Fr David Bazen was with us for only a short time in the parish due to illness. Fr David won the respect and love of all in the parish very quickly after his appointment. We greatly regret losing him so soon and we are grateful for the spiritual comfort and guidance that he gave us. His homilies were always engaging and uplifting as well as tinged with a gentle humour. We wish him well for the work that he will continue to carry out in the diocese and pray for his recovery.
The former parish priest, Fr Patrick Branagan, was appointed in December 1991 following the retirement of Fr Edmund Motherway. Fr Pat originally trained as a Dominican, but decided that his vocation rested in parish work. He served in parishes in Wolverhampton and Birmingham following his ordination in 1964 with a two year break for a Masters degree in Canon Law in Canada between 1976 and 1978. His parish ministry was coupled with service as a Canon Lawyer on the diocesan marriage tribunal for 31 years until the end of 2004. Under the leadership of Fr Pat, the involvement of lay people in the parish expanded considerably. He encouraged the growth of catechesis and youth work as well as overseeing the development of the church buildings.
