History of the Parish
In the late 18th and early 19th century, Woodley was made up of 700 properties and pieces of land identified in records as “Wheble and Palmer Land”. This was named after James Wheble, a prominent Catholic and owner of Woodley Lodge, where, from 1802, Mass was first celebrated in the private chapel by a French émigré priest named l’Abbe la Blandiere, one of six then living in Reading. Wheble later donated the land on which St James’s Church in Reading was built, but died in 1840, the year it was completed. Ten years later, his son and heir married Lady Catherine, daughter of the Earl of Howth. Following the Catholic Hierarchy Act of 1851, he was appointed High Sheriff of Berkshire in 1854. The population of Woodley was then 860. There is then no record of Mass being celebrated in Woodley until Easter Sunday, 17 April, 1938.
The parish of St John Bosco was established in 1946, and a church built in Woodley Centre, with the help of Reading’s Polish community. A hall was later added, and from 1956 served as a school run by the Sisters of Mercy from Abingdon. In the same year, the St John Bosco Convent School was opened, and in 1960 the parish centre was moved to Western Avenue. In 1966, St Dominic Savio Junior School was opened, with the Infant School opening its doors in 1974. In 1970, the current church was completed, and on Sunday 4 March 2007, it was officially consecrated by Bishop Crispian Hollis, then Bishop of Portsmouth .
The parish of St John Bosco was established in 1946, and a church built in Woodley Centre, with the help of Reading’s Polish community. A hall was later added, and from 1956 served as a school run by the Sisters of Mercy from Abingdon. In the same year, the St John Bosco Convent School was opened, and in 1960 the parish centre was moved to Western Avenue. In 1966, St Dominic Savio Junior School was opened, with the Infant School opening its doors in 1974. In 1970, the current church was completed, and on Sunday 4 March 2007, it was officially consecrated by Bishop Crispian Hollis, then Bishop of Portsmouth .
St John Bosco & St Dominic Savio
St John Bosco, a pioneer of modern education methods - and the first saint in history to give a press interview - was born in Piedmont, Italy, in 1815. After his ordination in Turin in 1841, he devoted himself to pastoral care among those seeking work in the newly industrialised city. “Don”, as he became known, gathered six abandoned boys into what he called an Oratory, where they attended chapel and classes. As the number gradually grew to over 800, he opened workshops for a range of trades, as well as a printing works and iron foundry. Girls were helped in a similar way when he established the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians.
St John Bosco is recognised as one of world’s great “social saints”. Inspired by educational methods based on total love and dedication, he divided human needs into four fundamental spheres; home, school, Church and society. The experience of belonging and meaning within all these four is necessary if people are to be happy and fulfilled. The saint acquired his reputation for working miracles during the Turin cholera epidemic of 1854. He formed his boys into teams to carry the sick to hospital and the dead to the mortuary – with the loss of not one life.
In the same year, as a tribute to St Francis de Salles, John Bosco formed his Salesian Congregation - and the order today numbers some 17,000 members in 113 countries. When “Don” died in 1888, all Turin lined the streets for his funeral, and in 1934 he was canonised by Pope Pius X1. His feast day is 31 January.
St John Bosco is recognised as one of world’s great “social saints”. Inspired by educational methods based on total love and dedication, he divided human needs into four fundamental spheres; home, school, Church and society. The experience of belonging and meaning within all these four is necessary if people are to be happy and fulfilled. The saint acquired his reputation for working miracles during the Turin cholera epidemic of 1854. He formed his boys into teams to carry the sick to hospital and the dead to the mortuary – with the loss of not one life.
In the same year, as a tribute to St Francis de Salles, John Bosco formed his Salesian Congregation - and the order today numbers some 17,000 members in 113 countries. When “Don” died in 1888, all Turin lined the streets for his funeral, and in 1934 he was canonised by Pope Pius X1. His feast day is 31 January.
A young student of St John Bosco, St Dominic Savio died in 1857 at the age of 14 while studying to become a priest. The “heroic virtue” he displayed in his short life contributed to his becoming the youngest ever non-martyr to be canonised in the Catholic Church. From the age of four, he was frequently observed in silent prayer, later referring to these periods as his “distractions”.
At 12, when he joined “Don” Bosco’s school, his mentor taught him the heroism of the ordinary and the sanctity of common sense. “Religion must be about us as the air we breathe” said John Bosco, “and Dominic Savio wore holiness like the clothes on his back.” He was once falsely accused of a malicious prank, but refused to tell on the real culprits; Dominic later explained that he was imitating our Lord, who remained silent during his persecutions and crucifixion.
Dominic Savio was canonised by Pope Pius X11 in 1954, and his feast day is 9 March. He is the patron saint of choirboys and the falsely accused.
At 12, when he joined “Don” Bosco’s school, his mentor taught him the heroism of the ordinary and the sanctity of common sense. “Religion must be about us as the air we breathe” said John Bosco, “and Dominic Savio wore holiness like the clothes on his back.” He was once falsely accused of a malicious prank, but refused to tell on the real culprits; Dominic later explained that he was imitating our Lord, who remained silent during his persecutions and crucifixion.
Dominic Savio was canonised by Pope Pius X11 in 1954, and his feast day is 9 March. He is the patron saint of choirboys and the falsely accused.
