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The development of a Religious Education and Catechetical Service came about in most dioceses following the Second Vatican Council (1962-4). Prior to that the schools of the diocese related primarily to the Diocesan Schools Commission and to Inspectors appointed by the Bishop.
Father Jim Marks was the first Director, working from 1967 until 1973. He is remembered latterly for his work in South America with the Society of St James. He was joined in 1969 by Sr Monica Wyard, DJ, and they worked with schools and catechists across the diocese which then included East Anglia.
Father John Glen became Chief Adviser in 1975, and a team grew to include Sr Maeve McDevitt SSL, Sr Anne Thomason, and Fr Derek Lance. When East Anglia became a separate diocese in 1976 the team too divided, with Fr John and Sr Monica serving Northampton diocese. What had been part of the Holy Ghost Sisters school in Bromham Road Bedford became St Mary's RE Centre and courses flourished there for many years. Sr Bridget Mulligan DHS was the main support of the work at the Centre, joined in 1978 by Sr Eileen Murphy DHS.
In 1990 Fr John Glen was joined by Frs John Udris and Kevin McGinnell to share the work of advisory work for the schools of the diocese. A smaller RE centre was opened at Thornton College, near Buckingham in 1992. known as the Thevenet Centre, after the foundress of the Religious of Jesus and Mary who leased us the property. Two of the sisters, Sr Cecilia Duval and Sr Rosalie Murphy managed the centre for several years. In 1994 Fr Kevin was appointed Director of RE, when both Fr Johns stood down, as did Sr Bridget. Then Bedford RE Centre closed in 1994, So it was all change.
The RE Service developed slowly into NORES. Sr Celine Murphy RSHM joined the team with responsibility for catechetics and Sr Aidan Richards became responsible for primary RE. Peter Smith, and later Jean Johnson implemented the demands of the government to inspect our schools formally. Robin Cooper, a deacon of the diocese, developed the work of adult education that he had begun with Fr Tom Cooper. Maureen Jezorske, Anne Bywater, and then Jackie McCarthy succeeded one another as Centre Secretary.
A group called the Friends of Thevenet developed, notably Helen Finkenrath, Kate Harper, Rosemary Kaye, who with many others offered all forms of support to develop the Centre. This continues today having transferred easily to Coffee Hall. The major event for the Friends is the annual NORES Lecture which provides a showcase for the work of the Service and also a lecture by a major figure in the Church today.
In 1998 NORES left Thornton College and moved to Coffee Hall, Milton Keynes. A programme of refurbishment of the accommodation produced new offices and conference rooms. Staff changed too. Stephen O'Brien became responsible for secondary RE and inspection. Sr Aidan continued with primary RE, but Sr Celine retired leaving a major gap especially for the training and support of Key Catechists. Father Francis Higgins came into post with responsibility for adult RE, having studied at Boston College to prepare for this work.
In 2000 Fr Pat Bailey retired as Schools Commissioner and Bishop Leo amalgamated NORES with the Commission to become the Office for Schools, Catechesis and RE. Bishop Leo appointed Fr Kevin as Episcopal Vicar for Education, and later he was appointed a papal chaplain with the title monsignor.
Until 2003 Paul Tubb, Barry O'Byrne, and John Boland Lee continued their work in the Commission as Schools Officers. They were succeeded by Frances Image as a full time schools commissioner.
The RE side continued ably in the hands of Sr Aidan and Stephen O'Brien. Catechetics was a major area of need, and so we were delighted to welcome Sr Pauline Darby SHCJ in September 2003 to work in Adult Faith Formation, which has focussed more and more on all forms of chaplaincy. This has prompted Sr Philomena Grimley SHCJ to begin work in September 2004 in parish catechetics in the widest sense.
At Coffee Hall, practical arrangements were at first in the hands of Cath Dickson from 1998-2002, and she was succeeded as Centre Manager by Margaret Mullen.
The latest addition to the team is in the return of Cath Dickson as Schools Commission Administrator from September 2004. Our Mission Statement is ‘Supporting Catholic Education and Formation’ - hopefully we strive to implement that through all the varied activities organised and the support differed formally and informally to our parishes and schools. Elsewhere you will see how courses and publications are provided to offer that support. It is a work that has much to owe to many, and a brief history only points out a few who have made major contributions. There are many others we need to thank and there will be many more to come.
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