The monthly Sung Mass, these days said by Father Doyle, was commenced back in the days when the late Edmund Waddlelove was the Local Representative, probably 20 years ago.
30 years ago and Edmund was also instrumental in the organisation of the annual pilgrimage each July. This year it is on the 5th July and details can be seen below.
Therefore, the Society has a long association with this special place, the location of the only Shrine in the England and Wales not to be destroyed in the reformation years.
Thanks to kind permission of the Parish Priest, Father Akkara of the Society of Divine Vocations, this tradition continues and we are welcomed each month and we pray it continues as the Society is very fond of Holywell and the Catholic heritage associated with the town.
So, with that fondness in mind, we were very sad to learn that just prior to Easter, the stain glass window depicting St Patrick had become very unstable and began to collapse out of its frame. The window was made safe but it is the aim of the parish to make a full repair.
I understand that the work will cost £14,000 and in these days of shrinking Mass numbers and the knock on effect on the offertory plate, there is no ready availability of such funds and so the parish is working hard to raise the money.
It is right and proper that the LMS make a donation to this special church and therefore I am delighted to confirm that we have made such a donation of £500 towards the restoration fund.
Please God, we certainly hope that this beautiful window, in this special church can once again delight worshippers and pilgrims as they delight in wonders of Holywell and St Winefride's.
[Update: The actual window, which has collapsed has been repaired and is ready to be re-installed, this of course doesn't mean all the money has been raised!]