Last updated 24 January 2004

Unity Candle

During the week of prayer for Chritian Unity a service was held at Sacred Heart Church. During the service a representative of each church was invited to come forward and unfurl a ribbon around the candle representing Christ's light to the world. After the service the ribbons will be brought together and made into a banner. This banner will be offered to churches throughout the area over the comming year as a continuing reminder of our intentions as expressed that evening.

Centenary Emblem:

Centenary of Sacred Heart RC Church

I designed the emblem above as a way of distinguishing our Parish of Sacred Heart from the many others of that name and perhaps give us an easily recognisable representation of the Parish. Many of you will have noticed it combines the image of the Sacred Heart with the major elements of the Leigh Coat of Arms. If that was the only symbolism then we would have something which represents the location of our parish and little else. However, in making the combination, I realised that each element has its own particular spiritual significance and hopefully these can be something to represent more than our location but also our concerns and aspirations as a Parish in this our centenary year. I offer below a short explanation and reflection on each of the four emblems surrounding the Sacred Heart for us all to consider.

The Sparrowhawk: In medieval times, when falconry was a popular sport, a hierarchy of birds was established which assigned particular birds to particular members of society. The sparrowhawk was assigned to priests. Among falcons it is renowned for its fidelity and the tender care both parents show to their young, feeding them until they can provide for themselves. Through baptism we all share in the priesthood of Christ and pray to be faithful to His message throughout life. From this fidelity should arise a desire to care for those who need fed with His message, never seeking to hold onto it as our own but always willing to share. Sparrow Hawk

The Spearhead: So obviously connected to Christ's passion it was the spearhead which pierced His side from which flowed the blood and water symbolic of the sacraments. In times of suffering in our life we try to pour forth into the world an example of trust in God. In the heart of each of us there lies the grace of the sacraments we receive, again our call is not to hold onto that grace but let it flow through us into the lives of others. Spearhead

The Shuttle: A symbol of work, of weaving loose threads into fabric. No shuttle, no weaving; no weaving, no fabric - only loose threads. Many around us have lives of loose threads, as Christians we are called not to a life of rest but one of work, the work of weaving Christ into our lives and the lives of people around us. How good would it be if the fingers of our souls were calloused by our effort to create around us a rich fabric held together by Christ. A fabric with which we could clothe the world, as St Paul urges, in Jesus Christ. Shuttle

The Star: For a long time the star has represented Our Lady in Christian Iconography - Mary, Star of the Sea.Devotion to Mary is never about "worshipping" her but about looking toward she who always points to her Son, always repeating the "Yes" she said to God at the Annunciation. No matter how dark the world around us she shines out as a beacon asking us to follow her example and answer "yes" to Christ while enlightening the lives of those who live in darkness.

"To Proclaim the Lord's Year of Favour," this is our motto and challenge this year and beyond. To be faithful to Christ and feed those who hunger. To base our lives on the sacraments and let their graces flow into the world around us. To provide light to those in darkness and always say "yes" to God. To work hard at building the kingdom of God, weaving a new fabric for our society. With the Sacred Heart at the centre of all we do this year we pray that we can surround our lives with these virtues."

Fr Conor

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