A MOSSLEY church is to get a new priest in the coming weeks – in a deal shrouded by secrecy.
Father Jim Clarke will replace Father Michael Lavin, who is exiting St Joseph’s, on Argyll Street, as a result of the policy adopted by the Diocese of Salford.
And the new man, currently parish priest at St Patrick’s and St Malachy’s in the Collyhurst area of Manchester, as well as being chaplain to the deaf community, will also be in charge of Sacred Heart in Uppermill, which is coming back into the diocese.
And Father Lavin – who was applauded out of his final Sunday service on June 26 – believes the ‘transfer’ will pay off.
He said: “Father Jim will be really excellent and is so much looking forward to coming here – the transfer fee has not been divulged!
“We are really blessed. The change-over shouldn’t be too protracted.”
Father Lavin, who has led St Joseph’s for 11 years, announced his departure in his own style – and revealed he has received a substantial sum to make sure his ‘posh hermitage’ is well decorated.
He added “The Holy Spirit must be getting rid of the dead wood!
“I am so grateful that you have allowed me to leave as quietly as I arrived, without any fuss or palaver, and without a wake or having the hat passed round.
“The thing is, we all make our unique contribution to the life of the parish, we are team players, and I have been so happy to have been a member of the team, nothing more nothing less.
“And clandestine and surreptitious activity, although benevolent, has been taking place at St Joseph’s resulting in me being the beneficiary of a most generous and gracious gift from parishioners.
“Serendipity for sure. I feel like a lottery winner – blown away and humbled. It is being used to buy the essentials for my posh hermitage.”