Preparations are well in hand for our annual Investiture of new members.
This year events are as follows:
Vigil Service
at the
Church of St John the Evangelist
in Burscough, near Ormskirk in Lancashire on
Friday 12th July at 7pm.
This will be followed by a
Charity Dinner
at
Briars Hall Country House Hotel
in Burscough
with our guests of honour,
Deputy Lord Lieutenant Charles Hadcock and his wife Camilla.
These events are open to all.
If you would like to come along to any part,
please contact a member of the Order
or Fr Simon Henry.
Places for the Charity Dinner are almost fully booked,
so do contact us soon if you might like to come along.
The Charity Dinner is in support of our nominated charities:
SUROL - for those affected by leprosy in Sri Lanka
The Army Benevolent Fund - through the Centurions of Merseyside
St Joseph's Hospice - Nearby in the Archdiocese of Liverpool, founded by Fr Joseph O'Leary
Briars Hall has a rich history. The present hall was constructed in 1745 and was first occupied by the Ashton family, other members of which lived at Burscough Hall until 1890, which is associated with St John's Church. The Briar name enters in the 16th century. It is said the name Briars comes from the Breres family who resided on the land in from that time. During the civil war, Alexander Breres initally supported Lord Derby and was garrisoned at Lathom House. However, part way through the first siege of Lathom House in March 1644, he switched sides and became part of the Cromwellian army. His name appeared on the Recusant Roll for West Derby Hundred in 1641.
Mass and Investiture
of new members
at the historic church of
St John the Evangelist
in Burscough, near Ormskirk,
on
Saturday 13th July
followed by a Reception on the lawns of Burscough Hall.
The Mass is obviously open to all.
There will be some splendid music,
so come along and stay for a drink afterwards.
St John's Church was built in 1793 and partly disguised with false windows making it look like a grand Manor House. Hence the presbytery’s designation as “Burscough Hall”. This was to keep a low profile at a time when Catholicism was still censured by law. It was extended with a bell tower and porch in the early twentieth century. Much of the land as you drive up the private Road of Chapel Lane once belonged to the church, which still includes a school, cemetery and fields stretching down to Abbey Brook.
The present Parish Priest is Fr Leo Daley, a long time friend of the Order, known to many of our members. We offer him our thanks for his hospitality.
