Our Lady, Mother of the Saviour

Introduction

The parish of the Divine Saviour was erected on 8 December 2013 to incorporate three churches, after a bishop suppressed the parishes of Our Lady's, Saint Augustine's and Saint Martin's.

History

Palacefields School opened on 12 September 1977, the first parish Mass at Palacefields School taking place on Christmas Day 1977, and a chapel was attached to Our Lady's school after a separate church on Development Corporation land at the Knoll was unaffordable. Removing the dividing wall between 41 and 42 Cunliffe Close turned those two bungalows into the church's first small chapel.

Parish life

Spiritual preparation and help with organising the wedding ceremony are both part of the support the parish gives couples approaching marriage. Each week the piety stalls open before and after the weekend Masses.

Raising funds for the Cenacolo Charity, whose work assists people with addictions of all kinds, is why the Sewing and Craft Group was created. Church cleaning teams look after the churches so that they stay clean.

Flowers are arranged in the churches, with extra attention on the special days that come during the year. The parish has children serve Mass whenever that can be arranged.

Resource sharing among the churches is under way, and some readers together with some Eucharistic ministers serve across all three. Mass may be attended at any of the three churches, according to what is convenient. The Bible study group has been suspended for the time being.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Every two years, classes are arranged for Confirmation candidates so that young people can study the Faith and raise questions. Practical advice on the baptismal service is given at Baptism preparation meetings, which are normally held immediately after Mass. Parishioners may ask for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as Confession, and it is offered ahead of each parish Mass.

Quiet prayer and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament are the focus of a prayer group's meetings. Eucharistic ministers distribute Communion during Mass and to those unable to be present, support the celebrant, and carry Communion to people who are sick or housebound. Missals, cards, rosaries, prayer books and prayer cards are among the goods sold at piety stalls, which keep stock for 1st Holy Communion, Confirmation, baptisms, Easter and Christmas.