St Mary, Eccles

Introduction

St Mary's in Eccles, within the Diocese of Salford, was consecrated by Bishop Marshall on 29 October 1952.

History

In 1879, Father Thomas Sharrock was appointed as the first Rector of Eccles. The church was damaged on 22 December 1940 when the mill across the road was destroyed by a direct hit. In 1998, the centenary of the church was celebrated, and the new altar was consecrated in October by a bishop.

Architecture and furnishings

The church tower remained incomplete, with the intention to construct the spire when funds permitted. An extensive re-ordering of the interior included demolition of the high altar and side altars, removal of the altar rails, and reduction of the pulpit into a lectern. The High Altar was a personal gift from Lady Annette, and her daughter gave the stained-glass sanctuary window. A wooden forward-facing altar was installed so that Mass could be celebrated facing the people.

The High Altar was acquired from St Mary’s, Palace Street, Bolton and installed in the sanctuary. The base of the pulpit was remodelled into a font. A new stained-glass window in the Lady Chapel was commissioned and dedicated to the de Trafford family.

Parish life

The parish of St John Paul II was formed on 29th November 2018 from the amalgamation of the former parishes of Holy Cross, St Matthew and St Gilbert, Eccles, and St Mary, Eccles, and is a part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford. The parish boundaries encompass Eccles, Barton Moss, Barton upon Irwell, Brookhouse, Monton, Patricroft, Peel Green, Winton and parts of Worsley. The parish is administered from Holy Cross, where the parish priest lives, and Masses are regularly celebrated in the churches of Holy Cross and St Mary.

A large team of Altar Servers, affiliated with the Guild of St Stephen, assist at Masses and other Services in both churches. Several Eucharistic Ministers assist with Holy Communion at Mass and also take Holy Communion to the sick and housebound of the parish. A new Eco Group has been established to consider environmental issues in line with the papal document "Laudato Si" (2015). Special Services are arranged at various times during the year by the Spirituality Group from the Parish Committee.

The parish's schools are actively involved in the parish, with special celebrations taking place in the churches, ranging from commissioning of GIFT Team Chaplains to Carol Services, Feast Day Masses and more. Several parishioners have been trained in the use of the defibrillators which have been installed in Holy Cross and St Mary's churches.

Regular events

Each November the parish commemorates all those who have died with a special Mass of Remembrance, inviting families who have suffered bereavements during the past year.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The parish provides classes to support children up to the age of fourteen on the special journey of baptism preparation. The parish requires at least six months for marriage preparation, working to satisfy both Church law and civil law. Couples married in a civil ceremony who seek a convalidation in church also require the full six months' preparation time.

The parish Sacramental Programme for First Holy Communion is geared to children in Year 3 in Primary School, with older children who missed the programme still welcome to join. The First Communion programme also brings children to the Sacrament of First Reconciliation.