Triple Celebration marks Centenary of St Matthias

Archbishop Kevin with Miss Elizabeth Telford, Canon Beausang and Father Hayden in the new Parish Centre after the Mass
 

From small beginnings in 1906, when the first permanent chapel dedicated to Saint Matthias was built in Worcester Park, accommodating only 65 and with an average Mass attendance of fewer than 50, the Parish of Saint Matthias has grown into a vibrant community. The parish celebrated its centenary on Sunday, 8th October. Archbishop Kevin, with Father Kevan Hayden, Parish Priest, Canon Cornelius Beausang, who had been Parish Priest from 1961 until 1998, and Father Brendan McQuillan, Chaplain to local schools including the Richard Challoner School, concelebrated the Centenary Mass of Thanksgiving.

But the centenary of the parish was not the sole cause for celebration. During the Mass, Archbishop Kevin presented the Bene Merenti to Miss Elizabeth Telford BA, awarded by Pope Benedict XVI in recognition of fifty years of service to Catholic education and the untiring contribution she has made to the life of the parish.

After Mass, the Archbishop blessed Saint Matthias's new Parish Centre which was then officially opened by Canon Beausang.

In the brochure printed to commemorate the centenary, Father Kevan writes:

'When a bishop dedicates a Church, he prays that the Church will be filled with love, that the faithful will be strengthened by grace and that "the power of God's word and sacraments bill bring strength to the people." This prayer of dedication sums up what we, the faithful of St. Matthias Parish, are celebrating in this Centenary Year.'

The Archbishop with Father Brendan McQuillan, Father Kevan Hayden and Canon Cornelius Beausang before the Mass

The Archbishop meets the parishioners after Mass

The Reception in the new Parish Centre

A warm welcome for Canon Beausang

Archbishop Kevin and Father Kevan with Canon Beausang

Visit Saint Matthias, Worcester Park, Parish Website