THE HISTORY OF ST. MARY'S

ROMAN CATHOLIC PARISH, OLDHAM

FOREWORD BY PATRICK KELLY,

BISHOP OF SALFORD

DIOCESE OF SALFORD, WARDLEY HALL, WORSLEY

The forty days of Lent each year speak to us of the forty years spent by God's pilgrim people wandering in obedience to him in the wilderness.  Curiously, at least God himself, looked on those days of pilgrimage as the best days, when the people were closest to him.  Obedience to his constant call to follow him made them a pilgrim people, God's people.  The story of this obedience was gathered together in the listening and obedience of Mary, and she followed her son to the mountain where the glory of the son of God was best revealed:  Calvary.

            The story of St. Mary's Parish, Oldham, is the story of a pilgrim people.  We best give thanks if our prayer is that of Our Lady:

            "Behold, the handmaid of the Lord;  be it done to me according to your word."

            It is fitting that during Lent we gather to dedicate St. Mary's Church as we seek to obey the words of Mary:

            "Do whatever he tells you."

                                                                                                            Patrick A. Kelly,

                                                                                                            Bishop of Salford.