Medal awarded for fostering warm relations

On the 23rd of April it appeared to be a normal Sunday service at St. Mary-in-the-Elms Church, Woodhouse, with Fr. John Farrell O.P. ending Mass a little earlier than expected. We are an unusual congregation. We celebrate Mass weekly with a Dominican priest from Holy Cross Church, Leicester on Sunday mornings, in an Anglican Church in Leicestershire. Reverend Lisa TemperleyBarnes, Parish Priest of St Mary’s and also St. Peter’s Church, Woodhouse Eaves, was discreetly present for Mass in order to mark an event which unites our two congregations – the presentation of the Papal Benemerenti Medal to Mr. Michael Kelly. Unbeknown to Michael, Fr. JohnPatrick Kenrick O.P. and Prior of Holy Cross Dominican Church and Priory, members of the Anglican community and several members of Michael’s family were quietly waiting in the vestry. Last June, in great secrecy, following Michael’s announcement that he was to retire as chair of the congregation committee, Major Bill