the weather.  We wish her a speedy recovery

10 August 2008 - Bro Tom led a large congregatioin in the weekly eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome the Archbishop of New Zealand and his family.  They are having a short stay in Assisi as a stopover on their return home from the Lambeth conference.  We also welcomed a large group of young visitors from Sweden.  We wish them all a safe trip home.

3 August 2008 - Bro Tom led a small congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome Alan and Gabrielle Fletcher from Leicestershire.  Alan is a member of the House of Laity of the General Synod for the Diocese of Leicester and we were intrigued to hear some insights over lunch at I Monaci.

27 July 2008 - Bro Tom led the weekly eucharist.  The congregation, though not large, provided some excellent singing.  We were delighted to welcome visitors from Majorca, Manchester, London and Peterborough

20 July 2008 - Bro Tom led an enthusiastic congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We were pleased to welcome visitors from the UK, Canada, Albania and USA. 

Many apologies for not having reported the last couple of weeks but your correspondent has been laid up with a bad back!

29 June 2008 - Bro Tom let a small but enthusiastic congregation in the weekly Eucharist.

22 June 2008 - Bro Tom led the weekly Eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome three Franciscan brothers from the Solomon Islands and one form Papua New Guinea.  In addtion, the Anglican franciscan Minister General, Bro Clark (from the USA) also visited.  We wish them all the very best for their visit to the UK to act as the Chapliancy at the forthcoming Lambeth Conference.

 APOLOGIES - YOUR CORRESPONDENT HAS BEEN AWAY FOR 2 WEEKS

1 June 2008 - While Bro Tom is in the UK attending the annual conference for the Anglican Order to Franciscans, Bro Daniel led the weekly eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome Rev Guy Smith and his wife Mary who are in Assisi to support St Leonard's while Bro Tom is away.  We had a very strong congregation which included a grouop of pilgrims from Northumberland as well as visitors from Scotland.  Florence and Clive Morton were also in church during the ir current short visit to Umbria.  Ruth Langridge, who was acocmpanied by her husband Paul,  was kind enough to provide our music as Brian Fletcher is in the UK this week.

25 May 2008 - Bro Tom led a very strong congregtion in the weekly eucharist.  We wree delighted to welcome a visting group of pilgrims from Australia as well as Dave Morton from Malta and Julia and Donald Reece from Oxford (and France).

11 May 2008 - Bro Tom led a strong congregation in  the Pentecost eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome a visiting group from the UK:  the Creative Arts Movement who were on a pilgrimage to Assisi. We were also delighted to see Judith and Margaret (from York) in hte ocngregation during the latest of their many return trips to Assisi.

4 May 2008 - Bro Tom led a small congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome back Mary and Brian fletcher for their half year stay in Assisi.  We all bade farewell to Margaret and Richard Morton as they will be returning to the UK this coming week.  However, plans are in hand for them to visit us again for Christmas. 

1 May 2008 - Bro Tom led a strong congregation in the special eucharist for Ascension Day.  Visitors from Sweden, USA and UK were welcomed. 

27 April 2008 - Bro Tom led the congregation in the weekly eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome Margaret and Richard Morton from Bridgend in South Wales on their third trip to Assisi.  They were also kind enough to deliver the weekly readings.  A group of five Franciscan tertiaries and 'friends' were also welcomed to St Leonard's.

20 April 2008 - Bro tom led a good singing congrregatioin for the weekly eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome Rev Jonathan Boardman (Area Dean and Chaplain in All Saints, Rome) who was leading a small group of pilgrims from the Anglican Centre in Rome - they have spent some time recently on a course studying Franciscan Spirituality.  We also welcomed visitors from Sweden.

19 April 2008 - The AGM for the Anglican Church in Umbria was held in Assisi.  It was noted that 2007 had been a very good year for the church and all exisitng officers were elected unopposed.  The meeting welcomed the agreement that Maggie Guillebaud would spend a month with us from the end of August as part of her Post Ordination Training to work with Brother Tom in Assisi.

13 April 2008 - Bro Tom led a very strong congregation for the weekly eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome a large group of pilgrims from Sweden as well as visitors from Australia, UK and USA.  Our Swedish visitors very kinldy provided us with an excellent keyboard player (at one minutes notice!) who not only provided the music for the hymns but also provided some wonderful music and beautiful singing during the communion.  We all are deeply grateful and would like to thank the young lady concerned.

6 April 2008 - Bro Tom led a strong congregation for the regular Sunday eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome a group of pilgrims from Wembley who provided some excellent singing.

30 March 2008 - Bro Tom led the regular eucharist for a small congregation

23 March 2008 - Bro Tom led the Easter Day sung eucharist with support from a good congregation.  All the congregation also renewed their Baptismal vows. 

21 March 2008 - Bro Tom led a small congregation in this special Good Friday service at noon.  The congregation read the Passion (Compilation) as a signficant part of the service.

16 March 2008 - Bro Tom led a good congregation in this Palm Sunday special service.  We had a small process from the church hall into the church with everyone carrying olive brances.  The sermon was replaced by a congregational reading of the Passion by Luke.  We were delighted to welcome visitors from Norfolk and Northhamptonshire

9 March 2008 - Bro Tom led a small congregation in the weekly Eucharist on this Passion Sunday

2 March 2008 - Bro Tom led the weekly workshop on this Mothering Sunday.  We welcomed visitors from Dallas, Texas and Illinois to our Eucharist.  It was lovely to see Florence and Clive Morton during their latest short visit to Italy - their singing is always appreciated by all.

24 February 2008 - On a wonderful sunny morning Bro Tom led the small congregatrioin in the weekly eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome visitors from Bracknell and London who had spent the last week in our wonderful city.

17 February 2008 - On a very cold but sunny morning, Bro Tom led the weekly eucharist to a small but solid congregation.  We were delighted to welcome back Helen and Pat Mossop who have been regular visitors over the last few years.  In addition, we welcomed Samuel Hannard (from Lincoln) who was visiting Assisi for a few days.

15 February 2008 - WE ARE NOW BACK AFTER A SUPER HOLIDAY VISITING FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN AUSTRALIA - We even found the St Francis of Assisi church in Sydney!!

16 JANUARY 2008 - APOLOGIES TO ALL AS THIS WEB SITE WILL NOT BE UPDATED FOR THE NEXT 4 WEEKS AS YOUR CORRESPONDENT IS GOING ON HOLIDAYS!!  My thoughts and prayers will be with everyone associated with St Leonard's

13 January 2008 - a small congregation braved the rains, winds and gales to come to the weekly Eucharist led by Bro. Tom.  We were pleased to welcome Pamela and Mark to our numbers - they live in Marche

8 January 2008 - Bro Tom will be away for a few days so if you need to contact him, please email him direct or contact the Church Warden who will pass on all messages.

6 January 2008 - Bro Tom led the first Eucharist of the New Year.  We were sorry to have to say good bye for at least 6 weeks to Florence and Clive Morton on their return to the UK after an extended Christmas visit to Assisi.  We look forward to seeing them at the end of February.  We welcomed some return visitors from Norway.

30 December 2007 - Beryl and George Leopardi leave for their home in Perth, Australia after a five month long visit to Assisi.  They are very stong supporters of St Leonards duruing their extended stays in Assisi.  We wish them safe journey and all the very best for the New Year.  We hope to see them again in the middle of August 2008.  Bro Tom led a small congregation in the weekly Eucharist

26 December 2007 - Bro Christopher left Assisi after four weeks for his journey to Canterbury vai Slovakia and Poland.  We wish him all the very best for his studies in Canterbury and hope to see him again soon.

25 December 2007 - Bro Tom led a very good congregation for the Christmas Eucharist.  Bro Christopher provided the music and led the singing.  We wish everyone a very Happy Christmas.

23 December 2007 - a very strong conregation was led in the weekly eucharist by Brother Tom.  Bro Chirstopher provided the music

18 December 2007 - APOLOGIES FOR THIS LATE POSTING BUT YOUR CORRESPONDENT HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH A BAD COLD. 

Our Carol service was really beautiful.  The church was lit with 200 candles  and enhanced by our Christmas Tree and Presepe (crib).  This year the original Presepe (cleverly made by Graham Lane some years ago) was enhanced by the introduction of more figurines.  These are made in Deruta and are quite exquisite.  John Fillingham was our musical director and keyboard player - how he makes St Leonard's sound like the Albert Hall, we will never know, but he did!!  John, our very grateful thanks.  The congregation of about 50 was in fine voice and we had visitors from many parts of the globe - including Italy.  The traditional service of readings and carols was led by Bro Tom.  After the service we had mulled wine and mince pies in our medieval church hall - a lovely occasion for everyone to meet each other.  A very big thank you for all those who provided the wine and food and made it possible.  Then, the hardcore of 20 moved across the road to 'I Monaci' (the Monks) for a meal of pasta and pizza.  All in all, a wonderful occasion which we hope all will remember for many years.

16 December 2007 - Bro Tom led the weekly eucharist on this Third Sunday in Advent.  The heavy falls of snow on Friday and Saturday meant that most of our congregation could not make it to the church.  In fact, many of the streets of Assisi were impassable due to snow and ice.  The Italian drivers took the opportunity to drive through one way streets the wrong way - for once, this was probably the most sensible thing to do in order to get ones car out of the city.  Brother Christopher led us in a some hymn singing but it must be said that the congregation were not in best form!!   We are keeping our best for the Carol Service this coming Tuesday

9 December 2007 - Bro Tom led the weekly Eucharist.  A small, but strong congregation provided some good singing to the music provided by Bro Christopher-John.  It was Wendy Murray's last week in church prior to a return to the USA for some months.  We wish her all the very best for her travels and hope that the launch of her new book on St Francis in April will be very successful.

8 December 2007 - James and Anke Collins had their marriage blessed by Bro Tom.  It was a small family occasion.  The bride wore a fabulous cinnamon coloured dress.  The groom exhibited his Scottish background by wearing a kilt, as did his son and grandsons.  11 year old Alex Cadzow played the bagpipes as the bride and groom departed from the church.  Rumour has it that young Alex earned in excess of Euro 11 by busking in the piazza in front of the Basilica di Santa Chiara prior to the service!!!

2 December 2007 - Rev David Norwood and his wife Rosemary have been holding the fort while Bro Tom has been in the Netherlands for medical checkups.  Bro Tom was pronounced fit and is now back in Assisi.

Rev David led a small but enthusiastic congregation  for the weekly eucharist.  We were delighted to welcome two visiting Anglican Franciscan brothers:  Brother Christopher-John and Brother James-Anthony.  Bro Christopher originates from New Zealand but has spent some years in Australia and Korea.  He has called in to Assisi for the month of December on his way to Canterbury where he will stay for about three months.  Bro James lives in the Franciscan House on Holy Island with Bro Damian.  He will only be in Assisi for about 10 days.  We wish them all the very best for their stay in Assisi and for their onward travels.

1 December 2007 - apologies from the webmaster for not updating the web site weekly but we went back to the UK for two weeks for our youngest son's wedding.

11 November 2007 - Minister Peter Hurd and Rev John Tearnan (a visitor to Assisi) led a powerful congregation in a special Eucharist for Remembrance Sunday. We were delighted to welcome visitors and pilgrims from England, Wales and many parts of the USA. The lack of an organist did not impact on some wonderful singing, including harmonising!

We can also report that Brother Tom is making steady progress but will return to his native Holland at the end of the week for some more in depth medical tests. In the meantime, The Revd David Norwood and his wife, will visit Assisi for a few weeks to stand in when Bro Tom is in Holland.

4 November 2007 - Father Ralph Urmson-Taylor of Assisi led a very small congregation for the weekly Eucharist.

3 November 2007 - Bro Tom returned to his apartment - he is not well but making progress

2 November 2007 - Rev Ted Ardis led a small congregation in the Eucharist for All Souls day.

1 November 2007 - Rev Ted Ardis from Dublin led a very small congregation in the Eucharist for All Saints Day. Ted and his wife, Hilary, are in Assisi for a short holiday and we were delighted that he volunteered to take the service as Bro Tom is in hospital. We know that his was a very special day for Ted and Hilary and our thoughts will always be with them and their family. Bro Tom is still far from well but he continues to be very bright and seems to be responding to treatment. All our prayers are with him during this difficult time.

30 October 2007 - Brother Tom has returned from his travels to Canada but we are sad to report that he has been admitted into hospital in Assisi suffering from pneumonia. We pray for his swift recovery.

28 Ocotber 2007 - Bro Benedict led a small congregation in the Eucharist. Bro Tom returns during this coming week and we wish Bro Benedict a save journey back to the UK and thank him for all his support during the last three weeks

26 Ocotber 2007 - The Bishop of Woolwich lead a strong team of pilgrims in a Eucharist

21 October 2007 - Bro Benedict led the Eucharist and a strong congregation with assisitance from Brother Martin and Brother Peter. Visitors and pilgrims were welcomed from the USA, Canterbury and Leicester.

14 October 2007 - As Bro Tom was on his way to Canada the Eucharist today was led by Bro Benedict. Bro Benedict is in Assisi for 2-3 weeks and is accompanied by Bro Martin and Bro Peter. All three are from houses in the UK though Bro Peter originates from Latvia.

7 October 2007 - Bro Tom led a good congregation in the weekly Eucharist. Visitors from the UK and USA were made very welcome although it was not possible to offer them the usual post-service reception due to other parties using the Church Hall.

4 October 2007 - Bro Tom led the eucharist for the celebration of St Francis Day. The congregation, including many visitors, were very moved on this very special day with prayers in the centre of the St Francis community

30 September 2007 - Bro Tom led a very strong congregation in the weekly eucharist. Our congregatiion for over 90% from Australia. We were also pleased to welcome back Bro. Daniel and his colleage Bro Joseph, both from the Brisbane house. Bro Joseph is the one you seeing driving round brisbane on a very large motor bike!!.

23 September 2007 - Bro Tom led a very strong congregation in the weekly eucharist. We were pleased to welcome many gorups of visitors from all over the world.

22 September 2007 - we were all saddened to hear that Christine Ellam's mother died after a long illness. Our thoughts and prayers are with Christine, Brian and all their family.

16 September 2007 - Bro Tom led a good congregation in the weekly Eucharist. We welcomed visitors from the USA, Australia and the UK

9 September 2007 - Bro Tom led a good congreagation in the weekly Eucharist. We were very pleased to welcome visitors from Denmark, France, the UK and Australia. Brian Fletcher has returned to Italy and was able to provide the music for our singing.

2 September 2007 - Bro Tom led a powerful congregation in the weekly Eucharist. We were delighted to welcome the annual pilgrimage from Scotland, led by representatives from St Cuthbert's, Edinburgh, as well as others. As well as swelling our congregation, the visitors also provided the organist at less than one minutes notice! Very much appreciated by everyone.

31 August 2007 - Bro Tom moved to his new apartment at Vicolo Pallarani, 5, Assisi. Please see contact details for his telephone number which will probably have changed!

26 August 2007 - Bro Tom led a solid congregation in the weekly Eucharist service. We were delighted to welcome visitors from our sister church in Citta della Pieve as well as from the UK. Bro Nathan also joined us during his few days stay in Assisi, where he has stopped off on his way back home to Brisbane after a trip to the UK.

19 August 2007 - Brother Tom led a small congregatioin in the weekly Eucharist Service. We were delighted to welcome back Brian Fletcher at the keyboard from his recent travels.

17 August 2007 - Brother Tom led a few mmebers of the congregation to the funeral of Hal Mettrick in Bevagna, who died on 15 August. Whilst Hal was not a regular member of the congregation he was very well known in the community and commanded the highest respect through his intellect, extensive knowledge, linguistic abilities and friendliness

12 August 2007 - Bro Tom led a good congregation in our weekly Eucharist service. Christine Ellams stepped in at the last minute to provide the music. The visitors from the UK, USA, Australia and other distant countries were made very welcome and thanked for providing some wonderful singing.

We were saddened to hear that Hal Mettrick is very ill in hospital in Foligno. Although not a regular member of the congregation he is well known to many church-goers and a very respected member of our community. Our prayers are with him and his family in the UK.

5 August 2007 - Bro Tom led the service. We were delighted to welcome visitors to Assisi to particpate in our Eucharis Service. We were delighted that Vicky Millard was able to provide the music for the hymns.

Brother Tom is returning to The Netherlands for a few days as his older sister is not well. Our prayers are with them and their whole family.

29 July 2007 - Bro Tom led the service during which special prayers were said for Peter Hurd who has had a bad fall at his home in Citta della Pieve. The core congregation were delighted to welcome a Family Group of Companions of St Francis, who had representatives from Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. Our usual organist Brian Fletcher was not well so Vicky Millard stood it at the last moment to provide the music for some powerful singing. It was the first visit to St Leonard's by Vicky and her husband Craig - we hope that being pressed into playing the organ does not put them off from returning.

22 July 2007 - a good congregation was led in prayer by Brother Tom. The resident congregation were pleased to welcome a group of pilgrims from Germany, Sweden, Spain and the USA.

15 July 2007 - The lack of a keyboard player did not diminish the quality of singing in this very moving service led by Brother Tom. The very low number of core congregation (due to holidays and sickness) was made up for by a large number of first time visitors. We were pleased to received visitors from the USA, Canada, York and other parts of the UK.

8 July 2007 - A good congregation was led in prayer by Brother Tom. We had visitors from the USA and UK

1 July 2007 - A solid congregation was led in prayer by Brother Tom. Following the service the regular congregation had a 'get-together' to share information and ideas and make some plans for the future.

30 June 2007 - A very memorable day for Carole and Gianluigi Castellini when their marriage was blessed in St Leonards. Brother Tom delivered the service in a mixture of English and Italian to the very large Italian congregation. The bride looked lovely in a pink full length dress covered in applique flowers - brought all the way from South Africa. Gianluigi's white suit and coordinating pink tie made a perfect match. Carole was attended by her beautiful 9 year old daughter, Nicholle, who carried out her role with maturity, paying attention to every detail. John Finnigan provided organ music to a quality rarely heard in the streets of Assisi.

29 June 2007 - a small congregation celebrated the feast of St Peter and Paul at this special service

24 June 2007 - A very strong congregation with some excellent singing made this a very moving service, led by Brother Tom. The Rev'd Mrs Maggie Guillebaud, a staff member of Salisbury Cathedral, delivered a thought provoking sermon.

Our thoughts are with Mary Fletcher who is not very well at present.

We also pray for the speedy recovery of Desmond Turley, Church Warden in Citta della Pieve, after his recent car accident.

17 June 2007 - two groups of visitors helped to fill our church on the day the Pope was visiting Assisi. In order to coordinate our service with the Papal programme, we managed to finish a few minutes earlier than usual. In Assisi there was a strong security presence and a huge number of visitors. However, in true Italian tradition, the security did not interfere in any way with the enjoyment of a beautiful day. It was even possible to enter 'ticket-only' areas with purely a big smile and a polite 'buongiorno'. Parking was another story but space does not permit any further comment!! A report in American stated it was an underwhelming event and that a Basillica spokesman said the crowd turnout was very disappointing - maybe he should have visited St Leonard's for a bigger welcome!!!

10 June 2007 - A strong congregation was led in prayer by Brother Thomas Anthony. Our numbers were swelled with representation from the USA, the Anglican Church in Vienna, Australia and the UK.

9 June 2007 - Burial and Re-dedicaiton of the grave of Ft. Lt. Desmond Ibbotsom. A very moving ceremony, including the unveiling of a memorial, was held at the site of the air crash in 1944. This included a fly past by an aircraft which would have been regonised by Ft. Lt. Ibbotson. This was followed by the laying of wreaths at the memorial in Rivotorto for the Italian Soldiers who gave their lives in the two World Wars. The burial of Ft. Lt. Ibbotson took place in the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Rivotorto. A second fly past in memory of Ft. Lt. Ibbotson and other service men was carried out by three more modern aircraft. The morning finished with a short ceremony for all commonwealth service men and women. The whole morning was a combined effort of service and civil represetnatives of Italy, Great Britain and other Commonwealth countries. Further details can be obtained from the Editor of Assisi Outlook or the Church Warden.

7 June 2007 - Corpus Christi - Bishop John Dennis led a small congregation in prayer.

3 June 2007 - Trinity Sunday - Bishop John Dennis led us in prayer on this very special day. It is the 50th anniversary of his ordination. Special prayers were held for Lisa Smith who is caring for her sick mother in Canada. Lisa is finding her way through this very difficult time and our prayers and thoughts are with them both. Ruth Langridge very kindly led us in the hymns with her mastery of the keyboard.

27 May 2007 - John Dennis led a full church in prayer for the weekly eucharist. We had visiting groups from Australia, America and the UK. The Australian group was led by Archbishop Peter Carnley who is the former Primate of Australia, he was accompanied by his wife Anne, and many other worshippers. There was a large contingent from St Wilfred's, Standish, near Wigan. We send all our visitors our very best wishes for their pilgrimages to Assisi and wish them safe jouirney back to their homes. It was good to see some faces making a return trip to Assisi and our very special church.

We thank Brian Fletcher for putting his 'new' keyboard through its paces on its maiden voyage. It is not new but it certainly filled the church with great music and led a very powerful congregation of voices.

20 May 2007 - a smaller but very enthusiastic congregation was led in prayer by Bro. Tom. The new edition of Assisi Outlook was published and available for distribution.

13 May 2007 - a good congregation of regulars and some visitors was led in prayer by Brother Daniel. Brother Daniel, a member of the First Order to Anglican Franciscans, is in Assisi for a three/four week sabattical. Originally from the north east of England he is now the resident representative of the Order in Brisbane, Australia and is just commpleting his term of office as the Minister General of the First Order Brothers.

12 May 2007 - Brother Thomas Anthony had an unfortunate accident when a car door slammed on his hand and he lost the tip of a finger on his left hand. A trip to the hospitals in Assisi and Perugia was necessary. Our prayers are with Bro Tom and we wish him a speedy recovery

6 May 2007 - the church was full with both a large congregation and music. We welcomed a large group of visitors led by Peter Robbins, tssf. His group was mainly from the St Francis Parish in Bridgewater but there were also representatives from churches in other parts of the UK. Our 'summer organist', Brian Fletcher, and his wife Mary (Editor of our church magazine) have returned to Italy for the summer. We welcome them both back and look forward to their company for the next six months.

8 April 2007 - It has been a very sad week for Graham and Lin Lane. Both their mothers died suddenly during the week. They, and their families, are in the thoughts and prayers of everyone who knows them and we all trust that they find that extra bit of strength to get through these difficult times.

8 April 2007 - The Easter day service was attended by a large congregation. The service included a renewal of Baptismal Promises. This was a thought provoking and memorable service.

6 April 2007 - a good congregation particpated in a traditional Good Friday Service which everyone found to be very moving. The service included a reading of the Passion with the full congregation taking part.

1 April 2007 - The Sunday Eucharist was preceded by a short procession from the Church Hall, into the street through the side entrance and back into the main door of the church. Each member carried a fresh cutting of an olive branch together with a Palm Cross. The sermon was replaced by a congregational reading of the Passion of Christ by Luke.

25 March 2007 - Bishop Geoffrey (Bishop of Gibraltar) paid us a visit and led us through the Passion Sunday eucharist service. We are very mindful of the effort he made in diverting from his return journey to the UK after having spent a week in retreat at Arrezzo. Our very grateful thanks to John Fillingham for making our keyboard work harder than ever and filling the church with music to a quality which has probably never been heard there before!!

24 March 2007 - Alessandro and Isabella Harrington were Baptised in the Church. They were supported by family, friends and congregation members. Alessandro was very poorly but both he and his older sister kept good cheer thoughout the service. We wish them both and their family all the very best