St Gregory's parishioner Annette Hurst describes a wonderful celebration in Cheshire

The last weekend of January saw our Parish family at St Gregory's in Bollington celebrate the feast of St John Bosco the founder of the Salesians. We are a Salesian parish looked after by the priests at the nearby Savio House, a retreat house for young people.

Sunday started with a family mass celebrated by Fr. Cyril Edamana SDB and Roman Szczypa SDB. The church had been decorated beautifully with pictures of Don Bosco, banners and posters of the work of the Salesians and the many ways we can get involved. "I've never seen so many priests, deacons, brothers and servers on the altar" said one parishioner.

The children's liturgy concentrated on the life of Don Bosco and after the homily the children brought their colourings of the saint into church. The older children read the bidding prayers and the younger children hung a banner on the altar rails.

The choir were in full voice with a special Don Bosco hymn and Katherine sang two solos - which had many heads turning towards the choir loft to see the person with the angelic voice.

After mass there was a social gathering in the church hall where Xavier provided a truly wonderful hot lunch for 80+ people. The cakes and pastries were provided by a talented team who would surely shine at the Great British Bake Off!

Father Roman organised a short film on the "We are family" Salesian ethos, and this gathering and sharing of food, certainly showed that "we are St Gregory's family" and a truly social and spiritual caring community.

Father Roman read a lovely thank you message from Father Tony (away in India) which sparked two spontaneous short speeches from parishioners expressing a huge thankyou on behalf of the parish for our inspirational priests at Savio house who have more than risen to the challenge of looking after our parish together with their existing mission.

"We are truly blest. Great things are happening here in Bollington", said Paul the chair of our newly formed Parish Council.