Welcome to St Mary’s

Catholic Church

A Brief History and Guide to Your Church

St Mary’s, Rydes Hill

Welcome to Visitors and New Parishioners

A Message from Father Colin

As Moderator I am responsible for the Guildford Cluster of Parishes and I would like to welcome you to the Catholic Community of Guildford.

As many as 62 different nationalities worship at our churches in Guildford. In addition to the rich liturgical programme, there is a wide range of activities that aim to strengthen and deepen faith.

The Youth Programme is a particularly strong feature of Guildford and the parish is keen to take forward work on developing the pastoral needs of other groups within the population, especially older people and those who are sick or disabled.

Furthermore, there is an embedded culture of volunteering to support all aspects of parish life and over 400 parishioners are active as volunteers.

Father Colin Wolczak Moderator of the Guildford Catholic Churches

Contents

Welcome to Visitors and New

Parishioners

A Brief History and Guide to St

Mary’s Catholic Church, Rydes Hill

The Guildford Cluster

The Diocese of Arundel and Brighton

Our Clergy – Past and Present

Parish Administration and Contacts

Mass and Reconciliation Times

Life for Body and Spirit

The Parish Hall, Parishioner Care,

Social Club and Youth Ministry

Prayers and the Parish Prayer

How to Find Us

It was Fr Campbell-Price's idea that the foundation stone should come

from the Saxon church of St Mary's in Quarry Street, Guildford; the

earliest part of which dates back to the 11th century. So it was that the

foundation stone, to be seen on the outside wall of the church, was laid

on 28th June 1963 by the Bishop of Southwark, Cyril Cowderoy.

Subsequently, he formally opened the church just a year later on 27th

June 1964. This was on the Feast of its Patron, Our Lady of Perpetual

Succour, which means 'constant help'.

Incidentally, it was Bishop Cowderoy who, the following year, in May

1965 became the first Archbishop of the new Province of Southwark. At

the same time the new Diocese of Arundel & Brighton was set up with

David Cashman to become its first Bishop. Arundel & Brighton’s current

bishop is the Right Reverend Kieran Conry who was enthroned on 9th

June 2001.

The church of St Mary's was originally designed with a flat roof, but this

did not weather well, and serious damage was later discovered. It

required a complete redesign, and in 1978 rebuilding followed under the

tireless and enthusiastic direction of Fr Michael Reynolds. This incurred a

great debt for the parish, in addition to the original church building costs,

of which a sizeable sum still remained owing. Only after the whole debt

had been repaid could the church be solemnly consecrated.

It was a memorable day for the parish when, on 28th June 1985, St

Mary's church was duly consecrated by the Bishop of Arundel and

Brighton, Cormac Murphy-O’Connor. The consecration stone on the

inside wall, above the stairs at the back of the church, shows that the

church has been dedicated to God's service. Above the inscription are the

initials D.O.M., Deo Optimo Maximo meaning to God, the Best and

Greatest.

The church building was consecrated by anointing the twelve bronze

crosses around the walls of the church, a reminder of the Heavenly

Jerusalem whose city walls “stood on twelve foundation stones, each of

which bore the name of one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”

(Rev. Ch. 21 v.14)

The Silver Jubilee of the solemn consecration was celebrated on 26th

June 2010 by the Right Rev Kieran Conry, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton.

St Mary’s, Rydes Hill

A Brief History and Guide

to St Mary’s Catholic

Church, Rydes Hill

Big oaks from little acorns

grow....

Thus has developed the parish of St

Mary's, Rydes Hill; for prior to 1945, the

parish did not exist.

What is now Rydes Hill Preparatory

School was formerly Rydes Hill House

which was purchased in November, 1945

by the Ladies of Mary, a religious order

who opened it as a voluntary fee-paying

school, mainly for girls.

The nuns had their own chaplain, Fr John

Beenker and, having converted a large

room into a chapel, kindly allowed this to

be used as a Mass-centre for Catholics in

the area. Two Masses were celebrated

here every Sunday.

In 1955, Fr John Campbell-Price became

the priest-in-charge. The congregation

was growing and soon numbered 100.

Several petitions were sent to the Bishop

(of Southwark) asking if a separate parish

could be formed. All endeavoured

towards the building of a church, and at

long last the Bishop agreed.

“I heard the bells on Christmas Day; their old familiar carols play, and wild and sweet the word repeat of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

H W Longfellow (1807 - 1882)

The church bell was originally cast in

1868 at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry for

St Mark's Anglican church in Coventry.

Later, due to movement of population,

the church became redundant.

The bell was eventually presented to St

Mary's by R Ferrans, in memory of his

late wife.

The bell is electrically operated and rung

at the time of the consecration. It also

chimes automatically at 9.00am, 12 noon,

and 6.00pm reminding the faithful to

pray the Angelus (see the later section on

“Prayers and the Parish Prayer”).

St Mary’s, Rydes Hill

Entering St Mary’s

In the porch are receptacles for holy water which is used, on entering the church, to bless oneself while making the sign of the cross; these are called stoups.

The confessional where the Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated is on the left-hand side, as you enter the narthex. This small sound-proofed room contains a kneeler and half screen, and also, a chair, for the penitent who wishes to make a 'face-to-face' confession. Set in the wall are four Dutch bricks, to the memory of Fr Beenker, the first priest to celebrate Mass in Rydes Hill House - at 11.00am on 11th November 1945.

A green or red light on the wall outside the confessional will indicate whether the confessional is “vacant or engaged”! The statue here depicts St Anthony holding the Child Jesus.

The cupboard with a display window showing bibles and missals etc, for sale, is called the repository. Behind the glass screen is a small side chapel called the Lady Chapel (after Mary, Our Lady, Mother of God).

The Blessed Sacrament is reserved here once a year after the Mass of the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday until the Vigil Mass of Easter.

Enter the main part of the church, and in a bay on the left-hand side is a large stoneware jar and jug. This contains holy water (water that has been blessed by the priest) which is used to refill the containers in the porch, and also for parishioners to help themselves to small quantities for use at home. Above this on the wall is a statue of Jesus, called the Good Shepherd, as he is depicted carrying a lamb.

The altar steps mark that part of the church called the sanctuary in the centre of which is the altar, the table of the Lord. It is traditionally made of stone, a reminder of the time when the Mass was celebrated secretly in the catacombs where the early Christian martyrs were buried. The altar was sealed at the time of the consecration and cannot be moved. Within the altar are the relics of three saints of the first century, St Pius, St Boniface and St Fortunatus. The altar, which was designed and made in Germany, is carved on all four sides. The wood engraving on the front, facing the congregation, depicts the Last Supper. The other three sides show scenes from the Old Testament and are scenes of offering, i.e. Abraham offering his son Isaac, Melchisedech offering bread and wine, and Elijah being offered food and drink by an angel of God.

The altar cloth covers the top of the altar and in addition, during the celebration of the Mass, the corporal is placed on the altar. This is a linen cloth about the size of a table napkin on which the body of Christ is placed when consecrated.

Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Sanctuary, and Tabernacle

In the wall behind the altar and overlooking the sanctuary is a stained glass window of the icon showing Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. The stained glass shows Mary (MP-ΘΥ, meaning Mother of God, has been inscribed above her) looking towards the faithful, while pointing at her son, Jesus Christ (Iς-Xς ) who is depicted looking at the instruments of crucifixion and with a fallen red sandal. On the left side is the Saint

Archangel Michael (OɸM), carrying the lance and sponge of the crucifixion. On the right is the Saint Archangel Gabriel (OɸΓ) carrying a 3-bar cross and nails. On the wall to the right of the sanctuary is a large crucifix which reminds us that Our Lord Jesus Christ died for all mankind, on a cross. Below this is the lectern (ambo) from where God's word is proclaimed during the Mass, either by the Deacon or Celebrant taken from the gospel reading of the day contained in the lectionary. Near the lectern is the font used in the Sacrament of Baptism. To the right of the sanctuary is the dome-shaped tabernacle, restored to its former glory in October, 1994. It was originally donated by the Guild of the Blessed Sacrament at the dedication of St Mary's in 1964, but was replaced by another tabernacle when the church was refurbished. Beside the tabernacle there is a candle in the red glass holder; called the sanctuary lamp, this is alight constantly except when the tabernacle is empty, as on Good Friday and Holy Saturday. When alight it therefore reminds us of the real presence of God. After the Mass any remaining consecrated Hosts are reserved and safely kept in the tabernacle until such time when they are taken to the sick or housebound of the parish, either by the clergy or “Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion”. The tabernacle contains the consecrated Hosts which are the Body of Christ, and therefore particular reverence is shown for the Blessed Sacrament by genuflecting (bending the knee or bowing/bending one's head in respect), when facing the tabernacle. The stand on which the tabernacle is secured is carved in a similar design to the altar and shows our Lord Jesus.

St Mary’s, Rydes Hill

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Rev. Ch. 1 v.8 Next to the altar are two large bronze candles which are lit when Mass is celebrated. It was a Roman custom that candles were lit in the presence of the Emperor. We mark the presence of the “King of kings and Lord of lords” when the candles on the altar are alight. The large decorated candle on the sanctuary is called the Paschal candle, which signifies Jesus' rising from death to life. It is renewed each year at the Mass of the Easter Vigil. [The celebrant marks a cross in the wax of the candle. He then

traces the Greek letter alpha “A” above

the cross, and then the letter omega “Ω” below the numeral of the current year between the arms of the cross. He inserts five grains of incense in the candle in the form of a cross. He then lights the candle from the new fire which had been prepared and blessed outside the church at the start of the Service of Light]. At the Easter Vigil ‘catechumens’ are baptised, confirmed and receive their first Holy Communion; and ‘candidates’ (i.e. baptised, new adult members) are confirmed and formally received into the Catholic Church.

“We adore You, O Christ and we praise You, because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.”

On the walls around the church are the fourteen Stations of the Cross, which depict Christ’s sufferings on Good Friday, carrying the Cross to His crucifixion in the final hours (or Passion) before He died. The “Stations” or “Way of the Cross” may be done at any time, but is most commonly done during the Season of Lent, especially on Good Friday and on Friday evenings during Lent. They begin on the tabernacle side of the church as follows: 1. Jesus is condemned to death 2. Jesus received his Cross 3. Jesus falls the first time 4. Jesus meets his mother 5. The Cross is laid upon Simon of

Cyrene 6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus 7. Jesus falls the second time 8. The women of Jerusalem mourn for

Jesus 9. Jesus falls the third time 10. Jesus is stripped of his garments 11. Jesus is nailed to the Cross 12. Jesus dies on the Cross 13. Jesus is taken down from the Cross 14. Jesus is placed in the tomb

St Mary’s, Rydes Hill

The Fourteen Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross are a popular devotion used by individuals or groups who wish through prayer and reflection to follow Jesus Christ on His way to Calvary.

The prayerful tradition as a chapel devotion began with St Francis of Assisi and extended throughout the Roman Catholic Church in the medieval period.

The object of the Stations is to help the faithful to make a spiritual pilgrimage of prayer, through meditating upon the chief scenes of Christ's sufferings and death. Many Christians practice the devotion, but the Stations hold a special significance among Roman Catholics, and are often performed in a spirit of reparation for the sufferings and insults that Jesus endured during His Passion.

Prayers recited while following the Way of the Cross

At each station: “We adore You, O Christ and we praise You, because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.”

After a brief reflection at each station: “I love You, my Lord above all things. I repent with my whole heart for having offended You. Never permit me to separate myself from You again. Grant that I may love You always. And then do with me what You will”.

What matters most in the Stations of the Cross is to follow Jesus Christ in his passion and to see ourselves mirrored in Him.

To face life's dark side in ourselves and in our world, we need images of hope, and Jesus offers images of hope in His Passion. By accompanying Him on the Way of the Cross, we gain His courageous patience and learn to trust in God who delivers us from evil.

The Diocese of Arundel and Brighton

The Diocese of Arundel and Brighton was established on 28 May 1965, having previously been a part of the larger Archdiocese of Southwark. Situated in the South East of England the Diocese encompasses a large number of villages and smaller towns, as well as highly populated parts of Surrey, central Sussex and the coastal region running from Chichester to the Kent border. There have been four Bishops of the Diocese. The first was Bishop David Cashman who was consecrated on 14 June 1965. He died in March 1971 and was succeeded by Bishop Michael Bowen who was then translated in April 1977 to be the Archbishop of Southwark. He was succeeded by Bishop Cormac Murphy-O'Connor who, in March 2000, became the 10th Archbishop of Westminster. The Diocese continues to be part of the Metropolitan Province of Southwark presided over by Archbishop Peter Smith. The Diocese comprises the counties of West and East Sussex, Surrey outside of the Greater London Borough, and the unitary authority of Brighton and Hove. It is one of 22 Roman Catholic Dioceses in England and Wales. Our current Bishop is the Rt. Rev Kieran Conry, who was consecrated at Arundel Cathedral on 9 June 2001. The Diocese has a weekly Mass attendance of nearly 45000 persons, which would be approximately one quarter of the total Catholic population in the region. There are 116 parishes with a number of other centres where Mass is celebrated regularly. There are a large number of Religious Orders, both men and women, living and working in the Diocese in a number of apostolates. The Diocese has a total of 90 Catholic schools. More information can be found on the diocesan website: www.dabnet.org

Bishop Kieran Conry Bishop of Arundel and Brighton

St Mary’s, Rydes Hill

The Guildford Cluster

St Mary’s is one of three parishes that since 2007 have come together to form the Guildford Cluster served by a single team of Clergy. As well as St Mary’s in Rydes Hill, the Catholic Cluster Parishes of Guildford include the parish communities of St Joseph's, Guildford, and St Pius X, Merrow, with St Edwards, Sutton Park and the University of Surrey Chaplaincy. All communities are part of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton. All four Church communities are active and welcoming with a wide range of activities and groups for all ages and many programmes are organised across the Cluster. More information can be found on the Guildford Catholic Churches’ website: www.guildfordcatholicchurches.snack.ws

Priests of the parish of St Mary’s, Rydes Hill who have served this Catholic community for nearly 70 years:

St Mary’s, Rydes Hill:

Fr John Beenker 1945 - 1947

Fr Basil Harvey 1947 - 1954

Fr Vincent Ryan 1954 - 1955

Fr John Campbell-Price 1955 - 1972

Fr Thomas Sheehy 1972 - 1975

Fr Michael Reynolds 1975 - 1986

Fr William Haynes 1986 - 1990

Fr Michael Walsh 1990 - 1996

Fr Anthony White 1996 - 2007

Guildford Cluster:

Fr Tim Hunting 2007 - 2008

Fr John Horn 2007 - 2010

Fr Aaron Spinelli 2008 - 2011

Fr Colin Wolczak, Moderator 2007 -

Fr Stanislaw Mycek 2010 -

Fr Alexander Hill 2011 -

Fr Alan Sharpe 2012 -

St Mary’s, Rydes Hill

Our Clergy – Past and Present

As a parish, and as part of the Guildford Cluster, we have been very blessed with the clergy team that have served our community over the last seven decades. The list on the left-hand side of this page shows those priests. Our current clergy team includes:

Fr Colin Wolczak is the Moderator of the Guildford Cluster. Before the priesthood he was stage manager of the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1987 and celebrated his Silver Jubilee in 2012.

Fr Stanislaw Mycek is from Poland and was ordained to the priesthood in 1998. After a period lecturing at the Catholic University of Lublin he came to Britain to undertake pastoral work in 2008, initially in Bexhill and subsequently in Guildford.

Fr Alex Hill was born and brought up in Guildford. He was ordained into the Church of England in 1997 and was received into the Catholic Church in 2007. He was ordained into the priesthood in 2011. He is married to Anne and has two children, Matthew and Martha.

Fr Alan Sharpe was ordained in the Church of England for 45 years and was received into the Catholic Church in 2011. He was ordained into the priesthood in 2012. He has 5 children and 10 grandchildren.

Rev John Lamb is a Permanent Deacon. He was ordained in 2002 after working a Chartered Engineer in industry and then teaching at the University of Surrey. Married for 50 years to Kathleen and blessed with 3 sons, 2 daughters-in-law and 6 grandchildren.

Rev Charles Parker is a Permanent Deacon and was a civil servant in the Department of Trade and Industry before he took early retirement to study theology at the Maryvale Institute. He was ordained to the Diaconate in 2007 and is married to Katina.

Rev Adrian Burnett is a Permanent Deacon and works for the NHS in Information Technology. He is married to Maura and they have a son Patrick. He was ordained in June 2012.

Mass and Reconciliation Times Weekend Service Times Saturday: 7.00pm Sunday: 10.30am Other Mass Times Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9.15am Friday: 10.00am Holy Days of Obligation 9.15am and 8.00pm Reconciliation Saturdays: 6.15-6.45pm and by appointment

Life for Body and Spirit

We have a large number of groups and activities at St Mary’s and across the whole Guildford Cluster. New participants are always welcome and volunteers are absolutely essential to enable our parish to function. Volunteering includes:

Altar Servers (Guild of St Stephen)

Readers

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

Adoration/Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

Prayer and Bible Study Groups

Welcomers

Musicians

Divine Mercy Devotions

Advent and Lent preparation Groups

Church Cleaners, Flower Arrangers

Supporting our Scouts, Guides, Cubs and Brownies

St Mary’s Social Club

Thursday Club for Senior Citizens

Tea and coffee after Sunday Mass

APF & Mission

St Vincent de Paul

Joint Cluster programs including: 1. Baptism preparation 2. Confirmation 3. RCIA (Rite of Christian

Initiation of Adults)

Mother and Toddler Group

Home Groups

Inter church activities and pilgrimages

Many parishioners undertake voluntary work or exercise ministries, if you would like to learn more about the above, or have experience of these, or any other church ministries which you would like to share with us, please refer to the Weekly Newsletter or get in touch with us via the contact details on the left of this page.

St Mary’s, Rydes Hill

Parish Administration and Contacts

Postal Address St Mary’s Rydes Hill Catholic Church Aldershot Road Rydes Hill Guildford GU2 8BP Telephone 01483 573279 Email stmarys@guildfordcatholicchurches.co.uk Website www.guildfordcatholicchurches.snack.ws/st-marys-mass-times.html The Parish administration office is located in the Presbytery adjacent to the Church. Parish office hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10.00am-12noon, Thursday 1.00pm-3.00pm, Tuesday the office is closed. Parish Administrator: Helen

Weekly Newsletter The Guildford Catholic Parishes Newsletter is distributed at the weekend Masses and is also available on the Cluster website: www.guildfordcatholicchurches.snack.ws

“Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God”

Romans Ch. 15 v.7

The Parish Hall St Mary’s has an excellent hall facility situated behind the church and presbytery. The hall is licensed for most activities, including the sale of alcohol . There is a well equipped kitchen and a folding partition which enables the hall to hold dual activities. To use the hall or to book it, please contact the Parish administration office (details on the previous page).

Scouts, Guides, Cubs and Brownies

One of the first things Fr Harvey did in 1947 was to establish the Troops. They have remained as a feature of the parish life ever since.

St Mary’s, Rydes Hill

Parishioner Care

Parishioners who are ill, or confined to home, and would like someone to visit, and or bring them Holy Communion, should contact the Parish administration office. Visits may be undertaken by our Cluster clergy team or a specially commissioned lay minister.

If you or a relative are admitted to hospital, please tell the hospital staff that you are Catholic and if you would like a visit from a priest. At the Royal Surrey County Hospital there is a Chaplain who visits the wards regularly. The Cluster parish clergy will be informed of your admission.

If you are elderly or disabled, there is a group of volunteers who are willing to drive parishioners to Mass at the weekend if they have difficulty coming on their own.

Social Club

St Mary’s has an active Social Club and a “Thursday Club” for Senior Citizens. Many social events are run throughout the year and are advertised within the weekly Guildford Catholic Parishes newsletter. Activities are also available in partnership with the other Catholic churches in the Guildford Cluster. For more information on joining the Social Club please contact either Sandy or Ian Hunt after weekend Masses.

Youth Ministry - GYM: Guildford Youth Movement

Across the Guildford Catholic parishes we are passionate about our young people and providing them opportunities to develop their relationship with God in a fun and dynamic way. GYM: Guildford Youth Movement is the umbrella name for all youth ministry activities in the Guildford cluster Catholic parishes. There are 3 main activities that happen throughout the year. GYM provides faith formation that is age appropriate catering for all young people aged 10-18 or in school years 6-13. For more information you can visit www.GuildfordCatholicChurches.co.uk/YOUTH - or contact our Youth Coordinator, Aseel Gilbert, via email: youth@guildfordcatholicchurches.co.uk

Come and Join Us

We hope you will be very happy here at St Mary’s. If you wish to join any of the activities of the parish and the wider Guildford Cluster, or want more information on parishioner care, the Parish Hall or Social Club please contact the Parish administration office.

Prayers The Our Father Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom

come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our

daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who

trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from

evil. Amen.

The Angelus V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.

R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Blessed are you among women,

and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the

hour of our death. Amen.

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.

R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.

Hail Mary, etc.

V. And the Word was made Flesh.

R. And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary, etc.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech You, O Lord, Your Grace into our

hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ Your Son was made

known by the message of an angel, may be brought by His passion and

cross, to the glory of His resurrection through the same Christ, our Lord.

Amen

St Mary’s, Rydes Hill

Parish Prayer

Lord Jesus, we ask you to bless the people of our parish. Help us to know you in a new and deeper way. Help us to listen to your word in our daily lives. In the power of your spirit, open our hearts to your healing grace that we may be more faithful in following you, “the Way, the Truth and the Life”. Lord, bless all the families in the parish, especially those families that may be experiencing hidden and special difficulties. Bless the children and the young people of the parish and through the protection of Your Immaculate Mother, deliver them from the influence of evil. Bless the old, the lonely, the poor and the sick, the unemployed, those in need, those in sorrow and those in despair. Bless and protect, and bring back to the ways of grace those who have lost their way. May Your Love be upon us, Lord, as we place all our trust in You. Amen. Laus Deo Semper (Praise God Always)

St Mary’s Rydes Hill Roman Catholic Church Aldershot Road Rydes Hill Guildford GU2 8BP Phone: 01483 573279 Email: stmarys@guildfordcatholicchurches.co.uk Web: www.guildfordcatholicchurches.snack.ws ©2013 Guildford Catholic Churches. The Arundel and Brighton Trust is a Registered Charity No. 252878

How to Find Us

For GPS navigating devices use post code GU2 8BP.

Travelling north-east on the A3 take the junction exit with the A31 signposted Dorking, Bagshot/Guildford, Woking. Take the first exit signposted A322 Bagshot and A323 Aldershot. Stay in the left-hand lane and take the first left into the Aldershot Road (A323). Pass straight on over 2 mini-roundabouts and St Mary’s Church will be on the left once you pass the Co-Op store.

Travelling south-west on the A3, ignore the Burpham interchange, but get in the left hand lane to leave at the next slip road signposted Guildford, Horsham, Bagshot. Get in the outer of the two lanes turning left at the traffic lights and immediately turn right at the following lights. This will put you parallel with the A3. Keep travelling with the road until the next roundabout (which passes under the A3) and get into the right hand lane to follow Bagshot/Aldershot (A323). Once round, turn left into the Aldershot Road (A323), and follow the road as above.

From south of Guildford from the gyratory system take the Woodbridge Road signposted A322 and A323 (Aldershot Road). Follow the A323 signs and continue as above.

The Catholic Parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour

Car Parking at St Mary’s

There are limited parking spaces available in front of the church, so during the weekend Masses overflow parking is often available via the neighbouring schools (St Joseph’s Primary and Rydes Hill Preparatory). There are number of car-bays directly outside the church for disabled parking and other parishioners are asked not to park in these spaces.