Parish of Saint Paul, The Apostle

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Rev. Carlo Centra

Assistant Priest 1951 - 1970

Ordained in June 1950 Fr. Centra was appointed as Curate in Our Lady of Lourdes, Cardonald before moving to St. Paul's as Curate in 1951. There he joined Fr. George Conlon, Fr. John Deans Mid Fr. Francis McLeod. As he was the youngest priest he was given charge of the Altar Boys, the Catholic Young Men's Society (joint branch with St. Barnabas') and the district of Springboig.

When Fr. McLeod left St. Paul's Fr. Centra took over the choir and introduced some male voices in the previously all female ensemble. Mrs. Annie Studders was organist when the choir succeeded in cutting a disc (record) - tape recorders were still a novelty at the time - and on one occasion at Mass, as the high point in their repertoire, they managed the Halleluia Chorus from Handel's Messiah. On Mrs. Studders' retirement Fr. Centra introduced Mrs. Betty McCaffrey and Mrs. May Boylan to the charge of the choir. It was not all hard work. The choir sometimes managed to enjoy themselves but no one will divulge all that happened on their annual Sunday trip to Millport.

In due time the Catholic Young Men's Society gave way to the Men's Guild which at its height could muster nearly 100 men of different ages.

The marking of the closure of the old church was very low key but Fr. Centra was privileged to conduct the Holy Hour on the Sunday afternoon as the final service. As well as this honour, he was privileged to take part with the other curates of the parish, Fr. John Glynn and Fr. James Fitzgerald at the opening ceremony of the new church.

It was during his time here that the 2nd Vatican Council took place. This was the start of some radical and courageous changes within the church around the world. St. Paul's got off to a good start due to the enthusiasm of the young clergy and is still striving to implement the directives of the council in its ongoing lay participation and dramatic re-ordering of the church.

Dates for the Sacraments 2007