History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Fordhouses Wolverhampton 2008 - 2013 2008 On Sunday 23rd March 2008 new candle stands and processional cross as well as an Easter candle stand and Acolytes candles were unveiled. They are a gift to St. Anthony’s, the oak was given to us by Mr Brian Dixon. Tim Davies made the various items in his garden workshop. For details see Appendix 32 Deanery News On 6th February 2008 Father Jimmy Lutwama who, for the past 5 years has been chaplain to the Carmelite Monastery in Penn moves into parish work within the Diocese Archdiocese News On 1st March 2008 Bishop Kevin John Dunn died, his funeral took place in the Cathedral at Newcastle-upon-Tyne on Tuesday 11th March 2008. For obituary see Appendix 33 Archdiocese News On Wednesday 12th March 2008 in St. Chad’s Cathedral, a Mass for Bishop Kevin Dunn was offered. Ecumenical Service On Monday 18th March 2008 at St. Anthony’s was open to the local Churches Together in preparation for Holy Week. The Folk Choir lead our prayer with ‘Born for This’. Stations of the Cross by Boyce and Stanley. Deanery News Wolverhampton Deanery Visitation which began in the Autumn concluded on Thursday 3rd April 2008 at St. Michael’s Church Hall. Archbishop Vincent and Bishop David presented their report at the end of their visits to the 13 parishes. History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 1 Wolverhampton. (2008 – 2013) On Sunday 11th May 2008 First Holy Communion Celebration took place for St. Anthony’s school children. For Service and children receiving communion see Appendix 34 Deanery News On 13th June 2008 Father Tim Burke of West Bromwich celebrated his Diamond Jubilee as a Priest, and 40 years as Parish Priest of Stone Cross. On 8th June 2008 The Going Forth Mass completes our programme of preparation for the children who have received First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion in this past year On Wednesday 25th June 2008, Bishop Pargeter celebrated Mass in St. Anthony’s to mark the leaving of Sister Dolorosa and Sister Theresa after 18 years in our parish. Bishop Pargeter also presented them with the Archbishop’s medal, ‘Ubi Caritas’. The Mass was followed by a Buffet and Social Evening in the School Hall. 29th June 2008 Letter received from Sisters Dolorosa and Theresa. For full transcript see Appendix 35 £4,222.24 was received in July as a result of Gift-Aided donations in the last financial year. On 26th/27th July 2008 one of our senior parishioners, John Cuthbert celebrated his 85th birthday Deanery News The Funeral Mass for Sister Denise of the Community of St Joseph of Tarbes, Tettenhall, took place on Wednesday 23rd July 2008 at St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Haywood Drive. On 14th August 2008 Fr John Wairagu Rimani celebrated the evening Mass, Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady. On 15th August 2008Fr Frank Gwinnett celebrated the morning Mass, Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady. On 15th/16th August 2008 Father Lawrence King, celebrated the Sunday Masses. On 17th August 2008 Father Lawrence King celebrated the Sunday Masses. On Saturday 13th September 2008 the Churches Together annual Sponsored Walk took place on Cannock Chase. On Friday 3rd October 2008 The Wolverhampton Deanery CAFOD Harvest Fast Day Mass was celebrated at Holy Trinity Church, Bilston. History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 2 Wolverhampton. (2008 – 2013) On 5th October 2008 Fr Lawrence of the St. Francis Xavier Foreign Mission Society made the Annual Mission Appeal. On 9th November 2008, Remembrance Sunday Father Frank Gwinnett celebrated the Sunday Mass as Fr Father Brendan attended the Civic Service for Remembrance Sunday at St. Peter’s Church in the city centre. On Tuesday 11th November 2008 Priests and Deacons of the Wolverhampton Deanery gathered in St. Anthony’s to celebrate a Mass for deceased priests who have worked in Wolverhampton On the 9th of December 2008 the S.V.P. Christmas Lunch took place in the school hall. Year 6 children were in attendance serving the meal and Our Lady and St. Chad’s school band which provided music. On Sunday 21st December 2008 St. Anthony’s Parish Carol Service took place, this was followed by mulled wine and mince pies. 2009 On 4th January 2009 it was reported that the Christmas Raffle, after deducting the costs of printing, had made approximately £709 for parish funds. Diocesan News On Sunday, 25th January Ecumenical Vespers took place marking the Year of St Paul was celebrated in St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham. The Anglican Bishop of Durham, The Rt. Rev Tom Wright and a very well-known scripture scholar, preached on St Paul during Vespers. 24th / 25th January 2009 Ecumenical Explanations On this day 50 years ago. It was on 25th January 1959 at St Paul’s Outside the Walls in Rome, that the recently elected Pope John XX111 announced that he was calling an Ecumenical or General Council of the Church. A little later on, this would be called the Second Vatican Council. For full Transcript see Appendix 36 On 31st January 2009 some proposed changes to the times of Weekday Mass. Presently, except for Saturday, weekday Mass is at 9.00am. The proposal would be to have a 10.00am Mass on Tuesday mornings and on Fridays an evening Mass at 7.00pm. The Friday Mass would be preceded by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 6.15pm, and concluding with Evening Prayer of the Church just before Mass. On 31st January 2009, it was reported that St. Anthony’s CAFOD box raised £435.00 for the Disasters Emergency Committee Appeal for the people of Gaza On Tuesday, 20th January 2009 a Service of Prayer for Christian Unity was held in the Baptist Church, Fordhouses. History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 3 Wolverhampton. (2008 – 2013) Deanery News On 25th January the Wolverhampton Inter Faith Council held its Annual Prayer for Peace Service in St. Peter’s Collegiate Church. On 6th February 2009 It was reported that the Disasters Emergency Appeal for the people of Gaza. Response to this CAFOD appeal was £241.55. Our CAFOD Box totalled £453.02 and so, £714.57 was forwarded to the CAFOD. On 5th February 2009 the following article appeared in the Express and Star newspaper. FOCUS ON FITNESS By Elizabeth Joyce With circus skills karate and cricket all on ' offer before the first bell has even sounded, there is never a dull moment at Wolverhampton's St. Anthony's Catholic Primary School. As well as the early-morning Kick Start Club, the school's 344 pupils take part in extra-curricular rock climbing, cookery, sport, sign language and library clubs. For full transcript Appendix 37 On Saturday, 21st February 2009 Fr Frank Gwinnett celebrated Mass to mark his fifty years as a priest. Fr Gwinnett was Parish Priest at St Anthony’s from 1996-1999, before retiring. There was an informal buffet in the Church entrance following the Midday Mass. Bill Morgan presented Fr Gwinnett wth a cheque for £350.00 which was donations from the parish. Full copy of this publication is available on St. Anthony’s website https://www.stanthonysrcchurch.org/mass-booklets Deanery News On Friday, 27th February in St Christopher’s Church, Codsall, there was a Boyce and Stanley musical evening. On 8th March 2009 A Word of Thanks and Appreciation was received from Fr Gwinnett. During the week I received a thank-you card (with two dogs as the picture on the front) from Fr Gwinnett. I have put the card on the notice board and would also like to include his message here: ‘Dear Brendan, I am so grateful for all the trouble the parish went to so as to make my Golden Jubilee such a special occasion. It exceeded all my expectations and all the family were thrilled with the sincerity of the whole occasion. Please thank everyone involved in all the preparations and for their generous gift. I always had a great affection for St Anthony’s and it was lovely to feel it so reciprocated. God bless you all, Frank. History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 4 Wolverhampton. (2008 – 2013) On Tuesday 31st March 2009 the monthly Coffee Morning in aid of Church funds took place after the 10.00am. Mass. On 2nd April 2009 the Churches Together Lenten Lunches continued the venue was in St Anthony’s Church. There was a short service beginning at 12.30pm followed by the Lenten Lunch. A collection was taken for the project of the year. Archdiocese News On 12th April 2009 it was confirmed that Archbishop Vincent’s Nichols was to be appointed as the new Archbishop of Westminster. He was due to visit St Anthony’s on 7th May to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. Alternative arrangements to be made. On 13th April 2009 an Ecumenical Service of Evening Prayer was held in St Anthony’s Church. Archdiocese News On 6th May2009 Bishop Philip Pargeter retired from office. On 7th May 2009, All though retired the previous day Bishop Philip Pargeter celebrated The Sacrament of Confirmation for year 6 children from St. Anthony’s School. List of those being confirmed see Appendix 38 The Mass booklet is available on St. Anthony’s website https://www.stanthonysrcchurch.org/mass-booklets In May 2009, Lucy Walters, a long serving parishioner, celebrated her 80th Birthday On 13th May 2009 the Boyce and Stanley Concert took place in St. Anthony’s Church. Jo Boyce and Mike Stanley wrote and perform religious music; they are very active in the Archdiocese.