LANCASTER DIOCESAN
GUILD of ST STEPHEN
ANNUAL GUILD DINNER
On Thursday evening the 7th December 2006, 35 people attended a dinner at Stonecross Manor Hotel, Kendal. These were some of the diocesan clergy along with a number of our senior Altar Servers all 18 +, and in some cases the + was a lot more than the 18.
Fr. Keith Stoakes, Adam Mc Williams, John Wilkinson, Fr. R. Billing, and Mark Baines.
The Church of Our Lady and St Michael, Alston Lane, Longridge, Preston, was well represented with seven servers and the Parish Priest, Fr Doyle.
Bishop Patrick was Guest of Honour, and Rev. Keith Stoakes was Guest Speaker. Fr. Stoakes is the Westminster Diocesan Director.
Fr Keith told of the Annual General Meeting of the Guild held recently in London, and how it is endeavouring to update the Guild, and in particularly in the changes that may have to take place when the expected new Missal is introduced. They are also looking into the possibility of a National Event and Alton Towers is one venue that is being examined.
Our thanks go to Fr Billing and also to Paul Briers for organising the event.
This was the first function to be held by the Guild, but was not restricted to Guild Members.
It is hoped that many other events will follow which will help to promote the Guild, both from the spiritual side but also from a recreational side when servers from different local churches, as well as different parts of the Diocese can come together to enjoy a social occasion.
The Diocese has for the past few years held an Annual Mass in the Cathedral at Lancaster for all the Servers, some have to travel in excess of 100 miles to attend. The Diocese covers Lancashire north of the river Ribble as well as all of Cumbria.
Bishop Patrick hopes the Guild will eventually be represented in all of the Parishes within the Diocese.
Fr Billing is our Diocesan Director, who will only be too happy to supply any details about the Guild.
He can be contacted at The Pastoral Centre, Balmoral Road, Lancaster, LA1 3BT
Enjoying the meal. From Left to Right:Fr. Keith Stoakes, Bishop Patrick O'Donaghue of Lancaster,
Fr. Robert Billing Guild Director Lancaster & Bishops secretary, and Mr Paul Briars.
All the Servers are from Alston Lane Parish.
John Wilkinson,
Master of Ceremonies.
Our Lady and St Michael