From the 8th to 10th of October twenty-one Ladies and Brothers, accompanied by friends of NW Circle Fr Bernard McDermott, Ian and Liz Salmon of Birmingham 64 and Christopher and Rosalie Wilding of Ampleforth, enjoyed a weekend together in Lancashire.
The group stayed at the Wrightington Hotel just outside Parbold, where we were very well looked after and enjoyed two excellent dinners on Friday and Saturday evening.
The weekend included trips to the World of Glass in St Helens, Helmshore Mill near Blackburn and the Christian Heritage Centre (CHC) at Stonyhurst. Whilst at Stonyhurst, CHC Director Stefan Kaminski gave an excellent talk on the history of Stonyhurst, The Stonyhurst Collections, and the recent establishment of the Christian Heritage Centre.
Of particular interest to us as Catenians, Stefan outlined the new Christian Leadership Formation Programme for sixth form students which is in its first year. This programme is designed for students who are motivated by their faith to help shape and create a society founded on Christian values and are seriously considering some form of public life or leadership role. After the talk the group toured round the Centre, the outside of the college and St Peter’s church and followed up with a delightful lunch in their restaurant.
The weekend was rounded off on Sunday morning with Fr Bernard celebrating a lovely Mass in the hotel before gathering for the last time (yes, even more food) by enjoying lunch at the Owd Barn in Bispham.
The weather was kind, and it was wonderful to be able to be together and, once again, enjoy each other’s company
The World of Glass is dedicated to the local history of the town and borough primarily through the lens of the glass industry but also looking at other local industries
World of Glass Tour in St Helens
Helmshore Mill Tour in Blackburn, a place where Lancashire’s industrial past is brought to life through a multi-sensory