Friday, 16 July 2010

Bishop Terence presided and twenty-two priests concelebrated at a Mass in St John's Cathedral, Salford, on Wednesday July 14th, 2010, in thanksgiving for the work of Mr Martin Lochery who retires at the end of this term as Director of Education for the Diocese of Salford.  
 

Over two hundred headteachers, governors, family and friends gathered for the Mass.  

In his homily, Bishop Terence Brain emphasised the need for us to recognise that we are not self-sufficient but we are all children of a loving Father through our relationship with Christ, His Son. The Bishop thanked Mr Lochery for his outstanding service to the diocese of Salford and to Catholic education regionally and nationally. He then installed him as a Knight of Saint Sylvester, an honour given by Pope Benedict XVI in recognition of the exemplary exercise of his professional duties in the Diocese.

Mr Lochery has worked for the Diocese for seventeen years, initially coming from St John Vianney Special School to advise the diocese on the provision of catechesis for disabled children and young people. His colleague of many years, Mr David Rushton, who retired last year, described him as a unique individual who had a clear-minded vision of Catholic Education and who was able to articulate that vision with remarkable effectiveness. He also entertained the congregation with many stories both humorous and serious about their time working together for the diocese.

Canon Anthony McBride, Episcopal Vicar for Formation said, “Martin will be greatly missed both in the Diocese and nationally. His contribution to the support of our schools and colleges has been enormous. It was typical of the man that in thanking people at the end of Mass he went out of his way to give great recommendation and support to those who will succeed him in the Diocesan Office for Education. His aim has always been to encourage and support the highest attainment of Catholic schools and colleges and to celebrate that achievement, never forgetting that it is Jesus Christ who is at the centre of all our endeavours and achievements”.

The Order of Saint Sylvester, into which Mr Lochery has been installed, is an order of Papal Knights, instituted by Pope Gregory XVI in 1841. At one time Papal Knights of Saint Sylvester had the right to ride on a horse inside the Basilica of Saint Peter in Rome. This right has not been exercised for a very long time and unless Martin is going to improve his riding skills we doubt that he will be the one to re-introduce this tradition.

Bishop Terence Brain with Geraldine and Martin Lochery

Martin Lochery with Canon Anthony McBride and David Rushton