A MESSAGE FROM THE PARISH PRIEST

I realise that the letter I read out at Sunday Mass last week has upset a number of people. If it means anything to you I too am one of those upset people. I too would like to keep things exactly the same but as the priests of the area said in their letter last week:

‘In an ideal world we would have been able to keep everything exactly the same, and everyone’s most convenient/favourite Mass time in their Parish would have remained unchanged. But within the diocese as a whole we have reached the point where this is no longer feasible.’

In a few weeks we enter into a new phase of history in this part of the Bury Deanery. The two parishes of St Joseph and St Marie will be amalgamated to form ONE NEW PARISH. For this new parish there is ONE PARISH PRIEST and there are THREE MASSES. The difference is the Masses are now spread over TWO BUILDINGS.

With any new venture there are always one or two teething problems. Think of when you moved house, bought a new car, started a new job etc. In time we will work through the difficulties TOGETHER. As your Parish Priest I am unable to undertake this task alone. There will have to be a close collaboration between priest and people. TOGTHER WE CAN DO IT.

I know that some of you have written about your concerns to the Dean and even the Bishop because those letters (and replies) have been copied to me. I an fully understand the sentiments in those letters, but whether wwe like it or not the reality will remain the same.

As your Parish Priest I have other duties other than celebrating Mass on Sundays. In the new parish there will be TWO PRIMARY SCHOOLS who will ask for support and pastoral care that only a priest can give. There will also be an increase in the number of baptisms, weddings and funerals all of which take time to prepare. So you can see I will have my work cut out!!!

I therefore do not need to search for extra work or have it created for me. It is not an easy task to have to console brides over the telephone who are worried their wedding will not take place because they have heard 'the church is closing'. Can I assure anyone who may have heard that the church is closing that is MOST CERTAINLY NOT THE CASE. Weddings and Baptisms that have already been arranged will take place. The only thing that will prevent me from celebrating those sacraments with you and for you will be if the Lord calls me to Himself or more likely sends me to the place where I won't need an extra coat!!!

Please do not go around spreading untruths that either the church of St Joseph or St Marie closing. Please do not stop people at random asking them to write to the Bishop or the Dean or sign petitions. It only goes to add to the upset that people feel at this time of uncertainty.

In times of uncertainty and change the only thing we can and should do is to place our trust in Our Lord and not in bricks and mortar. He is the One who is UNCHANGING.

Its easy for us to blame someone for all of this. We can blame the Bishop, or the Dean or the Parish Priest if it makes us feel better. But the reality of the situation in which we now find ourselves remains the same.

We have to work together. Pray for me as I do for you that we will have the necessary strengths and graces to work through the challenges that lie ahead.