St Leonard's Church Balderstone, Lancashire

Welcome to the parish notice-board for St Leonard's Church, Balderstone, Lancashire.      Rotas for May 2009   3rd 10th 17th 24th 31st Reader Ian Fletcher Alison Bell Oliver Roberts Sian Riddell Paul Ireland Sidesmen IF/JL NR/RD MR/GR AT/SB MSh/PI Flowers M Robinson & D Ledger Graham J Hindle & D Smalley Weddings Ladies Fellowship & J Cook & D Ledger Clock Nigel Wolley Keith Turner Brian Middlemas Ryan Dixon Gareth Davies Ministry Changes Click here to download background information about new arrangements for ministry - response to the Diocesan Pastoral Committee's Proposal (26 Feb 2009) Click here for the Bishop's response (11 March 2009)   Links History of Balderstone Church Balderstone School Mellor Brook Community Centre   Suggestions Box If you have any suggestions to improve the website then they would be warmly received! Saint Leonard of Noblac from Wikipedia     Died 559 Venerated in Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Church Feast November 6 Attributes depicted as an abbot holding chains, fetters or locks, or manacles. Patronage political prisoners, imprisoned people, prisoners of war, and captives, women in labor, as well as horses   Leonard of Noblac or of Limoges (also known as Lienard, Linhart, Leonhard, Léonard, Leonardo) (died traditionally in 559), according to the romance that accrued to his name recorded in an 11th-century vita, was a Frankish noble in the court of Clovis I. He was converted to Christianity along with the king, at Christmas 496), by Saint Remigius, Bishop of Reims. Leonard asked Clovis to grant him personally the right to liberate prisoners whom he would find worthy of it, at any time. Leonard secured the release of a number of prisoners, for whom he has become a patron saint, then, declining the offer of a bishopric— a prerogative of Merovingian nobles— he entered the monastery at Micy near Orléans, under the direction of Saint Mesmin and Saint Lie. Then, according to his legend, Leonard became a hermit in the forest of Limousin, where he gathered a number of followers. Through his prayers the queen of the Franks was safely delivered of a male child, and in recompense Leonard was given royal lands at Noblac, 21 km from Limoges, where he founded the abbey of Noblac, around which a village grew, named in his honor Saint-Léonard de Noblac. According to legend, prisoners who invoked him from their cells saw their chains break before their eyes. Many came to him afterwards, bringing their heavy chains and irons to offer them in homage. A considerable number remained with him, and he often gave them part of his vast forest to clear and make ready for the labors of the fields, that they might have the means to live an honest life.

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