Tristan : Monsignor McPartland's Tristan Report for 2008
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 10.11.2008 (Article Archived on 24.11.2008)

This year I took the September sail on the SA Agulhas from Cape Town to Tristan da Cunha. The passage was a little turbulent, but we all arrived safely.

Tristan Report – 2008

This year I took the September sail on the SA Agulhas from Cape Town to Tristan da Cunha. The passage was a little turbulent, but we all arrived safely.

It was good to be back, after a break of about eighteen months, and to see the place more or less as I remember leaving it (although the absence of the factory, which was tragically destroyed by fire was quite noticeable). I understand the new factory could well be built and operating by this time next year. Let’s hope so.

The first thing I noticed about the Parish Church of St Joseph was the repairs done to the ceiling of its interior. The work was done so well, it is impossible to detect exactly where the repairs were made.

During my four weeks or so, the highlight was the baptism of young baby Calvin. It took place during the public Mass on the second Sunday of my visitation. The Church was full of family and friends. The Administrator and Mrs. Morley were also present to witness the occasion. Even the weather, which was mainly cold wet and windy throughout my stay, was on the day of the baptism was calm, warm and sunny. In fact it was truly a memorable day from every point of view.

Another highlight, in the life of the Church, was the reception into full communion of six adult members of the community. This was a quiet and dignified ceremony and took place during a weekday Mass.

It was a great pleasure for me to meet and get to know the Anglican Parish Priest, Father Christopher Brown. Our sister Church of St Mary the Virgin is blessed to have him with them at this time. I also met Father Don and his wife, from South Africa, who had been providing holiday cover for Father Chris in his absence.

I was invited to many parties, organized to coincide with the influx of visitors from the SA Agulhas. The social life of Tristan is alive as it has ever been.

In fact, the only sad note of the whole visit was the accidental fall of uncle Ken Rogers. This caused him to be hospitalized for the last couple of weeks of my stay. Ken is the son of ‘Granny Agnes Rogers’ who, in the 1930’s introduced and developed the Catholic Church on Tristan da Cunha. A formidable lady, by all accounts, to whom the present catholic community owes a great deal.  Ken has subsequently died.

I have already booked my next year’s voyage on the Agulhas – and I can’t wait until it is time to return.

Mgr Michel Bernard McPartland      SMA

Apostolic Prefect to the Falkland Islands.