For several years Fr Kieran Anderson SDB, Parish Priest of Our Lady Help of Christians, Cowley, Oxford, has been hoping to see a new Parish Centre and the completion of major repairs and refurbishment of his parish church. The photographs below taken on September 8th (Our Lady’s Birthday) 2010 show that his dreams are close to fulfilment.
The roof of the church was repaired to fix several leaks and the ceiling insulated to reduce heat loss. The many broken panes of glass in the windows were restored. The sanctuary was painted in a deep red, bringing out the white of the marble surrounding the mosaic altar piece. The symbolic representation of the Holy Spirit below the canopy was newly gilded. All that remains is the fitting of a matching red carpet leading up to the altar.
The new Parish Centre, situated between the Church and the Parish house, replaces the old Saint Dominic’s Hall, which was sold to provide part of the funding for the improvements. The entrance section contains offices and a reception room and leads into the surprisingly large hall, 
including a fully equipped kitchen and other facilities, which will provide ample space for parish functions.
Furnishings for the Parish Centre and the adjoining weekday chapel will be added in the coming weeks and Fr Anderson is planning a Mass of Thanksgiving for Saturday 11th December. He acknowledges with gratitude the efforts of the parishioners to raise funds, the support provided by the Salesian province and the Birmingham Archdiocese and the excellent work done by the architects and contractors.
