Miles Howarth

Miles was ordained priest on June 27th 2009 by Mark Davies, Bishop of Middleton. It was a happy day and he was joined by his loving family, friends, work colleagues and loving parishioners from St John's, Failsworth. He presided at his first eucharist the following day and was joined by three priests who have served as parish priest at St John's. First was Fr David Quance who was the officiating minister at his marriage in 1981 and later baptised his son Christopher in 1985. His dear friend Fr John Holland who is his spiritual director and who baptised his daughter Melissa in 1994 read the gospel and preached. Then our current parish priest and good friend Fr Adrian Matthews served at the altar alongside Fr David. Presiding at the Eucharist is such a special experience it still retains its awe and sense of encountering Christ. St John's is a very busy parish and with an extra priest we have been able to concentrate on building links through home communions to many house bound people and residential homes. Fr Miles also made new links to support the local beaver, cub and scout group and Walton House, a busy sheltered accomodation home for the elderley where he has made some very special friends amongst the residents and staff. It is often said that Fr Miles has a gift for pastoral ministry and he has supported many in the parish during times of difficulty. In December 2008, he became an honorary chaplain to Dr Kershaw's Hospice in Royton, Oldham and Fr Miles said it had been a very humbling experience supporting the patients at different stages of illness, also their families, volunteers and the nursing staff, all of which have been fantastic. Fr Miles recalled some interesting times in the services he had taken, such as having a barn owl fly wedding rings into church and a woman screaming the place down when a bee took a liking to her face. Sadly in June 2010 our parish priest Fr Adrian was taken ill and as yet to return to work. This was really like being thrown in at the deep end for Fr Miles but it provided a deep learning curve, which although very demanding and stressful has been rewarding. Fr Miles is particularly grateful for all the support the parish has received from the clergy, both senior, retired and at neighbouring parishes. A special thank you must go to the level of support he has received from the people at St John's, there are too many to mention, but they will know who they are, its most of them if not all! Together as a church we have worked hard to support Fr Adrian and to maintain for the parish a level of continuity and unity with a shared vision, to share the love of Christ. Changes have rung in the new year, Fr Miles has very recently been appointed co-ordinating chaplain at Dr Kershaws and he looks forward to working more often with a very special family, who do a very special job in helping others. He has also been asked to explore stipendiary ministry and will leave St John's at the end of January to take on an extended placement at St Thomas, Kirkholt, Rochdale. What lies ahead remains to be seen, wherever it leads Fr Miles he knows he has in St John's and its people a special place in his heart. The future is in God's hands, his will be done.