Father Croft’s Musings for the month of October
“In the days of thanksgiving one psalm let us offer, for the saints who before us have found their reward……
…… These stones that have echoed their praises are holy, and dear is the ground where their feet have once trod.”
Here at St Hilda’s October is a very special month as on 23rd we celebrate the Anniversary of our Dedication.
On the 18th October 1904 the Bishop of Manchester consecrated St Hilda’s church and so in 2022 we shall be celebrating 118 years of God’s praise here in Prestwich.
St Hilda’s has stood as a bastion of the Faith through all the years and we are continuing still to this day to provide a place where everyone is welcomed to our beautiful church through faith, worship and friendship.
A Dedication Festival reminds us of the debt that we owe to those who throughout the intervening years have helped to preserve this wonderful heritage and It is our duty and our privilege to continue this tradition.
St Hilda’s is a place where all the Sacraments are celebrated and is a Place of Welcome for anyone in the wider community.
I hope on Sunday 23rd October to celebrate a High Mass with Father Paul Denby preaching and to give thanks and praise for the Blessings we have received in the past 118 years.
May St Hilda’s continue to be a Beacon of Light and Praise for many more years to come and we pray that St Hilda of Whitby will continue to look after our community, our congregation, our Parish School and all who live and work in this Parish.
Every Blessing
Reverend Father Ronald Croft
“The happy birds Te Deum sing – ‘tis Mary’s month of May,
Her smile turns winter into spring and darkness into day.”
This year we celebrate this loveliest of months, as the readings during Mass take us through the story of Jesus’ time on earth following his Resurrection; how he appeared to his disciples with the message to continue his work.
He met with them in the Upper Room when Thomas wanted tangible proof before he would accept that the Lord really had risen; he encountered the disciples on the road to Emmaus who failed to recognize him until he broke the bread at supper and he greeted Peter and the others at the side of the lake and shared breakfast with them.
Through all the teachings of Jesus we hear the theme of “Love thy neighbour”.
There are so many charitable organisations that exist to try and put this into action. Christian Aid Week starts on 15th May – this a body that is doing its best to restore some balance into this unjust world.
How lucky we are that most people in this country have somewhere to live, food on the table, and access to the Health Service and to Education.
What a contrast to all those countries where such facilities are the stuff of dreams and men, women and children are dying through lack of resources.
We should be guided by the Five Marks of Mission of which the third tells us clearly to respond to human need by loving service.
Let us take long hard look at ourselves to see what the balance is between what we can do and what we are actually doing.
God Bless