Our Lady of Lourdes & St Peter Chanel

Introduction

The parish of Our Lady of Lourdes & St Peter Chanel in Hull was founded in 1925 when the Marist Fathers bought Hop Villa on Cottingham Road and opened Marist College, with a small stable block becoming the first parish church. In 1957 a new purpose-built church was consecrated under the name of Our Lady of Lourdes and St Peter Chanel, popularly known locally as the Marist Church.

History

St Peter Chanel, the first Marist martyr, had been canonised in 1954. Marist College later merged with St Mary's, a girls' school run by the Sisters of Mercy, to become St Mary's College and St Mary's Sixth Form Centre, and the former Marist College land and buildings were sold in 1988.

Parish life

The parish has a CAFOD group. The Parish Pastoral Council is an advisory and policy making body of elected and nominated parish representatives, presided over by the Parish Priest.

The Marist Community Social Centre, consisting of a large hall and a smaller club, is situated behind the church. The parish serves people from a wide variety of backgrounds and nationalities.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Preparation for Reconciliation and First Communion begins in the Autumn, leading to First Confession and First Communion in Spring and Summer. Younger committed parishioners in year 8 or above are invited to a confirmation course, with confirmations held every second year. Marriage preparation takes approximately six months, including four meetings with the priest and a Marriage Care course. In the event of a death, the parish meets with the family offering prayer, support and advice. The parish can alert the relevant hospital chaplain when a parishioner is going into hospital and wishes to be visited.