Church of St Peter the Apostle

The Parish of St. Peter is a town-centre parish and therefore its ministry embraces more than simply those who live within its boundaries. Its origins precede the establishment by Bishop Milner, Vicar Apostolic of the Midland District of a mission in 1822 when a Church, still in existence today in George Street, was built in the Neo-classical style.

Because of the influx of many Irish immigrants, that building was soon to be replaced in 1864 by a much larger and elaborate church. Under the wise direction of a succession of parish priests and their curates, the parish grew in step with the development of the town and the 1950's saw it give birth to the parishes of Whitnash and Lillington.

Interior

Whilst St. Peter's may not have an abundance of young families it is, nevertheless, a vibrant community with many activities. Its three primary schools cater for more than Catholic children as does the secondary Technology College, and all are served by the two priests of the parish.

Given the nature of the town, Nursing and Residential homes abound, and the Catholic residents are serviced by a vast network of Special Ministers of the Eucharist who collaborate with the clergy in maintaining a high level of pastoral care. There is also great lay participation in the preparation of young couples for the sacrament of matrimony as well as those who seek baptism for their children. Children in non-Catholic schools are likewise prepared for the Sacraments by people in the parish and a lively Children's Liturgy Group is a part of the Sunday celebration of the Liturgy. Much of the parish administration is conducted by parishioners both on a paid and voluntary basis.

For 100 years, the church has been a central part of the community and parish, being served by 24 priests, the current parish priest being Father John Cross.

Sacred Heart Altar

Especially since the 17th Century, there has been a special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus - which really means the Loving Person of Our Lord and Saviour.

The fact that a soldier pierced his Heart with a lance to verify that he was dead before he could be taken down from the cross, has meant that Christians have seen a wonderful symbolism in his Heart being opened for us when he died for us. On the first Friday of the Month, we show devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus as he asked us to.

In recent years there has also been a growing devotion to the Divine Mercy of Jesus following the apparitions of Jesus to Saint Faustina where the faithful implore the Fount of Infinite Mercy, the Lord Jesus, whose Passion made the Fount accessible, to show mercy and grace not only to ourselves, but more importantly, to the whole world.

The Sacred Heart Chapel has been designated to be a Chapel of Daily Exposition following the Holy Father Pope John Paul II's decree that this year be the Year of the Eucharist. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament therefore occurs in this chapel daily from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm Monday-Friday and 9-10am & 10:30-11:15am on a Saturday.

Lady Altar

The Catholic Church has from the very beginning had deep devotion to Mary, the Mother of Jesus and given by Jesus on the cross to be our Mother also. It is the Catholic faith that Mary was Immaculatly conceived after our belief that, to be worthy of being the Mother of the Divine Word, she was full of grace, and free from sin from the earliest moment of her existence (i.e. conception). Adoring and loving Jesus as Christ the King and the very centre of our lives, it is normal, natural and good to have reverence and love for His Mother, the Queen of Heaven.

Main Altar

The focal point of the church is the Sanctuary which is designed for the celebration of the Mass, the principal act of worship of the Church. In the first part of the Mass, at the Ambo, the Lord is present in the proclamation of the Word by the reading of the Scriptures and their application to today's living by preaching. The second part of the Mass takes place at the Altar, and in this the Lord is made present by his Sacrifice, which he showed us at his Last Supper, when he gave himself to his Father and to his disciples under the appearances of bread and wine, telling us to do this in rememberance of Him.

For further information or comments please contact info@stpeterapostle.org