September Parish news

A new parish priest.

After six years ministry in the parish, Fr. John Catlin has left to go to Winchester. In his “semi-retirement” he will assist in that large parish and oversee First Communion preparation as well as hospital chaplaincy work. On 13^th September the parish held a reception for Father in the church hall. He received over £5000 from a collection and from private donations. In his time in Ryde he had overseen the exterior renovation of St. Mary’s Church and the installation of a new organ. The parish wish him well for the future. 

The parish welcome their new parish priest, Fr. Anthony Glaysher. Father was oradined to the Holy Priesthood in May 2003. After serving as curate at Abingdon and Guernsey, he has been appointed to the Parish of St. Mary’s, Ryde (incorporating Holy Cross, Seaview and St. Michael’s, Bembridge)

Father is delighted to have been appointed to Ryde with its beautiful early Victorian church and its rich Catholic heritage. Please remember Father in your prayers as he commences his priestly ministry on the Island.

Guild of St. Stephen.

The parish congratulates Sarah Garnham who was awarded her altar server’s (bronze) medal at St. Michael’s, Bembridge. In Ryde Nathan FitzPatrick and Patrick Clarke were awarded silver medals; both having completed ten years loyal service as altar boys. The two boys both leave the parish to commence university this month. The parish is pleased to have fifteen competent and reliable servers to enhance the liturgy.

Kevin Doran  R.I.P.

1942 – 2008

The parish has lost a popular and faithful member of the congregation. Kevin died this month. Please remember to pray for the eternal repose of his soul. He had made  a major contribution to parish life in various ways. As a boy he was an altar server in the 1950s. Kevin had a successful career in Catholic education. After sixteen years as headteacher of  a Catholic secondary school in Wales, Kevin returned with his wife Anne, to Ryde. In his retirement he served as Chairman of the Parish Council at St. Mary’s and as Chairman of the Governors of three Island Catholic schools. He was instrumental in the inauguration the Christ the King Christian school in Newport.

The Catholic Church on the Island owe Kevin a great deal of gratitude.

Requiescat in pace

Presentation Sisters.

The fours nuns at the Presentation Convent in Ryde celebrate the diamond jubilee of their ministry in the parish on Saturday 4^th October (Feast of St. Francis) with Solemn Mass at 11-00am. The Presentation Sisters are the third Order of nuns to occupy the convent next to St. Mary's in Ryde High Street. The Sisters of Mercy were resident from 1884 to 1901; then the Sisters of the Cross until 1947 when they moved to their present site at Springfield, East Cowes. It was Sister Baptist who saw an advertisement from the parish priest of St. Mary's, Fr. Murphy requesting an Order of nuns to come and teach in the school and look after the church. The Sisters arrived in 1948 and Sister Baptist became Headmistress of St. Mary's School (which at the time was in the Parish hall next door to the church). The Sisters also opened the Convent school. (This closed in 1990). In recent years the Sisters have been involved with visiting the sick, prison visiting, preparation for the sacraments and sacristy work. 

Pilgrimage to Durham.

Another parish pilgrimage has been arranged for October 17^th – 21^st.

Coach from the Island to Durham. The pilgrims will stay at Ushaw College (northern seminary) which is celebrating its bi-centenary this year. Visits and guided tours to Lindisfarne, Durham Cathedral, Berwick-on-Tweed, Alnwick Castle, as well as the historic Ushaw College.

There will be daily Mass and time for Confessions, spiritual direction and other devotions.

The new parish priest of St. Mary’s, Fr. Anthony Glaysher, has agreed to be the chaplain for this pilgrimage.

Full Board for four nights and five days. Cost - £312

£50.00 deposit required as soon as possible. Details from Leo Boucher. Tel. 01983 563192.

Leo has already organized successful pilgrimages to Aylesford, Walsingham and to Poland.

This promises to be another interesting trip.