St Dunstan’s reaches a century

Created on Thursday, 16 February 2012 16:31

On 11th February 1912, while RMS Titanic was still afloat in the Belfast shipyard, Fr Routledge celebrated Mass at St Joseph’s chapel in Moston Cemetery. Thus began the new parish of St Dunstan’s. Shortly afterwards a temporary, tin church was built on Bluestone Road and this served the Catholics of Moston for a good few years until the current church was opened on 30th May 1937.

On Friday 10th February, many current and former parishioners celebrated 100 years of the parish with a Mass of thanksgiving.

Many of the priests who had served St Dunstan’s parish also returned. Bishop Brain was due to be principal celebrant but because of illness was unable to be present. It was fitting that the Rural Dean, Canon Alan Denenny, himself a former curate at St Dunstan’s, should stand in for the Bishop. Councillor Harry Lyons, Lord Mayor of Manchester represented the city and locla Christian leaders also joined the congregation.

The theme for the Jubilee Year is “Praise to the Holiest in the height” taken from the hymn by Blessed John Henry Newman.  A large banner produced by St Matthew’s CLC and freely erected outside of the Church by Astra Designs depicts in bold letters that priests and people have given praise to the Lord Jesus for the last 100 years.

In his homily, the Dean said, “I originally thought about mentioning all the people who have been involved in the 100-year journey for the parish, but I changed my mind and instead focus on the one who has accompanied us on our journey: Almighty God”. The church looked at its best and was beautifully decorated with flowers. Everyone present contributed to some wonderful singing. The choir had learned a new Mass setting for the centenary, fittingly called the Mass of St Bernadette as the parish began on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Fr David Featherstone, the current parish priest,  is delighted at the way the Jubilee year has begun, and said “The people of Moston are wonderful, warm and generous folk and the centenary Mass and celebration afterwards in the hall was a marvellous occasion. After  several months of planning,  everyone pulled together to make it a real family occasion. I’m very proud of  how everyone  was involved”.

See the Gallery for some photographs.