On a very rainy, Sunday 3rd June, the Salesian Parish of St. James’ Bootle, celebrated 125 years of ministry within the Bootle Community. To mark the beginning of this day, Fr. Martin Coyle SDB provincial celebrated Mass in a full church. We were joined at Mass by pasted parishioners, Staff and Governors of both Savio Salesian College and All Saints Primary, pupils of the same schools and our regular, dedicated parishioners. After the thanksgiving Mass we took the short walk over to the primary school, where since 7am Sunday morning, our Youth Team had been setting up the ‘Fun Festival’. Every single young person and not so young people enjoyed the fun filled day, even though the weather was dreadful. Within the school hall there were; game stalls (e.g. role a penny, key in the door, hook a duck etc.), an arts and crafts section, a bouncy castles, an inflatable obstacle course and an inflatable climbing frame. Outside; a climbing wall, stage, a burger van and an ice cream van. Over in the church; Bingo, a VIDES UK stall, a Salesian Youth Ministry stall, a Mamma Margret’s stall and an exhibition of the history of St. James’ (which will be up until the summer) the day was a complete success, we have to say a massive thank-you to all present and all those who sent prayers our way, all were very appreciated.
Our festivities continue with a 125 Oscars evening on Saturday 16th June, tickets are still on sale NOW at a fantastic price of £10, also until the beginning of the summer the exhibition in church will remain erect.
This year is doubly special for us here in Bootle as it’s our Fifth and final year of VIDES UK’s involvement in our Parish, we would like to take this time to thank all volunteers for their hard work and time given to us these past four years.
As you can see the Salesian Parish of St. James’, Bootle is a living parish with many event happening over the course of a year, this is all down to a dedicated Salesian Community, dedicated Parishioners and dedicated young people who make St. James’ what we are. We truly do follow our motto; ‘Building the future on firm foundations’.
