Parish Team
The priest, deacons and administrators who run the parish
Parish Priest
Fr George Malecki SDS
Deacons
Deacons Kingsley and Lawrence are the two Permanent Deacons of our Parish. Their primary role is to support Father George, the Parish Priest, in the pastoral and spiritual needs of the Parish as part of the “Clergy Team”. Kingsley and Lawrence began their four-year formation programme to the Diaconate at the same time and were ordained by Bishop Declan at Clifton Cathedral on Saturday, 16th July 2005. As married men, with families of their own, they serve as a “bridge” between Parish and Home and whilst both are now fully or partially retired, also provided an out-reach to the “world of Work”, in years gone by.
Permanent Deacons are ordained ministers of the Catholic Church in their own right. Sacramentally, they are able to conduct Baptisms, Funerals (outside Mass), Weddings (outside Mass), Other services and take Holy Communion to the sick and housebound (in conjunction with Lay Eucharistic Ministers). They are readers of the Gospel and able to preach during the Mass, when requested by the Parish Priest. Both Kingsley and Lawrence are involved with other things specific to our Parish and the surrounding areas: Kingsley, with “Churches Together” and the Charismatic movement; Lawrence, with Prison Ministry (now on a part time basis).
Should you need to speak with one of the Deacons (Clergy Team) or be interested in finding out more about what they do, then please don’t hesitate to speak with them after Mass or contact the Parish Office to do so.
Kingsley Fulbrook
Kingsley, originally from south London, is married to Ruth, who is a retired minister of the United Reformed Church. He was an architectural conservationist and moved to Thornbury in 1990 to work for the local council. They have two grown-up children, both married, and two grandchildren in Japan. His favourite role as a Deacon is in preaching, with the aim of encouraging and building up people in faith, but he still somehow finds time for some painting practice with Thornbury Art Club!
Lawrence McCarthy
Lawrence, originally from Warrington in Cheshire, is married to Nicola and moved to Thornbury in 1987 with work at that time. They have three children, all now married or with partners away from home, three grandchildren and three “grand dogs!” Lawrence admits that balancing home, family and parish responsibilities can sometime be a challenge, but says that being a Deacon is a great honour and privilege, enabling him to engage with other people, particularly at times of most need.
Treasurer
Chris Hurford
Chris Hurford is the parish treasurer and the gift aid secretary. Now retired, he was an accountant by profession and has been treasurer of Christ the King Parish since 1998. He is married to Judith, a retired headteacher, who manages the Repository and the church cleaning rota and they have two children: Zoë, an events manager who has two children and Dominic an NHS medical director who is married with two children.
Chris can be contacted by email at treasurer.thornbury.christtheking@cliftondiocese.com or by phone at 01454 414074 or you can write to him at 11 Castle Street, Thornbury, BS35 1HA
Parish Administrator
Lawrence McCarthy
Lawrence can be contacted by email at thornbury.christtheking@cliftondiocese.com or by phone at 01454 412223 or you can write to him at 11 Castle Street, Thornbury, BS35 1HA