Parish Diary

Please see below a list of key diary dates, recent activities and events that have taken place in the East Hendred Parish. For future events, see the Notice Board.

February 2009

Bishop Crispian presented well earned Diocesan Medals to 4 of our wonderful parishioners, during his recent Visitation

On Sunday 1st February, Bishop Crispian, with Deacon Richard, visited St Patrick’s and concelebrated mass with Fr Tom Taaffe. Before the final hymn he gave Diocesan Medals to four parishioners in recognition of their long-standing service to the Diocese of Portsmouth: Rose Millett, Vic Horgan, Diana Tuson and Maureen Eyston. Short biographies and photographs will be on the Parish website and in the next edition of Portsmouth People.

Rose Millett

Rose has been an integral part of Portsmouth Diocese since 1949. Aged 22, she came to East Hendred , and, apart from ten years at Didcot parish, remained part of East Hendred parish since then. Fr Anthony Ffrench-Mullen asked Rose to set up the Parish Covenant Scheme and Gift Aid, which she organised for 18 years. Initially, this was a complex and demanding task, as she had to have tax receipts etc and needed to constantly “chase up” people - if one week’s donation was missed, she couldn’t claim. 70% of the Sunday mass collection is now Gift-Aided.
Rose was on the Parish Pastoral Council for many years. When the two masses at East Hendred were amalgamated into a 9.30am mass, Rose went to a later mass at Abingdon until Fr Robin suggested she go to East Ilsley, where she has been a stalwart member of the community ever since. Rose has always been tireless in her support for the liturgy and music but, most of all, in her loyalty and support for the priests in our parish.

Diana Tuson

Diana took over from Mrs Regan at St Patrick’s 40 years ago. 60 years ago, Mrs Regan would go round the stables and round up the jockeys to come to mass at St Patrick’s church – previously they were unable to get to a mass unless it was held in the stables! Diana has been on the St Patrick’s committee for 30 years, only retiring from it last year. She has been a leading force in ecumenical activity, welcoming new parishioners and in linking St Patrick’s with fellow Christians an all the local community at East Ilsley. Of particular importance to her is the annual Sheep Fair, where she has always ensured that St Patrick’s has the very successful bottle stall.

Maureen Eyston

Maureen has been at Milton Manor for 15 years, returning to the family estate after being very involved in her previous parish. She has been Minister of Communion for many years. Maureen is dedicated to organising regular masses at the chapel at Milton Manor and also is the quiet person behind the scenes who ensures that everything is there for the week-day masses at the pre-reformation Hendred House chapel, at funerals and other East Hendred occasions. She also organises the annual procession and mass when the relics of Blessed Edmund Campion visit Milton. The historical legacy of pre-reformation Catholicism in East Hendred owes Maureen a great deal.

Vic Horgan

Vic has been playing the organ for St Patrick’s every Sunday for 40 years. He has delighted in involving the children when possible, adjusting his music to play along with the flute and even a saxophone. He would put his hand to anything, and entered into the spirit of Taize chants with relish. Vic has enormous determination and even with failing eyesight has persevered by memorising the music and mastering computer skills to provide large print. Vic also served on St Patrick’s committee for many years.

In recognition of their dedication and completion of training as altar servers, the Bishop also presented Guild of St Stephen medals.

We thanked Fr Tom for his time with us and look forward to a further celebration for him in due course.

Fr Terence Fitzpatrick, who will be taking over pastoral responsibility for “the villages”, joined us for coffee and tea after mass, with delicious cakes made by James Nisbet, our senior altar server.

This was a marvelously happy occasion. It gave our Bishop time to meet us all in the relaxed and informal setting of our converted-barn church that has its roots deep in the soil and turf of Berkshire!