Bishop Blesses New Extension

The parishioners of Haddenham and Long Crendon were delighted to welcome Bishop Peter Doyle on Sunday 4th December 2016 when he came to spend a day with them in their respective parishes.

He celebrated Masses in both parishes, conducted a service of healing in Haddenham and blessed the new meeting room which has just been completed at the Haddenham church.

For many years, the parishioners of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Haddenham have recognised the need for a meeting room and office. A couple of years ago, Fr Leszek set up a small task force, under the leadership of Eugene Toolan and with collaboration from Andy Scholey of Building Bespoke, and they produced a plan which was acceptable to the planners. Building Bespoke commenced the work in April 2016 and completed the project at the end of November.

The building was financed through the generous legacy of Mary Chettle of Longwick who used to attend Mass at the church on a regular basis. This money, together with money from "Together in Faith", an initiative to raise money for Seminarians and retired priests in the Diocese, was sufficient to cover the cost of the new building.

The late Mary Chettle lived in a house in Longwick called "Rosary House" so the new room will be called "The Rosary Room".

The new building has been designed in the same style as the church and the car parking has been reordered to increase the number of spaces available. The building contains a meeting room, a well-designed kitchen, a washroom and an office for the parish priest. The priest's small garden has been redesigned and provides a space for him to relax during the summer.

The sun was shining on a cold winter's morning as Bishop Peter, in full liturgical dress, stood before the new building and blessed it. Then he joined the people in the new meeting room where he cut the ceremonial cake and enjoyed meeting parishioners. The Bishop and members of the task force and their spouses later enjoyed lunch in the new building.