St Brendan's Church

A Memory of Corby.

Like many families, mine moved to Corby from Scotland in 1949. Our first home was in Stevenson's Way. We moved from Stevenson's Way to Chelveston Drive on The Lodge Park Estate in July 1952. I was 8, my little brother three and a half and my baby sister just two. I went to Our Lady of Walsingham School and had to walk as there were no buses. There was no Church either. However a small, plump Priest named Daniel Cronin had been "Travelling the World" raising money for a new church. Fr Dan had a Council house on Cottingham Road where he held early Mass for the men and Confession for everyone with all females behind a screen. Some time later, Wood Newton School opened and we held Masses in their hall whilst our school was under construction. When it finally opened, we used the hall for Mass and Confession. As usual, the girls were heard behind a screen. One day after I'd confessed my sins, Fr Dan asked "And how's your Mother Moira?" I was horrified. I really believed that this man whom I had known for years and was a regular visitor to our home, didn't recognise my voice! I went to Our Lady's after that!!
The Hall was well used and they had dances on Saturday nights. I went along with Mum and the men all made sure that I had plenty of dances. My favourite was Johnny Rock who lived across the road from us. He was a great dancer and I loved him. Johnny was a local dustman but a great man.
Then the church opened. I don't remember exactly when but I have memories of the dedication service. My brother and sister went to St Brendan's school but I went to the new Grammar School. Pat was an Altar Boy from when he was old enough and frequently served at 6am Mass. He adored Fr Dan and the feeling was mutual.
On 1st February 1964, I was married at St Brendan's Church to the Assistant Manager of Woolworths, Ron Jones. We were married by Father O'Leary, the Curate and also Fr. Dan's Godson. He stopped the service and said "I cannot marry you as Mary! I only know you as Moira" so Ron Jones married Moira Donnelly and off we went into the future with the sun shining. Later that year our baby son was christened there.
The following year we moved to Harrogate where Ron had been transferred to. My family left Chelveston Drive and moved to Masefield Way and went back to worshipping at Our Lady's where my little sister was married in 1969.
There's none of my family left in Corby now. Cathy and her husband emigrated with their two babies to Australia in 1973. Pat married and moved to Yorkshire.
We'd moved to Nottingham which was a bit nearer family. Dad died in 1986 and Mum went to Yorkshire to be closer to Pat.
The whole family was delighted when Fr Dan was made a Canon. Fr O'Leary left the Priesthood- at which point Ron questioned whether we were legally married!!!


Added 11 July 2014

#309154

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