Wigan celebrates St Patrick

St Patrick’s Church in Wigan celebrated their patronal feast in style in March, raising over £3,000 for Church Restoration Funds. The festivities began with a whole-school procession, into Church before Mass with St Patrick’s statue and various banners of St Patrick carried in.

On the Sanctuary, St Patrick’s Statue had been brightly adorned with beautiful flowers by the church’s talented team of flower arrangers and parishioners had arranged for shamrock from Ireland to complete the decorations. Parish Priest, Father Ian O’Shea, was joined by Canon Pat MacNally, and Deacon Anil Lukose at the altar. During his homily, delivered to an overflowing church, Father O’Shea encouraged the children to make a conscious effort to live more like Saint Patrick by trying to love each person of the Trinity more dearly. This year, Claire Ormshaw-Heddle sang two solos during Mass: ‘Our Lady of Knock’ during the offertory and ‘Ag Críost an Síol’(‘Christ is the Seed’) a traditional Gaelic hymn. The schoolchildren’s singing was fantastic and many in the congregation were seen drying their eyes during the recessional hymn which was ‘Hail Glorious Saint Patrick’. Later that evening, a group of younger parishioners organised a St Patrick’s Day Irish Night featuring Irish dancers, a performing Irish artist, DJ, raffle and food; it was a true celebration of Irish culture and the influence of St Patrick in Wigan and beyond. For more photographs and to listen to Claire’s solos and the children’s singing, please visit the church’s Facebook Page: St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Wigan.