edgware parish profile

The parish itself will also see morefacilities being available to themas part of the Growing in Faithinitiative. Underway at present isthe construction of an overflowroom in the Church to increasecapacity, as Sunday Massestypically only have standing room.The space will also be able to hostcatechical meetings, such as theFaith sharing groups which have,in this Year of Faith, beenfollowing the four seasons to helpdeepen and further the

Westminster Record February 2013

St Anthony of Padua, Edgware ispart way through a process oftransformation to develop theparish facilities to serveparishioners needs more fullythanks to the Growing in Faithinitiative.

The redevelopment beingundertaken in the parish continuesto be a work in progress, withcompletion expected in March. Yetalready parishioners are beginningto see the outcome of theirgenerosity and enjoy the manybenefits as different parts of theproject reach completion.

The first change to the parish to becompleted, and certainly the moststunning, is the new stained glasswindow in the Chapel of theBlessed Sacrament (see photo).Sophie D’Souza, the artist anddesigner, spoke of the symbolismof the Eucharist behind the designof the window. “The red, shiningfrom the Lamb of God, istraditionally a colour associatedwith the Holy Spirit but alsoreflects the blood of Christ. Thiscombined with the whitesurrounding the Lamb brings youback to the Eucharist”.

The Blessed Sacrament has aparticularly special role in StAnthony of Padua as expositionoccurs between 6am and 10pmdaily, providing people throughoutthe day the opportunity for prayerand reflection within the Church.

Further changes as part of theinitiative have included thebuilding on the site of the Churcha new flat which will provide

independent living accommodationfor a retired priest. Mgr MartinHayes, the parish priest spokeabout the importance of providingsuitable accommodation for retiredclergy as: “Priests do not retire, butrather take a step back fromadministrative duties. Havingaccommodation where they canremain at the heart of a warm andwelcoming community but nolonger need to be fully engaged inthe day to day running of a Churchis immensely important to them.”

St Anthony of Padua: A parish in transformationParish Profile - Edgware

The new stained glass window in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, designed by Sophie D’Souza

understandings of faith. The parishpresbytery is also being renovatedwith a new kitchen and meetingroom being available for use byparishioners.

The Parish of St Anthony’s wasfounded in 1931. Mgr RalphBrown, who grew up in the parishin the 1940s, remembers it as alively and innovative parish withclergy who had good humour. Heremembered fondly Fr John Speltz,who had previously worked as agas man, and so was able toundertake most repairs himself, orelse knew someone who could!

Today, the parish is just as lively. St Anthony’s serves a diverse areawith European, Afro-Caribbeanand Sri Lankan communities beingactive in the parish and havingdifferent charisms and devotions.Fr Martin spoke of the need to“give each of these visibleinvolvement in the Parish, such asMass for the Sri Lankancommunities on the Feast of StAnthony of Padua, to which theyhold particular devotion”. FrMartin went on to say, however, ofthere being a shared identity intheir Catholicism and no clearethnic divides because of therecognition that “Jesus is there foreveryone”.

Prior to his current role as ParishPriest at St Anthony’s which hecame to in April 2011, Mgr Martinhas held a number of exciting

Construction underway in the presbytery, funded by parishioners and the wider Growing in Faith initiative

posts with in the diocese serving asWormwood Scrubs prison chaplainand Amecus Clero – a rolesupporting the clergy in theirongoing formation and pastoralcare - before being appointed inJune 2008 to serve as PrivateSecretary to both Cardinal CormacMurphy O’Connor and laterArchbishop Vincent Nichols.

Fr Martin said “it was a privilege towork for and with Cardinal Cormacand then Archbishop Vincent asPrivate Secretary, and toparticipate in the life and work ofArchbishop’s House. Now I amenjoying parish life once again asa parish priest at St Anthony’s, awelcoming and vibrant parish”

By Alex Balzanella