Over the next few weeks, you may be puzzled by references to the ‘Secular Clergy Common Fund’.  Traditionally priests did not retire but worked until they were too frail to continue.  As a result, there was no provision for a pension or retirement.  This led to the clergy in the South of England forming a friendly society around 1700 known as The Secular Clergy Common Fund, and a supplementary ‘New Common Fund’ about 1850.  These provide annual grants to support sick and retired clergy.  Members pay a small annual subscription but also undertake to celebrate a certain number of Masses each year for the members of the Funds.