Welcome to St Wilfrid's Parish in the Heart of Preston
Welcome to St Wildrid's
Rev Bill Adams 1928 – 2025
It is with great sadness, but with great joy for Bill, that we announce his death on Monday 17 November. Bill died quite suddenly at Bushell House, where he had lived since December 2024, and with his family around him, very peacefully and with no pain.
Bill served at St Wilfrid’s from 1963 until approximately 5 years ago, first as Master of Ceremonies leading the altar staff, then for 40 years as a Deacon. He enjoyed his ministry immensely and made hundreds of friends through his work at St Wilfrid’s and through his ministry in Preston Prison, Mount Street Nursing Home and St Vincent de Paul Society (of which he was a member for 70 years)!
He was also instrumental in the vision of building a children’s hospice in this area and for many years fundraised for the creation of Derian House. He was an ambassador for them for many years, giving talks about their work for children with life limiting conditions.
He visited Lourdes about 50 times, ran many pilgrimages there over the years, and was a great advocate for all who were sick or in any kind of need.
He was a man of deep faith, enjoyed his vocation as a Deacon and saw this important role in the Church as a living and vital contribution to the lives of God’s people. For many years he organised a monthly evening of prayer for all the Preston Deacons.
He lived a long and full life and was more than ready to enter his final journey to the God he felt privileged to serve. He was beautifully supported by the staff at Bushell House, who cared for him in the most wonderful surroundings and where he was extremely comfortable. May he now rest in peace and rise in glory. We can be sure he will continue to pray for us!
Theresa Swan
Christ the Universal King
‘Jesus, remember me’
This Sunday brings us to the close of the liturgical year – a day on which we celebrate the kingship of Jesus. His is a kingdom of love, mercy, peace and hope, of which we are invited to be part.
In the First Reading, an earthly king, David, unites Israel under his rule, having first been chosen by God. David is part of God’s plan, and the people confirm him.
The Psalm celebrates Jerusalem, the Holy City, where God’s people come together. We are reminded of God’s presence at the centre of our faith and our community.
The writer of the letter to the Colossians (Second Reading) speaks of the authority and power of Jesus. Through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross we gain our freedom, and the forgiveness of our sins.
In the Gospel, we return to the foot of the cross of our crucified King. Here, the promise of salvation to the penitent criminal reminds us of the depth of Jesus’s love and mercy for all.
This Sunday also sees the Jubilee celebration of World Youth Sunday. So as Pilgrims of Hope, we pray, with Pope Leo, that young people will see the light of the Gospel grow every day, within and around them.
(With thanks to St Beuno's Outreach)
ARTWORK
The Crucifixion (detail) - Jesus, Remember Me
Ioannis Moskos (d:1721)
Welcome
St Wilfrid’s is an active Catholic parish. in the heart of Preston, served by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), with a history going back over 200 years. As Parish Priest I am delighted to welcome you to St Wilfrid’s. This website gives you details of the many activities of our dedicated parishioners as well as the history of this church. Please contact us for more information or if there is anything we can do.
Wishing you every blessing.
Chris Pedley, S.J.
Pope's November Prayer Intention
For the prevention of suicide.
Let us pray that those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts might find the support, care and love they need in their community, and be open to the beauty of life.
Pope Leo's 1st Apostolic Exhortation
On 9 October 2025 the Vatican released Pope Leo XIV's first Apostolic Exhortation on love for those who are poor. It is based on a draft text prepared by Pope Francis: in his introduction Pope Leo writes:
"Pope Francis was preparing in the last months of his life an Apostolic Exhortation on the Church’s care for the poor, to which he gave the title Dilexi Te, as if Christ speaks those words to each of them, saying: ‘You have but little power,’ yet ‘I have loved you’ (Rev 3:9). I am happy to make this document my own—adding some reflections—and to issue it at the beginning of my own pontificate”
