Clergy

Fr Jim Clarke

Sacred Heart welcomed Fr Jim to our Parish and community on 18 July 2022.

Fr Jim took up a new role as the Parish Priest at nearby St Joseph's, Mossley at the same time as taking on pastoral responsibilty for Sacred Heart.  On 18 November 2024 it was announced that Sacred Heart had been transferred from the Diocese of Leeds to the Diocese of Salford, and Fr Jim was appointed as Parish Priest of Sacred Heart whilst also remaining the Parish Priest of St Joseph's Mossley.

Prior to moving here, Fr Jim was Parish Priest at St. Patrick’s Collyhurst and St Malachy's Collyhurst for 5 years, as well as 7 years with St Joseph's Mission to Deaf People (SJMDF).  You will often see him breaking into sign language.

Fr Jim is the middle child of five boys and was born and brought up in Rochdale, to Irish Catholic parents.  He was ordained to the priesthood in 1995, and has served at the following churches in the Diocese of Salford :-

St Winifred's Stockport - 2 years as curate
St Gregory's Farnworth - 6 years as Parish Priest
St Osmund's Breightmet - 2 years as Parish Priest
St Anne's Higher Openshaw - 12 years as Parish Priest

Fr Jim also supports The Good Life Orphanage in Kenya, a project that Fr Jim has been heavily involved in since the beginning. 

Deacon Peter Rudd

It is with great sadness that we announce the death on Tuesday 18 June 2024 of Deacon Peter Rudd, who served the Parish of Sacred Heart and St William’s, Uppermill.  We pray for the repose of his soul and we give thanks to God for Peter’s life and work in Saddleworth, and here at Sacred Heart.

The Requiem Mass for Peter was held on Thursday 25th July 2024 at the Sacred Heart, and was offered by the Vicar General of Leeds, Monsignor Paul Fisher.

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In Peter's own words...

I am the Permanent Deacon here at Sacred Heart Church, available to help and assist the priest and the people of the Parish.

I was born in 1937 in Nairobi, Kenya where my father was in the colonial service. I was educated at Worth, at that time a Benedictine Priory. Mass then was celebrated in Latin, the priest who said the Mass spoke quietly with his back to the congregation. I wanted to be part of the action so I became an Altar Server. For me, the big advantage of the old rite for celebrating the Mass was that, wherever I was in the world (I was then serving in the Royal Navy), I knew exactly what the Priest was doing and saying!

In 1961 I married Stella and in 1976 we moved to Saddleworth and have lived here ever since. In 2004, Father Joe Falloon asked me if I had considered becoming a candidate for ordination as a Permanent Deacon. After research, reflection and prayer, on 20th March 2010 I was ordained Permanent Deacon by Bishop Arthur Roche in St. Anne’s Cathedral, Leeds.

It is a great privilege to proclaim the Gospel at Mass as Deacon.  In the absence of the Parish Priest, I preside at Liturgies of the Word and Holy Communion, and may also preach when the occasion requires.  As a Deacon, I am an ordinary Minister of the Eucharist helping with distribution of Holy Communion.  As a Minister of the Altar, I ensure that the celebration of the Mass proceeds smoothly and well. As an Ordinary Minister I enjoy the privilege of being the administration of the Sacraments of Baptism and Marriage, whilst also having the privilege of presiding at funeral services. As a Minister of Charity I primarily visit the sick and housebound as well as bringing Holy Communion to them.

At a Deacon’s ordination, the Bishop places the Book of the Gospels in the Deacon’s hands saying: “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you are. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.” I hope that the example I give is considered good catechesis.