Yorkshire Congregation Chain Themselves to Church

Ella and James Preece are a Catholic couple living in Kingston Upon Hull in Yorkshire in the UK. This is our blog.

Yorkshire Congregation Chain Themselves to Church

Blogged by James Preece on 31st July 2008

FURIOUS parishioners chained themselves to railings in protest at the planned closure of their 100-year-old village church. St John's in Allerton Bywater is set for the axe under controversial restructuring plans announced by Catholic Bishop of Leeds, Arthur Roche.

The 70-strong congregation has vowed to fight the plans and on Friday, as officials were due to visit to value the site, members staged a dramatic demonstration.

Worshippers, some in their 80s, chained themselves to the building's gates, while others gathered with placards, lit candles and offered up prayers and hymns.

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I just love the way they cropped the photo...

To the Blessed Virgin Prayer for England

O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our most gentle Queen and Mother, look down in mercy upon England thy "Dowry" and upon us all who greatly hope and trust in thee.

By thee it was that Jesus our Saviour and our hope was given unto the world; and He has given thee to us that we might hope still more.

Plead for us thy children, whom thou didst receive and accept at the foot of the cross.

O sorrowful Mother! intercede for our separated brethren, that with us in the one true fold they may be united to the supreme Shepherd, the Vicar of thy Son.

Pray for us all, dear Mother, that by faith fruitful in good works we may all deserve to see and praise God, together with thee, in our heavenly home.

Amen.

Couple's Prayer

O God, our heavenly Father, protect and bless us. Deepen and strengthen our love for each other day by day.

Grant that by thy mercy, neither of us may ever say one unkind word to the other. Forgive and correct our faults, and make us constantly to forgive one another should one of us unconsciously hurt the other.

Make us and keep us sound and well in body, alert in mind, tender in heart, and devout in spirit. O Lord, grant us each to rise to the other's best. Then, we pray thee, add to our common life such virtues as only thou canst give.

And so, O Father, consecrate our life and love completely to thy worship, and to the service of all about us, especially those whom thou hast appointed us to serve, that we may always stand before thee in happiness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.