Bishop Jobless worry to CHAS
visits St Peter's, Wittering
The Right Reverend Cormac Murphy•O'Connor, STL, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, visited St Peter's, East Wittering recently to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the building of the church. This was his first official visit to the parish since his ordination and the timing was particularly appropriate as it was the eve of the Feast of Ss Peter and Paul.
After meeting and talking with members of the Catholic Parish Council the Hist concelebrated Holy Mass In t church with Father Campbell Price, Parish Priest, Father Ian McLean, Regular Supply Priest from Storrington, Father Vincent Maxwell, past Parish Priest, Canon Dermod Fogarty of St Richard's, Chichester, Father Kevin Cassidy, Chaplain to the Legion of Mary and Father Vincent Brennan of Cheshire. The Knights of St Columba, resplendent in their ceremonial regalia, acted as Guard of Honour and music was provided by the church choir. Among the congregation were several members of the Catenian Association, the Legion of Mary and the Union of Catholic Mothers of both Wittering and Selsey Foundations. Attendance at Mass approached 200 and many of the congregation had to stand in the porch where loudspeaker had been installed to relay the service. The Bishop spoke of the founding, nearly 2,000 years ago, of the Church of St Peter and the importance of the people who constituted the Church.
At the end of the service Father Price said a few words on the successful progress of the parish church in the last forty years and of the willing helpers who made this success possible. Two of the most staunch and faithful workers, Mrs Rose Street and Mrs Rita Archer (sisters) were specially mentioned and each was presented by the Bishop with a Papal Gold Medal ("Bent Merenti") in recognition of over 38 years of devoted service to the parish.
After the religious proceedings a cheese and wine party was provided by the ladies of the parish in the church hall.