Fr Bernard Sparks Obituary and Funeral Details
Monday 23rd October 2023We are very sorry to share the sad news that Fr Bernard Sparks died peacefully at home in the early hours of Saturday after a long illness.
Bernard was born on 28th February 1931 in Ardwick, Manchester and baptised on 15th March 1931 at Holy Name, Oxford Road. He was educated at St Aloysius Elementary School and then St Bede’s College, Manchester.
Bernard was
accepted as an Ecclesiastical student for the Diocese of Salford on 30th August 1944, continuing at St Bede’s before transferring to St Cuthbert’s College, Ushaw.
Father Bernard Sparks was ordained to the Priesthood at the Cathedral Church of St John the Evangelist, Salford on 17th July 1955.
Fr Sparks served the Diocese of Salford in the following appointments:
1955-1962: English Martyrs, Whalley Range as Assistant Priest
1962-1964: St. Peter’s, Middleton as Assistant Priest
1964-1966: English Martyrs’, Urmston as Assistant Priest
1966-1974: St. Catherine’s, Didsbury as Assistant Priest
1974-1983: St. Joseph’s, Blackburn as Parish Priest
Fr Bernard retired in 1983. In retirement, he continued to supply throughout the diocese for several years.
Fr Sparks’ body will be received into St. Catherine of Siena, Didsbury for concelebrated Mass at 7.00pm on Tuesday 7th November. Bishop John will celebrate the Requiem Mass at St. Catherine’s on Wednesday 8th November at 12:00 noon
Please remember him in your prayers and in the celebration of Mass.
May he rest in peace.
