Papal Awards’ Mass

MICHAEL ABBOTT

Michael studied at the College of Estate Management in London, became a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and ran his own property management development company. He has been a very committed Catholic in both parish and schools all through his adult life, and has generously used his business and property management skills for the benefit of the Church. He also served as Treasurer of the Cheltenham branch of the Catholic Marriage Advisory Council.

Michael, his wife Carole, and their family moved to Loughborough in 1982 where he became a governor and then Chair of governors of St Mary’s Catholic School until 2008, and also served as a member of the parish Finance Committee. He has also served as Clerk to the Trustees of Frost’s Charity (which provides housing for older people in Loughborough) and as Treasurer of the Loughborough Circle of the Catenians.

In 2007 he was appointed one of the first lay observers on the Diocesan Board of Trustees and then in 2010 a Director. He was also a member of the Building & Sites sub-committee of the Trustees until his retirement last year.

The Papal Award, Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (for Church & Pope) is conferred on those who have offered long and distinguished service to the Catholic Church, and I would ask Michael, accompanied by Carole, to come forward to receive this well-deserved Papal Award.

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EDWARD POYSER

Edward studied economics at Exeter University and then worked at the Price Waterhouse London Office as a Chartered Accountant. He then went on to become Managing Director for ES Poyser & Sons Ltd here in Nottingham from 1977 – 2005 during which time he also held company director posts for Houlden Jewellers Ltd and was an officer for trade associations at both local and national levels. When he sold the main business he continued trading for a further while via Diamond House Ltd. Edward and his wife, Margi, live in Southwell where they are involved in Our Lady of Victories parish.

In 2006 Edward was appointed our Diocesan Financial Secretary, a post he held and carried out very efficiently until his retirement in 2019. A man of principle who did not shy away from doing what he believed to be right, Edward gained a well- deserved reputation as a careful steward of the diocese’s financial resources, which were weak in 2006 but which he turned around in the course of his time in post, so establishing the sound financial foundation which we continue to enjoy. This is helping us to manage the impact of both the Covid pandemic and the present cost of living crisis, and to transition to a more missionary Church. Edward also played an important part in supporting the implementation of the Retired Priests’ Appeal, which has laid a secure financial foundation for support to our clergy in their latter years. He also oversaw the restructuring of the schools estate with academisation and incorporation of the diocesan trust as a limited company in 2010. He was also instrumental in developing a comprehensive suite of operating policies and procedures for parish and curial operations. In addition to his role as Diocesan Financial Director he also served as a well respected director/Trustee for the Catholic Trust of England & Wales and Inter-diocesan Fuel Management.

The Papal Award, Knight of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St Gregory, is bestowed upon Catholic men and women in recognition of their personal service to the Holy See and to the Catholic Church through their labours and the reputation and trust that they inspire in others. So may I invite Edward, accompanied by Margi, to come forward to receive this well-deserved Papal Award.

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