History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Fordhouses Wolverhampton

1987 – 1999 1987

Deacons continued to arrive for parish training prior to ordination.

In 1987 Deacon Malcolm Glaze arrived for parish training prior to ordination. (Malcolm Glaze was ordained at St. Anthony’s Church on 18th June 1987) Appendix 73

In 1987 Deacon Ray Liggins arrived for parish training prior to ordination.

1988

Change of caretaker at St Anthony's School 24th January 1988

Handing over of keys from Mr Summers to Mr A Jones

On 15th June 1988 St. Anthony’s Church was Consecrated by Maurice Noël Léon Couve de Murville. see Appendix 74

On 15th July 1988 a “Thanksgiving Mass” for the Headship of John Cuthbert upon his retirement. see Appendix 75

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 1 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) 1989

In 1989 Fr. Kelly celebrated 40 years’ service in the priesthood.

In 1989 Deacon Roger Tayorson arrived for parish training prior to ordination.

1990

In 1990 Sister Deloroza and Sister Teresa came to the parish work as assistant to Fr. Kelly, they purchases a house in the parish and began visiting the sick and housebound and taking communion to those who could not get to mass.

1991

Deanery News Bishop Joseph Cleary died on 24th February 1991, in the Presbytery here at Snow Hill after a life dedicated to serving God and his flock. Reflection on his life and his Obituary see Appendix 76

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Fr. Matthias Brady succeeded Laurence Kelly (transferred to Solihull) in 1991 and served till 1996

In June 1991 Confirmation at St. Anthony’s Church took place. The celebrant was Maurice Noël Léon Couve de Murville. see Appendix 84

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 2 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999)

Dinner Ladies Photograph taken in the front Garden of St. Anthony's School in 1991.

Rose Hallam, Norma Jackson, Phyllis Bills, Irene Mattox, Sheila Turner, Hilda Hartley, June Parry

On 22nd November 1991 the official opening of the restored Old Fallings Hall took place followed by Mass. The chief celebrant was Rev. Maurice Couve de Murville, Archbishop of Birmingham

The Mass booklet is available on St. Anthony’s website https://www.stanthonysrcchurch.org/mass-booklets

1992

In April 1992 the spring edition of St. Anthony's News was published. Welcome to the 3rd edition of our school / parish magazine. Full copy of this publication is available on Appendix 85

In the spring 1992 edition of St Anthony’s News the Births and Deaths were published. Baptisms Sophia Elizabeth Mroczko Rebecca Jayne Green Sabrina Calvagna Biance Paola Vecchio Laura Marie Jennings . Kerry Vikki McMahon Jemma Leigh McNab Nathan Samuel Nwendu Imogen Mary Lewis Kirsty Marie Rayne Scott Richard Rayne Kimberley Ann Rayne Charlotte Louise Lavill Daniel Lee Brindley Mitchell Anthony Korbely Kelly May Cox Jon Paul Allenza Ryan Craig Fennelly Wallace Amie Harley

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 3 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Deaths Kathleen Knowles Barbara Mary Smith Esther Gwenoline Wattor Wilfred Worthington David John Bacon Stefan Babinski June Bacelic James Patrick Clarke Irene May Griffin

In the spring 1992 edition of St Anthony’s News the following articles appeared:-

HEADTEACHER'S SPECIAL CERTIFICATES Teachers occasionally recommend children for 'Student Of The Week' awards for such things as good manners, courage, honesty, kindness, and general exemplary behaviour. This term three children have received these certificates - two being nominated for developing their talents and achieving recognition at a high level, and the other for the displaying of a good attitude and example throughout the term. Congratulations to :-

1. Nichola Evans who was chosen to play the part of Gretl in the 'Sound Of Music' at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham 2. Rebecca Skitt who represented the West Midlands at Gymnastics. 3. David Green for consistently showing thoughtfulness and consideration towards others. Well Done St Anthony's Is Proud Of You!

Audition At the Albany Hotel on the first Saturday in October 1991, I went for an audition for the professional production of The Sound of Music. It was to be performed at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham. I was later told that out of three hundred children I had one of the parts. Infact I was to play the younger of the Von Trapp family, Gretl. Our rehearsals started early December 1991 and the show began two weeks later. Altogether I was in thirtyfour shows , they finished their run in February this year. I loved every minute of it. We had lots of fun backstage. One evening when we were playing about backstage Mark, an understudy, knocked one of my teeth out ! Although this was my first show I would love to act and sing again. I have started drama classes. Nichola Evans Class 5 Aged 8

The Children's Liturgy Group. The Children’s Liturgy Group, was an idea put forward by a group of like-minded parents, with the aim of involving their children more fully in the celebration of Mass, as well as giving them a better understanding of the Gospel and readings for that week. After initial meetings and discussions with Father Brady and other interested members of the parish, the group eventually got started in February taking a room in the housekeeper’s flat in the Presbytery, (for the use of which we would like to thank Father Brady). It is developing into a lively group, with approximately 30 children joining in with the activities every Sunday. This small nucleus of parents has now developed to include 10 leaders and 15 helpers (2 leaders and 3 helpers working with the group every week). The initial aims of the group to involve the young children of the parish more fully in the celebration of the Mass seems to be being fulfilled and the children appear to be enjoying it, and more importantly, gaining from the experience. This new venture we hope, will grow and extend, developing into a permanent part of St. Anthony’s Parish life. Liz McCarroll

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 4 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) The Legion of Mary The Legion of Mary is an association of Catholic lay men and women and is open to all practicing Catholics. It originated in Dublin in September 1921, when a small group of people gathered together one evening, set up a simple alter around a statue of Our Lady and recited the Rosary. They then considered how they could best serve God and make him loved in his world. From those humble origins, there has developed a society that throughout the intervening years, has spread across the world. Many thousands of Catholics have served God, within the ranks of the Legion, under the protection of Our Blessed Lady. Each member is required to attend a weekly meeting and to undertake some active work for the church. This work must be of a spiritual nature, the raising of funds and giving of material relief is not undertaken. Therefore, emphasis is placed on the visiting of the sick and aged in their own homes and hospitals, the encouraging of prayer and devotions, contact with those who have ceased to practice the faith and home to home visitation. The object of the Legion, is for the members to strengthen their spiritual life and to help other people to do so. To serve in Our Lady’s Legion requires devotion, faith, loyalty and perseverance. This is not always easy to achieve, but any service to others requires constant effort and Our Lady is never surpassed in generosity. The Legion can number among its past members persons who have reached the heights of sanctity Edel Quin and Alfie Lamb are two whose causes for beatification are being investigated. Their life stories make fascinating reading. A branch of Legion, or “Praesidium” as it is called, was founded in Fordhouses in the early 1950’s. Although there have been times when membership has been small, somehow Our Lady has never allowed it to cease operating. New members are of course always welcomed. Together with the other societies in the parish, the Legion provides the ordinary Catholic lay person the opportunity to actively participate in the work of Christ’s church.

For details of Edel Quin see Appendix 87 For details of Alfie Lambe see Appendix 88

The School Pond We have had some disappointing times with the pond in the nature area. The council have had to come to fix it twice now. The first time the plastic lining was cut by vandals so we phoned the council. They came with a lorry load of clay and dumped it, on our carpark and left it till the next day. They came back the following day and fixed it. however it split again and Mr. Breeze phoned up and said the pond's the broken again. While it was drained vandals threw litter and a shopping trolley into the pond. The culprits were caught and the police told. The council say it will be fixed very soon. I hope the vandals never do this again because the plastic lining costs so much money to replace. By. Karl Babarczi

Football and Cross Country My best moment in the football team was when I was named captain, I also scored a hat trick in the 2nd round of the cup. I have scored nine goals for the school this season and two last season, It was great. My best moment in the cross country team was when I came fourth a few weeks ago. I nearly got a medal but I just missed out, it was a great day for me. I am now in the town finals on the 24th March, I really hope we all do well. MARK FINNERTY

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 5 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) PARISH PERSONALITIES We hope to include in the NEWS an occasional item on various notable members of the Parish. This month we feature TREVOR STOCKTON. A native of Wolverhampton, Trevor has lived in the Parish for 28 years having married his Wife Christine a year earlier. They have two children David and Susan who works as a Nursery Nurse in St.Anthony's School. Having left Secondary Modern School at the age of 15 Trevor later studied at Keele University, the Open University and Aston University obtaining the degrees of B.A. Social Sciences and M.Sc Public Sector Management. Both of these qualifications standing him in good stead in his work as a social worker, child care officer and, currently, as a Community Team Manager in the Social Services Department. Full transcript available see Appendix 89

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In thanking Trevor for his contribution the Editors would also like to commend Trevor on his obvious commitment to his church and parish and hope that anyone else who is asked to offer a similar effort will be inspired to contribute.

CO-OPERATION Any action in the Parish by any of the Parish organisations must be a good thing but when two of them get together the whole as they say is 'greater than the parts'. So it was when the St. Vincent de Paul Society armed the school combined to entertain around 40 people of the older or less able members of the Parish. On December 17 there was a very special atmosphere in the school as just before lunch time the visitors began to arrive. Some made their own way but many were brought by the mini-bus or in cars driven by the members of the S.V.P. The older children took great delight in helping the visitors to the library where they waited for a Christmas lunch to be prepared by the school cook using food supplied by the S.V.P. Their wait was relieved by such jolly chat and a certain amount of 'liquid refreshment'. After an excellent Christmas lunch, which was enthusiastically served by the older children, and a nice 'cuppa' the visitors were entertained by the Junior children with a performance of their Christmas concert which they had presented to their parents a few evenings before. The highlight of the show was a sketch loosely based on 'Cinderella' which caused at least one member of the audience so much mirth that the show bad to stop for her to recover. Many of the visitors, when expressing their thanks, said what a great afternoon they had enjoyed and all those involved in the organisation of it, the staff and children of the school and the members of the S.V.P. felt that they had worked together on a very worthy project which gave great satisfaction to them and their visitors at Christmas time.

Father Hudson's Society. I suppose that most parishioners will remember Father Hudson's Homes. A number of years ago and indeed for nearly ninety years the Coleshill Homes, as they were also called, were a large number of big houses which housed children in the care of Father Hudson's Homes. Most children in need nowadays require either help to remain in their own home or they require foster care or even adoption. Father Hudson's Society, as it. is now called, is an adoption society; it also approves people as foster parents and supports and counsels parents who feel that they cannot continue to care for their children. This is the main work of the Society.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 6 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Additionally, Father Hudson's Society - which is the official social care agency of the diocese, provides care for elderly people at two residential homes, care for adults with learning disabilities and care for young people with multiple disabilities at two residential care homes, day care for adults with learning disabilities, a family centre in Coventry a project to help abusers of drugs and alcohol which is based in Balsall Heath, Birmingham and a mother and baby home in Birmingham. A managing council chaired by Bishop Pargeter) makes the vital decisions concerning the Society and a dedicated team of staff undertake the day to day work and management of the Society. You can help in a variety of ways by: considering becoming foster parents or adopters; organising fundraising events; shaking a collecting box on street collection day; making regular donations and making a covenant to Father Hudson's Society; Joining the payroll giving scheme; agreeing to have a speaker on Father Hudson's Society and showing the promotional video.

Interested? If so have a word with me and I will put you in touch with the appropriate person. Trevor Stockton Member of the Managing Council of Father Hudson's Society.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS, Saturday May 9th: Car Boot Sale l0am - 1pm. Pitches are £5 & bookings can be made in advance at the school.

Sunday June 14th: School Gala. Anybody wishing to run a stall may also book pitches at school. Attractions so far include a 'Bouncy Castle', a Fire Engine, jewellery, china, plants, lucky dip, tombola, bottle stall and various games etc. Any bottles or gifts for the tombola would be gratefully received. All proceeds of the Gala will go toward the running of the School/Parish Mini Bus.

On 19th June 1992 the marriage of Hayley Teresa Mason and David Parks took place at St. Anthony’s Church. The Mass booklet is available on St. Anthony’s website https://www.stanthonysrcchurch.org/mass-booklets

1993

In March 1993 the Liturgy group bid farewell to one of children.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 7 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) 1994

1995

In 1995, after his ordination, Fr. Brian Doolan spent some time at St. Anthony’s whilst waiting for his first posting as a Parish Priest

Pictured here with servers at the time including Anthony Clemson and Peter Nicholls. The cross bearer was from Fr. Brian Doolan Parish where he served as a Deacon.

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Fr. Frank Gwinett succeeded Fr.Matthias Brady in 1996 and served till 1999

In 1996, after his ordination, Fr. Stephen Mellor spent some time at St. Anthony’s whilst waiting for his first posting as a Parish Priest.

Pictured here with Michael Love and Anthony Clemson

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 8 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) 1997

On 21st April 1997 The St. Anthony’s S.V.P. (Society of Saint Vincent de Paul) celebrated their 50th Anniversary. see Appendix 90

In May 1997 the children of St. Anthony’s School produced a book of writings and drawings.

“SPRING 1997 Sample pages available see Appendix 91

One of the targets identified in our School Development Plan for 1996-1997 was to produce a book of children's writings. This was to encourage writing for a specific purpose.

The children were very excited at the idea of having our very own book published, and took part in a competition to choose the name for it. The winning title submitted by Anna Lavendar in Year 6 reflects my own current quotation that we have 365 children in the school - one for every day of the year.

All of them have contributed to our book and in conclusion I would say;

They've covered many topics, Home, school and even heaven. We're proud of each and every one Our Three Six Five of Ninety Seven!

ISBN 1 86237 033 8

Anne Morgan Headteacher”

On 12th June 1997 the Sacrament of Confirmation took place, it was celebrated by Bishop Brain. List of those being confirmed see Appendix 93

The Mass booklet is available on St. Anthony’s website https://www.stanthonysrcchurch.org/mass-booklets

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 9 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) On 30th June 1997 the summer edition of St. Anthony's News was published. Welcome to the 20th edition of our school / parish magazine. Thanks to all the people who contributed to its production: the writers, advertisers, administrative staff and children of the school. Full copy of this publication is available on Appendix 94

In the summer 1997 edition of St Anthony’s News the Births, Marriages and Deaths were published. Baptisms Tara Rose Breakwell Keren Nicole Bucknall Shonna Nicole Parsons Jade Nicola Millington Demi Hannah Beach Harriet Hannah Gibbons Callum Glencorse Adam Canio Gigante Gregory Andrew Parkes Liam Jake Downes Chloe Christine Dowman Elizabeth Sophie Owen Heather Anne Love Chloe May Louise McAuliffe Killian Arizona Taylor

Marriages Richard Nicholas Farmer and Lisa Ann Nicholls

Deaths Elizabeth Bohdanowicz Bridget Bond Thomas Flynn Christopher Fahy Miklos Ferencsik Lillian Pilkington Tadeusz Kozdoj

Confirmandi 1997 Kelly Adams Rory Allen Claire Ashley Laura Aston Laurie Aston Nicholas Bartolo Claire Belcher Joanne Bodo Laura Bohdanowicz Christina Bradley Laura Brady Sarah Broome Daniella Carlesimo Joanne Clemson Phillip Clemson Salvatore Coppola Craig Cotterill Karina Davies Aliki Dimakopoulou Amy Doyle Lee Elwell Mark Goodhead Stacey Goodhead Daniel Harvey Michelle Horgan Yuri Jacholnik Kirsty Jackson Darren Kotlicki Anna Lavender Eve Lewis Stacey Lowe Monica Mazur Patrick McGloin Lisa Mole Amie Mulryan Jennifer O'Connor Anthony Penwright Nicola Pike Kerrie Richards Scott Rotton Marc Saunders Claire Simpson James Symons Natalie Ward Nicole Watkins

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 10 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) In the summer 1997 edition of St Anthony’s News the following articles appeared:- From Our Parish Priest Reflections So we come to the end of another school year, and for the first time in my experience there was no First Communion Sunday. It was due to re-organisation of the curriculum of course, but it somehow left a gap. Next year will be back to normal. Fortunately there was the Confirmation Service when 45 candidates received the sacrament from Bishop Brain. It is always a pleasure to present the children to the Bishop knowing they have been thoroughly prepared for the ceremony. St. Anthony’s School continues to flourish and parents are more than ever anxious to have their children accepted. But if there is one single gesture that marks the school out, it is because it is Catholic, ie the children are taught catholic faith and are encouraged to grow in a Christian way of life. In addition to academic attainments, the school year is punctuated with daily prayers, celebration of school masses, emphasis on the Christian festivals of Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, Saints days and of course, preparation for the sacraments of Confession, Holy Communion and Confirmation. It gives a whole ethos and feel to the school. Whenever I speak to the children I find they are generally happy in the school. It offers them a secure environment in which to develop and grow in friendships that extend into the senior school. It is surprising (or is it?) how often in later life those Catholic memories so colours the happy memories of school and childhood. Now everyone is preparing for a well earned summer rest. But I hope parents will not allow this to mean an absence from church. The Sunday mass continues all that the school attempts to nourish. To divorce the two is to weaken the good influences in these early years. It is not true that children are automatically ‘bored at mass’. They are readily influenced by the world around them, and a family that unites together at mass, sharing with others in prayer and offering their lives together, can bring confidence and security into a child’s life. May God protect you on your journeys. Rev. Francis Gwinnett

School News New Arrival Congratulations to proud parents Theresa and Rob Surplice on the arrival of baby Joshua Thomas (Josh).

Goodbye and Good Luck We are sorry to lose two colleagues whose company we have enjoyed. Marie Till has taught Reception since January on a fixed two year term contract which finishes in August. We wish her every happiness and success in her new post at the Gifford School. Teresa Bourn has covered the maternity leave of Teresa Surplice and we’ve all appreciated her sense of humour. Both Marie and Teresa have shown great commitment to the school and they’ll always be welcome at St. Anthony’s.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 11 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) The John Beswick Art Gallery

At long last we have completed our project to provide a fitting remembrance of John who was such a great friend to the school. It was officially opened by his widow Freda and son Adrian in a ceremony attended by children, staff, governors and invited guests on June 13th ,the Feast of St. Anthony. A tree was also planted in memory of John.

School Fund Raising The Sponsored Bounce held last term raised £1,300 towards the cost of refurbishing the Library. The Gala held on the Feast of St. Anthony made £1,100 which will help with the cost of running and maintaining the School/Parish Mini Bus. The collection of Asda tokens provided us with an other Multi-Media Computer and the Sainsbury’s vouchers will provide a printer and several other items of educational equipment. Many thanks to all who supported all or any of the above efforts.

Inspections Our school will be the subject of two inspections during the Autumn Term.

1) The R.E. Inspection will take place on November 10th and 14th . 2) The OFSTED Inspection will take place during the week beginning Monday December 8th .

Please Spare A Prayer. Happy Holiday Anne Morgan

Parent, Teachers Association Many thanks to all that attended the fashion show. I know that the children thoroughly enjoyed being the centre of attention for the evening and it all went very well. I’m sure we have some models in the making. I think with the recent bad weather we picked our day well for the gala, only having one brief shower of rain, which caused me to abandon my pop corn store due to fear of being electrocuted. Thanks to all the visitors and parents that attended the event, having so many attend makes the hard work worth while. A few balloon tags have been located but we haven’t got a winner yet. A big farewell to our year 6 wishing them all the best in their future, and hope they all remember it is nice to be important, but it’s more important be nice. As sports day approaches let’s hope the weather improves.

MASS FOR THE SICK AND DISABLED Sunday 15th of June saw a number of the sick and disabled of St. Anthony’s Parish joining a large congregation of similarly disadvantaged from all over the town at the special Mass for them held this year in St Michael’s Church Coalway Road. Organised by the S.V.P. of the town the Mass was concelebrated by five priests and all who wished it were anointed with the holy oils and special prayers were said over them. Many people remarked on how impressive the Mass was and the sick and disabled obviously received a great deal from it.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 12 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) The Mass was followed by refreshments in the church hall provided by the ladies of the parish and everyone agreed that the afternoon had been a great success. It was only slightly marred when the special ambulance which the brothers of St. Anthony’s S.V.P. had borrowed to bring some wheelchair-bound people to the Mass broke down temporarily making some of us late home!

PIE IN THE SKY The current philosophy seems to be ‘instant gratification’. If there is something I want, or even need, then I want it NOW. The idea of enjoying the thrill of anticipation (which can often be greater than realisation) is dispensed with for the dubious pleasure of being able to have ones desire immediately. Life is lived at such a furious pace that there is no brooking of delay for whatever reason. Few people can stand in a queue nowadays without getting increasingly frustrated at having to wait and woe betide the queue-jumper! He takes his life in his hands if he causes someone else to have to wait another ten seconds! Isn’t this the basic cause of the “Road Rage” we hear so much of these days. “If I hadn’t been balked by that other driver I could have been another 20 yards up the road!!”

If we could all step back a couple of paces, take a deep breath and start again much more slowly how much better it would be for us. Tomorrow will come and part of today could be spent in pleasant anticipation of it. Someone once said that Christian philosophy was like ‘Pie in the sky when you die’ Well that’s one way of putting our looking forward to what we hope will be our eternal reward. However attractive this may be I don’t think many of us want it NOW but we can spend some time in pleasant anticipation if we only are prepared to stop in our present day headlong rush and listen to the ‘still small voice’ and discover the deeper satisfaction of having to wait, just a little longer for what we long for.

Leaving The letter said ‘Monday July 21st Leavers Disco 7pm - 9.30pm.’ There it was in black and white, soon I would no longer be a St Anthony’s parent. A long and happy association with the school is drawing to a close as my youngest child leaves. I can remember the first time I took my eldest child to St. Anthony’s. It was January 1978. He was very shy and terrified and so was I! I thought that I would never survive the walking, three quarters of a mile there and three quarters back, twice a day. But I did survive, walking over seven thousand five hundred miles altogether, the equivalent of walking to London and back thirty times, walking none stop for twenty-two weeks, twenty-four hours a day. My father-in-law joked that if I’d been able to drive I would have been nine inches taller. AP.ARENT Full transcript available see Appendix 97

News from O.L.S.C. Congratulations to 3 ex. St. Anthony’s pupils now at O.L.S.C. School. Nicola Barratt Head Girl Sarah Williams Deputy Head Girl Adrian Gallagher Deputy Head Boy

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 13 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) CULINARY DELIGHTS FOR YOUR HEART BREAD PUDDING.

Ingredients: - Mixed Sultanas and Raisins and Candy Peel. Water. Flora Spread (polyunsaturated spread). Brown Sugar. Brown bread (better to use when bread has hardened).

Method:- Soak bread in water, sufficient to be absorbed into the bread Drain off excess, surplus liquid. Squeeze bread into a pulp consistency. Add mixed fruit. Grease cooking tin and press mixture into tin. Sprinkle brown sugar and extra fruit over top of bread pudding mixture. Drop pieces of flora spread over mixture. Cook in oven until bread pudding starts to brown on top. Quantities depend on the amount of bread being used.

Sports Page Mission Impossible (6 A-Side Football) By James 'Frog eyes' Symons and Phillip 'Phililpinlan' Clemson.

It was Saturday 14th of June, it was a spectacular morning of athletic competition at Woden Primary School. It was a tournament which could separate the MEN from the boys. We started the second match of this 4 group elimination mission. We thought it was mission impossible but we scored in the first couple of minutes. We scored of a free kick which was spectacularly swung in, off the boot of Mark Goodhead, matching the goal of Roberto Carlos. He scored a net breaking 4 goals in 3 games. In our 1st game it was a brilliant 3 nil drumming which Nick Bartolo curled in and a powerful run which was blasted in the back of the net from 10 yards out by James 'Frog eyes' Symons. Our next game was against Trinity it was a two horse race for the top of the table spot. It was a ruthless game which we were 2-1 down at half time, the second half we pulled our hair out (not mentioning names) and pulled a goal back in the last seconds of the game Trinity got the third goal which shook our team and in the end they got game, set and match. The third and final match we played Whitgreave it was a exciting game. We started of with a early goal from Yuri Jacholnik with a spectacular finish following an exuberant move passing and moving into positions and brilliant crisp movement finished to perfection. Mark Goodhead scoring a professional goal and world class skill taking on all the Whitgreave players and taping it in. We were disappointed that we didn't go through but it has been a season of ups and downs. Thank you Mr Flanagan for a great season.

Netball at St. Chad’s by Amie Mulryan Some of yr 5 and 6 went over to St. Chad’s to learn a few skills that we had not yet learnt from Mrs. Neale. At first we tried some catching skills and to be honest. I wasn’t good at it at all. Later on in the afternoon we had a little match, I was WD (Wing Defence), we learnt quite a bit from the match. At the end we had a game of British Bulldog to calm ourselves down. This carried on for several weeks. I thought it was worth all our time. If you are reading this Mrs Neale, all the girls would like to say thanks for taking us there, especially to the girls from St. Chads and St. Edmonds.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 14 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) The Clash of the Century by Amy Doyle As we predicted St. Anthony’s stormed to victory with a 5 - 2 win over Elston Hall our close neighbours of yonder field. I watched from the side line with anticipation as team two battled it out in a head to head dual. We crept ahead with the first goal of the match sunk in by Laura Bohdanoviwz. Elston Hall came back to make it equal but then as if by magic we scored our second, third and fourth but they sunk a second. We wrapped it up with another to make it 5 - 2. As we cheered on the side line we knew we’d no thanks to the unlucky teddy who made team A lose. I’d like to thank the team and Miss Ramsey for a great match.

Girls Football Team by Natalie, Nicole and Stacey The girls’ football team played two matches but sadly we lost both. We didn’t play enough games to be excepted into the league. But our coach Mr Flanagen said we played our best. Our first nail biting match was against Collingwood. We faced Collingwood bravely even though from a distance many people mistook them for a boy’s team. We think our team played exceptionally well and gave our opposition a run for their money. Mr Flanagan gave advice and support on the sideline and at half-time. Even though we lost both matches 3 - 0 and 1 - 0, a big well done to the girls who got into the semi-final and for always giving it their best and always being real enthusiastic about everything !!! We would like to give Mr Flanagan a big thanks for teaching us.

2nd November 1997 Congratulations to Mr Tom Martin who celebrated his 90th birthday this week. Tom taught for many years at St. Chad’s and is remembered with great affection by all his former pupils.

2nd November 1997 Last week commemorated the 30th anniversary of the passing of the Abortion Act. A leaflet which warns of the dangers of new laws which threaten the sanctity of human life was available. A prayer for the unborn was offered at Mass on that day.

On 30th November 1997 the autumn edition of St. Anthony's News was published. Welcome to the 21st edition of our school / parish magazine. Thanks to all the people who contributed to its production: the writers, advertisers, administrative staff and children of the school. Full copy of this publication is available on Appendix 98

In the autumn 1997 edition of St Anthony’s News the Births, Marriages and Deaths were published.

Baptisms Alice Rose Anslow Danielle Louise Lavender Ryan Steven Mole Elicia Ann Farmer Samantha Amanda Shaw Molly Orme Carlos Haughton Georgina Louise Cockayne Kyle Paul Perry Jessica Louise Bolt Liam Thomas Bennett Thomas Patrick Corrigan Abigail Louise Banks Lauren Jade Monument Emma Jane Swift Daniel Patrick Swift Christopher John Swift Monica Ellen Skitt Jack Andrew Rhodes

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 15 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Marriages Lee John Hayes and Sarah Jayne Hale Francis Dalton and Denise Smith Patrick Vincent O’Hara and Sally Joanne Hughes Darren Andrew Rhodes and Catherine Mary O’Connor

Deaths Kerry Eileen Scarisbrick Margit Bankuti Christopher Handley Colin William Jenkins

In the autumn 1997 edition of St Anthony’s News the following articles appeared:- From Our Parish Priest Reflections Parents in the parish will know that the school is having what is known as an OFSTED Inspection this term. Its aim is to provide a fair and careful assessment of the school so that parents can be informed about the quality of education their children receive. The Diocese also takes the opportunity to assess how well the school performs in its catholic role. This involves not only classroom teaching, but also the whole feel of the school in the various relationships between pupils, teachers, other staff and parents. Above all, the place that prayer and worship plays in the school is carefully considered. So our school mass on 11th November was attended by Diocesan Inspectors. It was offered for Mother Teresa and was once more a very lovely and moving occasion for everyone who shared. I am sure the inspectors were very impressed and we await a glowing report in due time. I would like to say a special thank you to those parents who attended these masses and so show support in this vital area. Occasions like this remind us that without St. Anthony’s Parish, there would not be a St. Anthony’s School. The catholic faith plays an integral part in the life of the school, and I hope all parents chose the school because of this. I also thank Mrs. Morgan and all the staff for the excellent support they give to the parish throughout the year. As we begin the season of Advent and our preparation for Christmas, then I hope that what the children are taught in school will overflow into home and parish life. It is a lovely season, and each Sunday the children will light the Advent Candle as we begin mass, to mark our anticipation of the birth of Jesus.

As I wish you all a joyful and blessed Christmas, so I hope every family will share it with us at the altar of the LORD. Rev. Francis Gwinnett

School News Welcome Back At the end of the summer term we were pleased to see the return of Theresa Surplice after the birth of baby Joshua Thomas (Josh).

School Masses Our beginning of term Mass was offered for the repose of the soul of Princess Diana and the Mass on 11th November was a celebration of the life and service of Mother Teresa.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 16 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Harvest Festival £150 was raised by the sale of food and the raffle. £100 has been donated to the Diabetes Association and £50 will go towards sponsoring Salma, a little girl living in Bangladesh. Thirty baskets of food were delivered to our elderly parishioners.

They repeated this at our Mass in November which took place during the R. E. Inspection. They received many congratulations for two very devout and moving performances. As part of Islam Awareness Week a Muslim gentleman came to talk to the upper Juniors and explained about the beliefs of his religion. Year 6 spent a most enjoyable day at St. Peter’s Anglican Church taking part in the Open Door Project.

Get Well Wishes We have all said extra prayers for the swift recovery of Josy Neale who has had a major operation. We are delighted to report that she is progressing well and hopes to be back at school some time in the New Year.

Live on Air 15 children representing the school choir will be broadcasting at Radio W.A.B.C. at 10.15 am on Tuesday December 16th .They will be singing a traditional carol.

Finally, on behalf of the school, may I wish all the parish a holy and very happy Christmas. I know the staff will enjoy their celebrations all the more after the trials and tribulations associated with surviving (hopefully) both the R. E. and O.F.S.T.E.D. Inspections. Anne Morgan

Multi Faith Celebrations Fourteen local schools took part in the Multi Faith Service at the Civic Hall in October. Our school was the only Catholic representative and a group of Year 5 children from class 9 performed a mime to a recording of The Magnificat.

Christmas Music with a difference At Christmas time the Folk Group at St. Anthony’s, i.e. the group who sing to guitars at 10 am Mass on Sundays once a month, like to sing Christmas music in our style. We will be singing at Mass on Sunday 21st December. Firstly, we would like to invite you to be there to sing, or even just to listen. Secondly, we would like to invite as many people as possible to join our practices, even if it is only for this one event. We practice in Church on Thursday evenings at 8.00 pm and our practices are almost as enjoyable as singing at Mass. We are a friendly group of people. No one is an expert but we enjoy doing what we do. So, if you can sing, even just a little bit, or play an instrument reasonably well, why not join us ? Our practices for Christmas music are on Thursdays 11th and 18th December. If you want to know more, please phone Trevor Stockton on 782207 or speak with Liz McCarroll, Bridie Mazur or Sue Kaszuba.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 17 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Cabbage Patch Kids The deafening drone of the Cessner light-aircraft’s engines became a distant humming as I pondered out of the blustery open door at the sheer greenness of the ground shrinking below me. It can’t be that difficult to do - just like jumping head first onto your parents’ bed like you used to do when you were a child. The day had not begun as we’d expected. The Chief Instructor, instead of being sympathetic and smiling kindly at our bravery in tackling this parachute jump for charity, turned out to be a bad tempered, ex-SAS, cigar-chewing megalomaniac with a chip on his shoulder bigger than anything seen in the Walsall branch of Harry Ramsden’s. To put us at our ease he hung us in harnesses, like Christmas turkeys, from the roof of a draughty hangar for hours on end and proceeded to show us photographs of emergency situations. We had two seconds to bark out what we’d do if any of the accidents happened to us - otherwise we would be sent home as a potential danger to others. By lunchtime we sounded like seasoned Marines, only much less brave. Full transcript available see Appendix 101

The Sound of Silence Many of us remember the old saying "Silence is Golden". If this means that silence has a value all its own, that it is a positive thing, not negative, then I must agree. There are as many forms of silence as there are of sound. Silence can be boring, embarrassing, awkward as well as peaceful or reflective. When we come to church to worship to try at least once in the week to get nearer to God, to sit or kneel in silence to allow the presence of the Creator to filter into our minds, our very being. Sounds can be a distraction coming between us and our spiritual needs. The composer Debussy once wrote that “the only response to true beauty is silence” and whilst most of us cannot aspire to the greatest depths of contemplation, moments of silence can help us to approach the Beatific Vision. The Mass is a community happening. We come together to worship, but there is also the individual element when we stand as it were before our maker alone. This is the time when although among many we need silence to make our personal approach to God. Considering this then should we not try to make our time in church at Mass more available to ourselves and everyone else to listen to the 'still small voice'. Increasingly lately there has been a buzz of conversation before Mass (and even at Holy Communion time!) which detracts from the proper atmosphere. I do not ask for an overly solemn attitude, the Mass is after all a celebration, but for some moments of dignified silence for the good of all. We can chat and socialise in the Narthex over a cup of coffee after Mass which is why Pam and Ken have spent so many years making it possible. There is a notice over the Holy Water Stoup which should be required reading for us all. Or we could read the words of Hymn number 166.

We Remember You Dear God, Thank you for Mother Teresa. She was so special in our lives, especially those living in Calcutta. She helped anybody - the sick, poor, homeless and people who had difficulties. She didn’t care what colour they were. She was just determined to help them. But we will never forget her now that she has gone to heaven. Hopefully there might be somebody who will do as she did. Those in Calcutta are probably praying for her now because she spread the word about God. Amen by Anna Kaszuba (Class 11)

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 18 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Moving On I always think that you can tell so much from school photographs. There are no parents present to preen and pose their loved ones. What you see is what you get. I must admit I felt that there was undue haste to photograph my daughter during her first week at secondary school, but I knew it would speak volumes. And so, it was a great relief to see smiling back at me from the proof copy, a very confident eleven year old. Her hair was as usual, doing its own thing but there was no mistaking the happiness. It was always going to be a traumatic event for her to move from the cosy security of St. Anthony’s to Our Lady and St. Chad’s where she was assured, by the ill-informed, that all sorts of evil were lying in wait. Full transcript available see Appendix 102 AP. ARENT

Fairtrading (How to do it in Wolverhampton) CAFOD and its partner organisations, including Christian Aid, are urging everyone to buy goods bearing the ‘Fairtrade’ logo. Buying goods which bear this label guarantees that the workers who produced the goods have been paid properly and have decent working conditions. In many of the poorer countries, workers get as little as sixpence an hour, work in unhealthy conditions which often result in serious harm to health whilst their employers get rich. CAFOD is working for justice in the world and WE CAN DO OUR BIT. Most of the big supermarkets now stock goods which have been produced within a code of good practice. Coffee - CAFÉ DIRECT, PERCOL and CLIPPER tea are good quality products which cost as much as the better quality coffees and teas. They taste good and you feel good knowing that your purchase is helping people to help themselves. SAINSBURY, SAFEWAY, CO-OP and ASDA are examples of stores which stock fairtrade goods. If we buy it the stores will continue to stock it and so it goes on. Try It ! Ask Trevor Stockton for more information.

Millennium Prayer

God of all ages, Lord of all time, Teach us to share justly the good things you are the Alpha and the Omega, which come from your loving hand; the origin and goal of everything that lives, to bring peace and reconciliation yet you are ever close to those where strife and disorder reign: who call on you in faith. to speak out as advocates for those who have no voice; We look with expectant joy and to rejoice in a bond of prayer and praise to the Jubilee of your Son's coming among us, with our sisters and brothers throughout the world. two thousand years ago. We thank you for the years of favour When Christ comes again in glory with which you have blessed your people. may he find us alive and active in faith, and so call us to that Kingdom where, with you and the Holy Spirit, he is God, to be praised, worshipped and glorified, both now and for ages to come. Amen

(Matthew James Publishing Ltd)

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 19 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Diana On the morning of September 6th 1997 the phrase ‘ordinary life’ was no longer applicable. The usual bustling London Streets became suspended, polite notices hung in the windows of shops nation-wide and the now all to familiar atmosphere that had lingered for days became increasingly intense. This was the day the country needed, yet did not want, would experience yet still would not believe. This was the day they would say goodbye to their one and only Queen, Diana. She was a Twentieth Century icon yet she retained an indescribable kind of humanity which brought her within the sights and hearts of all, regardless of class, colour or creed. She was a Princess, yet she belonged to her people and it was this need to own her and know her that ultimately resulted in us losing her. Our ever eager eyes craved for her picture, perhaps never realising the ends to which the photographers would stretch. Yet these ends became apparent on the Sunday Britain will never forget. The Sunday Britain lost its light in Diana. Full transcript available see Appendix 103

A Poet In Our Midst Mrs Josephine Quinton has been acknowledged by the International Society of Poets for her poem “True Love” This poem will has been included in a prestigious new anthology a “Passage in Time” It received the editor’s choice award for outstanding achievement. Other literary masterpieces include,

“Life Is Like A Mountain Climb” was published in a book called “A Lasting Calm” and included on a cassette entitled “The Sound of Poetry” “Time” was published by the Poetry Guild in a book called “Memories and Daydreams”. The BBC Religious Morning Radio programme have accepted one of Josephine’s poems which will be included in the Daily Service Book to be published in time for Christmas 1997. Well done Josephine.

Dearest Diana Dearest Diana We miss you so As only the loss Of a loved one can know

Today, I looked up And there you were My eyes adjusted to the light And I know you were not far from my sight

Dearest Diana in heaven above Please keep us nearest to your heart With all that is love by Lynne Jones (age 12)

NEWS FROM OUR LADY & ST. CHAD RC SCHOOL The new purpose-built Music and Religious Education Bloc was completed on schedule and Classes began moving in the 2nd week of the Autumn Term. His Grace, Archbishop Couve de Murville, will bless the new extension on 2nd December, 1997, when he visits the school to celebrate Mass with the 6th Form.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 20 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) The move of the Music Department into new accommodation frees up space in Old Failings Hall into which the Business Education Centre has expanded. The school has not forsaken Old Fallings Hall altogether. The Chapel, some offices, 6th Form study and staff rooms continue to occupy much of the space. An expanded Business Education Centre has training rooms in which local people and small businesses in the area learn necessary computer and management skills to take back into the workplace. The expansion has also made it possible for local people to run a business from the Business Education Centre. The Centre provides a space, office facilities, and support in order to do this. Advice is always on hand from specialist advisers. Our Lady and St. Chad School is proud to be associated with this successful venture, which is believed to be the first development of its kind in the Country. If you think the Centre could help you, please contact Wendy Stephenson (telephone 553000).

Congratulations to Andrea Barnes (an ex pupil of St. Anthony's), member of the South Staffordshire Under 16 Netball Team. You may have seen a photograph of Andrea (with Don Goodman of Wolves) in the Express and Star on the occasion of the handover of the new School Minibus from the Variety Club of Great Britain.

Congratulations also to Chris Byrne, representative at Under 19 Level for West Midlands County Soccer On this occasion, St. Patrick's is the Primary School that can bask in the glory of this!

Our Lady and St. Chad RC School is a fully comprehensive Catholic School serving the parishes on this side of town.

It is fully comprehensive in that it caters for children of all abilities. At one end of the scale we achieved 95% success at Advanced Level GCSE this year with many students going to University. At the other end, we have children enter the school with Statements of Special Educational Need for Moderate Learning Difficulties. Our Mission is to value all children equally and to help them to achieve their potential.

C.J. COOPER Headteacher

Open Door In September the whole of my class were going on a trip. We went onto the coach and set off to town. The coach was going to Saint Peter’s Church, it was a short journey and it was raining slightly when we arrived there. We went inside and it was a very large place. Everybody sat down on a bench and looked around. Then we were split into groups. My group went with Mr Cleary and he showed us different places in the church. Children did different activities like drama, brass rubbings, banners, cross stitch and chalices. I did drama with Anthony, Daniel, Thomas and some children from other schools. Our drama was about the apostle Peter. One day Peter was telling a crowd about Jesus, when some soldiers rushed by and took him away to prison. That night Peter was in his cell when a bright light came and an angel said, “Put your shoes on, wrap your robe around you and follow me.” The chains fell off his hands and feet, then they past the first and second guards.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 21 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) They came to an iron gate which led into the city. The gate opened of its own accord. Peter said to himself that the Lord sent his angel to rescue him from Herod. Peter went to the house of Mary the mother of John. He knocked on the door and a maiden named Rhoda answered it, “It is me Peter!” Rhoda ran to the others saying, “Peter is at the door!” The other people did not believe her. Peter knocked again. Rhoda ran back to the door, then opened it. Indeed it was Peter. Peter stopped there until it was safe to leave the house. After we finished our play we went up to the top of the bell tower. I enjoyed the trip to Saint Peter’s Church and I’m looking forward to going again some time. By Martin Bialowas, Class 11.

A Weekend in Paris by our French Correspondent.

The week-end of 23rd and 25th of August was spent in Paris by six of St. Anthony’s parishioners. Three were members of the parish conference of the St. Vincent De Paul Society . They were accompanied by their wives. The occasion was the visit to the beautiful city of Paris by His Holiness Pope John Paul. The city was hot and was crammed full of pilgrims from all corner’s of the world. Many of these pilgrims were young and were there to celebrate their membership of the community of the church by attending a number of Masses and other events and were addressed by the Pope at Mass in Notre Dame Cathedral and other open air venues such as the local race-course. Some of the pilgrims were more mature and supported identification badges proclaiming their affiliation to the S.V.P. Closer inspection again revealed their origins from all quarters. Our group from St. Anthony’s were also of the more mature variety of pilgrims. Due to difficulties beyond our ken or control, we were disappointed not to be at Mass in Norte Dame, when the founder of the S.V.P., Frederick Osnam was beatified. But there were marvellous joys as a product of our visit. We enjoyed the magnificent company of local S.V.P. members from Bilston, Old Fallings, Penn, Dudley, Birmingham, Walsall etc etc. We enjoyed Fathers Gerry Lennon and Tony Joyce who accompanied us. We enjoyed meeting His Grace the Archbishop of Birmingham at Sacre Coeur. We enjoyed meeting Father Brady’s cousin Archbishop Sean Brady at Rue de Bac. We enjoyed the excitement of the very evident universal church which was wherever we looked. Memories of the week-end will be long lasting. “C’ est la guerre,” the oft repeated invocation of our leader Len Jones as changes to our itinerary unfolded with regularity. “Desperanto,” the answer of Father Joyce to one who asked what language a foreign contributor to a café sing-song to the Joyce guitar had used. Perhaps the best memory was of a very beautiful city filled to the brim with thousands of energetic and committed devout youth. Were there any youth members from St. Anthony’s there, I wonder ?

CAFOD 97 looking towards CAFOD 98 During 1997 our parish has supported the work of CAFOD in the parts of the former Yugoslavia which are still suffering following the ‘troubles’ there. Also towards the latter part of the year, we have been supporting the week of landmine clearance in Cambodia. I will be issuing a financial statement in January an the money raised be the parish towards the work of CAFOD in 1997.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 22 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) During 1998 CAFOD nationally and locally will be developing its ‘Fair deal for the poor’ campaign. This is CAFOD’s Millennium campaign. Each of the next few years will have a fund raising and awareness raising theme. In 1998 the theme is Health. All money raised will go towards improving the Health of people who live in the third world. The aim is to make a real impact on improving the Health of women, men and children who at present have nor adequate health care. You may be a saying - “How may I help ?”

1 You can help by putting money in the box which is placed in the middle of the centre aisle at church on Sundays. 2 You can help by saying the Millennium prayer which appears in the news letter. 3 You can help by assisting the parish CAFOD worker - Trevor Stockton, occasionally when needed by giving out news letters, helping CAFOD events etc.

If you would like to know more, please contact Trevor Stockton either at church or by phone on 782207

1998

On 30th March 1998 the spring edition of St. Anthony's News was published. Welcome to the 22nd edition of our school / parish magazine. Thanks to all the people who contributed to its production: the writers, advertisers, administrative staff and children of the school. Full copy of this publication is available on Appendix 104

In the spring 1998 edition of St Anthony’s News the Births and Deaths were published. Baptisms Sean Matthew McKenna Kathryn Rose Jones Matthew Joshua Leo Jack David Marsh David John Evans Zoe Ann Evans Tammy Louis Mann Niall Tyrone Preston Harry Phillip Jones Callum James Shone

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 23 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Deaths Clarence Patrick Donnelly William McAuliffe Mary Ann Shannon Francis Gereld McNulty Anthony Perks Anna Wawra Peter Hammond Margaret McEnery

In the spring 1998 edition of St Anthony’s News the following articles appeared:- From Our Parish Priest Reflections The approach of the new millennium is increasingly beginning to intrude into our lives. What with Mr Mendelson’s dome which we hear so much about but know so little of, and to all the other events, monuments and improvements being planned, we can be quite certain that New Years Eve, will be something the like of which we have never experienced before. (Even I shall stay up for it!) So it seems a good idea to ask why the year 2000 AD should be such an important date, triggering such a huge celebration. The letters AD are shortening for the Latin words ‘Anno Domini’ meaning the “year of our Lord”. 2000 years since the birth of Christ, Savoir of the world. Of course we should celebrate that event, but let’s make sure that whatever we think or talk or plan for the new millennium, we are preparing to celebrate, and thanks, for the birth of Jesus Our Lord. Otherwise, like a good many other people, we shall be preparing to shout and sing ourselves hoarse about something we haven’t a clue of its meaning. We have so much to give thanks for. It is like all our Christmases rolled into one. Jesus who gives joy and hope to our youth; who guides and gives us strength in our maturity, and who comforts us and gives us peace in our old age. A friend and guide upon which our whole life is built. A compass that is always there to direct our lives and give meaning and purpose. The parish and school are a sign of that presence of Jesus amongst us. Together we shall plan our preparations for the new millennium. Our aim will be to give the children a firm and safe guide as they enter into the unknown territory it will bring. We hope that parents also will do all they can to ensure that, as the children are taught the individual skills to meet the new millennium, they also have a strong faith to guide them through whatever it may bring. This Easter, we celebrate the victory of Christ over death, through His resurrection. I hope you will all make it an important step in your millennium preparations. May God bless you and grant you all a joyful and peace filled Easter. Rev. Francis Gwinnett

School News Inspection Reports After having been ‘lost’ by the Express and Star for about three weeks, the news of our very good OFSTED Inspection report finally made it in to print - not one but two ‘glowing’ reports. These were followed by a live on air interview on Radio Wolf (Wow what a claim to fame!) of my thoughts on the inspectors’ judgements. These thoughts are of course delight, pride in all the children, staff, governors, parents and - yes - RELIEF! The R. E. Inspection report was equally good and the opening statement was;-“St. Anthony’s is a very good Catholic School in which the Faith is taught and learned and pupils helped to develop a Christian way of life”. To this I would only add how much the school appreciates being part of such an excellent parish community.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 24 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Nappy News ! Mary and Wayne Downing became the proud parents of baby Ben, who was born on February 28th . Two former members of staff, Sue and Mick Murphy, welcomed an addition to their family, Jonathan, in January. Congratulations to both families.

New Recruits In January twenty-one children entered the Reception class and we welcomed a new teacher, Jennifer Hayes, who will be with us until July.

A Collection of Collections The money raised at the Christmas Carol Services amounted to £200. Both New Cross and Birmingham Children’s Hospitals were given £100 each to be put towards Leukaemia Research as requested by Mrs Korbely, mother of little Hayley who is being treated at both Hospitals. £70 was raised for the Holy Childhood Missionary Society and presented at the Candlemas Mass.

We are continuing to appeal for ASDA computer vouchers to help achieve our target of 3000 vouchers by April 26th This would give a Multi-media computer for the library. Daffodils sold on behalf of the Marie Curie Cancer Care Appeal realised £110 and the cheque was gratefully received on behalf of the organisation at a Friday assembly. Also, if anyone is willing to complete a Sainsbury’s Registration Form, the school are credited with points to exchange for equipment. All your support is much appreciated. Goodbye and Good Luck At the end of term we shall be saying farewell to Mrs Bills who has been a Midday Supervisor at St. Anthony’s for over ten years. We thank her for all the care and concern she has shown to so many children and wish her a long and happy retirement.

Have a Spiritual and Holy Easter. Anne Morgan

What’s Around the Corner ? The song says “ What a difference a day makes, 24 little hours” but what a difference a year makes. It was the 22nd March 1997 when I was taken ill but thankfully the outcome was positive and a complete recovery was made. We do not know what is around the corner, and perhaps it is not a good idea to know. One thing has come to light, during my illness and since, is the attitude of people. You certainly find out who your friends are. I was overwhelmed by the concern, good wishes and offers of help from people of the parish. Even after all this time parish members still ask after my health. Not so work colleagues and so called ‘mates’. People I have worked along side for 15 years show no signs of concern or even compassion. Is it because they are all ‘non- church goers’ or do they just not care. No matter, true friends will always show through. Many many thanks for all your support, your prayers and your concern. Tony Clemson

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 25 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) P. T. A. News Hi there, Firstly, the jumble sale held on Tuesday 10th March was well attended with the proceeds going to books for the library.. Any help from parents for the next jumble sale will be much appreciated, contact Pat McAuley at school. PTA member Gail Lavender arranged an afternoon during the run of ‘Aladdin’ at the Grand Theatre; a trip that took place in January, it was an excellent ‘Panto’ enjoyed by those who saw it. Anybody interested in going to the next ‘Panto’ should ask a member of the PTA, as numbers are currently being taken for tickets. Let me also mention that the sponsored Rainbow day held on March 17th was a great success. The children were enthusiastic, it was a very colourful day and great fun for everyone. On April 27th, we will be holding another ‘Jolly Mixture’ fashion show The PTA will also be holding a Quiz Night on Friday May 8th. These are usually well attended and a good night out, so watch out for the posters. Hope to see lots of you there. Wishing you all a very happy Easter. Pat.

Through the Worst ? March 22nd this year was quite a day! Firstly, it was my birthday, the last time I shall be “forty something”. Secondly, of course, it was Mothers Day, flowers and chocs all-round. Thirdly, a very personal sad anniversary for me, more of which I’d like to share when I can find the words. And finally, it marks the end of twelve months when I felt I had been on the receiving end of the very best in human nature and sadly the worst too. On ‘the worst’ I won’t expand because to do so would give it importance that it doesn’t deserve. This time last year my husband became very ill, very quickly. It was Easter time and our daughter had been chosen for the part of ‘Poem Reader’ in St. Anthony’s play ‘On The Third Day’ I went with my Mom to see the afternoon performance. The singing was wonderful, so enthusiastic and so spiritual for such young children. Rory Allen was a very convincing Pilate but the sight of the slightly built Dane Smith portraying the dying Jesus was amazing. My husband was going to the evening performance but circumstances overtook us and he never did see the outcome of the endless rehearsals of ‘In the beginning’ that echoed around our lounge for weeks before, complete with sweeping dramatic gestures. AP. ARENT Full transcript available see Appendix 107

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 26 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) This poem by an unknown author was given to me by a friend in the week following the Inspection and seems to make a very good post - OFSTED epitaph. The Inspection is dead and gone but the home/school partnership lives on. Anne Morgan

The Sculptors I dreamed I stood in a studio And watched two sculptors there. The clay they used was a young child's mind And they fashioned it with care. One was a teacher; The tools he used were books, music and art. One a parent, With a guiding hand, and a gentle, loving heart, Day after day the teacher toiled With a touch that was loving and sure; While the parent laboured by his side And polished and smoothed it o'er. And when at last their task was done, They were proud of what they had wrought For the things they had moulded into the child Could neither be sold or bought. And each agreed he would have failed, If he had worked alone, For behind the parent stood the school, And behind the teacher, The home.

A trip to the Molineux We went to the Molineux for the launch of the Compact course to prepare us for secondary school, Also there was Blackly Heath. The whole idea of Compact is for us to communicate with other children and to make us a bit more happier about going to secondary school. We were in a mix of schools and had to design our own Compact student. We also had to make a bridge which was the way to secondary school. Then we had to act out a scene from when we go to secondary school. Over all we had a spanking day out. We also learnt a lot about secondary school and how to achieve the best. Gemma Cox & Thomas Korbely (Yr 6)

Drama On the 12th March, seventeen of class 11 went to the Jennie Lee Centre and performed a play about Racism called ‘Purple and Grey Jumpers’. Unfortunately we didn’t get there on time so as soon as we got there we were thrown in at the deep end and put onto the stage straight away. We did extremely well and were told that the other schools did well too. Over all we came second, gladly winning a medal and a certificate each as well as scooping up £200 in prize money for the school. We also received a letter saying that we were well behaved during the other performances. By Nicola Farrington, Charlotte Cotterill and Nicola Belcher, Year 6

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 27 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) HELP! Computer by collecting ASDA The children of St Anthony's School are again collecting for a Computer by collecting ASDA vouchers given with every purchase made over £30 or petrol over £I5 from an ASDA store or Garage. At the time of going to press we still need to collect 1,500 You can help by collectin9 as many vouchers as possible from friends and relations and sending them in to school or popping them into the box in church. Over the past 2 years with your help we have collected enough vouchers to claim 2 Computers and a printer.

We are also collecting9 SAJNSBURY POINTS . This year it Is slightly more difficult for us to get points with out YOUR HELP in filling in a FORM. Points are linked with the Sainsbury reward card system, for every point earned when you use your Reward card we will also get points BUT we only get points if you nominate our school to receive them and then we are automatically credited points through the Computer system. This does not affect the points earned by you.. We are not doing so well with this system so far we have only earned 600 points! Can You help? If you can, take a form (on the table by the box in church or ask in school) fill in with your card details and give it back to us or again Pop it into the box In church. Again thank you for all the support you have given to us In the past. Liz McCarroll.

A Prayer for the Day O Jesus, Through the immaculate heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of thy divine heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins and for all our associates and in particular for the intentions recommended by the Holy Father the Pope.

Easter Now and Then A characteristic of modern society is that we seem to have more time to do more things but the question is what is that time for and what do we do with it? In my lifetime Good Friday (for example) has gone from being a sober day of mourning to a typical holiday spent in a shopping mall or on some foreign beach. It is made out to be almost counter-cultural to go to church. In stark contrast Holy Week at the end of the Fourth Century was a very different occasion. All account by Egeria, a nun, written in 380 A.D. gives a picture of great dedication to the spirit of the most important season of the Church's year.

Thursday From cockcrow to dawn: The monks, nuns and lay people assembled at the church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem for hymns, psalms and prayers. At dawn: Psalms of praise are sung and the bishop gives a blessing and dismissal. 3rd hour (about 9a.m.): A further session of singing and prayers. 6th hour (midday): The same 8th to 10th hours: Eucharist with everyone receiving communion. People then hurry home to eat. 6p.m. to 11p.m. At the church on the Mount of Olives: hymns, songs and scripture including passages from Jesus' farewell discourse. Around midnight: To the place where the Lord ascended into heaven. Vigil for the rest of the night.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 28 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Friday Cockcrow: Procession to Gethsemani. Reading of the arrest of Jesus. Procession back to the city; the Gospel of Jesus before Pilate is read, then the bishop thanks the people and sends them home, but only until 2nd hour to midday: Veneration of the True Cross Midday to 3p.m. Scripture readings 9th hour: The usual office of the church. The more vigorous spend a second night in vigil

Saturday Only the services of the 3rd and 6th hours but not the 9th, because the Easter Vigil is being prepared for.

Here, where one would expect a full description of the Vigil, the narrative is concluded without elaboration thus: “Everything is done which is customarily done at home.”

Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud “No1 No! Please don’t make me go out there. It's too cold. It's too wet. Can't just stay indoors this once? I promise I'll come to training next week honestly." "You said that last week. Now come on Sir, we’re late already." There's no getting away from the fact that we have got some very gifted and dedicated children at our school. Even in the middle of Winter they were always ‘kitted’ up and ready to train in their own Lunchtimes. Their success has come in the form of: Girls Runners up in the Inter-Area Championships at Springvale Boys and girls qualifying for the Town Finals in the Bush bury Hill Championships Girls 4th Place in the Wolverhampton Town Finals Rachel Saunders, Rebecca Jones and Ashleigh Turner finishing in the first 20 in the Wolverhampton Town Finals and will represent their town against Walsall on 28th March. Congratulations to all the children who have worked so hard:

Rachel Saunders - Rebecca Jones - Ashleigh Turner - Colleen Stacey - Daniel Hart - Paul Hayden - Senan Gallagher - Christopher Cleary

A Trip to the Science Park On Thursday 19th March, 12 lucky Year Fives went to Wolverhampton Science Park. When we arrived we received a T-shirt, a badge and a folder of papers. We were in the yellow group. Our first activity was having a look on the Internet. Some people came round to help us on the Internet if we got in a mess. We enjoyed having a look on the Internet. The next activity was Storm in a Teacup. In Storm in a Teacup we were told how power stations work and what they burn. We also saw a slide show. When we had eaten our lunch some went off to a drama workshop. In drama workshop we started off with a few ball games. Then we played some instruments. We made up groups of 4 with a group leader. One of us was chosen to be a famous artist. The rest of us had to pretend to be a piece of plasticene and we had to make ourselves into what ever we wanted to. The famous artist had to guess what we were. We were then told to make up a play. We did a play about animals. We were allowed to make our own props with cardboard boxes and tubs. We could use paints and anything that was there. We could also have our face painted as well.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 29 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) The production team (the boys) made a big huge television that we could perform in. The people who ran drama workshop videoed the performances. When drama workshop ended we took our two props home. (Betsy bird and the sign) All the children went into the auditorium and they saw our performance. We were very embarrassed. When our taxis arrived we went back to school at 4.30pm. We really enjoyed that day. We would like to go there again. By Gemma Horton, Abigail Grey, Tracy Brindley and Stephanie Price

"True Love” I remember when I saw you first, as I walked home in the rain; I looked and smiled and then passed by, as I went on down the lane, But all that night you filled my thoughts, and I hoped and prayed you’d be Tomorrow too, in the place we met, and looking out for me.

So, when I saw you there again, I knew it must be fate; As by my side, like a life-long friend, you came with me to my gate. Then as I turned to smile at you, so lonely was your glance; How could I help but ask you in! I simply took a chance.

But I never will regret it dear, as you’ve been so good and true, My life is so much richer now, I have your love, and you. Now as we sit together here, so cosy, by the fire, We’re a happy and contented pair, and have all that we desire.

So if you and I had never met, these lines would not be written, Then for this too, I thank you dear, my own sweet darling kitten.

Josephine M. Quinton Extract from ‘A Passage in Time’ The International Society of Poets

Forgive me, Lord, I just can’t pray, Lay your gentle hand on my weary brow; As I've had many things go wrong today. As I feel so tired, and need sleep somehow. No! I cannot pray with my usual zest. Watch over me closely, though this long night; I have worries and cares and my mind won't rest. And when I rise to the dawn's early light, Please take my hand, and show me the way, But you know the things I always say; To peace and love - in another new day. All the prayers for my dear ones every day. Grant eternal rest to those who have died, And please, dear Lord, stay by my side.

Josephine M. Quinton Extract from ‘The Daily Service Prayer Book’ A Celebration of 70 years of the BBC’s Daily Service

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 30 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Sports Page Football Report St. Anthony’s boys football team have come across some hard teams this season. Our first match we played was against St. Paul’s. It was a friendly and it didn't matter if we lost. In the first half we were playing really well. The full time score was 4-2 to them. The next match we played was another friendly against Elston Hall. They were walking all over us. The full-time was 9-0 to them. The boys hadn't played a game for ages. We'd had lots of training lessons since the Elston Hall game. We were ready to play Woden Primary School. The final score was 1-1. That was a league game. Our 2nd league game was against Rakegate. Craig Davies scored an opening goal. It was a cracker. It gave us a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately they scored as well. The final score was 1-1. The next match was against Dunstall Hill. It was a league and a cup match. The final score was 9-0 to us. The next match was against Old Fallings. It was a league game. At half time it was 2-0 to them. The pressure was on us to come back and we did. The final score was 3-2 to us. We were going to play Green Acres. They cancelled it on the day, which meant we were through to the quarter finals of the Accociation Cup. Our next league game was against Whitgreave. At half time it was 5-0 to us. The full time score was 9-0 to us. In the league we have played 5 games. We have scored 23 goals. We have only conceded 4 goals.In the cup we have played 1 match and we have scored 9 goals. We haven’t conceded any goals. Our top goal scorer is Jamie Aplin. We would like to thank Mr Flanagan and all the people who have helped with the transport and cheered us on. By Anthony Pytlinski, Paul Hayden and Mark Graham. Year 6.

GIRL POWER By Katy Grady and Rebecca Jones On the 6th February (our first football match) the girls played against Bilston Junior School. The full time whistle blew, the girls had won 3-0. Rebecca Jones scored all of them and got the girl of the match. The next match was against Uplands Junior School. At half time the girls were winning 2-0 but in the second half they got back at us by winning 3-2. Girl of the match was Katy Grady, Rebecca Jones scored the goals. The next match was against Collingwood School. We were worried because they beat us last year. We got off to a good start by scoring in the first half but in the second half they got one in, the full time whistle blew 1-1. Rebecca Jones scored the goal and Katy Grady got girl of the match. The next match was away at St Paul’s. We were told they were good. At half time it was 0-0 but we got our act together and scored 2 goals by Rebecca Jones. Colleen Stacey got girl of the match.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 31 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) On Saturday 13th June 1998 a Nuptial Mass was celebrated at St. Anthony’s Church for Stephen Paul James Clemson and Emma Louise Kelly.

The Mass booklet is available on St. Anthony’s website https://www.stanthonysrcchurch.org/mass-booklets

On 30th July 1998 the summer edition of St. Anthony's News was published. Welcome to the 23th edition of our school / parish magazine. Thanks to all the people who contributed to its production: the writers, advertisers, administrative staff and children of the school. Full copy of this publication is available on Appendix 108

In the summer 1968 edition of St Anthony’s News the Births, Marriages and Deaths were published. Baptisms Michael Flaherty Anthony Flaherty Jessica Molly Bampstead Ryan Michael Cook George Anthony Huntbatch Matthew James Blackwell Cally Donna Vincent Ben Downing Leah Jane Hubbard

Marriages David Thomas Wright and Catherine Bernadette Conway Stephen Paul James Clemson and Emma Louise Kelly

Deaths Mary Patricia Reading Francis Gerard Boomer Leonard Fredrick Ball Raymond Curtis

Confirmandi BABARSKI Katie HUBBARD Ian BATE Michelle JONES Rebecca BEARDS Mark KASZUBA Anna BEARDSMORE Benjamin KORBELY Thomas BELCHER Nicola LAMBETH Philip BIALOWAS Martin LANE Jonathan BLOOMFIELD Alida LINES Hollie CLEARY Victoria MAZUR Louise COTTERILL Charlotte McAULIFFE Katie COTTERILL Katherine McGEE Holly COX Gemma MINSHALL Mark COX Kelly MORONEY Laura EVANS Charlotte O’CONNOR Rachelle FARRINGTON Nicola PYTLINSKI Anthony FLAVELL Kelly RUSSELL Kerri GALLAGHER Senan STACEY Colleen GRADY Katy TANSKI Jonathan GRAHAM Mark THOMPSON Tony HART Daniel TOWNLEY Katie HAYNES Samantha Jayne WITCZAK Sebastian

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 32 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) First Communions Daniel Aparo Jamie Harvey-Beach Hannah Mole Thomas Barratt Louise Hayden Callum Moore Siobhan Beirne Daniel Higgins Stephanie Morris Callie Bradley Laura Hill Katie Mulryan Sean Bucknall Jessica Hoyle Kieran O’Donoghue Jonathon Chestnutt Natasha Jackson Joseph Owen Cameron Chumber Danielle Jones Marisa Piazza Danielle Coles Toni Jones Alexander Popadynec Michael Cooke Zophia Kozakiewicz Adam Ralph Laura Cotterill Francesco lacono Abby Savory Andrew Cox Charlotte Leo Sean Stenson Victor Dimakopoulos Thomas Lines Christopher TilIey Hayley Doyle Joanne Lowe Katie Townley Angelo Franco Robert Morgan Lewis Walters Michela Gambino Christopher McDonald Billy Williams Skye Harvey Thomas Meaney Aleksander Witkowski

In the summer 1968 edition of St Anthony’s News the following articles appeared:-

From Our Parish Priest Reflections So we come to the end of another school year, due to the re-organisation of the curriculum , last year their was no First Communion Sunday. and it somehow left a gap. Now we are back to normal. There was the Confirmation Service when 40 candidates received the sacrament from Bishop Philip Pargeter. It is always a pleasure to present the children to the Bishop knowing they have been thoroughly prepared for the ceremony. St. Anthony’s School continues to flourish and parents are more than ever anxious to have their children accepted. But if there is one single gesture that marks the school out, it is because it is Catholic, ie the children are taught catholic faith and are encouraged to grow in a Christian way of life. In addition to academic attainments, the school year is punctuated with daily prayers, celebration of school masses, emphasis on the Christian festivals of Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, Saints days and of course, preparation for the sacraments of Confession, Holy Communion and Confirmation. It gives a whole ethos and feel to the school. Whenever I speak to the children I find they are generally happy in the school. It offers them a secure environment in which to develop and grow in friendships that extend into the senior school. It is surprising (or is it?) how often in later life those Catholic memories so colours the happy memories of school and childhood. Now everyone is preparing for a well earned summer rest. But I hope parents will not allow this to mean an absence from church. The Sunday mass continues all that the school attempts to nourish. To divorce the two is to weaken the good influences in these early years. It is not true that children are automatically ‘bored at mass’. They are readily influenced by the world around them, and a family that unites together at mass, sharing with others in prayer and offering their lives together, can bring confidence and security into a child’s life. May God protect you on your journeys. Rev. Francis Gwinnett

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 33 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) School News Goodbyes Mary Downing has resigned from the school since the birth of baby Ben. Jennifer Hayes has taught Class 1 since January and finishes her contract at the end of term. Yvonne Moorhouse is resigning as a lunchtime Supervisor also at the end of term To these three, we say thank you for all your efforts at St Anthony’s and good luck for the future.

Fund Raising Our Rainbow Day Sponsored Event raised £1300 and it has been decided to put £1000 towards the ‘quiet area’ improvement for the Infant playground and £300 towards books for the library. We are trying to think of other ways to raise money for the playground - any ideas? Many thanks to all who contributed to the voucher collections. We have again been able to claim a computer from Asda and we have ‘banked’ Sainsbury’s vouchers until next year. The annual Gala raised around £1200 to keep the mini bus on the road for another year. Grateful thanks to everyone who supports our fund raising efforts.

Wedding Bells Congratulations to Mary Ramsey who is getting married to Danny in August. We wish them both every happiness and look forward to welcoming the new Mrs Lynch back to school in September.

Sports Report We have had a most successful season across most sports competitions. The trophy haul is as follows;- Rounders Girls Area and Town Champions Boys Area and Town Champions Football Catholic Five-a-Side Tournament - Champions Wolverhampton Primary School Association Cup - Runners Up Swimming Area Champions and four medallists in the Town Championships Cross Country Girls - Area Runners Up and three representatives in the Town Team. Athletics Six individual qualifiers and relay team in the Town Championships.

Congratulations to all the children who participated so successfully and a big THANK YOU to the staff who organised the teams and to parents who supported so loyally. Enjoy the holidays Anne Morgan

Belt Up Why, oh why, can someone explain, When we nurture our children from childbirth - remember the pain? Do parents conveying their loved ones to school, Forget to adhere to the Highway Codes Rule.

They stand on back seats or hang out of the door, To their parents, I beg them, I want to implore, Please check they're in seatbelts safe and secure, To stop and restrain them, it takes seconds more.

Ben, Tom, Bethany, Kate, We all pray to God to deliver them safe. A Concerned Parent

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 34 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Our Trip to the Buddha Vihara On 1st July class 9 went to the Buddha Vihara. It was really good. The first thing we did was look at the statue of Dr. Ambedkar. He was a very poor man, born in India who went to a school for the poor but became very educated and went to 3 universities. There was a statue of Buddha outside under a shelter. We went inside to look at a plaque. We went round the front and met a monk called Venerable Piyatisa who showed us some words and he explained what they meant. Then we went into the shrine room and in there, there were many pictures of Buddha’s life. Before we went to the shrine room, we took off our shoes. There was incense, flowers, vases, glasses and statues of the Buddha. Afterwards we had lots to eat. We learnt a lot about the Buddha and his faith. By Tracy Brindley and Gemma Horton (class 9)

The Magnificat Dance On the 30th June 98 some of class 9 went to St. Michael’s Church to do a dance. It was called the Magnificat. This was to celebrate the catholic school children Mass. I would like to thank Mrs Neale for bringing the tape in and for teaching us the dance. We thank the parents for supporting us and some of the teachers. Mrs Neale was very pleased with us for turning up at school. Mrs Neale was so proud of us because Argentina Vs England was on the T.V. and we still turned up. Laura Grady & Kevin Stacey

NEWS FROM OUR LADY & ST. CHAD RC SCHOOL Our Lady and St. Chad Business Education Centre is situated in Old Fallings Hall which is part Our Lady and St. Chad School buildings. Its function is to provide business information to the local community and the school and offers a wide range of expertise in all aspects of ‘setting up and running your own business.’ Its services form a vital part in assisting the school in areas of commerce and finance. Many small companies run their operation from Old Fallings Hall and when they grow, they move out into larger premises but never lose contact with the Centre. Visitors to the BEC are welcome at any time on a formal or informal basis. An open day for the BEC will shortly be arranged so look out for the posters. If you think the Centre could help you, please contact Wendy Stephenson (telephone 553000).

Our Lady and St. Chad School continues its involvement with the local feeder schools by offering induction and familiarisation days in the school itself and by teachers visiting pupils in their own school environments. Mr Calvert visited St. Anthony’s School Class 9 and presented a history lesson, Mrs Nutting also visited St. Anthony’s School with a dance class she is running and Miss Furguson presented a classes on poetry. On other occasions pupils visited OLSC and had a pottery lesson with Mr Forder, an RE lesson with Mrs Nagorska and Mrs Wanklyn and an IT lesson with Mr Bunton, Mr Lal and Mr Aston. These activities form a vital and essential part in ensuring a smooth transition from a junior school to senior school environment. C.J. COOPER Headteacher

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 35 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) My Prayer Friends Dear Father My friends are those who Listen when I am sad, Laugh with me when I am happy, Are quiet with me when I am tired, And who trust me. God, protect them and let me learn to trust them. Teach me to be as good a friend to them As they are to me . And let me learn to treat you As the best of my friends And trust you. Amen By Elizabeth Scotto Year 4

Pottery at OLSC Half of class 9s children went to OLSC in June to do some pottery Our teacher was Mr Forder We started with a lump of clay We used two rolling guides to help us After that we folded A4 paper We put it on the clay and cut it out We did the same with a tin We put some patterns on the clay and we put it together with slip After it was fired they sent the mugs to St Anthonys for us to paint and to take home OLSC was nice they gave us a drink and biscuits By Brian Jones and Joseph Richards

For better…… My youngest son was married recently to his lovely Emma, on June 13th the Feast of St. Anthony. The day dawned grey and very wet but Michael Fish had prepared us all well for this days in advance so it wasn’t a great surprise. I have to say that this was the only problem, if you can call it that, to occur during a very long day. Everything else went according to plan in fact most things went better than planned! I had some wonderful helpers. A huge thank you to Anne for the flowers and to Heather, Maureen, Gail, Kath, Nicole, Roger, Karen, Daniella, Emily and the two Maggies for all their help with the buffet. The Nuptial Mass was lovely. A large number of the guests were non-Catholics but many of them said what a beautiful service it was. I was particularly pleased that my Dad, who is virtually housebound, was able to be there to share our happy occasion, also that my sister-in-law visiting from Hong Kong could join us. Our friend John played the organ and members of the choir helped us along with the hymns. Emma had chosen to come into church to Canon in D Maj. by Pachelbel. I was unfamiliar with this but it was a good choice. AP. ARENT Full transcript available see Appendix 111

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 36 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Meditation At Our Lady and St. Chad’s School, some pupils from class 9 did meditation. We saw two of the R. E. teachers, Mrs Nagorska and Mrs Wanklyn. First we went to the R. E. room and met Mrs Wanklyn, then we went to the Old House. In there we went into the Chapel, and we sat down on chairs. We were looking at the Tabernacle with the Host inside. Mrs Wanklyn turned out the lights and she lit a few candles. We closed our eyes and we relaxed and then we opened our eyes and listened to some music. We went out of the Chapel and went to the R. E. room to have some biscuits and pop. We went to another R. E. room and met Mrs Nagorska and we drew pictures of what the disciples did for a living, then we went back to school. We really had a nice time. By Daniel Mulryan & Christopher Cleary

Poet’s Corner LIFE IS LIKE A MOUNTAIN CLIMB Life is like a mountain climb as we travel on lifes way, We face the unknown hazards on our journey day by day, For a while the paths seem fair, - then we reach a hidden bend; The grass is slippy, - the stones are loose, - and it feels like journeys end!

But if we are lucky, we have a friend, who gives a helping hand, And so we go on, - and try again, with one who can understand. Then, as we go on we begin to tire, - we fall, and we lie in pain, So we offer a silent prayer to God, to give us strength to go on again.

Then, one day, when we reach the top, and we know its been hard to do; We look around in bewilderment, - as the mist obscures our view, So, with heavy heart we go down again, - and with sadness and dismay; We rest awhile, and plan again, and make up for the short delay.

With determined hope we climb again, - without a backward glance, To overcome the obstacles, - and give ourselves a second chance, We avoid the rough and hazardous path, - and aim for the safer trail, Then ask God’s help when we falter, as His guidance will not fail!

So, when at last, we reach our journey’s end, - we have strived and overcome, All life’s hidden dangers, - and God will smile and say - Well Done!! Josephine Quinton Published by The International Library of Poetry and also chosen for their cassette “The Sound of Poetry”

To raise a simile As good as gold As pitch as black As bold as brass As slack as Alice As cold as ice As flabber as gasted As nice as pie As da is where I go shopping

Have I got the hang of similes now Mr Flanagan? From all your past pupils (and Mr Breeze).

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 37 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Sports Report Athletics On Thursday 2nd July 1998 St. Anthony’s athletics team took part in the Town Championships at Cosford. The people who took part were Rachel Saunders, Craig Davies, Rebecca Jones, Colleen Stacey, Holly McGee, Charlotte Cotteril, Christopher Cleary, Paul Hayden, Anthony Pytlinski, Mark Graham, Tony Tompson and Daniel Hart. Rachel Saunders qualified for the Town finals, her jump was 3.49 mtrs in the long jump. She also won the 600 mtrs race. Colleen Stacey qualified for the rounders throw. Daniel Hart is in the town final, he finished 2nd in the 800 mtrs. Paul Hayden finished first in the obstacle race, Christopher Cleary came 4th in the 400 mtrs. The people who did the girls relay team were Rebecca, Rachel, Holly and Colleen. The girls came first in the relay. In the boys relay team there was Tony, Mark, Anthony and Craig. The boys came 4th because they dropped the baton. By Rachel Saunders and Craig Davies.

The Dolphin My Dearest The dolphin my dearest never plays with a doll The daddy long legs does not have a dad The green fly doesn’t eat greens The spider doesn’t like to spy The parrot doesn’t rot when he dies The hamster doesn’t eat ham The whale doesn’t like ale The guinea pig isn’t a pig The elephant doesn’t eat ants The orang-utan doesn’t get a tan The caterpillar doesn’t have a cat as a pet The Jellyfish doesn’t like jelly The chipmunk was never a monk The tiger never wears a tie The shark didn’t go into the ark. Abigail Grey Year 5

On 6th September 1998 the Annual Pilgrimage and Mass to the Shrine on The English Martys at Harvington Hall took place. Rev. Hon. Piers Grant- Ferris was the Chief Concelebrant and Preacher

The Mass booklet is available on St. Anthony’s website https://www.stanthonysrcchurch.org/mass-booklets

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 38 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) On 14th December 1998 the autumn edition of St. Anthony's News was published. Welcome to the 24th edition of our school / parish magazine. Thanks to all the people who contributed to its production: the writers, advertisers, administrative staff and children of the school. Full copy of this publication is available on Appendix 112

In the autumn 1968 edition of St Anthony’s News the Births, Marriages and Deaths were published. Baptisms Adam Lewis Sands Jonathan Phillip Murphy William John Edwards James Luke Billingsley

Marriages Shaun Ivan Bampstead and Claire Helen Kelly Matthew James Huntbatch and Donna Marie Jones

Deaths Bronius Krikcuinas Mary Bridget Hodson Agnes Lillian Dowen Dorothy Irene Owen James Hanley Hilda Williams Elizabeth May Jones Kathleen Evelyn Barlow John O’Malley Anthony Walter Cosgriff Anne Jones Charles Rutter James O’Toole Teresa Goode Raymond Curtis

In the autumn edition of St Anthony’s News the following articles appeared:- School News

Staff Update We have been delighted to welcome Sue McElhone who is doing a great job as Lunchtime Administrator of the new Flexible Meals System. She also has a part time contract as a Classroom Assistant.

Literacy Hour With some fear and trepidation, staff faced up to the task of providing a very structured literacy hour, which was in full swing in all classes by November. It is certainly extremely demanding in its preparation, but the children seem to be really enjoying the sessions and the bright exciting ‘big books’. We will make our judgements on the success of this initiative when we measure progress made by the end of the school year.

Field of Hope Most families at some time sadly have to cope with loved ones suffering from cancer in one form or another. This has certainly been true within our own school family during the past year. We decided to raise money for the Marie Curie Cancer Care Charity which provides funds for research and also employs nurses to care for the terminally ill in their own homes. Through our Harvest Sale and Raffle and together with ingenious fund raising efforts by all classes, we were able to present a cheque for £300 to this most worthwhile cause. In return the school was presented with over 1000 daffodil bulbs which all the children have helped to plant in front of the school. This will be our Field of Hope and when they bloom in the Spring the daffodils will be a reminder that there is hope for these diagnosed as suffering from cancer.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 39 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) We will continue to pray for further success in developing cures for this terrible disease.

Farewells We are very sorry to say goodbye to Geoffrey Stirling who has been our pianist for the past three years. He is a great character whose kindness and sense of humour will be sadly missed when he retires at the end of term. However we look forward to seeing him at church and wish him good health and happiness in the future. We would also like to thank Mr Cooper who is leaving Our Lady and St. Chad’s School where he has been Headmaster for the past seventeen years. He has been a great supporter of St. Anthony’s School and we wish him success and happiness in his new post with Wolverhampton Education Authority.

All the School - children, staff, governors and parents would like to wish Fr Gwinnett a long and happy retirement and thank him for all his support of our School. The children particularly hope that Sally and Judy will be very happy in their new surroundings. The end has been highlighted by seeing the affectionate greetings between children and dogs which always takes place in the Sacristy. We hope to see Father, Sally and Judy on many more occasions.

We are also looking forward to a long and happy association with Fr Meehan who becomes our new Parish Priest in 1999. Finally a happy and holy Christmas to all the parish from all the School. Anne Morgan

Our Visit To The Wolverhampton Art Gallery On the 25th November we visited the Art Gallery to look at some Victorian paintings. There were many Victorian artefacts and paintings in a special room. The woman there showed us some real Victorian pictures before we started. She then split us up into different groups. She asked us be detectives and study different things. We did light, heat and comfort. We found out lots of information about our subject. We also had to read aloud our findings. Afterwards we tried tasting some camomile tea. The Victorians drank this a lot. We learnt a lot about the Victorians through paintings that day and we enjoyed it a lot. By Gemma Horton

MADE FLESH This is being written in November and you will probably read it during Advent so one’s thoughts are very much on endings and new beginnings. It is not long since we commemorated the first anniversary of the untimely death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Her passing left a great feeling of loss in the country and a wish to perpetuate her memory as a way of coming to terms with her passing. This desire has almost escalated into a cult where some people would have her Royal Highness considered immortal. In this life no one is immortal although medical science seems to be attempting to achieve this by the manipulation of D.N.A., the introduction of anti-ageing pills and ‘spare parts” surgery. Whilst these “advances” in medical science are God-given abilities, they can and should be controlled by that little voice which tells us that all that could be done should not necessarily be done; and that immortality for us is not in this life but can be achieved through the hope given to us at Christmas and its inevitable consequence - Easter.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 40 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) If we can truly accept the promise of Christmas and the assurance of Easter then we will be able to say “Death where is thy sting?” - No need for spare parts or pills for we will be made whole in His Kingdom. J Cuthbert

Looking Back. When I was younger I would rarely reminisce. Rather I would look forward and say things like “when the children are grown”, “Maybe next year” or “When the house is paid for”. I could never see the appeal of looking back. There was always so much to plan but we all know about the “best laid plans”. Perhaps reminiscing is something that comes to you when it becomes obvious that there are more years behind you than in front. This latest bout of nostalgia was triggered by the sight of that vast expanse of land where Wobaston Road meets Stafford Road . My husband used to work there when it was Turner Manufacturing many years ago. It was a family run business then owned by the Dumbell family and many hundreds of families in Wolverhampton owed their livelihoods to them. It occurred to me that when - if we have grandchildren we won’t be able to say “Granddad used to work there” . Soon it’s very existence will be forgotten just like the E.C.C. further down the Stafford Road. AP. ARENT Full transcript available see Appendix 115

REINDEER NIBBLES These are really yummy ‘no cook’ sweets

You will need: 125g (4oz) Dried fruit 15g (1/2 oz) Glace Cherries 225g (8oz) Cornflakes 125g (4oz) Shredded Coconut ½ tsp vanilla essence 300ml (1/2 pint) condensed milk

Start by chopping up the cherries and the fruit. Put them a bowl Add the coconut and the vanilla essence. Crush the cornflakes in a bag and add these to your mixture.

Pour in the condensed milk a little at a time to bind everything together. You may not need it all - you don't want the mixture to be too sticky! Now make shapes out of the mixture. Roll them into little balls, or try and model shapes with your cutters. To decorate them, you could roll them in vermicelli or drinking chocolate powder.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 41 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Christmas Masses 1998

Christmas Eve Morning 10.00 am Christmas Day 8.00 am Carols 7.30 pm Family Mass with Carols 10.00 am Mass of the Nativity 8.00 pm Saturday Feast of St Stephen 10.00 am Confessions Christmas Eve 10:30 to 12 noon

My Visit To The Black Country Museum. On Friday 13th November we went to the Black Country museum. First we went into a Victorian toll house where people had to pay to get past the house (Only in Victorian times.) We saw the slanted stones up the wall to stop people from using it as a public toilet! Then we went into the deep dark mines. Mrs. Lynch, Margaret and I went in together, we were all really scared. It was very dark. When we finally got out we had a look in the engine house. Kerry (our guide) showed us one of the most dangerous things from the mine, it was one of the most popular ways that people were killed. The men that worked in the mine would sit in the bucket or cage and they would get lowered down into the mine. Most people fell out of it. Then we went to the crooked house, it was crooked because some mine accidents had made it slant. A rich family lived there they were called the Bradleys. Also we went to the general store, it had almost everything in there because they didn't want people going into the other shops to buy things. We went into the bakery. We were told that ladies would go in there for sherry. They would sit behind a big board so that nobody saw them. After that we went to that dreaded place, yes you've got it SCHOOL!!! I was really scared because you weren't allowed to wear rings, but I had two of them on! I'm glad I didn't get the cane! Michael Roberts nearly did though, he didn't say his alphabet backwards right. Then finally we went on the fair, l had a great day. By Kelly Mayers.

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Children's Poems

SHEEP DOG. Sea The sheep dog stalking like a lion, The sea is as calm as a baby sleeping, Gathering the sheep, Rocking and waving like a child on a swing, White as the whitest flower. Silent as a small pindrop falling on to the carpet, Listening to his masters whistle, it is as smooth as a babies bottom, Like the wind on a cold winters day. Running as fast as a flash of lightning. But sometimes it can be as dangerous as a t-rex, Standing as noble as a king on his throne, And as noisy as Mrs Lynch Shouting As he wins the competition once more. By Brian Jones By Kelly Mayers.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 42 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) The Colours As green as the leaves hanging from the trees. As blue as the calm gentle sea brushing by the shore. As yellow as a sunflower spreading its petals out to the sun. As red as a rose growing in the field with bright red petals. As white as the new fallen snow ready to be played in. These are the beautiful colours of the rainbow. By Simon Bennett

The Rattlesnake. Rattlesnake, It's tongue shoots out like a party blower, The teeth are as sharp as a pack of piranhas, And the tail vibrates like a mad baby with a rattle, But it shoots for its prey like a Rocket on fire. The skin is like a PVC covering, As the eyes look at you with a deadly stare. Carl Watkins (C11)

Tree On a windy day the branches are swaying like a happy child on a swing. I walk over to the tree and what do I see the big long trunk rough as concrete that the sun has set her rays on. The leaves are floating like the birds in the air. The twigs are thin. Thin as the thistles on a paintbrush. It is wonderful. As wonderful as my dreams. By Natalie Moroney

Autumn In Autumn the leaves fall off the trees as rough as diamonds brown as wood. The tree is very rough and bumpy like a rock. The tree is as big as a tower. By Luke Cotterill

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 43 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) THE SOUND OF LOVE THE CHRISTMAS BELLS ARE RINGING OUT THEIR MESSAGE OF GOOD CHEER, SPREADING GOD’S WORD OF PEACE AND LOVE TO NATIONS FAR AND NEAR’

SO LISTEN GOOD PEOPLE TO WHAT THEY SAY IT IS THERE FOR MANKIND TO SHARE, THAT WONDERFUL GIFT GOD SENT FROM ABOVE IN THAT STABLE SO POOR AND BARE.

HE SENT HIS SON SO THAT WE WOULD KNOW HOW TO LIVE AND LOVE WITHOUT STRIFE, TO BLOT OUT HATRED AND SELFISHNESS AND TAKE STOCK OF WHAT WE’RE DOING WITH LIFE.

TO HANG DECORATIONS AND DRESS A FIR TREE LOOKS ATTRACTIVE AND PRETTY WE KNOW, BUT IF IN DOING THIS - OUR DEAR LORD IS PUSHED OUT YOU’LL MISS HIS LAST MAGNIFICENT SHOW.

CHRISTMAS DAY IS HIS BIRTHDAY SO SEND A GREETING TO HIM I BESEECH, BY VISITING HIM IN HIS HOLY HOUSE YOU WILL FIND HE IS NOT OUT OF REACH.

JUST TELL HIM YOU LOVE HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND THAT YOU ARE DOING THE BEST YOU CAN. MANY BLESSINGS UPON YOU HE WILL BE BESTOW AS HE UNDERSTANDS THE FAILINGS OF MAN.

SO TAKE SOME TIME TO UNITE WITH HIM IN PRAYER INSPITE OF HAIL, SNOW OR RAIN, JUST KNEEL AND TELL HIM YOU LOVE HIM THEN HE’LL KNOW HE DIDN’T SUFFER IN VAIN.

SO CELEBRATE THIS DAY WITH TRUE MEANING OF WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT MANGER FAR AWAY, AND YOU WILL FIND THAT YOU AND YOURS WILL HAVE A HAPPY FULFILLED CHRISTMAS DAY.

THE BELLS BRING A MESSAGE FROM THE HOLY DOVE, IT INTERPRETS TO US, “THE SOUND OF LOVE” Connie McGee

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 44 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Poets Corner When Autumn Comes The leaves have turned to copper, gold and flame, The reaper’s work is finished, and the harvests in again, And wistfully, our thoughts return, to the promises of Spring, To all the dreams that were fulfilled, and the memories that cling, When Autumn comes.

The happy days of Summer, are just a memory, Of gardens filled with brightest flowers, and long hours beside the sea, The fresh clear air of Summer, new mown hay, and morning dew, Will linger in our memory, to last all Winter through, When Autumn comes.

A melancholy sadness, seems to fill the heart, As we watch the sturdy oak tree, trying not to part, From the one remaining leaf, still clinging to it’s bough, And we know that Winter’s on it’s way, and will soon be with us now, When Autumn comes.

But we know when Winter comes, that Spring is not far away, That the birds will live to sing their song, on a not far distant day, And we know that leaves must die, so that the tree will live again, So, for a while, our dreams must die, like a bitter sweet refrain, When Autumn comes. Josephine M Quinton

FRIENDSHIP As I approach friendship I feel as warm as a spring day, When I have friendship I feel as safe as a baby in it's mother’s arms. Once I lose friendship I feel sad, cold and guilty like a winter’s day. By Jamie Mayers

GIRLS FOOTBALL REPORT On Tuesday 2nd November St. Anthony's girl's football team played a cup game at home against Holy Rosary. ft was a really foggy afternoon and at the beginning of the match we could just about see the two sets of goal Posts.

The first half was dominated by St. Anthony's who scored 1 goal, by Ashleigh Turner, and had one cleared off the line and two other chances going the wrong side of the goal posts. Casey Harley, St Anthony's goalkeeper, saved two goal scoring chances from Holy Rosary. The second half was the again dominated by St. Anthony's with Rachael Saunders having a goal scoring chance saved and Ashleigh Turner and Marisa Piazza also having chances going the wrong side of the post. Holy Rosary, finally equalised late into the second half with a really lucky goal help by the ever thickening fog. The team played really well, as it was our first match together. The final scored was 1 - 1

As it was a cup match the game will have to be replayed Details of this match to come soon.

The team would like to thank Mrs. Lynch and Miss Farley for their help in making us a team and also our supporters for coming and watching us play on such a horrible afternoon. Ashley Turner (C11)

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 45 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's Season Report St Anthony's season has been successful so far, by winning every game we have played.

Our first eleven are;- Nicholas Pitlinsky Richard Hillman Ryan Walsh Christopher Cleary Neil Brindley Craig Davies Christopher Enefer Daniel Mulryan Jamie Witkowski Jamie Aplin Oliver Peddie Guseppi Borsolino.

Our team has very talented players. Craig Davies plays for Birmingham City and Ryan Walsh plays for Walsall F.C. and they both play for Wolverhampton Town Schools. Our first game we played we beat Priory Green six one. Our second game we beat Oak Meadow two one. Our last game we played The Giffard in a cup match and we managed to beat them beat them four one. Elston Hall here we come! Craig Davis/Ryan Walsh (C11)

1999            

Fr. Anthony Meehan succeeded Fr. Frank Gwinett in 1999 and served till 2004

On 30th March 1999 the spring edition of St. Anthony's News was published. Welcome to the 25th edition of our school / parish magazine. Thanks to all the people who contributed to its production: the writers, advertisers, administrative staff and children of the school. Full copy of this publication is available on Appendix 117

In the spring 1969 edition of St Anthony’s News the Births and Deaths were published. Baptisms Tammy Ann Jarvis Callum John Doyle Olivia Niamh Wright Adam Lewis Sands Lara Rose Blakemore Samantha Jayne Rushbury

Deaths Eileen Jackson Richard Thomas Jones Nora Josephine Gallagher Anne Howells Sean Fahy Alfred Czingiszer Ernest George Rowley Mark James Fisher Luke Conroy

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 46 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) In the spring 1969 edition of St Anthony’s News the following articles appeared:- From Our Parish Priest Reflections It was in the early part of November last year when I was first asked by the Archbishop to become parish priest of “St Anthony's Fordhouses.” At the time, I wasn’t sure where the parish was located, except that it was somewhere in or near Wolverhampton. Without really knowing quite what I had let myself in for, I said “Yes”. A few days later, with my A-Z to hand, and having gleaned as much information as I could from various sources, I arranged my first meeting with Fr. Gwinnett. With great kindness he showed me round and reassured me how nice the parish was, and how friendly its people were. Priest colleagues, too, remarked how fortunate I was to be appointed here. Since arriving in the latter part of January, I find no reason to doubt their word. This is a friendly and hospitable place, and I am most grateful to everyone for making me feel so welcome and at home. I feel excited by the new challenge of becoming a parish priest for the first time. I am also a little daunted by the demands in store for me. It is often said that changing jobs and moving house are two of the most stressful things you ever do in life. So it has proved. Nonetheless, I am sure that in time I will settle and be very happy here. I promise that I shall try to serve you well as a priest and I ask for your prayers and support in return. May I also say how grateful and impressed I have been by the many ways in which you, the people of St Anthony's, serve the parish so generously through your own Christian ministry. There is a deep pool of pastoral talent and good will here which I shall always try to appreciate and foster. Together let us continue to make Christ's Good News heard. Finally, as the great celebration of Easter approaches, let us reflect on its true meaning for our lives-. The Cross and Resurrection reveal the love of Christ for each of us as well as the fact that even in the midst of life's disappointments, difficulties and trials, there is always hope. With an appreciation of how much God cares for us, let us try to show that same care for each other. May the joy and peace of the Risen Christ be with you all this Eastertide. With every blessing,

School News New Faces There have been two recruits to the staff this term. Julia Saunders has taken charge of the new reception class and Samantha Barratt has succeeded Geoffrey Stirling as the school pianist. Samantha also teaches recorder and accompanies the choir and percussion groups. We welcome them both to St. Anthony’s

Save Our Bus - Update In January the School/Parish Mini Bus failed the MOT due to new legislation relating to height of seats and fitting of seat belts. The estimated cost to replace and fit new seats was almost £6,000. Following an article in the Express and Star great community spirit came to the fore - the School Governors donated £1,000, parishioners contributed amounts totalling around £200, Tony Coles, a parent of two children at the school, was sponsored to have his head shaved and raised about £300 - and all the children took part in a ‘Sponsored Bounce’ which I am sure will raise a significant amount of money. ‘Mac’ of the Royal Mail saw the article and decided it was ‘pay back time’ as the school had helped his appeal for articles to take to Romania back in 1995. The Royal Mail have made a tremendous gesture of offering to fit the new seats free of charge.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 47 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) The SVP have also appealed to their Central Council for some funding for this project. At the moment we are negotiating the best deal to purchase the seats and then the Royal Mail can get to work. Hopefully the St. Anthony’s Mini Bus will soon be on the road and ferrying children and parishioners as usual. Many thanks to all who have helped towards ensuring a successful solution to what seemed an impossible problem.

A Tale of Three Locks January - a class of 32 children and the Deputy Headteacher were imprisoned in class 6 when the lock seized-up. They were fortunately freed by our local firm of St. Anthony’s locksmiths (Cresslock and Safe Co.) before the classroom became damper inside than the weather was outside ! February - on returning home one Sunday lunchtime I got out of my husband’s car only for the wind to catch my skirt and shut it firmly in the lock as the door slammed. No amount of trying to release the skirt and open the door was succeeding and tempers were getting fraught. Eventually a long coat was brought out to me and hoping no one was watching, I had to step out of the skirt and grab the coat around me ! March - I was alerted to a crisis on the car park at 9.05 am. A mother taking her 5 year old son into school had left a 2 year old strapped in his car seat in the back of the car. One minute later she had returned to find he had got out of his seat and put the catch down on the central locking - Yes her keys were in the car ! Despite all efforts to cajole him to pull up the catch or open the window he only gazed in amazement as a crowd comprising of his mother, her friend, two governors, two policemen, one locksmith (courtesy of Cresslock and Safe Co. again) and myself all tried to solve the problem without breaking a window or damaging locks. Eventually at the suggestion of the police we all hid behind other cars and left his mother to talk to her little terror. One minute later he partially opened a window and the crisis was over. Obviously he decided it was no fun without an audience but the drama had lasted an hour ! Happy Easter to you all. Anne Morgan

A Visit to the Black Country Museum We waited outside for what seemed like an hour. Then we got in (phew!) just about. We went round the village and into the chemists, a home, the bakers, ironmongers, the chain makers, and the one I threw up in, the sweet shop. Next stop, the fair. Whoopee! what a ride, up and down, round and round! I bought a bag of gummy sweets. When we left I swore I would come again. Katie Allen, Class 9

Murder at St. Chad’s Last term we went to St. Chad’s and did a murder mystery on a sheet. We had to test different materials. We filtered and measured shoes to the footprint. We used chemicals and Bunsen burners and then we had to write the evidence down on paper. In the end the murderer was the teacher! Cecilia Konowalczuk, Class 11.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 48 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Folk Group Well, we’re still here after a few years. We really enjoy our practices on Thursday evenings as much as singing at Mass. The thing is, we would like more people to join us. After all why should we have all that enjoyment for ourselves? Now here’s an idea! Why don’t YOU come and join us. Your Thursday evenings won’t be the same again. Well, did our UP FRONT approach work? If it did, Yippee. Speak to one of the group or give your name to Fr. Tony.

Resolutions We are grown up now and we are doing more difficult work like for instance we have three New Year’s resolutions. We have Social ( being nice around friends), Academic (school work), and Routine (doing usual things). We put our resolutions on heraldry shields that are up on the display wall in class. We will try extra hard to achieve these goals no matter what. Joseph Richards, Class 11

Other Religions When we went to the Buddhist temple we were learning about other religions and different languages. There were different coloured skins to mine. There was a Buddha called the Great Buddha. You had to always face the Great Buddha, you must never turn your back to him. Daniel Mulryan, Class 11

Mary who???? I was in ‘Powerhouse’ recently with my mom. We were there to buy a video player and making idle conversation with the sales person I asked, pointing at the wall to wall display, proclaiming the wonders of digital television “Are they selling well, digital - televisions” “There’s no such thing as a digital television” came the sharp reply. Ouch! That’s told you, I thought. But it did get me thinking about the first time we had a television. I was nine, maybe ten. I arrived home from school and there it was, Rediffusion - wired vision. I can remember the very programme that was showing. It was ‘Four Feather Falls’, which I believe the first Gerry Anderson production, the forerunner of ‘Stingray’, ‘Fireball XLV’, ‘Thunderbirds’ and the rest. I was spellbound, totally captivated even though you could clearly see the strings. AP. ARENT Full transcript available see Appendix 121

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 49 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) CHERRY EASTER RING

175g (6oz) butter, softened 175g (6oz) caster sugar 3 eggs, beaten few drops almond essence 100g (4oz) self-raising flour 50g (2oz) plain flour 50g (2oz) ground almonds 2tbsp cornflour 200g (7oz) French glacé cherries, washed and halved 100g (4oz) icing sugar walnut halves, to decorate

If you don't have a ring shaped cake tin, you can bake the cake in a 23x23cm /9x9in square cake tin Double the quantity of icing to cover the surface of the cake.

Serves : 8-10 Preparation time : 30 mins Cooking time : 35-40 mins Wine Suggestion Moscato Spumante 75c1.

 Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/ Gas 4. Grease and base-line a 23cm/ 9in ring-shaped cake tin. Place the butter, sugar, eggs, almond essence and self-raising flour in a large bowl and beat until smooth.  In another bowl, mix the plain flour, almonds and cornflour. Reserve four cherry halves for decoration and toss the remainder with the plain flour mixture.  Fold into the egg mixture, spoon into the cake tin and spread evenly. Bake for 35-40 minutes until a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean.  Trim the top of the cake level with a sharp knife and allow to cool in the tin for 5 minutes. Turn out on to a wire rack, which has a large plate underneath it, and leave to cool.  Sift the icing sugar into a bowl. Gradually beat in four to five teaspoons of warm water until the icing is smooth and runny but not too thin. Pour the icing over the cake and allow it to dribble down the sides. Decorate with the reserved cherries and walnut halves.

The Year of the Father John Paul 11 has invited us to celebrate 1999 as the year of the Father. What is your image of the Father? It is easy to have a picture in our minds of Jesus Christ, we can even have one of the Holy Spirit - the Dove: but the Father? Do you picture Him as an old man with a long flowing beard as depicted in Renaissance paintings? Modern attitudes are certainly opposed to this simplistic view, the automatic prestige accorded to fatherhood is somewhat in abeyance nowadays. If we are made in the image and likeness of God, male and female, all our characteristics, masculine and feminine, are god-like. This surely means that just as a man is not the complete image neither is a woman. However there has been over the two millennia a masculine bias in the church. It cannot be denied that Jesus Himself was a man and he also taught us to pray ‘Our Father...’ Nearly all the Liturgical prayers begin God, Lord or Father and end with such words as ‘We ask this through Christ your Son...... ’ because Jesus himself taught us to pray in His name to the Father.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 50 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) The Pope urges us to live our lives as on a journey to the Father. He calls it a journey of authentic conversion, being liberated from sin and choosing the good. In 1999 we must all start to think of the positive reconciliation with all people, which is to be the keynote of the year of Jubilee, 2000. His Holiness recalls that there is another name by which we know God. God is love and so the church remembers its preferential option for the poor and the outcast, which raises the question of international debt currently being discussed. Pope John Paul proposes two commitments for this last year: meeting the challenge of secularism, and dialogue between religions, especially Christians, Muslims and Jews. Every thing we do this year is the last of its kind this millennium, the last Lent, the last Easter. To help to make it memorable could we not use the rest of Lent and especially the great feast of Easter through our prayer, fasting and almsgiving to make our entry into the twenty-first century more meaningful, more in line with the Pope’s aspirations for mankind, and to bring us all closer to the Beatific Vision. John Cuthbert

Church Visit Classes 10 and 11 went to St. Peter’s Church for the day. When we arrived at the church we walked to the middle, sat down and sang the Open Door hymn. After the hymn Mr Flanagan showed us round the church we looked at things like the font, the pulpit, the Lady Chapel, the war memorial chapel and the nave altar. Then it was time to go into the groups we had been put in. In my group I made a plate and a cup. I got really excited when I was ringing the bells. After lunch it was time to let the people see what we had done and then it was time to go back to school. Christopher Cleary, Class 11

Fair Trading One of the ways in which we can help people in developing countries is to buy goods which have been ‘Fair Traded’. That means that the workers who produced the goods have been paid properly and have decent working conditions. Most of the big supermarkets now stock goods which have been produced within a code of good practice. Coffee - CAFÉ DIRECT, PERCOL and CLIPPER tea are good quality products which cost as much as the better quality coffees and teas. They taste good and you feel good knowing that your purchase is helping people to help themselves. SAINSBURY, SAFEWAY, CO-OP and ASDA are examples of stores which stock fairtrade goods. If we buy it the stores will continue to stock it and so it goes on. Try It ! Ask Trevor Stockton for more information.

Quotations 'He dribbles a lot and the opposition don't like it - you can see it all over their faces.' Ron Atkinson I couldn't settle in Italy - it was like living in a foreign country.' Ian Rush “I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered.' George Best 'Gary always weighed up his options, especially when he had no choice.'

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 51 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Kevin Keegan 'I would not say he ( David Ginola) is the best left winger in the Premiership, but there are none better.' Ron Atkinson Here we are in the Holy Land of Israel - a Mecca for tourists.' David Vine 'Her time is about 4.33, which she's capable of.' David Coleman 'Strangely, in slow motion replay, the ball seemed to hang in the air for even longer.' David Acfield 'We'll still be happy if we lose. It's on at the same time as the Beer Festival' Noel O' Mahony 'I'd like to play for an Italian club, like Barcelona' Mark Draper ‘ What will you do when you leave football, Jack - will you stay in football?' Stuart Hall

ANIMAL MAN The animal man lady person came on Monday the 25th with her mysterious boxes. She got us to fold our arms before she pulled the animal out of the box. It was a snake, a baby Indian python, AAARRRRRHHHHH!!!!! she gave us lots of information about it and now we know. She made us fold our arms once again for the snowy owl. The snowy owl kept bobbing her head up and down and flapping her wings and when the lady told her to stop she did it right away. She was only a baby, AAARRRRHHH!'.!!!! We had even more information about her too. The lady put back the owl and then took out the smelly pole cat. We had lots of information about him too but while she was saying this it looked like he was going to have her finger for tea and kept trying to get of the table. Then last but not least she brought out the snappy turtle. We had lots of information about this one too but she had to hold it by the tail or she could say goodbye to her full hand of fingers. We weren't allowed to stroke the owl or turtle because she said it would hurt the owl's wings some way or another and the turtle would snap our fingers off so she only brought round the snake and the smelly pole cat. First of all we stroked the pole cat and our hands stunk afterwards. Then we stroked the snake with the back of our hand. She said she was short on time so she had to go. By Allie Spencer and Katie Allen

Cafod Thanks to everyone who contributed to our total of (almost) £2,000 raised by our parish in 1998. In the build up to the year 2000, let’s try to raise £2,000 this year for the work of CAFOD. Last year we raised funds for health projects in the third world/developing countries. This year we are raising funds for educational projects. Thank you for all your support, keep praying for people who suffer injustice, persecution and poverty.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 52 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) News from Our Lady & St. Chad School FAREWELL TO MR. COOPER The end of last term saw the departure of Cyril Cooper, Headteacher at Our Lady and St. Chad for seventeen years. Mr. Cooper's final week was, in many ways, a celebration of all that the school has achieved under his leadership. He leaves behind him a successful and happy school in which all pupils have the opportunity to succeed. The successes of the school was clearly demonstrated in 1996 when the OFSTED report included the following conclusions: “Our Lady and St. Chad is a popular and successful school. It is deservedly held in high regard and affection by parents, the wide community it serves and by its pupils and staff. The staff teaching and non-teaching, are very hard working, loyal and highly committed to the school and its work. Pupils are learning effectively and making good progress. The school successfully promotes the spiritual moral social and cultural development of its pupils". This success was emphasised more recently by a national newspaper.

YOUNG ENTERPRISE PROJECT A Group of sixth form students from 3 local Wolverhampton schools have been testing out their newly acquired business enterprise skills by creating their own company as part of the Young Enterprise scheme. The students are currently studying GNVQ Business Studies. The students own company, Zodiac, has been busy producing a variety of products to be sold at the three ‘Triangle’ schools and at several organised Trade Fairs in and around Wolverhampton. Zodiac products include hand decorated display plates, computer dust covers and printed mouse mats all echoing the theme of the signs of the Zodiac. Ruth Sutton, Luanda Hudson, Stephen Parry and Adam Bright were runners up in the Young Enterprise Wolverhampton Trade Fair, 30th Jan 1999. Taking part in such a scheme has provided tremendous opportunities for the students to develop creativity and innovation as well as enabling them to experience the highs and lows of real business, and hopefully prepares them for employment next year.

THE BRIDGE The Bridge is a BBC Television Programme. The stars of this documentary were undoubtedly members of form 7JS. They were filmed in their lessons and during break, in the first weeks of the Autumn term. Unfortunately the programme was broadcast at 5.30am. Copies of the video are in school and available for viewing. Ex St Anthony’s children featured in the film were ;- Michelle Bate, Katy Grady, Rebecca Jones, Kerri Russell

6th FORM NEWS A record number of Year 11 students and their parents turned up for an information evening on opportunities for study in the 6th form. It looks as if this next 6th form will be our biggest and our best.

BADMINTON The Wolverhampton Schools badminton Championships - Junior Girls were held in January at Our Lady and St Chad. Singles Winner Genervive Banton Doubles Winners Genervive Banton & Amy Daly Doubles Runners-up Emma Mate & Lisa Kucharski

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 53 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) All of our teams entered into the spirit of the championship and gave their best and have plenty to be proud of. Well done to:- Kelly Yates, Catherine Cleary, Kathy Smith, Joanna Williams, Vicky Brough and Jasdeep Bal.

FOOTBALL Our Girls in the Under 14s team are to be congratulated for getting through to the Final of the Jimmy Mullen trophy which will take place in April.

YEAR SEVEN Well done to the following Year 7 pupils who during their first term in school were awarded top marks for their work. Amandeep Bachra, Mark Beards, Nichola Burke, Victoria Cleary, Samantha Cund , Rachel Hyde, Deborah Jones, Cheryl Lewis, Michael Paddock, Michelle Perry and Sheree-Leigh Woodall

“SPRING” SPRING ! A TIME OF NEW BEGINNINGS IN THIS LOVELY WORLD OF OURS, THE SOUND OF BIRDSONG, LOUDER NOW, THE BLOSSOM AND THE FLOWERS.

IT IS A TIME OF NEW BEGINNINGS IN OURSELVES, ESPECIALLY NOW, TO CHANGE THE THINGS THAT HOLD US BACK, AND MAKE AMENDS SOMEHOW.

THERE WILL BE OTHER NEW BEGINNINGS TOO, WITH THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND DAWNING NEAR, AND WE WILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO THINK ABOUT, IN THIS VERY SPECIAL YEAR.

BUT, MOST OF ALL WE MUST ASK GOD’S HELP IN EVERY PRAYER WE SAY, TO BRING SPRINGTIME TO OUR HEARTS AND MINDS, THROUGH EVERY SINGLE DAY. Josephine Quinton 21st March 1999

Football Fever Hits St. Anthony’s St. Anthony's 4- aside football team started extremely well by winning their first group matches in the Wolverhampton Chronicle football tournament. The team worked well as a unit to overcome the opposing teams. Each match got tougher and tougher but St. Anthony's team spirit was exceptional as they kept their cool. Only St. Alban’s were able to breach the St Anthony's formidable back line. Nevertheless the team made it to the finals night. Craig Davies was delighted to lift the Wolverhampton Chronicle trophy after St. Anthony's put in an excellent performance on the finals night. The trophy now sits proudly in the school cabinet for all to see. Next the boys travelled to West Bromwich for the West Midlands 4 -aside football trophy.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 54 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Two unfortunate things happened that evening, the team came second by a couple of points but worst of all Mr FIanagan had his car stolen by some mindless thieves. By Craig Davies, Richard Hillman and Daniel Mulryan

Crucial Crew Before we went to Crucial Crew I was really excited. We were going to learn about safety. When we arrived we were put into planned groups. I was already happy but to make me happier I was in my best friend Gemma’s group. We did lots of activities but my favourite one was going into a smoke-filled room. My group had to kneel on the floor. I felt very nervous but I knew I was going to be fine. When I came out I was coughing a bit. After that it was time to return to school and when I got back I felt I had really enjoyed myself. It had been a very interesting day. Tracey Brindley, Class 11.

Cannock Heritage Centre My favourite part of last year was our trip to the Cannock Heritage Centre. I thought it was great. My favourite of the day was when we made some paper gas masks and had a pretend blackout. We also had to take cover under the tables. Another good part of the day was when we went to the gift shop. there were lots of good things to buy. At the start of the day we tried on some Word War Two clothes and looked at some real gas masks including one for a baby. Ryan Walsh, Class 11.

Painting On Friday afternoons last term it was excitement all over. It was time for Matisse Art! I produced some good work like Henri Matisse’s, my best piece was called “Jazzy”. The one thing I liked was the beautiful colours, they beamed into your eyes, and they stood out like black on white. At the end of a lesson it is always messy from all the leftovers of the bits of cut out papers. We tidied up as much as we could but I always knew the cleaners had a hard job after school. Carl Watkins, Class 11.

On 30th July 1999 the summer edition of St. Anthony's News was published. Welcome to the 26th edition of our school / parish magazine. Thanks to all the people who contributed to its production: the writers, advertisers, administrative staff and children of the school. Full copy of this publication is available on Appendix 122

In the summer 1999 edition of St Anthony’s News the Births, Marriages and Deaths were published.

Baptisms Alice Rose Hoyle Connor Liam Slater-Stenson Morgan Michael Dalton Calum James William Downs Joseph Lennon Shenston Thomas Rhys Knowles Autumn Jade Knowles Nicholas Orme Oliver George Bull Ryan James Marron Evie Sian Hughes Grace Rachel Wylde Lily Felicia Broberg Henry James Breen Barnaby George Breen Eithan James Wynne Scott Peter Gay Amy-Beth Josie Watson

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 55 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Marriages Lee Martin Stokes and Theresa Marie Jackson Robert Barrett and Helen Margaret Toal Ian Stuart Hallam and Melanie Jane Jones

Deaths John Thomas (Jack) Clemson Brigid (Bridie) O’Sullivan Stanley (David) Green

First Communicants 1999 Christopher Adams Emma Allen James Barratt Sarah Breakwell Angela Cleary Hannah Creaven Luke Downes Liam Egan Daniel Evans Adam Farr Kirsty Gay Richard Guttridge Shalanda Herrington Emily Hynes Sinead Johnson Fiona Mazur Kieron McGloin Rachel O’Hara Carly O'Donoghue James Reynolds Sean Roberts Mateo Souto Sarah Tanski Jon-Paul Allenza Richard Ashley Alexander Barnes Kathryn Beardsmore Joshua Bradley Liam Butler Vito Carlesimo Samantha Cassar Christina Cooper Stephanie Cotterill James T Dean James C Dean Peter Evans Anna Feledziak Wallace Harley Jaide Healy Alexander Kaszuba Emma Lavender Danny McCarthy Terry Piazza Toni Purcell Phillip Purcell Kathleen Purcell Ann Marie Purcell Catherine Scotto Max Spencer Kieran Whitehouse Zoe Witkowski

Confirmandi 1999 Nicholas Aston Anthony Bodo Neil Brindley Tracey Brindley Martyn Butcher Keiran Chumber Christopher Cleary Bianca Coppola Greg Cotterill Michael Davies Craig Davies Christopher Enefer Nicholas Farnell Andrew Feledziak Matthew Finch Laura Grady Abigail Grey Oliver Hanson Casey Harley Richard Hillman Liam Horgan Gemma Horton Calogero Iacono Andrew Jones Brian Jones Cecilia Konowalczuk Daniel Korbely Ryan McElhone James McGloin Daniel Mulryan Oliver Peddie Stephanie Price Joseph Richards Rachel Saunders Kevin Stacey David Swann Matthew Symons Ashleigh Turner Ryan Walsh Carl Watkins Sophia Witkowski Maria-Francesca Salvo Alfonso Picarella Vincenza Salvo Letizia Salvo

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 56 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) In the summer 1999 edition of St Anthony’s News the following articles appeared:- From Our Parish Priest Reflections Some months have passed since I last wrote to you. In the intervening period we have, as a parish, celebrated the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation for a number of the children in the school. Our celebrations of these important moments in your children's journey in faith was a great success. I want to thank the staff at the school for preparing the children so diligently and for the way they seek to involve the children's parents in this task. Since the last edition we have also celebrated an important moment in my own life: my Induction as your parish priest. It was a marvellous evening, and the party afterwards provided us with an opportunity to meet together as a community and to strengthen our ties of friendship. I want to thank the PTA especially for their generosity in arranging and providing the refreshments. It is a great honour to be your parish priest. Please pray for me that I may continue to serve you well in the years ahead. The night of my Induction made me realise how important it is for us to come together not just for the celebration of mass but also to meet socially. I would hope that the return of the parish hall to our full use, set to take place in the Autumn, will greatly facilitate this. One pressing problem we also have is the state of the roof on the church. It needs replacing, and I have already been in close contact with the diocesan authorities and a building surveyor to see how this can best be done. It will be an expensive job, but it is imperative it is done before further damage is caused to the fabric of the building. I shall inform you of developments as soon as I have more concrete information to hand. Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support as I find my feet here at St Anthony's. I have met nothing but kindness. Enjoy your Summer holidays, wherever you decide to go, and may God's love dwell in your heart and homes.

With every blessing,

School News Stork Report Congratulations to Judi and Simon Bishop on the birth of their son. Joseph Edward weighed in at 10 lbs 1oz. Judi hopes to be back at school in September.

Farewell We say goodbye and thank you to Julia Saunders who leaves us in July, having taught Class 1 since January. We hope to see her at St. Anthony’s again in the future.

Collections Very many thanks to all who have saved the ‘Walkers Crisp’ tokens for us. The staggering total was 44,959 tokens which means we have claimed 205 books. A truly magnificent contribution to mark 1999 The Year of Reading. The points credited to the school from people who registered St. Anthony’s to benefit from their Sainsburys transactions amounted to 5,408. This means we have been able to select a Digital Camera to use with the Internet and enhance project work etc. Again sincere thanks to all our many loyal ‘savers’ We are continuing to collect 10p coupons from Nestlé cereals.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 57 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Sports Success St. Anthony’s team won the Bushbury Area Swimming Gala for the second consecutive year, and both the boys and girls Rounders teams did the same in the Area Rounders Leagues.

Congratulations 1. Sincere congratulations (somewhat belated) go to Chris Scott who was awarded the O.B.E. in the New Years Honours List. Chris is Governor of Winson Green Prison and also a Governor of St. Anthony’s School - no connection I hope! Chris, his wife Mary and their family went to Buckingham Palace where Chris was presented with his well deserved honour by the Queen.

2. Congratulations were sent on behalf of children, staff, parents and governors of St. Anthony’s school to Canon Kelly, who celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his Ordination to the priesthood on Saturday 10th July. The occasion was marked by a Mass and reception on Sunday 11th July organised by his parish of St. Augustine’s Solihull. Canon Kelly spoke of the happy 18 years he spent as Parish Priest of St. Anthony’s.

3. Congratulations to Debra Johnston who gained a 1st Class Honours Degree from Westhill College. Debbie joins our staff in September to take class 1, the new Reception intake.

4. Also congratulations go to two former pupils of St. Anthony’s School. Claire Cresswell and Claire Morgan both were awarded 2.1 degrees. The two Claire’s will be joining the staff of St. Mary’s School, Cannock Road.

We are always delighted to hear of the successes of our past pupils - let us know the news. Best Wishes for a very happy holiday to all the parish from all the school. Anne Morgan

Folk Group Well, we’re still here after a few years. We really enjoy our practices on Thursday evenings as much as singing at Mass. The thing is, we would like more people to join us. After all why should we have all that enjoyment for ourselves? Now here’s an idea! Why don’t YOU come and join us. Your Thursday evenings won’t be the same again. Well, did our UP FRONT approach work? If it did, Yippee.

Speak to one of the group or give your name to Fr. Tony.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 58 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) News from Our Lady & St. Chad School The school band have just returned from a successful visit to Spain, playing three concerts, one of which was in Barcelona.

The History department shortly leaves for a tour of the First World War Battle fields in France and Belgium.

Plans are now in place for the six period daily timetable to be introduced in September.

A new computer suite is under construction and will be open in time for the start of the new school year. This will allow more curriculum subjects to incorporate Information Technology into their lessons.

A Tale of Three Tiers About this time last year, a good friend asked me to make a wedding cake. Her son was to be married and she knew I was an enthusiastic amateur and so it was agreed. When it comes to cakes, people usually say, “We’ll leave it to you” but this bride and groom knew exactly what they wanted - 3 tiers, heart shaped, a plaque with a bride and groom design, piped embroidery and pillars! Thankfully a good photocopy was produced and I began to make plans. Three tiers would not be a problem, nor the plaque, heart shaped tins could be hired, piped embroidery - well I was prepared to have a go - but the thought of those pillars began to haunt me. I’d made a wedding cake before but had hired a stand, easy peasy ! What stops one cake sinking into the tier below ? Surely the weight would be too much for the plastic pillars resting on fondant icing. Anyway, I soon discovered via a more knowledgeable enthusiastic amateur that the whole structure is supported by wooden dowels driven into the cake, board to board. The pillars were purely aesthetic bearing no weight at all. Fine - mind at rest, piece of cake (oops, sorry). AP. ARENT Full transcript available see Appendix 125

Summer Days England where the Summers rare, Global warming will leave the planet bare, But there’s always memories of a happy planet, But now were all surfing the net, Those we’re the days we’re never going to get, Like fumbling in the sand for the smallest shell, Looking at the fair for things they’re going to sell, Sitting sunbathing on a burning day, Fighting for the best ball to have a good play, They were the summer days I’ll never forget, I won’t forget them for a long time yet. By Allie Spencer Year 5 Class 9

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 59 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) The History of St. Anthony's Parish Mini-Bus. The provision of transport of the elderly parishioners to Mass has been taking place since the early 1960’s. The original idea was Mr Steve Turner's. Steve was a member of the St Anthony's conference of the SVP who happened St Anthony’s Parish to be a keen dancer. From the profits of a series of dances Bus in the school-hall a mini-bus was purchased for the very worthwhile cause of bringing the Old Folk to Mass. The parish priest at the time was Fr P. Taylor. The SVP organised the drivers' rota. The SVP undertook to be responsible the road-worthiness of the vehicle while the parish was to be responsible for the insurance cover. From the very first, the school was allowed to use the bus for transporting pupils to matches and other events. The school were to be responsible for the fuel which was used on these occasions while the SVP were responsible for the fuel consumed for events held under their banner. The bus was soon in use for bringing in senior parishioners to the Christmas Party, to the occasional outing during the summer, as well as for the weekly Mass. Full transcript available see Appendix 127

Cafod Kosovo appeal Thanks to everyone who contributed to this appeal. Our church raised £605 over Lent weeks. This will go towards the work of CAFOD and CAFOD partners in relieving some of the difficulties experienced by the many refugees.

Main fund-raising for 1999 Our main aim this year (before the Kosovo crisis) was to raise £2,000 towards educational development work in various developing countries throughout the world. With improvements to basic education making countries or regions within countries could become capable of managing health care, food production and the other basic necessities of life. It is particularly important therefore to assist CAFOD’s work in this way. So for this year (leaving aside the Kosovo appeal and the Lenten fast day appeal) we have raised only part of our target. Could you help to increase this amount through a fund-raising activity? If so please contact Trevor Stockton.

MARK OF THE EURO The European Union Commissioners have announced that agreement has been reached to adopt English as the preferred language for European Communications rather than German, which was the other possibility. As part of the negotiations, Her Majesty’s Government conceded that English spelling had room for improvement and has accepted a five year phase-in plan for what will be known as EuroEnglish.

In the first year,”s” will be used instead of the soft “c”. Sivil servants will reseive this news with joy. Also, the hard “c” will be replaced with “k”. Not only will this klear up konfusion, but typewriters will have one less letter.

There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year, when the troublesome “ph” will be replaced by “f”. this will make words like “Fotograf” 20 persent shorter.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 60 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) In the third year, a publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted tho reach the stage where more komplikated changes kan be made. Governments will enkorage the removal of double letters which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling. Also al wil agre that the horible mes of the silent”e” in the languag is disgrasful, and it would go as wel.

By the fourth year peopl wil be rereseptiv to steps such as replasing “th” by “z” and “w” by “v”.

During ze fifz year, ze uneesary “o” kan be dropd from words kontaining “ou” and similar changs vud of kors be aplid to ozer kombinations of leters.

After ziz fifz yer, ve vil hav a sensibl riten styl. Zer vil be no mor trubls or difikultis and evivum vil find it ezi to under stand ech ozer. Ze drem vil finali kum tru.

P.T.A. News A note of thanks to all those who have brought theatre tickets again this year, which includes going to see Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph, still to come is Giselle the ballet, Porgy and Bess and Grease at the Grand Theatre. During the Easter Holidays parents and children went to the West Midlands Safari Park, and yes we did get a little wet, but a good day out was had by all. Saturday 24th April saw us bag packing at Safeway to help with the mini bus appeal. The children had a great day and all wanted to know when they could do it again. Thanks to all who participated in the event. The sun shone for us once again on Gala day, although the morning looked bleak, it soon cleared up, and the event was well attended, it was nice to see Beattie Bear make an appearance. The trip to Chester last November went well, so we are hoping to get a coach for this November, if you would like to join us please do. All are welcome. Speak to any member of the P.T.A. who will put you in touch with Mrs Lavender. Lastly a big thank you to all the people who have offered their time to help with refreshments at all the different events held during the year, it is always appreciated.

Wishing you all a very good Summer holiday St. Anthony’s P.T.A.

On 5th September 1999 the SVP District organised an Outing to Stourport.

12th September 1999 On Saturday 9th October the Johnson Fund organisers arranged a Dance in the ‘Goodyear Pavilion’. All proceeds went to the Johnson Fund.

On 30th November 1999 the winter edition of St. Anthony's News was published. Welcome to the 27th edition of our school / parish magazine. Thanks to all the people who contributed to its production: the writers, advertisers, administrative staff and children of the school. Full copy of this publication is available on Appendix 128

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 61 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) In the winter 1999 edition of St Anthony’s News the Births, Marriages and Deaths were published. Baptisms Cavan James Ian Perry Eleanor Niamh Poole Elise Katie Kelham Chloe Louise Breakwell Jack Alan Dwight Megan Catherine Metcalfe Declan Charles Green Luke James Ryan Lewis Taylor Richards Hannah Maria Kozdoj Louis Anthony Carey Katy Elizabeth McGuckin Jack Reece Brown Ronan Joseph Cook Elzbietya Ella Katerina Witkowski

Marriages Daniel Maurizio Spartaro and Stephanie Louise Hammond Philip Downes and Katie McAuliffe

Deaths Vytautas Matiukas Stanley (David) Green Kenneth Lewis Rosa Abbruzzese Kenneth Frank Hammond Mary Ann Prendota Gwen Thomas Tom Martin Vincent O’Hara

Special Events in Advent Morning prayer of the church, each Friday of Advent, 20 minutes before Mass on Dec 3rd, Dec 10th, Dec 17th & Dec 24th.

Penance Service, with opportunity for Confession. Wednesday 22nd Dec. at 7.30 pm.

Christmas 1999

Christmas Eve Friday 24th Dec. Eve of Millennium Friday 31st Dec. 10.00 am Morning Mass 6.00 pm Millennium Mass 10.30 to 12 noon Confessions (Mary Mother of God) NO Evening Confessions Saturday 1st Jan. 2000 6.00 pm Children & Family Mass 12.00 noon New Years Day Mass 8.30 pm Carols and Readings 6.00 pm Eve of 2nd Sunday of 9.00 pm Vigil Mass of Christmas Christmas

Christmas Day Saturday 25th Dec. Sunday 2nd Jan. 2000 8.00 am Dawn Mass of Christmas 10.00 am 2nd Sunday of Christmas 10.00 am Daytime Mass of Christmas NO Evening Mass

Sunday 26th Dec. 10.00 am Mass of the Holy Family

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 62 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) In the winter 1999 edition of St Anthony’s News the following articles appeared:- From Our Parish Priest Reflections Since the last edition of St Anthony’s News, a number of developments have taken place. Work has finally started on replacing the roof of St Anthony's Church. Weather permitting, it is expected that this work and other necessary repairs will be completed in time for Christmas. Also, the parish hall, formerly known as the St Anthony's Day-Care Centre, has returned to the parish's use. Potentially the hall. is a valuable asset to the parish. It will not only provide us with a place to meet as a parish community, but it might also be possible for us to hire it out for other purposes. Before we do that, however, the building is in need of some urgent repairs as well as refurbishing. The parish does not have huge funds at its disposal to meet the cost of repairs to church and hall. In fact, we shall probably incur a debt of around £70,000-£80,000 by the year's end. I am sure I can rely on your generosity as we try, over the next few years, to meet this cost. As many of you know, I suffered. a bout of illness over the Summer. Thankfully, I am very much better, and I wish to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their kindness and understanding during that time. Thank you, also, for the way you rallied round to ensure the smooth running of the parish during my absence. On my return, I decided to convene a meeting to see if there were ways in which we might share the burden of responsibility for parish affairs more effectively. The meeting was very well attended and there was an excellent response. It resulted in the setting up of a number of small committees to organise parish activities, be they social, liturgical, ecumenical, or just to do with the bricks and mortar. These committees will report back on their progress at our next parish meeting scheduled for February 16th next. It is envisaged that we will then move towards the formation of a properly devised parish council. As this is the last edition of St Anthony’s News this year and century, may I take this opportunity to wish you a very happy and peaceful Christmas. May the joy and the peace of Christ dwell in your hearts and homes in the coming season. The new year, of course, marks the beginning of the third millennium. Let us not forget the spiritual significance of this important milestone in history. Above all, it is time to commemorate the birth of Christ all those years ago, yet whose love and life remains ever present in our world. With every blessing,

School News Welcome We were delighted to welcome to our staff in September a newly qualified teacher for the reception class. Both Debbie Johnston and class 1 have settled in very well.

Goodbye Judi Bishop returned from her maternity leave in September and took up her part time contract as Nursery Nurse in the Nursery. She has now decided to resign from this post from 31.12.99 in order to spend more time with her two young children. Judi has worked at St. Anthony’s for almost 13 years and we all thank her for her efforts and loyalty to the school.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 63 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Artistic Talent In July one of our pupils won 1st prize for the 5-7 age group in an art competition. Thomas Murror’s drawing of the Wolverhampton Metro won £75 for himself and £2,000 for the school. This magnificent prize is being used to pay for the children to work with artists and produce two features for our Millennium Prayer Garden. One will be a painting of Jesus and the children and the other will be a mosaic featuring scenes from the life of St. Anthony.

S.O.B. - Success Last January when the mini bus failed the MOT, we launched our Save Our Bus Appeal. Thanks to wonderful fund-raising efforts by parents and children, extremely generous donations by our elderly parishioners and the magnificent anonymous donation of £10,000, we have been able to purchase a replacement. The super 17 seat mini bus was bought on Friday November 26th and was duly blessed by Fr. Tony after Mass on Sunday November 28th before the return run dropping off our senior citizens. The new bus is only 18 months old and has 10,000 miles on the clock.

Look out for S445 YON which will soon be proudly displaying the name of St Anthony’s Catholic Church and Primary School - a great symbol of our true community spirit.

End of an Era (Well mine anyway!) I have informed the Governors that I shall be retiring from my post as Headteacher of St. Anthony’s as from 31.12.2000, I’m sure you all join me in praying for God’s guidance and blessing to be with the Governors as they seek to appoint the third Headteacher since the establishment of the school in 1960. I look forward to my last year as Headteacher which of course coincides with the Year of Jubilee to mark the new Millennium and the 40th Anniversary of the school.

A happy and holy Christmas and new Millennium to all the parish from all the school. Anne Morgan

Mini Bus II It was very pleasing to read the article on the history of St Anthony’s Mini Bus. It made one widow in the parish very proud to know that all the hard work put in by her husband and family had been recorded as part of the history of St. Anthony’s Parish. None of this would have been achieved without the support of the S.V.P. members at the time, and also the parish members who came along each Wednesday evening to enjoy the dances. Many a happy hour was spent learning to dance. On a different aspect of the uses of the mini bus, St. Anthony’s brownies enjoyed day trips out on the bus ably driven by Bernard Wilson, another former parishioner and S.V.P. member, who was always willing to drive for the brownies. I imagine there are some former brownies still in the parish, who can recall some of these outings. Drayton Manor Park, Dudley Zoo, Milford Common to name just a few. Many happy hours were spent travelling on the mini bus to Ki Ro competitions all around the diocese. Occasionally Monday brownie meetings were spent cleaning out the bus, leaving it spick and span for the next users.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 64 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Xmas Joys In the upper juniors we have been working on a brilliant Christmas play called “The Happy Prince”. Mrs Lynch has been teaching some songs, Mr Flanagan has been teaching some dances and Mr Breeze has been directing the actors. All the parts have been picked. I’m not sure when the play will be performed, because we haven’t been told yet! In the play I am the main character and I felt terrific when I was told. I have got loads of lines to memorise. I am really nervous because I have to keep a straight face throughout the whole play, but I keep laughing! Nevertheless I think the play will be great. Reported by Kelly Mayers (The Happy Prince will be performed on Friday 17th December at 2.15 pm and 7.00 pm.)

SIGNS THAT YOU'VE HAD TOO MUCH OF THE 90s You just tried to enter your password on the microwave. You haven't played solitaire with a real deck of cards in years. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three. You call your son's beeper to let him know it's time to eat. He emails you back from his bedroom, "What's for dinner?" Your daughter sells Girl Scout Cookies via her web site. You chat several times a day with a stranger from South Africa, but you haven't spoken with your next door neighbour yet this year.

Mysterious Fog Fog, fog is thicker than smog, With a misty, mischievous mind. Drifting up the motorway blinding all, Freezing trees behind.

Hazy lining of grey, murky mesh, Fog throws its coat on the earth. Resting itself on cold wet grass, Fog returns for winter's rebirth. By Class 11 (Work produced by Y6 during a shared writing session in Literacy hour.)

MORE SIGNS THAT YOU'VE HAD TOO MUCH OF THE 90s You didn't give your valentine a card this year, but you posted one for your e-mail buddies via a web page. Your daughter just bought a CD of all the records your college roommate used to play. You check your blow-dryer to see if it's Y2K compliant. Your grandmother clogs up your e-mail inbox, asking you to send her a JPEG file of your new- born so she can create a screen saver. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home. Every commercial on television has a web-site address at the bottom of the screen. You buy a computer and a week later it is out of date and now sells for half the price you paid. The concept of using real money, instead of credit or debit, to make a purchase is foreign to you.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 65 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) The Millennium Resolution

Let there be Respect for the Earth Peace for its people Love in our lives Delight in the good Forgiveness for past wrongs and from now on a new start.

Prayer for the Millennium Give us the courage to face the challenges of

Dear Lord and heavenly Father, feeding the hungry;

At the dawn of a new Millennium; clothing the naked; in a world of darkness, give us your light; housing the homeless;

In lands of war and prejudice, grant us your peace; and healing the sick.

In a world of despair, give us hope;

In a world of sadness and tears, show us your joy; Give us the power to make a difference in your

In a world of hatred, show us you love; world, and to protect your creation

In a world of arrogance, give us humility; Through Jesus Christ our Lord,

In a world of disbelief, give us faith. AMEN.

OPEN THE DOOR

Go and open the door Go and open the door Maybe there might be a maybe there mi9ht be a place magic garden which plays music where you can meet popstars or a beautiful place or a place where all your dreams come true, even a library for your self even a place which has forever sunshine.

Go and open the door Go and open the door Maybe there might be a place maybe there might be a that is Christmas every single day Disneyland all over the world or a world with no suffering, or a forest where sweets grow even a world made out of chocolate even a place where school does not exist. By Laura Cotterill

Behind the Door

Go open the door Go open the door What did you see What did you see A goldmine just for me I saw a shopping heaven Pop stars to dig it Everything for free.

Go open the door By Charlotte Leo What did you see I saw a Dream Holiday

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 66 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) A Poem for the Year 2000

The dawn of a new millennium, an exciting time indeed, When the whole world will be celebrating, whatever colour, race or creed, But to us as Christians it will be, a very special Jubilee; Because two thousand years ago, was the birth of Christianity.

We all know that the Earth is older than just two thousand years, And people living then, were just like us, with all their hopes and fears, But it is our Time now, in this world of ours, to build on lessons from the past; To make our mark in the present, - for a future that will last.

So, as Christians we must play our part, and show what our Faith really means, We must show an example to all we meet, by kindness and by deeds, And one day when we meet a stranger, - it may only take a smile; To start a lasting friendship, that will make our lives worthwhile.

Then, perhaps one day in the future, our hopes and prayers will spread world wide; And new generations will look back and say, “At least they really tried”, So lets make a Resolution, to trust in God every single day; To give us the help, - to help others, as we travel on Life’s Way. Josephine Quinton December 1999

Prisoners !!! I knew what would happen, a new baby-sitter had been ordered! We were just going up the grassy drive then me and my best friend, Kenny, fell asleep. When we woke up our baby-sitter’s head was on this man’s sword! We legged it back to the drive then another one appeared, we ducked under their legs so they killed each other. A hole beneath us moved aside, we fell down there into a cage. HELP !!!!!!!! Keiran O’Donaghue

Wedding Cake Adventure After reading the article in the last issue ‘A tale of three tiers’, it reminded me of the time my sister announced she was to be married in 6 weeks time. After the usual chatter and discussion of plans, my mother and I volunteered to make the wedding cake (something I had always wanted to have a go at). It was only to be a quiet affair, 12 guests in all, and so we decided on a one tier cake would be big enough. Not having much time to waste, we set about collecting the ingredients together. We chose to use the usual rich Christmas cake recipe. Everything went according to plan, and the cake looked very good when it came out of the oven. It was then laced with brandy and placed in a tin to wait for it to be marzipaned. The wedding plans were now in full swing, but a much larger gathering was planned. This put us in a spot, would the one tier be big enough? But had we got time to make another tier.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 67 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) After discussing the problem with the lady who was to decorate the cake, she came up with a good suggestion to purchase a celebration cake from Marks & Spencers to make the second tier. So with haste I paid a visit to M & S and purchased a second tier. Very easy, so I thought. Later that evening, (actually it was the small hours of the morning) my mother suddenly announced that the new cake tier was round and we had baked a square cake!! Although the box was square, just to confuse the issue. So what next, no-one has a wedding cake with one round tier and one square and now there was even less time to do anything about it. There seemed nothing else to do but go back to M & S and purchase a second celebration cake in a larger size this time. There was just enough time for both tiers to be decorated and pillars in place, before the big day. It all looked very good and quite professional and no-one would ever know it was not ‘home made’. On the plus side, we had our Christmas cake made very early that year. M & S Shopper

YET MORE SIGNS THAT YOU'VE HAD TOO MUCH OF THE 90s Cleaning up the dining room means getting the fast food bags out of the back seat of your car Your reason for not staying in touch with family is that they do not have e-mail addresses. You consider second-day air delivery painfully slow. Your dining room table is now your flat filing cabinet. Your idea of being organised is multiple-coloured Post-it notes. You hear most of your jokes via e-mail instead of in person. You're reading this.

Netball So far St. Anthony’s Girls Netball Team have played three matches ; two played by year 6 (Team A) and the other by the year 5s (Team B). The scores were ;- 6 - 1 to Rakegate (Team A) 5 - 0 to Dovecotes (Team A) 13 - 0 to Corpus Christi (Team B) Girl of the match (against Rakegate) was Vicky Jebb, for the second match (against Dovecotes) was Laura Beardsmore and for the match against Corpus Christi, Katie Mulryan. Some of the girls who didn’t play the matches got together and made a great cheer-leading group, who gave the team a lot of support. Mrs Neale, Miss Johnson and Mrs Lynch have done a great job coaching the girls on a Monday and Thursday lunch time and are hoping for success. The reports were by Katie Allen, Niamh Allen, Siobhan Beirne and Charlotte Leo. Although there have been a few cut legs and black eyes the team are still practising and confident. Reported by Laura Beardsmore

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 68 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) UP, UP, AND AWAY! I had made a dive for the Yellow Pages and was on the ‘phone within minutes of my dear wife saying, “Well, you had better book a flight for yourself for your birthday!”

All this had happened as a result of an idle remark of mine that I would dearly love to take a flight in a hot air balloon. I rang “Ballooning with Wickers World” based at Shugborough Hall and fixed a trip for my natal day. However, that day turned out not to be a good one for ballooning so it was put off until the next day - maybe. When the phone rang at 5.25 a.m. next morning I knew that it was on.

We dashed off to Shugborough Hall (thankfully there wasn’t a lot of traffic about at that time in the morning) to find the 97ft. tall balloon ready for inflation and ten other early risers with whom I was to fly. There was great enthusiasm to help to get the envelope filled with hot air.

John Cuthbert Full transcript available see Appendix 131

Marking the Millennium In the Millennium St. Anthony’s will have a grand opening of the prayer garden. The garden is located at the side of class 10 and 11. A water feature and a mosaic will be included inside. When the Prayer Garden is opened, at different times, each class will spend time praying, talking and listening to each other in it. The £2,000 won for the school by Thomas Murror has gone towards the cost. The whole school is pleased by the progress of the garden and can’t wait for it to be opened. We sometimes have a peep through the gate and it looks fab!! All in all I think the garden will be a great success and a wonderful idea to mark the new Millennium. Report by Jamie Mayers

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 69 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999)

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 70 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Fordhouses Wolverhampton

Appendixes

Index

Title Page No.

Malcolm Glaze’s Ordination Booklet July 1987 73 Church consecration by Maurice Noël Léon Couve de Murville Jun 1988 74 “Thanksgiving Mass” for John Cuthbert upon his retirement. July 1988 75 Reflection and Obituary for Bishop Joseph Cleary February 1991 76 Confirmation with Maurice Noël Léon Couve de Murville. June 1991 84 St. Anthony's News April 1992 85 Venerable Edel Quinn April 1992 87 Servant of God Alfie Lambe April 1992 88 Parish Personalities (feature Trevor Stockton) April 1992 89 St. Anthony’s S.V.P. celebrated their 50th Anniversary April 1997 90 St. Anthony’s School book of writings and drawings. May 1997 91 Sacrament of Confirmation June 1997 93 St. Anthony's News June 1997 94 Leaving June 1997 97 St. Anthony's News November 1997 98 Cabbage Patch Kids November 1997 101 Moving On November 1997 102 Diana November 1997 103 St. Anthony's News March 1998 104 Through the Worst ? March 1998 107 St. Anthony's News July 1998 108 For better……July 1998 111

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 71 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News December 1998 112 Looking Back. December 1998 115 St. Anthony's News March 1999 117 Mary who???? March 1999 121 St. Anthony's News July 1999 122 A Tale of Three Tiers July 1999 125 The History of St. Anthony's Parish Mini-Bus. July 1999 127 St. Anthony's News November 1999 128 UP, UP, AND AWAY! November 1999 131

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 72 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Malcolm Glaze’s Ordination Booklet

Full copy of this publication is available on St. Anthony’s website https://www.stanthonysrcchurch.org/mass-booklets

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 73 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999)

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 74 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) “Thanksgiving Mass” for the Headship of John Cuthbert upon his retirement.

Full copy of this publication is available on St. Anthony’s website https://www.stanthonysrcchurch.org/mass-booklets

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 75 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Reflection and Obituary for Bishop Joseph Cleary 4th September 1912 - 24th February 1991

If any one man has left an indelible impression on the Parish of St. Mary and St. John surely it is Joseph Francis Cleary. Held in affection by all who knew him; this parish was fortunate to have the services and devotion of this remarkable priest and man for 40 years.

Joseph was born in Dublin on September 4th 1912, just before the outbreak of the Great War and the Easter Rising in Southern Ireland. He was the only son of William and Ellen Cleary. The family was relatively comfortably off in those hard times, William being a chemist. His parents believed that a good education was very important and Joseph received a good education in his formative years. Firstly he attended the Sisters of the Holy Faith in Haddington Road, Dublin, following this the Marists taught him at The Catholic University School.

Young Joseph Francis Cleary with his mother.

An upright young man. This was probably taken when he was at school with the Sisters of the Holy Faith, Haddington Rd.

It soon became apparent that young Joseph was academically gifted and 'seriously from the age of ten' began to feel a vocational calling to the priesthood. In this aspiration his parents solidly supported him.

After the Catholic University School Joseph enrolled at the University College Dublin. While studying at this institution he applied to train for the priesthood, however his own diocese would not accept him for training due to a stammer. Despite this setback divine providence soon opened another door. His parish priest, Fr. Murtagh Dempsey, was a good friend of Birmingham's Archbishop Williams and through this connection Joseph found himself entering the seminary in Sutton Coldfield in the cold January of 1935.

This picture was taken in 1928, Joseph was 16 years old and stands behind his parents William and Ellen. At this time he was probably in the sixth form at school.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 76 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) A major watershed in his life, the following period was described as both traumatic yet happy. Many years later the bishop looked back on his early days in the Oscott seminary recalling 'the terrible business of having to read in the refectory and the dreadful ordeal of preaching my first sermon.' These are remarkable comments indeed coming from a natural and gifted preacher!

Joseph was successful in his studies at Oscott and on St. Peter and St. Paul's day, 29th June 1939 he was ordained to the priesthood.

Upon ordination he spent the first two years of his priesthood at St. Chad's Cathedral Birmingham. He was later to describe it as a ` sad start' to his vocation, being attached to the hospital he spent much time consoling parents and their children.

In Lourdes, probably soon after the 1939 - 45 War. Probably when this was taken he was still Archbishops Secretary.

Still based at St. Chad's he then became secretary to Archbishop Williams and after his death in 1946 to Archbishop Masterton. After spending 10 years in secretarial duties Fr. Cleary asked permission to move on and was appointed Parish Priest at St. Mary and St. John's - a move with wonderful consequences for this Parish.

Everyone who knew Joseph Cleary was aware that his heart was always in Parish work and he took to his new post with zeal. He soon developed a reputation here at Snow Hill as an excellent Priest and also gaining a lot of affection in the process.

These were very happy and rewarding years for him and it says a lot for his character that the shy, stammering young man who entered Oscott in 1935 became a renowned preacher conquering his stammer and generally impressing his fellow clergy and lay people alike.

This ability was acknowledged and in 1963 he was promoted to Canon and Diocesan Treasurer. His talent was further recognised in 1965 when he was ordained Auxiliary Bishop to the gravely ill Archbishop Grimshaw, with the title of Bishop of Cresima.

An elevation such as this would usually involve the priest concerned leaving his Parish and going to work at the local diocesan headquarters, not so with Joseph Cleary. Upon becoming Bishop he requested permission to continue to be our Parish Priest. Indeed, all that can recall him at Snow Hill still affectionately refer to him as 'Father Cleary. To one journalist arriving from a national newspaper, and showing appropriate respects for his Office, he said with a chuckle 'Don't you dare (call me Bishop) I've trained them around here to call me Father.'

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 77 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999)

Outside SS. Mary and John's soon after his arrival.

Not long after his consecration as bishop he reverted to wearing the ordinary black suit worn by parish priests. Very often he would neglect to wear his bishop's ring which he often kept in his jacket pocket rather than on display for people to see on his finger.

He always cherished his beloved parish work and with all of the weighty duties entailed in the office of bishop local, `mundane' jobs as some might call them held with equal importance. For example he once excused his absence from an important meeting of the National Conference of Priests by explaining that it was his curate's day off and he was needed at his Parish!

He did not neglect his Bishops duties however, indeed quite the opposite. He was a co-founder of the Friends of Cardinal Newman, a world- wide organisation dedicated to pursuing the canonisation of John Henry Newman, (one of the Bishops heroes.). He was the first Chairman of the Racial Justice Commission and the first President of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Bishops Conference. These posts brought him into contact with such international figures as Enoch Powell and Lord Carrington. In his diocese he also served on the Missionary Commission, the Finance Commission and was the Chairman of the Race Relations Commission. Despite all of these duties and contacts he remained resolutely non-political.

Bishop Cleary was also a great lover of Lourdes, which he first visited in 1928, becoming after the war an annual visitor for more than 30 years. During these visits he became a familiar sight amongst the visitors having a great rapport with the sick pilgrims.

After his retirement as bishop in 1987 he was pleased to be able to devote more time to his Parish work. When asked of his plans for retirement by a journalist from a national publication he replied 'to give more and more time to my Parish-that's what I'm looking forward to.' Despite failing health that is what he continued to do right up to the end in February 1991.

Bishop Joseph Cleary died on 24th February 1991, in the Presbytery here at Snow Hill after a life dedicated to serving God and his flock. Many tributes came forth and the respect and love in which he was held became even more evident. One of his former curates, Father Brian McGinley summed up the man in a nutshell:

`He was a man of boundless energy who, apart from his many Episcopal appointments, was also to be found putting out vestments and changing Sanctuary lamps in his own Parish attached to the door of his confessional was always the nameplate `Father Joseph Cleary.'

The attendance for his funeral also reflected the esteem in which he was held. Two thousand people were present at St. Mary and St. John's at 4pm on Sunday 3rd March 1991 for his Solemn Requiem Mass. One parishioner can recall the following:

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 78 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) 'I was ushered in through the side door by the Presbytery as the main doors had already been closed due to the crowds. When I got inside the church I was amazed at the number of people inside. It was strictly standing room only. I edged and pushed my way to the baptismal font and seem to recall being pinned against it by, the crowds for -the duration of the service.'

The following day one thousand people attended the Diocesan Solemn Requiem in St. Chad's Cathedral Birmingham. The congregation included more than 400 priests and 35 bishops. The Homily was preached by Archbishop Derek Worlock of Liverpool and included the following:

''He was a priest's man, ' I often heard it said; unfairly, for his friendship with the laity. 'Then he was a man's man' they would say; unfairly again, for his deep concern for women and for children. No, quite simply he was a good priest.'

After the service he was taken to Bushbury Hill cemetery to be buried in the town that he loved. He was laid to rest in the same grave as two local paupers who, years before he allowed to use the plot which was bought by the Parish for the burial of the poor.

A fitting final word comes from one of his parishioners at St. Mary and St. John's, Mr. Tony Nicholls:

'The Bishop chose as his motto ` Scio cui credidi' (I know who it is that I have put my trust in.) This comes from St. Paul's second letter to Timothy. It is surely also our own Bishop's message to each and every one of us, who have received so much from him.'

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 79 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Bishop Joseph Francis Clearly: Parish Priest 1951 – 1991

Bishop Cleary was a remarkable man, as we all know. His many qualities, and his weaknesses, were always totally directed to the service of God and his Church - and, he would have reminded me, of the Mother of God. That was one of his great strengths: he knew his weaknesses very well, and succeeded in turning them to good use. His love of Our Lady was an intrinsic part of his prayer life: I remember him saying that from a child he was taught by his mother to give special honour to the feasts of Our Lady; it was their custom to recite invocations in preparation for these days and with especial devotion before the feast of the Assumption. He seldom ended a sermon without reference to Our Lady - characteristically he would say that Archbishop Masterton, to whom he was secretary for several years, had always done this, and so Bishop Cleary had copied him; but I am sure that he needed no-one to teach him about devotion to the Mother of God.

He was always aware of how much he owed to the faith and example of his parents. His father was a pharmacist, who for many years closed his shop for half-an-hour while he went to morning Mass each weekday. Towards the end of her life, his mother was unconscious for several days, and was gradually sinking; but on 29th June she unexpectedly aroused and said " Today is the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul - it is the anniversary of my son's ordination". She then closed her eyes and died peacefully that same day.

Bishop Cleary had great determination, which showed in many ways, but, unlike many people with this quality, he had great patience with the frailties and imperfections of everyone - except himself. It is well known that, when he offered himself for the priesthood, his home diocese turned him down on account of his stammer. (But as we often told him, that was our gain, for our diocese recognised the power of this man). The stammer was indeed a great trial to him. Those of the congregation who knew him when he first came to us as our Parish Priest will remember just how bad it was. Like many people with a speech impediment, he developed a range of alternative words for those he found especially difficult; but the determination of the man was shown in that he never allowed himself to leave out the difficult words from his sermons. Knowing how his listeners were embarrassed when he stammered, if he did stumble, he would turn immediately to one of his alternatives; but he would then make certain to use - and to get out – the offending word in the next sentence or two. That is real determination. By the time he had been Bishop for a few years, he had virtually mastered his stammer - characteristically he put it down to the working of the Holy Spirit in his Episcopal Ordination. He was adept at giving the glory elsewhere when he in fact worked heroically at something.

St. Bernard said that "Time is a treasure that is to be found only in this life". Bishop Cleary understood this better than anyone I have known. He made use of every minute – he always had time for everyone in distress or difficulty, but little time for himself or his own preferences. He had a remarkable way of dealing with the post: he would go through it at great speed, but never missed anything of importance. 'Junk-mail' - of which bishops get a vast amount - would be tossed straight into his ample wastepaper basket. But the things that mattered he would deal with there and then. He often spoke of his training as secretary to Archbishop Williams, a former headmaster and disciplinarian. "It is a rule of this house that all correspondence must be answered the same day, and at least acknowledged" was the Archbishop's opening instruction to Fr. Cleary. And he meant it: many times the Archbishop and his secretary-chauffeur would arrive back after Confirmation in some distant part of the diocese (events which often strained the patience of Fr. Cleary, who was a great liturgist) late at night. Fr. Cleary then had to sit at his desk, answer the post, and then go out to post it, so Bishop Cleary did this all of his life. He

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 80 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) would write a reply concise, clear, helpful; never dismissive except when he felt someone was trying to get at the Church through him. Typewriters and similar office machinery were never part of his methods; he couldn't wait for something to be typed. He could answer many letters straight away because among other things, he had developed a superb memory for the important things. He cared for people; as an example, he knew the names of all the deputy head teachers in the Potteries, and frequently their families. He delighted in the history of the diocese; he knew where almost every priest had served in the diocese. Often he would return from a Confirmation and say with glee; "I told them something about their Parish that they didn't know!"

His approach to the use of time showed in the way he always started Mass a minute or so early, so that we used to call it 'starting at Bishop's time'. His love of his Parish was everywhere obvious. "People come first" he would repeat to his assistant priests - and he meant it. 'Lame ducks' always made for him, and were listened to. For much of his life as a Bishop he had to travel a great deal - but he insisted that notes should be left on his desk of anything he should know about, and many a bereaved or troubled parishioner has found a note in the Bishop's inimitable handwriting pushed through their door after midnight; people came first.

His humility showed itself in many ways: having 'Father' on his confessional, not 'Bishop'; and equally typical, he said that he didn't have 'Bishop' because it 'might put people off In much the same way, when he answered the phone, it was always "Saints Mary and John's here", never 'Bishop Cleary' - he identified with his Parish. He was reluctant to give his consent to any celebration of which he was to be the centre not because of his shyness, but because of deep humility. He could always think of a dozen other people more deserving of congratulation than himself. Nevertheless, he realised that people would be hurt if he refused such events as his silver and golden jubilees: it would be ungracious (favourite word) on his part. But he had an uncanny knack of ensuring that somehow the spotlight moved away from himself. A good example was when he was approaching 25 years as our Parish Priest, in 1976. He was persuaded (with some difficulty) to agree to a Thanks Giving Mass. The congregation subscribed to replace a window in the north transept, which was urgently needed. When the question of the date was raised he said that it would be difficult to fix a date early in August (the anniversary), but that he thought that sometime in September might be possible. "Anyway" he said, "People are away in August on holiday, and they would feel left out if we had it then". So, a little while later he suggested 24th September for blessing the new window. Note how the emphasis had shifted - it is now a Mass dedicating the window. "Oh yes, and Archbishop Dwyer would like to come". But why 24th September? All was made clear when the Notice Sheet for that week was put out by the Bishop: on the sheet for Friday 24th September was that it was the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy, Patronal Feast of the Sisters of Mercy; that the Thanksgiving Mass was for 130 years of service by the Sisters in Wolverhampton, for the 19th anniversary of the Episcopal ordination of Archbishop Dwyer, for the benefactors of the Parish over the past 25 years, and for Bishop Cleary's Silver Jubilee as Parish Priest. He had moved the spotlight very typically.

His concern for people showed in perhaps unexpected ways. His curates knew that punctuality at meals was important: they did not always realise that it was because he knew that the meal had been carefully prepared and would be exactly ready at the agreed time, and it was ungracious to the person who had cooked it not to be prompt - people come first. Throughout his time as a Bishop he would have to travel to London for one committee or another as many as twenty times a month: but always on his return he would look at his desk for any notes about his parishioners – and acted on the urgent ones. He was the only Bishop who remained a Parish Priest, and his brother Bishops wondered

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 81 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) how he could do both jobs - but he did; and as a result he knew better than the others what parish life was like. His duties as Bishop often took him away from his Parish on Sundays, but there were very few Saturday evenings when he was not in his beloved Confessional.

Bishop Cleary had a range of shorthand expressions: some perverse theological view was "a great load of nonsense", and there were many such. Often when he had visited someone seriously ill (often after a long day elsewhere in the diocese) he would say "He/she has got his/her bags packed", expressing in those five words a total acceptance of God's will, and readiness for the next life. More than anyone I have ever known, Bishop Cleary had his bags packed. On the Saturday evening before he died, he spent a little time in his Confessional; he said his private Mass on Sunday morning; on Sunday afternoon he made up the Parish weekly cash accounts as he always did; and died on that same night.

The Bishop's great joy was to be with his people, and in a very special way he still is. The Parish has a long tradition of buying a burial plot to be used for burying those lonely people who died without relatives. Two such people are buried in such a grave at Bushbury, and Bishop Cleary left instructions that he was to be buried there too. That was being with his people. But I suspect that there was yet another thought in his mind. The Bishop loved especially Holy Week and Easter, the liturgical high point and summit of the year. No-one who has heard his moving singing of the part of Christ in the Passion of St. John on Good Friday will ever forget it. At the end of the Passion, St. John tells us that in the place where Christ was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no-one had yet been buried. I am sure that the Bishop felt that God alone deserved a grave to Himself; that would be typical of the man and his humility.

The Bishop was a very private man, but we get a rare glimpse of his interior life in the words he used in his homily on the priestly ordination of our son, Guy. "Like all of us you have had your disappointments and trials: the road was not easy but it was lived always in the knowledge that Christ Our Lord loved you, and therefore with trust and hope you have always wanted to be a Priest. The first reaction to disappointment and suffering should be to have recourse to prayer. I do not have to tell you that prayer means more than the recitation of words - it is an easy conversation of a friend with a friend. Listen to what God has to say to you, and above all, avoid getting oneself in the situation of having decided what to do about a problem, and then telling the Lord about it: "Speak, Lord for thy servant heareth". We must ask ourselves what is the role of a Priest? Yes, service: the spiritual needs of the community; the Eucharist which unites in the Risen Lord; comfort and pardon through the Sacrament of Reconciliation; the healing Sacrament of the sick; and above all the love of God present in the Priest and seen in him. Leadership in allowing the laity to fulfil their role in the life of the Church: one must kindle the fire - it is not a question of 'putting people in their place'. As a Priest I am bound to be lonely from time to time, for in a way I am vowed to loneliness because I am vowed to the service of Mary's Son. So we pray to Mary and ask that she will always be our role model: her dignity the source of one's confidence".

That is an insight into Bishop Cleary's inner Life: and what a lifetime of prayer is summed up in that marvellous phrase: "an easy conversation of a friend with a friend".

There are so many other things that could be said of him: his devotion to Lourdes, and especially to St. Bernadette; his love of the forty martyrs of England and Wales; his homilies of the Saint of the day - models of brevity and point, always leaving us with something to meditate and emulate. May he enjoy the vision of God forever.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 82 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999)

Tony Nicholls Feast of SS Peter and Paul 1998 - 59th anniversary of Bishop Cleary's Ordination

A Personal Tribute from Pope John Paul

Translation of the personal message sent by Pope John Paul II to Bishop Cleary on the Golden Jubilee of his priestly ordination:

WITH JOYFUL HEART WE SALUTE OUR VENERABLE BROTHER, JOSEPH FRANCIS CLEARY, RETIRED AUXILIARY BISHOP OF BIRMINGHAM, NOW CELEBRATING FIFTY YEARS OF PRIESTHOOD. WE PRAISE HIS VIRTUES, ESPECIALLY HIS PRUDENCE, HIS IMPARTIALITY AND HIS GOODNESS, AND, CONGRATULATING HIM ON THE SACRED MINISTRY HE HAS CARRIED OUT, WE IMPART, AS A SIGN OF OUR FRIENDSHIP, OUR APOSTOLIC BENEDICTION.

John Paul, Pope.

"The nicest words in the Scripture are the words Thomas used when Jesus appeared to him - my Lord and my God"!

Anon. From one of Bishop Cleary’s little sermons.

His greatest strength was his prayer life. Reflecting the man, his prayer was simple. basic and profound.. it was humbling to be in the presence of a priest who had never missed saying his Office in over half a century of priesthood. From a material point of view the Bishop owned nothing of earthy value. Whatever he received he promptly shared with someone else whose need was greater than his. No doubt, from time to time, he was hoodwinked but he always chose to err on the side of compassion.

Father Gerry Doyle (former Curate at SS Mary and John).

Text taken from St. Mary and St. John Parish Magazine, Special edition: “A Tribute to Bishop Cleary. No. 3. August / September 1998 (revised and re-printed November 1998)

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 83 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Confirmation with Maurice Noël Léon Couve de Murville. June 1991

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 84 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News April 1992

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 85 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News April 1992.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 86 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Venerable Edel Quinn

One day in 1937 a Dutch priest was driving an Irish girl to a Legion of Mary meeting some miles from his mission in Africa. They came to a river in such flood that the bridge across it could not even be seen. He was about to turn back when the girl cried out, “Oh Father, please go on, I’m sure Our Lady will protect us”. He was aghast but found he couldn’t resist such faith. Some men standing by formed a human chain to see if the bridge was still there. It was, so he drove on blindly. The water flooded the engine and plugs but the impetus carried the car across and up an incline at the far side. He dried the plugs and tried the starter. The car got going and they were in time for the meeting. The girl was Edel Quinn and the incident typical of her story. In 1936 she had been sent from Dublin to establish the Legion in East and Central Africa. The difficulties were enormous but she met every challenge with unwavering faith and courage. When others faltered her invariable response was, “Why can’t we trust Our Lady?” or “Our Lady will see after things”. For nearly eight years, her health steadily declining, she worked over the vast territories committed to her. Hundreds of Legion praesidia and many higher councils were set up on an enduring basis. As a result, thousands of Africans are engaged in the Church’s work of evangelization. At the source of all Edel’s activity was her deep union with God, sustained by constant prayer. The Eucharist was the centre of her life: “What a desolation life would be without the Eucharist”, she wrote. Her devotion to Mary was marked by childlike trust and utter generosity. She said she could never refuse Our Lady anything she thought she wanted. Mary’s rosary seemed to be always in her hand. Edel died in Nairobi on May 12, 1944. In 1957 the Archbishop of Nairobi initiated the process for her Beatification and many witnesses were examined, monoly in Africa and Ireland. Their evidence, published by the Holy See, points not only to outstanding holiness but to holiness in its most attractive form. The words love, joy, peace appear in almost every testimony. The Vicar General of Mauritius was speaking for many when he said “I want to lay special emphasis on her constant joy; she was always smiling; she never complained; she was always at people’s disposal, never stinting her time”. It is for the Holy See to pass judgement on her heroic sanctity. In the meantime, hundreds of Bishops have written to the Holy Father in support of the Cause, most of them, it is understood, stressing its special relevance for the young people of our time. Edel, in the words of a Spanish Cardinal, was “an image of the eternal youth of the Church”. On December 15, 1994 Pope John Paul II declared Edel Quinn “Venerable”. One miracle attributed to her intercession is still required for her Beatification. Prayers for the Beatification of Venerable Edel Quinn Eternal Father, I thank you for the grace you gave to your servant, Edel Quinn, of striving to live always in the joy of your presence, for the radiant charity infused into her heart by your Holy Spirit and for the strength she drew from the Bread of Life to labour until death for the glory of Your name in loving dependence on Mary, Mother of the Church. Confident, O Merciful Father, that her life was pleasing to you, I beg you to grant me, through her intercession, the special favour I now implore ...... , and to make known by miracles the glory she enjoys in Heaven, so that she may be glorified also by your Church on earth, through Christ Our Lord, Amen (With ecclesiastical approval)

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 87 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Servant of God Alfie Lambe

The Servant of God, Alphonsus Lambe, (known as Alfie) was born in Tullamore, Ireland on the feast of St. John the Baptist, Friday, 24th June 1932, during the International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin. Like St. John he was a precursor - the precursor of the Legion of Mary, which Pope Paul VI described as “the greatest movement which has been established for the good of souls since the era of the great religious orders”. After spending a period of his youth in the novitiate of the Irish Christian Brothers, which he had to leave because of delicate health, he found his vocation in the Legion of Mary, and was appointed Envoy in 1953. With Seamus Grace, he left for Bogota, Columbia on the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel 16th July of that year. For almost six years he worked ceaselessly in promoting the Legion of Mary in Columbia, Argentina, Ecuador, Uruguay and Brazil. After a short but grave illness he died in Buenos Aires on the feast of St. Agnes, 21st January 1959. God had bestowed on him great natural gifts, a personality which attracted souls to the service and love of God, an infectious enthusiasm, and a facility for learning languages, which enabled him to rapidly attain fluency in Spanish and Portuguese. During his years in South America he set up a great number of branches of the Legion of Mary, and trained a multitude in the apostolate of the Legion. His devotion to Mary was outstanding, and in contacts with Legionaries and others he explained and urged the practice of the True Devotion to Our Lady. He is buried in the vault of the Irish Christian Brothers, in the Recoleta Cemetery, Buenos Aires.

On the 17th January 2020 the Ordinary Congress of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints has appointed Mons. Brosel Gavila José Jaime as Relator for the Cause of Alfie Lambe. Work on the Positio will now commence under his guidance.

Prayers for the Beatification of Servant of God Alfie Lambe

O God, who by your infinite mercy inflamed the heart of your servant, Alphonsus Lambe with an ardent love for you and for Mary, our Mother; a love which revealed itself in a life of intense labour, prayer and sacrifice for the salvation of souls, grant, if it be your will, that we may obtain, by his intercession, what we cannot obtain by our own merits. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.

Amen (With ecclesiastical approval)

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 88 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Parish Personalities (feature Trevor Stockton)

A native of Wolverhampton, Trevor has lived in the Parish for 28 years having married his Wife Christine a year earlier. They have two children David and Susan who works as a Nursery Nurse in St.Anthony's School.

Having left Secondary Modern School at the age of 15 Trevor later studied at Keele University, the Open University and Aston University obtaining the degrees of B.A. Social Sciences and M.Sc Public Sector Management. Both of these qualifications standing him in good stead in his work as a social worker, child care officer and, currently, as a Community Team Manager in the Social Services Department.

Trevor has a wide range of interests in the Parish including CAFOD, reading at Mass, Eucharistic Minister and playing the organ usually at 6.00pm Mass on Saturdays. He is particularly pleased at the introduction of the children's liturgy group at the Sunday 10.00am Mass but wishes we had a much more welcoming approach when people - especially newcomers - arrive at church. He sees an urgent need for a Parish Council and periodic parish meetings.

Well known for his ecumenical leanings Trevor would like to see more involvement and commitment to working with and worshipping with the other Christian Communities in the area. He feels much the same about the position of CAFOD in the Parish and wishes there were more people willing to become involved.

Playing the organ on Saturday evenings he would like a group of people willing to become involved in leading the singing. (Another choir, Trevor?), and he feels that it would be good if the bidding prayers could include reference to any parishioners in need of our prayers.

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History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 89 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony’s S.V.P. celebrated their 50th Anniversary

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 90 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony’s School book of writings and drawings.

St. Anthony’s School book of writings and drawings.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 91 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999)

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 92 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Sacrament of Confirmation June 1997

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 93 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News June 1997

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 94 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News June 1997

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 95 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News June 1997

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 96 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Leaving The letter said ‘Monday July 21st Leavers Disco 7pm - 9.30pm.’ There it was in black and white, soon I would no longer be a St Anthony’s parent. A long and happy association with the school is drawing to a close as my youngest child leaves. I can remember the first time I took my eldest child to St. Anthony’s. It was January 1978. He was very shy and terrified and so was I! I thought that I would never survive the walking, three quarters of a mile there and three quarters back, twice a day. But I did survive, walking over seven thousand five hundred miles altogether, the equivalent of walking to London and back thirty times, walking none stop for twenty-two weeks, twenty-four hours a day. My father-in-law joked that if I’d been able to drive I would have been nine inches taller. Thankfully over the years I have had lifts from some very kind people. God Bless them all! I have put together over three thousand packed lunches and of course written numerous sick notes, almost achieving pen-pal status with some teachers. I’ve seen many changes in the teaching staff. In fact only Mrs Morgan and Mrs McCarroll remain of the 1978 Staff. I’ve always found the teachers to be very caring and approachable but this doesn’t mean that I always agreed with them. My eldest son, you remember the shy one from earlier, was described when he left as being his own worse enemy, weak at Maths with dreadful handwriting. He went on to achieve a Maths ‘A’ Level only seven years later and to face and survive a dreadful personal tragedy along the way to gaining an Honours Degree. His handwriting is still dreadful. I remember my youngest son coming home one day and telling me that he had been naughty at school and been made to sit under Mrs. Palmer’s desk. I can’t remember what he’d done but when he looked up at me and said “I thought Miss’ drawers were going to fall on me”. I thought I would burst trying not to laugh! This same child was described by Mrs. Jackson as “bumptious”. I was unsure of the meaning of this word but from her tone I knew it was unlikely to be complimentary. Later, at home I consulted the dictionary. No, it was not a compliment but it was true and sometimes still is. Fortunately he has many saving qualities. You see, in parents eyes, all children are wonderful. Of the many assemblies I’ve seen the best in my opinion was when Mrs. Crowley’s infants sang “Any Dream Will Do”. I’m not ashamed to say that I cried. It was beautiful. Not an easy song to sing, they were great! “Any Dream”, well, we all have dreams for our children. Will he be the sporting hero?, The man of the Match?, The academic genius?, Will she crown Our Lady’s Statue?, Will she be chosen to read in Church for the important occasion?. Sadly for me, none of these, but carrying Our Lady’s Statue, presenting the Harvest Basket, one poetry competition trophy and believe it or not, a hand writing award are all treasured memories. I have made many friends through St. Anthony’s School. My dearest friend could never have known what she was starting when she asked me to knit her son a school jumper when the uniform knitwear changed to purple. I know my life is richer because of her and the many others encountered along the way. We have laughed and cried together, friendships that I hope will outlast these school days of our children. And so in September I shall be ironing a different uniform. My daughter will be going to Our Lady and St. Chad’s School. It would seem to be the unpopular choice. She will be parted from many friends because of it. Time will tell, but I know the values learned and strengths acquired will stand her in good stead as they did my sons before. And so to all at St. Anthony’s I say “goodbye and good luck in all you do” and in particular to those qualifying for the Leavers Disco, “ all the very best for the years ahead ”. AP.ARENT

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 97 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News November 1997

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 98 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News November 1997

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 99 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News November 1997

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 100 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Cabbage Patch Kids The deafening drone of the Cessner light-aircraft’s engines became a distant humming as I pondered out of the blustery open door at the sheer greenness of the ground shrinking below me. It can’t be that difficult to do - just like jumping head first onto your parents’ bed like you used to do when you were a child. The day had not begun as we’d expected. The Chief Instructor, instead of being sympathetic and smiling kindly at our bravery in tackling this parachute jump for charity, turned out to be a bad tempered, ex-SAS, cigar-chewing megalomaniac with a chip on his shoulder bigger than anything seen in the Walsall branch of Harry Ramsden’s. To put us at our ease he hung us in harnesses, like Christmas turkeys, from the roof of a draughty hangar for hours on end and proceeded to show us photographs of emergency situations. We had two seconds to bark out what we’d do if any of the accidents happened to us - otherwise we would be sent home as a potential danger to others. By lunchtime we sounded like seasoned Marines, only much less brave. It had been too windy to jump all afternoon and the other trainees with unsteerable “Round” parachutes had been sent home. The four of us in our team had steerable “Ram - Air” parachutes so we had a tolerance to higher wind speeds. At about 6:30 in the evening we were told to kit up and board the tiny plane. There’s no going back now, lads. As we circled at 3000 feet the first of our team got ready in the open doorway. “I can’t see the airfield!!” she yelled above the noise. Too late - the considerate Instructor gave her a helpful nudge over the side and she was gone. “She’ll find it,” he signalled to us, grinning hugely. My other two pale companions went out almost of their own accord and I could see them drifting gracefully downwards. My turn. Sit in the doorway. Correct hand position. Head up. Remember the procedure; shout “1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, Check Parachute.” Here I go. Out. “Aaaarrrggghhhhhh!!!!!” ( I forgot the words. So did everyone else it turns out ) When I checked my parachute it was twisted round like one of the photographs I’d seen that afternoon. What was I supposed to do? In the two seconds allowed, plummeting at 175 feet per second, I decided that I could untwist myself and managed to free the chute. The power of prayer! Unfortunately, I was now off course and the wind had picked up again. I was being blown backwards and all the frantic pedalling and persuading in the world was proving futile. After descending for what seemed like years I managed to avoid a house with a swimming pool and a forest and eventually made a crash landing in the safety of a soft cabbage field. I’ve never liked cabbage before, but I love it now. Now I know why The Pope kisses the ground. I was alone, two miles from the airfield and it was nearly dark. Was I more scared or embarrassed? How was I going to get home? I trudged across the field to a road and began forlornly to make my way in what I thought was the right direction. Two cars had been sent out to rescue me as they obviously feared I was heading towards Rhyl and I gratefully accepted a lift from the first one to reach me. A rousing reception was waiting back at base to further increase my humiliation. Still, £1000 had been raised for the essential work done by Cancer Research. Grateful thanks go to all the kind sponsors and collectors. Then I went home and I had my tea and I went to bed.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 101 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Moving On I always think that you can tell so much from school photographs. There are no parents present to preen and pose their loved ones. What you see is what you get. I must admit I felt that there was undue haste to photograph my daughter during her first week at secondary school, but I knew it would speak volumes. And so, it was a great relief to see smiling back at me from the proof copy, a very confident eleven year old. Her hair was as usual, doing its own thing but there was no mistaking the happiness. It was always going to be a traumatic event for her to move from the cosy security of St. Anthony’s to Our Lady and St. Chad’s where she was assured, by the ill-informed, that all sorts of evil were lying in wait. Teachers that children meet first at school are so very important and play an enormous part in the settling-in process. I was recently thinking back to when my eldest son started St. Anthony’s. His first teacher was Mrs Jenkins. She was quietly spoken and was as shy as he was, but she had a smile that would melt a small polar ice flow, so she had no problem with his heart. My youngest son’s reception teacher was Mrs McCarroll. There was no nursery at St. Anthony’s then. Her infectious enthusiasm was perfect for him, a child who wanted to know everything, yesterday. The most difficult task fell to Mrs. Crowley, who had to cope with my daughter, who thought that one day at school was one day too many ! She wasn’t the kicking and screaming kind of dissenter but would passively sob ‘in line’ day after day for what seemed like an eternity. I shall always be grateful for Mrs. Crowley’s kindness and Mrs. Morgan’s patience and understanding. Over anxious older parent or attention seeking child ? Who knows for certain. Answers on a post card…………. My own junior school years were blighted by a ‘Dinner Lady’. She was a strange blend between Lucrezia Borg and Attila the Hun. But maybe that’s another story. I would have to check the libel laws. My daughter cried when she had to leave St. Anthony’s, almost as much as she cried because she had to go in the first place. But that’s children for you ! I know she won’t be a child for much longer. During the six weeks holiday, we did the Corinthians I, Chapter 13 bit and ‘put away the things of a child’. At her suggestion we packed away ‘the Barbies’. The army of blonde dolls with their fixed grins, so lovingly collected, and all the pink, plastic paraphernalia that goes with them were consigned to the loft and in the midst of them a very smug looking ‘Shaving Ken’. Now we must get used to a different set of teachers, some different rules but fortunately the same ideals that prove so successful at St. Anthony’s. Some of the names are familiar to us already, some whose reputations go before them and some new ones all influencing my daughter’s life in a very positive way. Of course reputations travel both ways. She has a lot to live up to and probably more importantly some things to live down! “Are you related to…..?” and “You’re not related to….. are you?” were common greetings in her first week. I appreciate the folly of the sweeping statement, you can never gauge the power of peer pressure or the ravages of the dreaded hormones. It is very early days but I can say “so far, so good”. AP. ARENT

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 102 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Diana On the morning of September 6th 1997 the phrase ‘ordinary life’ was no longer applicable. The usual bustling London Streets became suspended, polite notices hung in the windows of shops nation- wide and the now all to familiar atmosphere that had lingered for days became increasingly intense. This was the day the country needed, yet did not want, would experience yet still would not believe. This was the day they would say goodbye to their one and only Queen, Diana. She was a Twentieth Century icon yet she retained an indescribable kind of humanity which brought her within the sights and hearts of all, regardless of class, colour or creed. She was a Princess, yet she belonged to her people and it was this need to own her and know her that ultimately resulted in us losing her. Our ever eager eyes craved for her picture, perhaps never realising the ends to which the photographers would stretch. Yet these ends became apparent on the Sunday Britain will never forget. The Sunday Britain lost its light in Diana. Yet in tragedy we find hope and in these dire circumstances a future. Scenes never before witnessed on this tiny isle suddenly became coherent. why wait for eleven hours to write a message of condolence, the answer being simply, because it was for Diana. She gave us so much it was time to give a little back. These sentiments came in many different forms; messages, drawings, teddies, a child’s ballet slippers and flowers, oh so many flowers. Haunting images of the floral carpet at Kensington Palace in the shape of the Lord upon the cross. Images you could interpret as you saw fit. One woman’s death prompted this grief, one woman so large in life, even larger in death. As the coffin was nobly drawn through the streets of the capital, minds reflected on the life of the woman many did not realise they had loved. The Royal Standard draped over the casket which held such precious contents was greeted with such a remorseful silence. Crowds held each other along the roadside and in their homes. Salty tears relentlessly flowing, open symbols of compassion and affection, grief and respect. There were no strict rules on this occasion written in stone for the people as there was no need. Minds were attuned to the same wavelength from the beginning of the procession to the end of her public journey. The words printed on the crisp white envelope at the head of the coffin amidst roses bearing her name were a simple reminder that two others loved her more than anyone else, her two boys. When they joined the procession, heads bowed, the compassion of the country fell at their feet. These were two boys who would be protected and loved by mothers world-wide. They would offer comfort but could never and would never hope to replace such a sadly missed mother. The ceremony entered into bravely by many was unique in its sense of occasion. None like this had ever gone before or would ever follow. It contained moments of grandeur, splendour yet utmost it was filled with an aura of spontaneity from the moment Elton John took up his position and began to make his way through the fitting melody the tears could be held back no longer, followed by perhaps the most apt and bravest of all tributes from Earl Spencer. He stood and echoed the thoughts everyone was unified in. Yet his manner so eloquent, so adamant yet so right was greeted by the crowds outside and inside the Abbey alike with a rapturous but respectful applause. Despite the rest of the ceremony there was nothing left to say but goodbye. As Diana left in the hearse it was almost as if the country felt tarmac was not fit for her presence. Petals fell beneath the wheels that transported her to her final resting place, where she would lie Queen of another isle. The occasion brought with it a revolution against a backward, out of touch monarchy. A realisation of the effects of the gutter press. Yet more so it united a nation. A nation once so strong and glorious that had dwindled. Never before has Britain been a symbol of such peace and unity for the world and perhaps never again will it ever reflect this. It restored faith in humankind that amongst all of the evil and violence there are people who genuinely care and these people exist in abundance and lined the streets and watched their TV sets on Saturday. Diana managed in death, even if only for a few hours, to create a new Britain, one she could have only dreamed of. At this point, the aftermath, only one question remains, where do we go from here ???????? by Claire Cresswell

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 103 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News March 1998

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 104 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News March 1998

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 105 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News March 1998

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 106 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Through the Worst ?

March 22nd this year was quite a day! Firstly, it was my birthday, the last time I shall be “forty something”. Secondly, of course, it was Mothers Day, flowers and chocs all-round. Thirdly, a very personal sad anniversary for me, more of which I’d like to share when I can find the words. And finally, it marks the end of twelve months when I felt I had been on the receiving end of the very best in human nature and sadly the worst too. On ‘the worst’ I won’t expand because to do so would give it importance that it doesn’t deserve. This time last year my husband became very ill, very quickly. It was Easter time and our daughter had been chosen for the part of ‘Poem Reader’ in St. Anthony’s play ‘On The Third Day’ I went with my Mom to see the afternoon performance. The singing was wonderful, so enthusiastic and so spiritual for such young children. Rory Allen was a very convincing Pilate but the sight of the slightly built Dane Smith portraying the dying Jesus was amazing. My husband was going to the evening performance but circumstances overtook us and he never did see the outcome of the endless rehearsals of ‘In the beginning’ that echoed around our lounge for weeks before, complete with sweeping dramatic gestures. We were in A & E at New Cross, but thanks to the concern and support of Maria Simpson our daughter was able to be at school to play her part. My husband was admitted to hospital that night - unstable angina they said. I went home without him and found myself talking to his coat as I put it on its hook, but when your 10 year old daughter asks ‘Is my Daddy going to die ?” - now that was a bad moment. I learnt that night that a bed you share with someone can feel as big as a football field when they’re not there. Over the next few days his angina was stabilised but serious heart problems were diagnosed and consequently a heart abnormality discovered. His first visitors were members of the S.V.P. and the Legion of Mary. Our eldest son cleverly converted a car wing mirror so that it could be clamped to the drip stand enabling my husband to see visitors arriving outside while lying in his bed. He survived major heart surgery and is now fit and well but it was a long haul. The staff at New Cross and Priory Hospitals were wonderful but the people of St. Anthony’s School and the Parish were brilliant. They will never know how important their care and concern were to me and my family. Just a word or a touch on the sleeve meant so much. “We’re praying for him” they’d say. Someone once said “I expect you’re tired of people asking how he is?” I can say in all honesty this was never the case. At this point I must mention Maggie Howl who is the very best neighbour anyone could wish for. She mowed the lawn, took our daughter to the riding stables and even survived my feeble map reading to Priory Hospital without once criticising my interpretation of the A-Z. Just how many Botanical Gardens are there in Edgbaston? I counted four on one occasion. Subsequent kind volunteer drivers fared better with my directions and the world was “put to rights” on more than one occasion. Of course it was a very stressful time but every cloud has a silver lining. I shall never forget the sight of my husband waiting on the doorstep for me to arrive home from work in the days after the operation. It was a good summer and he had taken to wearing shorts but because of his surgery, he had to wear white surgical tights. Quite a sight made even more comical when enhanced with the frilly garter Heather Carlisimo bought him! Any fears our neighbours might have held that we were slightly mad were confirmed. We have been able to spend more time together and for the time being at least, we are enjoying a bit of a role reversal. Well I’m enjoying it, anyway. I have it on good authority that the Dyson has tried to kill him twice by leaping off the landing while he’s been vacuuming the stairs! And so, the Mothers Day flowers have faded and as a family we are looking forward to Easter even more than usual this year having almost completely missing out on last years. Easter brings a new start, new beginnings but please can the good people of St.Anthony’s with all their kindness and compassion stay just the way they are. AP. ARENT

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 107 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News July 1998

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 108 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News July 1998

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 109 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News July 1998

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 110 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) For better…… My youngest son was married recently to his lovely Emma, on June 13th the Feast of St. Anthony. The day dawned grey and very wet but Michael Fish had prepared us all well for this days in advance so it wasn’t a great surprise. I have to say that this was the only problem, if you can call it that, to occur during a very long day. Everything else went according to plan in fact most things went better than planned! I had some wonderful helpers. A huge thank you to Anne for the flowers and to Heather, Maureen, Gail, Kath, Nicole, Roger, Karen, Daniella, Emily and the two Maggies for all their help with the buffet. The Nuptial Mass was lovely. A large number of the guests were non-Catholics but many of them said what a beautiful service it was. I was particularly pleased that my Dad, who is virtually housebound, was able to be there to share our happy occasion, also that my sister-in-law visiting from Hong Kong could join us. Our friend John played the organ and members of the choir helped us along with the hymns. Emma had chosen to come into church to Canon in D Maj. by Pachelbel. I was unfamiliar with this but it was a good choice. Emma had chosen five bridesmaids. A close friend, Krista had travelled from Canada, Samantha from Preston, Tracy from the Isle of Man, Ruth, my soon to be daughter-in-law and my own daughter completed the line-up. This youngest bridesmaid probably underwent the greatest transformation. Saturday to her means jodhpurs not dresses, grooming kit not flowers, stables not Church, but with gentle coaxing and guidance from Ruth she survived the trauma! I was to learn later that these poor girls had been awake since 4.30am because Emma’s stepfather, who had travelled from Saudi Arabia, had forgotten to change his alarm clock and had woken everyone at the hotel convinced it was time to get up. A good friend, Betty, had made the dresses and through no fault of her own was actually working on one of them on the wedding morning. Great stuff but definitely not for the faint hearted. I did have a bit of a panic with the wedding cake, I can admit it now. The happy couple had trusted me to make it and they had their own ideas for its design It was to include dark red and cream roses and have a sugar paste figures on it. The bride figure was to sit on the top tier of the cake and the groom would be climbing up with the help of a grappling hook. Get the picture? All went well until the Thursday before the wedding, Confirmation Day at St. Anthony’s. That was the day the groom became legless. No, he wasn’t on his stag night - his sugar paste legs just fell off! I went to the Confirmation Mass knowing my “little man” needed emergency treatment but not knowing how to do it. But my prayers were answered by my own Mr Fixit “Araldite will do it” he said and so it was probably the first wedding cake ever constructed with the help of epoxy resin. His legs stayed on and he was able to complete his mountaineering role in style. Emma was more than a little concerned about her parents who are divorced and would be forced to spend time together after many years apart. Thankfully, however, they both managed to put their daughter’s big day before their personal differences and for a few hours at least, harmony reigned. My son has always been a rather loud person. In fact he was often in trouble at school purely because he could be heard above everyone else when there was a disturbance of any kind. I secretly thought that maybe, just maybe when it came to his vows he would be quiet or subdued at least but no, he made his promises loud and clear and so did his lovely Emma. I remember some years ago Father Kelly giving a sermon on the Sacraments, Matrimony in particular. He said that he thought many people regarded it as giving grace for the moment or the day but actually the grace received was an on going thing year in, year out and we could and should draw on its strength always. About this same time I had been reading the story of “The Magic Porridge Pot” to my sons and I began to see in my mind’s eye Matrimony like that, however inappropriate it might be, blessings spilling over the sides of my own marriage into the lives of my children and family. And so I hope and pray that the “Porridge Pot” for these two young people will overflow and that a marriage begun with such joy, hope and love will endure and survive what ever life throws at it and grow stronger and stronger. For the record Michael “Hurricane” Fish was wrong. As our bride stepped out of the car at St. Anthony’s Church, the sun came out! AP. ARENT

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 111 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News December 1998

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 112 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News December 1998

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 113 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News December 1998

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 114 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Looking Back.

When I was younger I would rarely reminisce. Rather I would look forward and say things like “hen the children are grown”, “Maybe next year” or “When the house is paid for”. I could never see the appeal of looking back. There was always so much to plan but we all know about the “best laid plans”. Perhaps reminiscing is something that comes to you when it becomes obvious hat there are more years behind you than infront. This latest bout of nostalgia was triggered by the sight of that vast expanse of land where Wobaston Road meets Stafford Road . My husband used to work there when it was Turner Manufacturing many years ago. It was a family run business then owned by the Dumbell family and many hundreds of families in Wolverhampton owed their livelihoods to them. It occurred to me that when - if we have grandchildren we won’t be able to say “Granddad used to work there” . Soon it’s very existence will be forgotten just like the E.C.C. further down the Stafford Road. My Dad worked there until redundancy robbed him of completing fifty years service by about twelve weeks. My children don’t remember the factory buildings there. All that remains is a muddy site and the occasional sign of activity, legal or otherwise.. Another long gone building that played a big part in my own life was St. Patrick’s School in Culwell Street, sandwiched between Springfield Brewery and Bigwoods. I went there as an “Eleven Plus” failure in 1960 and loved it! I know there are many who hated it but I loved it! The land where it stood is now shared by the Highways Department and a housing estate, the air now free from the awful stench of hops brewing, a smell that clung to our hair and clothes. Springfield Brewery no longer brews but the buildings remains and will continue to do so because somehow they gained “listed” status. Each Wednesday instead of going to school we all went to St. Patrick’s Church for nine o’clock Mass. Of course it wasn’t the modern St. Patrick’s by New Cross, it was the beautiful old St. Patrick’s on the corner of Little’s Lane and Westbury Street , unfortunately one more victim of progress flattened for the Ring Road- hence Ring Road St. Patrick’s. Sister Mary Aquinas would be waiting in the porch to check us in! Part of our uniform was a bottle green beret. If ever there was a more useless or unattractive piece of headgear I’ve yet to see it. Just how do you wear this monstrosity? Is it the French onion seller style, tugged down at one side or tweaked into a peak at the front? If all else fails . of course there is always the Frank Spencer look. Anyway, I digress. Sister Mary Aquinas would be waiting! Some “bold” girls had taken to wearing their berets flat on the back of their heads, held on with Kirby grips. From the front the beret was unseen, lurking behind back combed hair. This was totally unacceptable to Sister and so much rearranging of hair and berets took place just before Mass on Wednesday mornings! Each week someone would be picked to ring the bell at the Consecration. I spent five years trying not to be that person. Got away with it too! No altar boys at an all girls school , in fact no girls allowed on the altar. Little did I realise that years later I would suffer agonies at Mass when my sons were to ring the bell as altar boys, relaxing only when all danger of dropping “clangers” had passed. After Mass we would walk in a huge green crocodile to school down Little’s Lane and over the railway bridge. Sister Mary Aquinas was a strict disciplinarian but I think she was fair and had a good sense of humour when her guard was down and it could bubble to the surface. Sister Mary Clement and Miss Lee would later teach my sons at Our Lady and St. Chad’s. Miss Lee took us girls for P.E. and needlework. By the time she got to my sons it was Home Economics.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 115 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) She loved my eldest son as much as she seemed to dislike the younger but he loved to play to the crowd and Home Economics would have made a perfect showcase for him. Then there was Miss Dunn who took us for singing. ”Don’t cough, girls! Just clear your throats. Coughing is bad for the heart.” Wouldn’t it be nice if all heart problems could be solved by clearing your throat instead of coughing! History came to us via Mrs Fox, Geography- Mrs McLoughlin , Maths - Mrs Moran and our English teacher was Miss Rowlands whom I thank for my love of the written word. Sadly she was also responsible for my most embarrassing time at school. She asked me to play the part of Mole in “Wind in the Willows” . Reading aloud, I could do. Write an essay any day, but act - no way! There was no escape. You didn’t argue with the teacher in those days. Mole was Spring cleaning. I’ve had a phobia about housework ever since. Disaster it was. Miss Dawes was responsible for our R.E. , Miss Buck- Physiology and a very young Miss O’Sullivan introduced us to Science, Bunsen burners and the like. But, something strange must have happened in that classroom- I’ve got older and Miss O’Sullivan has stayed the same. I was in Miss Moran’s group for Domestic Science. The class was equipped with gas cookers , ours at home was electric . Yes - you’ve guessed it. I let the oven fill with gas before finding out how to light it. Big bang - no eyebrows! And the line up would not be complete without a mention for my form teacher , Miss Gill, later to become Mrs Mulvehill. She was that most important of teachers that smoothes the way between Primary School and Secondary School. She went on to do great work for the “Life” group in Wolverhampton. The journey to and from school was by bus. On the return trip it would be invaded by the “Ever Ready girls” . It ever a group deserved a “Fly on the wall “ documentary conducted by the BBC it was this one. I always found them a bit intimidating . They would spill onto the bus, laughing, swearing, smoking, huge plastic rollers crammed under gaudy head scarves and more than anything I remember their fingernails outlined black. Would it ever come off? Perhaps they are still out there , sixty year olds with carbon dated nails….. Ever Ready , of course as gone! There as been a lot of water under the bridge since my school days. Best days of my life? I think not. Reminiscing has its place but I believe the very best of days is today and this is the day, the hour, the moment that matters. And besides who knows what tomorrow will bring……….. AP. ARENT

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 116 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News March 1999

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 117 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News March 1999

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 118 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News March 1999

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 119 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News March 1999

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 120 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Mary who???? I was in ‘Powerhouse’ recently with my mom. We were there to buy a video player and making idle conversation with the sales person I asked, pointing at the wall to wall display, proclaiming the wonders of digital television “Are they selling well, digital - televisions” “There’s no such thing as a digital television” came the sharp reply. Ouch! That’s told you, I thought. But it did get me thinking about the first time we had a television. I was nine, maybe ten. I arrived home from school and there it was, Rediffusion - wired vision. I can remember the very programme that was showing. It was ‘Four Feather Falls’, which I believe the first Gerry Anderson production, the forerunner of ‘Stingray’, ‘Fireball XLV’, ‘Thunderbirds’ and the rest. I was spellbound, totally captivated even though you could clearly see the strings. Among the other programmes I remember were the ‘Valiant Years’, a seemingly never ending series which my dad thought we should watch to improve our minds, ‘The Billy Cotton Band Show’, which he thought was acceptable fun, and ‘Grandstand’, which was compulsory. Sam Leach used to comment on the day’s football results. Not nice to speak ill of the dead but he always reminded me of a talking pork pie, in fact Saturdays for me will always be ‘Grandstand’, Sam Leach, black bananas and the ‘Pink’. Now there’s a blast from the past, I wonder how many reading this remember the ‘Pink’? My dad was the controller of the television. Our very own Mary Whitehouse! Nothing unsuitable was allowed, ‘Dr Who’ was banned because dad thought it aggravated my brothers asthma. I suppose with todays knowledge that it can be stress related he was quite justified although when my friends talked about the programme, I felt ‘hard done by’. But my favourite programme was one my dad approved totally. David Attenborough’s ‘Zoo Quest Paraguay’, filmed in South America. To a small girl who had travelled no further than Barmouth, this was amazing. The theme tune ‘Bell Bird’ by Los Paraguayas introduced each episode. One in particular, I recall, the crew had put an armadillo in a paper bag. I don’t know why, It certainly wouldn’t go down very well with today’s animal rights activists, but anyway the armadillo ran off in the bag. You had to see it to appreciate it, but I thought it was so very funny. Odd, the things you remember. Much, much, later on, the ‘Forsyte Saga’ would interrupt my courting days. It was broadcast on Saturday nights and my dad would laugh, because Saturday night was the time to be out on the town with the boyfriend, but not when Eric Porter was doing his stuff! Fortunately, however, our romance survived and we were soon buying a television for our own home. With no chance of buying a new one, we found a real gem in a second hand shop in Bilston. It had a cup ring mark on the top and roller doors that had a mind of their own. They gave a whole new meaning to watching half a programme. We could watch Morecombe or Wise! As our fortunes improved we moved on to better sets, but none had the charm of this first one. We first had colour television in 1979, and my favourite wild life programmes were instantly better, what a joy they are. This has to be one of the best things about television, a window on the Natural World. Over the years we have been transported to places we can only dream of and seen events that otherwise we would have missed. Neil Armstrong’s small step, the raising of the Mary Rose, Royal Weddings…………Royal Funerals……… Sadly too, we are more able to witness man’s inhumanity to man, the tragedy of Northern Ireland, the horror of the Falkland and Gulf Wars, the despair of Sudan and Ethiopia, the drama of Balkan Street and so much more. The other face of television brings us the joy of hostages returning home, the euphoria of World Cup victory, the sight of Nelson Mandela walking free in the sunshine of his home land. Television works best when it entertains or informs, not when it trades on human weakness and short comings. Today’s rash of talk shows seem to be out of hand and the ‘soaps’ serve best when they bring to the fore the problems that we all might face in our lives. In my own family they have sparked some very useful conversation, making a topic easier to approach. I enjoy today’s television drama, ‘Kavanagh’, ‘Frost’, ‘BallyK’, ‘Heartbeat’ and the like, as long as the language is moderate and there is no gratuitous sex or violence.

Wait a moment, am I becoming the new Mary Whitehouse? AP. ARENT

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 121 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News July 1999

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 122 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News July 1999

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 123 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News July 1999

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 124 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) A Tale of Three Tiers About this time last year, a good friend asked me to make a wedding cake. Her son was to be married and she knew I was an enthusiastic amateur and so it was agreed. When it comes to cakes, people usually say, “We’ll leave it to you” but this bride and groom knew exactly what they wanted - 3 tiers, heart shaped, a plaque with a bride and groom design, piped embroidery and pillars! Thankfully a good photocopy was produced and I began to make plans. Three tiers would not be a problem, nor the plaque, heart shaped tins could be hired, piped embroidery - well I was prepared to have a go - but the thought of those pillars began to haunt me. I’d made a wedding cake before but had hired a stand, easy peasy ! What stops one cake sinking into the tier below ? Surely the weight would be too much for the plastic pillars resting on fondant icing. Anyway, I soon discovered via a more knowledgeable enthusiastic amateur that the whole structure is supported by wooden dowels driven into the cake, board to board. The pillars were purely aesthetic bearing no weight at all. Fine - mind at rest, piece of cake (oops, sorry). And so , it was time to begin. I made arrangements to hire the tins and bought the ingredients and begged a bottle of duty free brandy from the groom’s mom. All was ready then I discovered my oven’s thermostat was ‘on the blink’. Now what ? No problem, I thought, ask your lovely neighbour. No you can’t, she’s gone away for a few days - hiring cake tins becomes expensive after one day. But you’ve got her key, so that you can water her baby Busy Lizzies. She won’t mind; will she? And so I began the cake. Fruit soaked overnight and then I realised there’s not enough hours in a day to bake 3 large cakes. So in the end my mom baked the 7 inch, my neighbour, in her absence, baked the 10 inch cake, and for some foolish reason I decided to risk the cooker from hell - my own with the 13 inch cake. The instructions said 6½ hours Gas Mark 1. After 9 hours the outside of the cake was what my son, when he was a toddler, would call “burntish blackish” and the inside was still not cooked. Clean skewer - no way. After 10 hours the skewer finally came out clean. ‘Okay’, I thought ‘I’ll trim it up, it will be all right’. I compared it with the beautifully cooked one from next door and the one my mom’s oven and still I admit it, even to myself, I’d got a problem here. I returned the tins, but as the week went by the awful truth dawned. I thought that I’d go back to the shop and if the tin wasn’t out on hire I’d take it as a sign that I must cook another cake. The tin was there. In haste I mixed another cake and asked my mom to cook it. After 6½ hours in the same oven that had cooked the small tier so well, this tier was incinerated, my mom, mortified. Back to the mixing bowl “dear neighbour, please bake my cake “I said and at the third attempt I had a perfect looking cake. I never wanted to see a sultana again! After feeding the cakes with the brandy, I neatly wrapped them and tried to forget about them for a while. Next I made the plaque. Well plaques, actually I made four in all knowing they can be fragile and coloured run-out icing is notorious for ‘bleeding’ one colour into another. They all turned out a little different from each other and two survived the course. On the other two the groom’s jacket ‘bled’ into the folds of the brides dress. The covering with marzipan and icing went well, the piped embroidery was time consuming, about 6 hours in all, but satisfying. A series of dots and dashes of icing placed to form forget-me-nots, leaves and hearts.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 125 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) Then it was the time to think of the pillars again. Oh dear. I rang a fellow parishioner who was providing flowers for the cake to match the brides bouquet to ask for advice. I think I was hoping she’d say that she would help but I soon realised she was busier than me. “You’ll be okay but you will need an extra pair of hands - ask your husband. If everything’s level it will be fine” she said. Now you must forgive me if I digress here. My husband used to watch The ‘Generation Game’ in the Bruce Forsyth days, that is, and he used to scoff at the contestants getting into a dreadful mess because as he put it, “they don’t watch - they look but they don’t see. I could do that.” I would think to myself “Oh yes, maybe”. Well I had to eat my words or thoughts in this case because I borrowed a video on cake decorating from my neighbour and after just one watching of the appropriate section he prepared for assembly a three tier wedding cake, dowels, pillars and boards using a ‘Stanley’ knife, spirit level and a steel rule. We were both too nervous to assemble it totally but knew it should work. Please God, let it work! Next day we delivered it to the brides family. Big sigh of relief all round. The wedding day came and working on the belief that no news is good news I thought all must be well with the cake. When we arrived at the reception I was scared to look at it, couldn’t go near it. It had worked and all the effort was worth while but it was almost painful to see it cut, the little forget-me-nots crumbling. The big question now was “what will it taste like?” Sorry, but this is a tenuous link to another cake making session from almost ten years ago. My daughter was ‘off sick’ from nursery school. She’d had an ear infection or something like that and we were preparing the evening meal. I was frying fish and had set aside the seasoned flour that I’d coated the fish in. “I’ll make a cake” she said and not wanting to upset a sick child I gave her a little sugar and margarine for her to mix together. I knew she would never eat it. She got it to a lovely bread-crumb texture, just “like mummy does”. I didn’t have an egg so she blended it with some milk and then to my amusement tipped in the dregs from the bottom of the antibiotic medicine bottle. For all nervous parents and chemists, we had completed the course as instructed on the label. Into the oven it went and some 30 minutes later out it came golden brown. I removed it from view, she’d clearly forgotten about it, Fireman Sam had taken over or something equally absorbing on the TV. I’d dispose of it later. However, I hadn’t reckoned on the remarkable ability of her brothers to seek out anything slightly edible. Home from school the first port of call is the kitchen and soon half of the ‘fish cake’ is gone, crammed into ever hungry mouths, “this is great, should we save some for dad?” “No, no that’s all right” I said. Hadn’t the heart to tell them. However the wedding cake did taste good and for any nervous people who can connect me to a slice of wedding cake they’ve recently eaten, there wasn’t any fish flour or antibiotic in it, only the very best ingredients and the most important one of all, my very best wishes for a long and happy marriage to the young couple concerned. AP. ARENT

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 126 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) The History of St. Anthony's Parish Mini-Bus. The provision of transport of the elderly parishioners to Mass has been taking place since the early 1960’s. The original idea was Mr Steve Turner's. Steve was a member of the St Anthony's conference of the SVP who happened to be a keen dancer. From the profits of a series of dances in the school-hall a mini-bus was purchased for the very worthwhile cause of bringing the Old Folk to Mass. The parish priest at the time was Fr P. Taylor. The SVP organised the drivers' rota. The SVP undertook to be responsible the road-worthiness of the vehicle while the parish was to be responsible for the insurance cover. From the very first, the school was allowed to use the bus for transporting pupils to matches and other events. The school were to be responsible for the fuel which was used on these occasions while the SVP were responsible for the fuel consumed for events held under their banner. The bus was soon in use for bringing in senior parishioners to the Christmas Party, to the occasional outing during the summer, as well as for the weekly Mass. This state of affairs lasted for some years and it became evident that a replacement bus was necessary. It was in order to deal with this problem that a 200 Club was launched, based primarily on the parents of the school pupils. Eventually the ownership of the parish bus was handed over to the school who became responsible for the insurance, tax and M.O.T. as well as the fuel consumed for school purposes. The parish then assumed responsibility for the fuel costs incurred in bringing the old folk to Mass. At this juncture the parish took over the 200 Club which was then enlarged. These events took place during Fr Kelly's time as parish priest. From this time, the SVP members have given support to the school's annual fund-raiser for the mini-bus, the summer gala. We are now on our third or fourth vehicle and to a large extent the service has worked very successfully. The regular users of the vehicle on a Sunday morning at the moment, number about twenty who value the service greatly. They benefit spiritually and socially from the effort. They would certainly miss out on the friendships which ensue from sharing the bus each Sunday morning. The co-operation which exists and has existed in the parish for nearly thirty years has enabled the project to flourish and great thanks are due to the parish priests involved, to staff of the school, to parents of the school children over the long period of time and to the members of the SVP over the same period. All of these people would agree that the venture is very well worthwhile and deserving of support. It is the good will and Christian example provided for all to see which demands that everything possible should be done to ensure that the efforts of nearly thirty years continues into the future. The Parish has received a magnificent anonymous donation of £10, 000 to ensure that the mini bus continues to run for the purpose of bringing the senior citizens to Mass. The school and parish have raised additional funds. It is proposed that both the school and the parish should form a committee to oversee the running of the bus and to plan for a replacement vehicle. St Anthony’s Parish Many thanks to all who responded to the recent appeal Bus at the time of crisis over the seats. These have now been replaced - all work carried out free of charge by the Royal Mail to whom we are indebted. Also grateful thanks to Our Lady & St. Chad’s School for their tremendous co-operation in loaning their Mini Bus every weekend to ensure the ‘Mass’ run could continue. Additional drivers are now being recruited to take the ‘Mini Bus’ test and so provide increased options to aid both school and parish use.

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 127 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News November 1999

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 128 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News November 1999

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 129 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) St. Anthony's News November 1999

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 130 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999) UP, UP, AND AWAY! I had made a dive for the Yellow Pages and was on the ‘phone within minutes of my dear wife saying, “Well, you had better book a flight for yourself for your birthday!”

Suprisingly no one suggested that I should talk into it! Within a short time we were all eagerly scrambling into the basket having been told the safety drill. (a bit like when you go in a commercial aeroplane, except there were no good looking flight attendants doing the demonstration). The lift-off was so quiet that one found oneself drifting gently across the carpark at about four miles an hour before you realised that we were air-borne.

With a roar of the four burners which were supplying the hot air to lift us we soon were at 500 feet looking back at the launch site where those who had come to watch were waving farewell.

The sensation was - well sensational! Floating along in a beautiful bright morning we seemed to be quite still whilst the countryside conveniently slipped by below us. After a while we came towards the Shropshire canal with the pleasure boats still tied up by the bank where they had spent the night. Here we had a bit of fun by floating quietly over them and then suddenly the pilot turning on the burners full blast. There were one or two early risers on the banks of the canal that morning. As we flew away we weren’t quite sure whether they were waving or shaking their fists!

We were drifting in a roughly northward direction. It was interesting that the only way that the pilot could change direction was to go up or down about 500 feet as there were winds of a different direction at various heights. And so we approached Stoke-on-Trent over the lovely north Staffordshire countryside which so impressed one couple who were on a visit from the U.S.A. (“Gee, how green everything is!”) We watched as commuters dashed to work along the A51, the cows coming in for their morning milking, a fox running through a corn field. We could hear the dogs barking and the sheep baaing and saw a Virgin train hurrying south, was it on time we wondered. One thing was certain - we were in no hurry, at a speed of never more than 10 miles an hour we all agreed that we could stay up there for hours.

However, all good things must come to an end and all too soon we were looking for a convenient field to land in. The farmers, we were told, are very co-operative and were happy for us to land in their fields so long as there were no crops or livestock there. They are compensated with a bottle of whiskey anyway. The first field which the pilot selected was rejected when we were nearly on the ground when he saw that it had very recently been occupied by a herd of cows (“I don’t want to get my balloon mucky!”) Our eventual landing was very smooth and once we had got the farmer’s O.K. we disembarked , folded up the balloon and returned to base with the recovery crew who had been tracking us by road.

All my friends and relations please take note, there’s Christmas, Easter, birthday, anniversary, Father’s Day, Millennium, oh, plenty of opportunities to treat me to another unforgettable trip. I would recommend the experience to anyone. John Cuthbert

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 131 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999)

History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 132 Wolverhampton. (1987 – 1999)