Page 4 - link magazine

4 The Link Magazine • September 2003

Father Tom moves on after 13 years
West Swindon's long serving Roman Catholic priest Father Tom Kelly departs for a parish in Somerset in early September. Parishioner At to
Martlew writes an appreciation.
After 13 years in the Parish Fr. where he said he was looking for- ing stories and ex- man for St. Peter's
Tom, as he likes to be known, is ward to working with the ecu- periences that give New estswlndotes new Roman ^tholliicg 29
leaving us on 4 September to take menical community in Swindon. the congregation rheinductionofW people Into Mfs
oaasloe with over 500
was a joyous to witness the service conducted by Bishop Mervyn
up an appointment as Parish Priest One of Fr. Tom's first tasks was food for thought. church, Bastlea=e of Clifton.
at St. Joseph's, Bridgwater. to oversee the fitting of a new roof Under his guid- Alexander, Bishop
Father Tom Ke ly, pictured right,
,
Fr. Tom arrived from St. Tho- on the church, even though the ance St. Peter's has isstttigettingover theevent Itwas
al
J
mas More in Marlborough on 25 building was only five years old. grown to be a vibrant sttendc ' w pries people welcoming
their
their w p riest, f amily and friends
w
May 1990 and was inducted as Since then, he has directed many community support- from his previ o us parish and
members of other churches in
Parish Priest by Bishop Mervyn other improvements to the build- ing many social and t
1i was so Plea
Alexander, Bishop of Clifton, on ing including the installation of religious groups. people could atte sad that so many
nd the induction,"
29 June, the Feast of St. Peter & St. stained glass windows as part of There have been said Father To m, as he likes to be
Paul. the Parish's Millennium project, many celebrations at kno"n.'nthink a lotofparishioners
who the new priest
wondering
He was featured in The Link and the installation of church bells St. Peter's over the wasgoingtobe, and he I am. I'm
s
ears and highlights
magazine in August of that year which can be heard chiming every years loop pleasas possib to meetinga many
^ '
a b
to over the coming
hour across West Swindon. include the Interna- months and I'm looking forward to
working with the other denom- 'S
•
Since 1990, a whole generation tional Masses, the tentl inat{ons in the a rca"
hasarrivedafterten ad ftt t
September at Peatmoor of parishioners has grown up with anniversary of the dedi FatherTom's ow The Link welcomed Father Tom in 1990
H
Community Facilities Fr. Tom as their Parish Priest. He cation of St. Peter's in
The Sewing Group starts again on has baptised babies who later, as 1995, Fr. Tom's Silver Jubilee of Swindon Choral Society concerts
Monday 8 September, 10.30am to young children, made their First Ordination in 1999 and the presen- and the only Swindon perform-
12noon, for those interested in Communion and Confirmation tation of the Bene Merenti Medal, ance of Born for This by Blessed
cross-stitch, embroidery and tap- during his time at St. Peter's. a Papal Award, to two parishion- George Napier School, Banbury.
estry. The meetings are very infor- A number of very successful ers in 2002. Parishioners have the opportu-
mal and cost £1 per morning. Alpha courses and video series St. Peter's has been a venue for nity to say goodbye to Fr. Tom at
The Over 50's coffee mornings exploring the Catholic Church numerous community activities receptions in the Parish Centre af-
return from Wednesday 10 Sep- have helped parishioners to too: from the first anniversary cele- ter the weekend Masses on 30 and
tember, 10am to 11.30am. New- deepen their faith and over the brations of Swindon Churches 31 August.
comers always welcome. years St. Peter's has welcomed into Together in 1999, to Christmas and Fr. Michael Saunders joins St
the Catholic Church quite a Easter services by local schools, to Peter's on 4 September.
Ballet classes for 3 and 4 year olds number of new members.
commence on Tuesday 16 Septem- Fr. Tom is well known for his Youth go for action in the North
ber, 2.45pm to 3.15pm. The cost for entertaining sermons, always seek-
the 6 week term is £10.50. The Friday Night Thing is an 'action' oriented event for the teens of
ing to make the readings at Mass
For details, call 887473. relevant to everyday life and shar- North Swindon writes Sarah Hepppenstall.
The group run by North Swin-
don Baptist Church meets every
other Friday at Abbey Meads
Community School. Coming up
in the next two months: ,1 ,^
12 September Watermania.
26 September Lazer Quest trip
10 October Youth Quake 'Y ^•
24 October Tramps supper
Newcomers are always made =`"*
very welcome. Call Jackie and Watermania from last. r)n, from left to
Steve on 341743 for details, tight, Steph Mann, LauriCoates,youth
leader Sarah Heppenstall, Rachael
www.thefridaynightthing.org.uk Hannah, Jonelle Bradley, Sarah Coates
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