St Brendan's Church

A Memory of Corby.

This is the Church that Father Daniel Cronin worked long and hard to have built. From being very young, I can remember the fund raising that went on to build a new Catholic Church to serve the ever growing numbers arriving in Corby.
We first used Wood newton School to hold Services there. Then when St Brendan's School was built, they held Mass in the School Hall.
My brother and sister both attended the School. I was at the Grammar School then.
We also used the School for Confessions. Like any Catholic child I was brought up to attend Confession and take Communion regularly.In my innocence [or just sheer stupidity] I honestly thought that the Priest behind the Panels had no idea who I was- until one time Father Cronin after giving me absolution- asked "And how's your Mother Moira?" I never went back to Confession there again! I'd go to Our Lady's where I wasn't known!
They held Dances in the school hall on Sunday nights and I went with Mum regularly. I was the youngest person there but the men always made sure I got a dance.
We were married in St Brendan's and our 1st child was Christened there. We left Corby in 1965 though continued to visit my family till after Dad died and Mum moved to Yorkshire.

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Added 23 December 2014

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I was one of the first group of about 5 or 6 who received out First Communion from Father Cronin at Woodnewton Way. We had breakfast with Father Cronin afterwards and he told my mother that one day I would make a beautiful bride - leaving a young girl with a lifelong memory it was just a really kind thing to say. He gave each of us a 1/2 crown coin and SOMEWHERE I still have mine! His “no coppers in the plate” comment at every Mass (while the church was being built ) still makes me smile.

By bcdt2 on Wed May 3rd 2017, at 4:56 pm

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What a lovely memory. I remember attending Mass at Woodnewton until the Church opened.My brother Patrick was an Altar Boy for many years. Both he and my sister Catherine went to the new School which was built before the Church and we had Mass in the new School Hall. Fr, Cronin was a great hit with the children when we were in Our Lady's Primary in the early 50s. I remember after one Christmas Party telling Mum that the THREE Fathers were there. Mum was a wee bit puzzled till I explained. Father Brennan, Father Cronin and Father Christmas!

By Moira Jones on Thu May 4th 2017, at 9:35 am

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