Latest News & events | St. Peter's Parish Church, Stockport

Easter Services 2022

A man kneels in prayer silhouetted in the sunset infront of three crosses on a hill — *John 3:16* For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Everyone is very welcome to join our Holy Week Services as follows:

Sunday 10th April 10.30am

Blessing of Palms and Sung Mass. Reading of St. Luke Passion Gospel

Maundy Thursday 14th April

7.30pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper and Watch before the Blessed Sacrament

Good Friday 15th April

1pm Stations of the Cross

2pm Liturgy of the Day – Reading of St John Passion Gospel and Veneration of the Cross

Easter Day 17th April

10.30am Blessing of Paschal Candle, Sung Mass and Renewal of Baptismal Promises.

Allleluia! Christ is Risen!

We are still using the side door (opposite Cobden) instead of the main tower doors, and have hand sanitizer available on entry. Service books are placed on the pews, and current service sheet is available on the table near the door . If you are unable to get to church please see the lockdown Easter service which you can go through at home http://stpetersstockport.org.uk/uncategorized/an-easter-service-for-use-at-home/

A Lego model of the empty tomb with the large round door moved to one side, with an angel upon it. Two female figures look inside with a bottle of oil stood n the floor.

Consultation Results Available

Following the consultation at the end of last year, we now have the results available as a report. Thank you very much to all who completed the questionnaire.

It is clear you want us to continue with traditional worship and there is strong demand for choirs both within services, and as separate events. Concerts would be popular at weekends and evenings, and there is desire to know more about St. Peter’s history.

We’ll be getting to work on this, and other suggestions, and include these in future plans. The full report can be read here.

Christmas Services

A traditional painting of Mary gazing into the manger a Baby Jesus surrounded by light. — **Isaiah 9:6** For to us a child is born, to us a son is given. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Join us over Christmas for our Carol Service or other traditional services – all welcome:

Friday 17th December 7.30pm Christmas Carol Service – Nine Lessons and Carols with Stockport Choral Society

Christmas Eve Friday 24th December 12.30pm Vigil Mass of Christmas & Carols

Christmas Day Saturday 25th December 10.30am Mass (said)

Sunday 26th December St. Stephen First Martyr 10.30am Mass (said)

Monday 27th December St. John the Evangelist 12.30pm Mass

Tuesday 28th December The Holy Innocents 12.30pm Mass

Friday 31st 12.30pm Vigil Mass of Naming of Jesus

Sunday 2nd January 2022 The Holy Family 10.30am Sung Mass

Mary Joseph and baby Jesus in a crib - lego figures — Image by Jonathan Fahrny from Pixabay

Have your say on the future of St. Peter’s

St. Peter’s is looking forward to an exciting future within the centre of regeneration in Stockport, with hundreds more residents destined to live in the parish for the first time in many years. As we look to begin a staged repair programme, beginning with the landmark tower, we’d like to know what you would find useful, interesting, and worth coming to the church for. This is an opportunity for you to give us your suggestions so we can incorporate them into our fututre plans and activities.

A cartoon ballot box gives the thumbs up as a paper with selected checkboxes sticks out of his head

We are embarking on an ambitious restoration journey, and we want your help to tell us what you want from us! Your responses to the survey monkey questionnaire below will help us plan our general social events but also guide our plans for the future.

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/FWKCQ3C

The questionnaire is also avaliable in a paper version from the church.

Events are Back! – Organ Concerts & Heritage Open Days

We are pleased to announce that our monthly free organ concerts will be restarting from Saturday September 11th 2021. They will follow the usual format, starting at 10am and continuing until 1pm. Refreshments will be available throughout, and you can come and go as you please. Guest organists to be confirmed, updates will appear on this site when avilable.

Following the first organ concert on September 11th, we will be participating in the Heritage Open Days which this year is focussed on the beautiful embroidered processional banners we have.

Most of these fascinating banners are on display on the gallery and not accessible up close. Each one has been photographed and studied to produce an informative booklet – available free on the day to visitors. Close up photographs and a short description will also be on display.

People are also welcome to just have alook around the Grade II listed church, and refreshments will still be available.

Mothers’ Union Banner in St. Peter’s Church

Easter Services

This year we are happy to be able to welcome all to our Easter Services, a sign that things are better than last year if nothing else! Services as follows:

Maundy Thursday

7.30pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper followed by the Watch (optional) until 9.30pm

Good Friday

1.00pm Stations of the Cross

2.00pm Liturgy of the Day

Easter Day

Allleluia! Christ is Risen!

10.30am Sung Mass with Easter Ceremonies

We are still using the side door (opposite Cobden) instead of the main tower doors, and have hand sanitizer available on entry. You are required to wear a face covering unless exempt. Service books are placed on the pews marking socially distanced places. If you are unable to get to church please see the Easter service from last year for you to go through at home http://stpetersstockport.org.uk/uncategorized/an-easter-service-for-use-at-home/

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Matthew 28: 18 – 20

A Lego model of the empty tomb with the large round door moved to one side, with an angel upon it. Two female figures look inside at a coffin with it's lid moved. A little chicken looks on also!

We are Now open Sundays

Now that most of our vulnerable members of the congregation have had their jabs, we have decided to open for the ‘normal’ socially distanced services on Sundays.

Mass starts 10.30am from Sunday 19th February

Masks must be worn unless you have an exemption, and hand sanitiser is available near the door. We are continuing to use the side entrance (opposite the Polish shop) instead of the tower doors whilst restrictions are still in place.

All welcome, we hope to see you soon!

OPening times During Lockdown 2.0

With the majority of people at St. Peter’s being vulnerable or extremely vulnerable we have taken the reluctant decsion to close for Sunday worship. However, St. Peter’s will be open on Friday afternoons 12 – 1.30pm for private prayer and Mass on request. Hand sanitiser etc available on entry, toilets open. Please use side door (nearest to Cobden).

Christmas Services

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1:29

At this most unusual of Christmases we are keen to continue worship for as long as we can here in St. Peter’s. At time of writing (21st Dec) the following services will be going ahead. All are welcome…

Services

Christmas Eve

12.00pm – 1.30pm Church open for private prayer and the shop.
12.30pm Vigil Mass

Christmas Day

10.30am Sung Mass of the Nativity

Sunday 27th December

First Sunday of Christmas “The Holy Family” 10.30am Sung Mass

Guidelines

Entrance is via the side door, and hand sanitser is available on entry. Please wear a face covering unless exempt. Please sit 2 metres apart from others unless in your household or bubble. Hymns are included in our services but no singing – just enjoy the tune! The Sacrement will be offered in one kind only – the Host, and not the Wine; and must be received in your hands. If anyone does not wish to receive, that is fine, and you may stay in your place, or come forward for a Blessing during the Communion. All are very welcome…

Open for Private Prayer

During this latest lockdown we are still open for private prayer on Tuesdays and Fridays from 12pm to 1.30pm. Light a candle and take some peaceful time out.

The toilets are also open.

A white taper lights a white church candle — **John 1:5** – The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.