Father Peter Stoyle M.A., Celebrates his
90th Birthday
St Patrick’s Church, Manor Road, Hayling Island was
the setting on the 17th January, 2007 to celebrate the 90th birthday of
Fr. Peter Stoyle, who was the Parish Priest at St Patrick’s for 17
years, before his retirement in 1994. After a brief absence, Fr. Peter
has settled for his retirement on the Island. Over a hundred
parishioners, family, and friends joined in the Celebration.
Fr. Peter selected three of his favourite hymns to be sung at the
Mass, at which, Fr. Andrew current Parish Priest, Fr. Peter, and Fr. Joe
from St Michael and all Angels, Leigh Park, con-celebrated. The Parish
was delighted to see that Fr. Peters’ brother was also able to join the
celebration.
Celebrating on Fr. Peters actually birthday, it was an amazing
coincidence the Gospel for the day, very appropriately spoke about
longevity of service.
Fr. Peter said ‘a few words’ from the altar steps, reminding us once
again of his wit, intellect, and sense of humour.
The service was followed by refreshments in the Parish Hall, at which
Fr. Peter was presented with a cheque from the Parish, and a silver
model bicycle, to remind him of the many hours he has spent in a bicycle
saddle. In his more active years Fr. Peter has cycled many miles around
Europe, and the Holy Land. On his return to the Parish after each trip,
he would regale us with his many experiences.
Fr. Peter was also presented with a framed Papal blessing, signed by
Pope Benedict, and an album of photographs, featuring many of the events
that occurred in his time as Parish Priest, including his Golden
Jubilee, celebrating 50 years in the Priesthood. Celia, Fr. Peters’
housekeeper, was presented with a bouquet of flowers from the Parish, as
a token of thanks for all she does, on behalf of the Parish.
Many Parish celebrations are also remembered, in the album, such as
the Blessing of Parish Hall, which was built during Fr Peter’s time in
the Parish, and the Consecrating of the new Cemetery, when Bishop Emery
visited the Parish, not to mention many Marriages, and Baptisms, and
Parish Parties. Many photographs were lent by Parishioners from their
own photograph albums, and copied, to make this a very personal
collection of memories..
In July 2008 at St Patrick’s Church we celebrated the
40th birthday of our Parish Priest, Fr. Andrew. We had a
wonderful celebration, both in the Mass and afterwards in the parish
grounds when over 150 people came to join the Party.The party was not just
for our own Parish family, but reached out to many other people who had
some connection with Fr. Andrew, including his family and friends from as
far away as Guernsey and Ireland, who undertook considerable journeys to
Hayling to be with us. We were also joined by local colleagues from his
work in the Hospital Chaplaincy Service with Portsmouth Hospitals.
Fellow clergy from many stations of life also
joined us, from near and far. Our live music was provided by past
parishioners from a previous parish Fr Andrew served.nbsp; A good time was had by all.
A milestone the Parish felt could not go by
unmarked
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complete.
If you have any photos or text relating St Patricks
in times past. We would love to put them on this page
Email webmaster@stpatrickshayling.org.uk or leave hard copy at the Parish
House for the attention of Mike.
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