HAYES
The presence of the Claretian Missionaries in the parish dates back to 1912. Over the years, the parish has become a vital hub for immigrants and a thriving centre of worship. While many churches across the country experience low attendance, this parish sees about 200 attendees for daily Mass and up to 2,500 over the weekend.
The community consists of five Claretian Missionaries who are deeply involved in parish life:
- Fr. Joseph Raju Katthula: Superior of the community, along with parish ministry he is also in charge of Claret Youth and vocational ministry in the UK. He had been working as Religious Life Promoter for England and Wales under the Bishops’ Conference.
- Fr. John Joseph O’Byrne: Vicar of the community, currently recovering from hip surgery (December 9, 2024). Before his recovery, he celebrated Masses in the parish and convents.
- Fr. Paul Peter Alphonse: Econome of the community, along with parish ministry he is also a governor of Botwell Catholic Primary School, and in charge of Claretian Youth ministry.
- Fr. Christopher Ralph Newman: Parish priest.
- Fr. Krzysztof Stawicki: Assists with parish ministry.
In addition to managing a busy parish, the missionaries assist neighbouring parishes and support the pastoral needs of two local convents.
LAS PALMAS-RABADÁN
For the 2024-2025 academic year, the Las Palmas/Rabadán community consists of nine Claretian missionaries. The name “Rabadán” refers to the street and location of our residence in the city: Calle Obispo Rabadán. This distinction is necessary because we have a second Claretian community in the same city, in the Rehoyas neighbourhood.
From left to right in the photo, we are: Miguel, Vu (Perpetual, Vietnam), Juanjo, José María, Andrés, James (Philippines), Alejandro, Isidro, and Santi.
Our mission involves two pastoral centres: Claret School and Corazón de María Parish.
The Claret School is geographically divided into three sections:
- Infant school
- Secondary school and Sixth Form, located close to each other in Rabadán-Canalejas
- Primary school and the first two years of secondary education, situated in Tamaraceite, about 7 kilometres from Rabadán.
It is a large school, with approximately 2,300 students, ranging from 3-year-olds in Infant School to 18-year-olds completing their Sixth Form studies. Those dedicated to pastoral and educational work in the school are Juanjo (Headteacher), Miguel (Deputy Head and General Coordinator of Pastoral Care), Alejandro, Isidro, Vu, and James.
The Corazón de María Parish is located in the city centre, in one of the older neighbourhoods, Arenales. The pastoral work focuses on the care and accompaniment of various pastoral groups, including: Children’s Catechesis, Claret Youth, lay communities of middle-aged adults, adult faith groups, Health Ministry, Caritas, Marriage Ministry, Family Ministry, and Ministry for Engaged Couples. Three of these groups belong to the Claretian Lay Movement. Those dedicated to this pastoral work are Santi (Parish Priest), José María, and Andrés.
Other educational and diocesan responsibilities are also carried out by members of our community. We particularly highlight the fraternal and pastoral collaboration of the entire community across all pastoral areas, as well as the positive relationship and cooperation with the diocese. This is the only diocese in the world where St. Anthony Mary Claret is a co-patron, alongside Our Lady of the Pine (Virgen del Pino).
