NEW2Feb

Parish of the Holy Family

226, Trelawney Avenue, Langley, Slough, Berkshire. SL3 7UD Telephone: 01753 543770

Re Opening of Holy Family Church
Friday, 2nd. February, 2007

Our Mass this evening says something of our past and a great deal about our future.

A message from Fr. Kevin.

Fifty years to the day, the church of the Holy Family, Langley, was officially opened. It was a Saturday and over 400 people attended. The building had no electricity and no benches but those still telling the story say that it was a wonderful occasion. Mgr. Charles Grant V.G. (later to become our Bishop) led the Mass, assisted by a very proud Fr. Crawfurd.
Over these fifty years the church has become a place where people settling in Langley from all over the world have come to do precious things - to worship God, to present their children for baptism, to make wedding vows, to be ordained for priesthood, to tenderly bring loved ones who have died. It is building that holds very strong memories and emotions.

And now the community looks to the future.
The building has been refreshed so that this generation, like the people before, will experience the presence of our saving God. All over again we will know His presence when we gather for worship, when we use water, when we listen to the words of Scripture, and when bread and wine are offered.

Holy Family parish welcomes our guests this evening.
We are delighted that Bishop Peter Doyle is able to lead our Mass. We, the parish, have had nothing but support and encouragement from the Diocese.
Stuart Mackay has been our architect. He has listened sensitively to what we had in mind and brought skill and expertise to everything he has designed.

Fr. Crawford

Steven Foster and Stuart Mackay

Arambol Associates managed the whole project on behalf of the Diocese and ROK builders have been wonderful to work with.
David John designed our font, ambo, altar, tabernacle and presidential chair. His work is just exquisite.
Stephen Foster has carved our image of the risen Christ
(based on the words of the Easter Exsultet hymn)
and has produced a breathtaking piece of work
for our church.

As well as these guests, we are delighted to be joined by priests (some of whom have served in the parish), ministers of other local Christian churches and some of our parishioners who were present on February 2nd, 1957. You are all most welcome.
This is our prayer on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord:
"United by the Spirit may we now go to the house of God to welcome Christ the Lord.”

Fr. Kevin O'Driscoll

David John

Journalist and author
Michael Taub
describes the evening.

Friday, 2nd. February, 2007, 7.30 p.m.

CELEBRATED artist Stephen Foster’s exquisite masterpiece of the risen Christ was the stunning showpiece at Holy Family Church’s eagerly-awaited re-opening service on Friday last.

The giant 20ft white and gold carving towered above the dramatically remodelled sanctuary in the fifty year old church, which was celebrating its Golden Jubilee after a six-month refit costing in excess of £500,000.

Bishop Peter, preceded by a censer bearer, an acolyte with the Easter Candle and some people who were amongst the
first to be baptised in the Church of the Holy Family processed solemnly to the font.

After blessing the font
and extracting water from it,
Bishop Peter then sprinkled the water over the
congregation in the seated sections and those
crammed shoulder-to-shoulder
at the back of the church.

Our two Readers, Maria Fernandes and Harry Stockley, together with psalmists, Rebecca Ryan and Sophia MacKay
approach the Sanctuary. Maria hands the Lectionary to Bishop Peter.

After Roni Russell has covered the altar with a cloth
the deacon lights the candles in preparation for the
celebration of the eucharist.

Mavis Golder one of our earliest parishioners,
Sophia Evans & Max Shepley who celebrated
their first communion last year,
Alema Abela who will be baptised at our new font
at Easter accompanied by her husband, Richard Abela,
Graham & Julie Tucker who will be received into
our church at Easter and Huw and Rosaria Williams
who were married in the Church of the Holy Family
will now bring bread, wine and water to our altar.

Gina Da Silva andRoni Russell
will take communion
to Mrs Peggy Doyle and Mrs Hanna Marsland,
both parishioners who were present on the
2nd February, 1957 at the original
opening of our church.

Peggy and Hanna are now housebound
so communion will be taken to them at home
as we remember them at our Eucharistic table.

Bishop Peter sprang a surprise by revealing that it was Fr Kevin’s birthday and led the congregation in a rousing version
of, ‘Happy birthday to you…'
Finally, Fr Kevin then thanked everyone and paid tribute to the work of Stephen Foster and also that of sculptor David John,
the man responsible for designing the new baptismal font, altar and ambo.
He also invited everyone to stay and enjoy a glass of wine or soft drinks.