Welcome to the parish website of St William Wigan. In 2018 the Catholic parishes of St.William in Ince, St. Patrick, Hardybutts and St. John, Standishgate were amalgamated as one under the leadership and guidance of our parish priest, Fr. Ian O'Shea. We hope you find our website useful and informative. If you have any suggestions please let us know using the contacts page. Our weekly newsletter can be found at the bottom of this page.
St John's Church
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St Patrick's Church
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A Christmas Message from our parish priest, Fr. O'Shea
Dear Parishioners,
What a year this has been. Who would have thought at the beginning of 2020 that it would bring so many challenges? The year has taken its toll on us. We approach the celebration of Our Lord’s birth this year carrying in our hearts those who are no longer with us and praying for the families in our parish who have lost loved ones.
But this year of challenges has also brought out what is best in us. So much selfless generosity, so much concern for others, so much community spirit. Despite what some people say, the Faith is alive! Most important of all, this year has made us turn to God. Made more aware than ever of our fragility we cry out to our Father, Who hears the prayers of His children. Knowing that we are vulnerable and not self-sufficient points us to Him Who is our Strength and Who only waits for us to ask His help.
The Father’s answer to our need, as always, is to send us Jesus His Son. Covid restrictions may mean that we can’t travel quite so far as we would like this Christmas. Planned visits to our families have had to be postponed. But nothing can separate those who love one another. Though miles apart, we are united in prayer before the manger of Him Who is the Prince of Peace. And very, very soon we will all be together again.
It struck me today that this year I haven’t had the opportunity to sing a single Christmas carol. We’ve had no Carol Services at all because Government guidance says that public singing spreads the virus! Our thanks to our parish organists and Cantors who will play and sing on our behalf at the Christmas Masses. But in the privacy of our own homes we can sing to our hearts content. Find a moment on Christmas Day, when no one else is watching, to sing quietly to the Christchild at least one verse of your favourite carol. Each of us has one, and I promise you it will touch His heart.
My thanks to all of you for your kind Christmas gifts and cards. I’ll offer all your intentions to God at Mass on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. My gift to you this year is my own favourite Christmas carol: ‘Of the Father’s love begotten.’ I hope you enjoy it.
Happy Christmas,
Father O’Shea
What a year this has been. Who would have thought at the beginning of 2020 that it would bring so many challenges? The year has taken its toll on us. We approach the celebration of Our Lord’s birth this year carrying in our hearts those who are no longer with us and praying for the families in our parish who have lost loved ones.
But this year of challenges has also brought out what is best in us. So much selfless generosity, so much concern for others, so much community spirit. Despite what some people say, the Faith is alive! Most important of all, this year has made us turn to God. Made more aware than ever of our fragility we cry out to our Father, Who hears the prayers of His children. Knowing that we are vulnerable and not self-sufficient points us to Him Who is our Strength and Who only waits for us to ask His help.
The Father’s answer to our need, as always, is to send us Jesus His Son. Covid restrictions may mean that we can’t travel quite so far as we would like this Christmas. Planned visits to our families have had to be postponed. But nothing can separate those who love one another. Though miles apart, we are united in prayer before the manger of Him Who is the Prince of Peace. And very, very soon we will all be together again.
It struck me today that this year I haven’t had the opportunity to sing a single Christmas carol. We’ve had no Carol Services at all because Government guidance says that public singing spreads the virus! Our thanks to our parish organists and Cantors who will play and sing on our behalf at the Christmas Masses. But in the privacy of our own homes we can sing to our hearts content. Find a moment on Christmas Day, when no one else is watching, to sing quietly to the Christchild at least one verse of your favourite carol. Each of us has one, and I promise you it will touch His heart.
My thanks to all of you for your kind Christmas gifts and cards. I’ll offer all your intentions to God at Mass on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. My gift to you this year is my own favourite Christmas carol: ‘Of the Father’s love begotten.’ I hope you enjoy it.
Happy Christmas,
Father O’Shea
Christmas at St John's and St Patrick's
Videos of the placing of the Christchild and Blessing of the Cribs:
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