The congregation is looking forward with anticipation to welcoming our new Curate, Jean Kouacou, who says that he is "so pleased and blessed to be joining you."Jean will join us as Assistant Curate after his ordination to the Diaconate at Petertide (July) 2023. Jean trained at Emmanuel Theological College. He is married to Isabelle, and they have two children: Elizabeth (18) and Kyran (14). In his spare time, Jean likes cooking, baking, playing football and walking. He has an eclectic taste in music. Both Isabelle and he enjoy spending quality time together with the family. Jean said, "As we prepare to move to be with you, please may I ask for your prayers for me and for my family. Also for Fr. Graeme as he prepares to become my Training Incumbent. Finally please be assured of our prayers for you all over the coming months. May Our Lady and all the Saints pray for us. With excitement, anticipation and trusting in the faithfulness of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Our Eternal High Priest."
There was standing room only in church this Remembrance Sunday, as villagers packed in to pay their respects to Adlington's war heroes. The commemorations began with a procession from the Community Centre up Railway Road and into the church. The Veterans, uniformed organisations and other villagers were accompanied by rousing music from the Rivington and Adlington Brass Band for the solemn parade.At Church, they were welcomed by the Vicar, Fr Graeme Buttery, and the Roman Catholic Priest, Fr Francis Marsden. Fr Graeme received the standards into the Sanctuary, and as the names of the glorious dead were read out by members of the Scouts and Guides, candles were placed on the altar in their memory. Fr Graeme preached movingly. and after the standards had been returned, the procession re-formed in the church drive and went to the cenotaph for the laying of wreaths.
The promise of Father Christmas proved a huge draw this year at St Paul's annual fair. Children were kept amused with games and activities, while their parents enjoyed the stalls and refreshments picking up a tasty snack and a few early Christmas gifts.The event, which is always a successful part of our church's calendar, was particularly successful this year, raising over £5,200, with more money still to come in. The whole community was heavily involved and it was a delight to welcome parishioners who may not always be churchgoers into our building. We also invited them to come back for our many Christmas events, starting at the beginning of December.
We were honoured to welcome the Mayor of Adlington, Councillor Beverley Speers, and her husband, John Speers, to a Requiem Mass at St Paul's on Saturday. The First Citizen led villagers in praying for the repose of the soul of Her Late Majesty The Queen.The Mass was celebrated by the Vicar, Father Graeme Buttery, who preached movingly about Queen Elizabeth II's devotion to duty and her deep faith in the Lord Jesus. At the end, the congregation stood to sing two verses of the National Anthem, the first time in over seventy years that "God Save the King" has been heard in our church.
