Debt in Archdiocese
Reduced by £15,000
CARDINAL'S PASTORAL TELLS OF YEAR'S ADVANCE
Three new eloirehes, three new presbyteries, three new church halls or ehapels, seven different new sites, and five churches that have been extended or improved are among signs of the continued growth of the Archdiocese of Westminster.
These facts were revealed in the Cardinal's Trinity Sunday pastoral, read in all churches of the Arch diocese on Sunday last.
The Cardinal writes : "A Catholic church is the fountain whence flows the grace of the
Sacraments; it is Bethlehem, ' the house of bread,' even of that true bread from Heaven which gives life and peace to the soul.
" The generosity of the faithful in building and in adorning their churches Is a cause of joy to us, and we are happy to notice that in the past year, 1938, the debts on the churches and parish properties throughout the diocese have been reduced by more than 115,000.
"The record of new parishes opened and new churches built is a consolation and encouragement.
" During the past year new churches have been built and opened at Willesden Green and Ware to replace existing churches, and a church is in course of erection at North Harrow which should be ready for use during the summer of this year.
" A new presbytery has been built at Kingsbury, and plans for presbyteries to be erected this year have been passed for Northfields (Ealing) and Swiss Cottage.
" A church hall has been completed at St. Quintin Park and a similar hall is being built at. Cockfosters. A chapel has been opened at Swiss Cottage.
" Extensive improvements and additions have been made at the following churches: At the Benson Memorial Church, Buntingford, a tower has been added, thus completing the structure.
" At Tring a sanctuary is being added to the existing church.
"At Boxmoor the church has been entirely reconstructed, and at Feltham the church has been rebuilt after a fire, and the opportunity has been taken to complete it. Additions to the church have been made at Kingsbury Green.
"Land has been purchased, or negotiations are in progress for purchase, at the following places: Cranford, Croxley Green, Copenhagen Street, Harpenden, Stanmore, South Ruislip and the White City Estate."
The Cardinal concluded the pastoral with : " We are confident that your response to our appeal for help in extending the work of the diocese in this direction will be proportionate to your own ability to contribute to the pressing needs of the diocese. May Almighty God abundantly bless you all."
Parishes in which an outstanding reduction of debt has been made include Acton, where the debt was reduced by more than £1,100, Kingsland, where the reduction was 13,000, and Palmers Green, where a reduction of over £2,000 was made.