WEEKLY TIMETABLE

---

SUMMER DIARY

(updated weekly)

Summer Organ Recitals

Saturdays at 6pm

                                                                    Saturday 5th August          Philip Broadhouse

                                                                    Saturday 12th August        Reginald Dixon

                                                                    Saturday 19th August        Stephen Mann

                                                                    Saturday 26th August        Nigel Lea

                                                                    Saturday 9th September    Simon Leach (for the Cheetham Festival)

≈ ≈ ≈  A Ω  ≈ ≈ ≈

Sunday Afternoons

The Imitation of Christ 

2.30pm - 3.30pm

beginning Sunday 3rd September 

We will be reading and considering this classic text slowly over a few weeks.

After reading a chapter together, and sharing our thoughts on its meaning, purpose and relevance, 

we pray that the Holy Spirit will use our insights as a stimulus for love of God and neighbour.

The Text of 'The Imitation of Christ'

Lots of tea, coffee, fizzy pop and Jaffa Cakes (fingers crossed).

We can continue these Sunday afternoons until either we finish the book or we run out of energy.

You don't have to commit to the whole thing - just come when you wish.

See Fr Christopher for more information

(NB. Jammie Dodgers are also acceptable)

---

A prayer for the suffering brought to our parish 

at the Manchester Arena on Monday 22nd May

God our Father, 

Your power brings us to birth,

Your providence guides our lives,

and by your command we return to dust.

Lord, those who die still live in Your presence;

their lives change but do not end.

I pray in hope for those who have died in Manchester,

that they may live in that light and peace which knows no end.

In company with Jesus,

who died at the hands of wicked men, and now lives in glory,

may they rejoice in Your kingdom, 

where all our tears will be wiped away.

Unite us together again in you, who are pure love,

to sing your praises for ever. Amen.

---

ST CHAD'S CHURCH AND OUR MINISTRY

When the first Catholic chapel was built in Manchester in the eighteenth century, the first for over 300 years, it was dedicated to St Chad. In having him as its patron the Catholic community in Manchester was keen to show that it was the same living family of faith that has existed here down through the centuries. Whatever the political and religious upheavals of the day, there has always been a group of Roman Catholics here stretching back to the time of the Roman garrison nearly 2,000 years ago. In the 7th century St Chad was the first bishop to preach, teach, govern and sanctify God's people in Manchester.

St Chad's popularity and influence has lived on, not only in the dedication of many ancient churches in the region, but also in the place names of Manchester that were associated with him. "So much did Chad endear himself to those whom he converted, that even to this day we find traces of his missionary labours in the numerous place-names in the Manchester district that have been given in honour of the Mercian Bishop. The valley of the Irk, along which he must have toiled repeatedly, is particularly rich in these name memorials. Chadderton is simply Chad's town, Chadkirk is Chad's church, Cheetham is Chad's dwelling-place, Cheetwood is Chad's wood, Chat Moss is Chad's moss, Cheadle is Chad's hill, Cheadle Hulme is the meadow by Chad's hill, and so forth" (from John O'Dea, 1910, The Story of the Old Faith in Manchester).

His kindly presence and his faithfulness to Christ and His Church won many souls to God in his day. We pray that his personal influence will still be found today as the Catholics of Manchester work to build the Kingdom of God; to hand on what has been given to us from our Fathers and Mothers in the Faith.

If you would like to support the work of the Oratorian Community at St Chad's ,

and the restoration programme of this historic church, please donate using the button below.

RESTORATION of the CHURCH

In the autumn of 2016 we are in process of applying for grants for the Second Phase of the Restoration. This will be to treat the dry rot in the south aisle and develop access for wheelchairs. If you can help us raise our part of the money for the work please use the donate button above. Please keep this matter in your prayers.