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new diary Obituary of Rev Francis Smith Former Parish Priest of St Patrick’s, Newton-le-Willows for 36 years, Father Frank Smith, died on Thursday 19 May aged 92 and in the 68th year of his priesthood. James Francis Smith was born at Upholland on 21 July 1923, the son of Joseph and Gertrude Smith. He was educated at All Hallows, Roby Mill, St Cuthbert’s, Pemberton, and St James, Orrell. He studied for the priesthood at St Cuthbert’s College, Ushaw, where he was ordained priest on 25 July 1948. For 28 years following his ordination he served as assistant priest in the following parishes of the archdiocese: St Gregory’s, Chorley from September 1948; St Patrick’s, Widnes from February 1953; St Stephen’s, Warrington from September 1956; St Austin’s, Thatto Heath from October 1962; St John’s, Wigan from 1964 and St Joseph’s, Chorley from April 1969. In May 1976 Father Frank was appointed parish priest of St Patrick’s, Newton-le-Willows, a place he would call home for almost the next forty years. He retired as parish priest at the end of November 2012, but continued to live in the presbytery in retirement. Only relatively recently had he moved into Cardinal Heenan House at Roby Mill, Upholland. His older brother, Kenneth, also served as a priest of the archdiocese from 1946 to his death in 2011. Father Frank's Funeral Mass was celebrated in St Patrick’s Church, Newton-le-Willows, followed by interment at Parbold.
Spirituality within our Schools
The winners of the Student Photography Competition organised by the Liverpool Archdiocese Secondary Schools’ Partnership have been announced at a presentation ceremony in the Metropolitan Cathedral where their works were on display. With the competition split between lower school (Years 7 to 9) and upper school (Years 10 to 13), there were pupils honoured in each age category: Lower School: 1st Place - St John Fisher, Wigan - Hannah Pointon (Year 8). 2nd Place - St Peter's Orrell Katie Wilson (Year 8). 3rd Place - St John Bosco, Liverpool - Caitlin Smart
Golden Jubilee Celebrations
On Saturday 4 June Monsignor John Butchard, parish priest of Holy Rosary, Aintree, celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his ordination to the Priesthood on 4 June 1966. Father John was joined by family, friends, invited guests and parishioners, and celebrated 6.00 pm Mass, followed by a reception in the Parish Centre. Father John is pictured with his family, who had travelled from all over the country to be with him. 12
Catholic Pictorial
and Chloe McLoughlin (Year 9) Upper School: 1st Place - Christ the King, Southport - Gabrielle Bradley (Year 12). 2nd Place - St John Rigby, Wigan - Samantha Roberts (Year 12). 3rd Place - Hope Academy, Newtonle-Willows - Sungeida Miah (Year 11). The theme was 'Spirituality within our School', with an optional focus on the Year of Mercy, and each photo had a short description interpreting the theme. Secondary schools, academies and sixth-form colleges throughout the Archdiocese took part, representing Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens, Lancashire, Wigan, Warrington and Halton. The pictures exhibited in the Cathedral elicited praise from visitors leaving comments such as: ‘Lovely to see so many young people interpreting spirituality in so many ways. It shows how much their faith means to them.’ Paul Greenall, Director of the Liverpool Archdiocese Secondary Schools' Partnership said, ‘This has been an excellent opportunity for schools to celebrate much of what they stand for and are about. Our students have responded tremendously to this task and, supported by their teachers, have produced images that reflect the ethos and culture that exists within our schools. This has also enabled the public visiting the exhibition to gain an understanding of the students' emotional and spiritual development that is such an important aspect of life in a Catholic school.’