Parish Team
The Right Reverend Canon Gregory Grant
Canon Gregory Grant was ordained for the Diocese of Clifton in 1977 in Clifton Cathedral, Bristol. He has worked as a curate in Corpus Christi parish in Weston-Super-Mare and in St Osmund‘s, Salisbury, before taking up a four year appointment with the Catholic Missionary Society preaching parish missions around England and Wales. In 1988, he was appointed parish priest of St Patrick’s and began the redevelopment and reorganisation of the parish. Canon Gregory celebrated his 70th birthday on 2021 and enjoys having spent almost half of his life as parish priest of St Patrick’s.
Deacons Denis Deasey & Rob Easton
Deacon Denis Deasey is married to Jo and was ordained in 2010. He is a hospital chaplain at University Hospitals Bristol & Weston. In the parish he conducts baptisms, weddings and funerals. Denis leads the RCIA in our parish (Talks on the Faith to non-Catholics that wish to join the Catholic Church.)
Deacon Robert Easton is married to Kath and was ordained in 2010. He is a hospital chaplain at North Bristol Trust and in the parish conducts baptisms, weddings and funerals.
Amelia Dunford
Amelia Dunford has worked for the parish office full time for over 30 years in many roles and responsibilities and has a great personal knowledge of all the parishioners. Amelia is responsible for co-ordinating and promoting catechetical programmes, organising baptisms, weddings and funerals and all parish activities that involve parishioners promoting church events.
Savia Rodrigues
In January 2024, we welcomed Savia Rodrigues as our new parish secretary at St Patrick’s. Savia has been a parishioner here in St. Patricks since 2016 and have been involved in most of the parish acytivities.
Fiona Bradley
Fiona Bradley has been parish treasurer for 25 years. A qualified accountant, Fiona works voluntarily in the parish office dealing with matters of financial record keeping and processing of income and expenditure. Fiona is also chair of Governors at St Patrick’s school. Fiona is a founding Trustee of Th Grant Bradley Charitable Trust.
The Salvatorian Sisters
The Sisters of the Divine Saviour (The Salvatorians) moved to St Patrick’s in 1990 and live in a purpose-built convent adjacent to the church. They assist in the pastoral and catechetical activities of the church and also work in neighbouring parishes.
Pauline Humphrey
Pauline Humphrey has been our voluntary safeguarding officer in St Patrick’s for 20 years. She ensures that all personnel and activities in the parish are operating compliantly according to church guidelines, policies and procedures.
Tracy McNama
Tracy McNama has been an active member of the parish for 15 years. In 2019, she took on the role of St Patrick’s Parish Secretary, following a successful career in teaching, having most recently taught for six years at St Patrick’s Primary School. Tracy has now accepted the position of Director of Music for the St Patrick’s Community from September 2022, and we look forward to her bringing together all the various musical cultures within our parish, as well as the youth, school choir and continuing to conduct the adult choir as part of her role.
Robert Moloney
Robert Moloney is fully qualified in all matters of Health and Safety and is the caretaker of St Patrick’s school. Robert spends time each week in the parish office and visiting the many church buildings to ensure that all policies and procedures are adhered to and recorded accurately.
Andrew Lee
Andrew Lee has led St Patrick’s Music Group since September 2002. Andrew also sings bass in the choir at St Patrick’s Church. He also plays the cornet in both Portishead Town Band and Filton Concert Brass Band and has a full-time job within an architectural practice.
The Music Group
Under the direction of Andrew Lee, the music group leads the congregation in worship on two Sundays each month. Their repertoire is constantly revised and updated to bring leadership and variety to the congregational singing.
Tracy McNama and Steve Clarke
Tracy McNama directs our four-part choir. She has conducted the choir for 11 years, taught at St Patrick’s Primary School and led their choir for 6 years and personal assistant to Canon Gregory.
Steve Clarke is the choir’s accompanist on piano, he arranges 4-part pieces for the choir and writes his own psalms for our use. He is Head of Music at Backwell Secondary School.
St Patrick’s Choir
In the autumn of 2004, Saint Patrick’s organist David Forde created a mixed voice, four-part choir. Since then, the choir has gone from strength to strength with as many as 27 members. In 2008, the choir was privileged to sing at Galway and Waterford Cathedrals. They have sung at a number of Diocesan Events including The Glastonbury Pilgrimage, Clifton Cathedral events and an appearance on the BBC Radio Bristol Carol Service. In 2012, Tracy McNama and Steve Clarke became Musical Director and Pianist respectively. The choir continues to develop its repertoire by leading music at Mass once a month and are heavily involved at Christmas and Easter Masses and special liturgical occasions.
Office Secretarial Volunteers
The parish is blessed with several part time office volunteers who assist Tracy and Amelia in the many routine and day to day tasks that require time and practical help.
St Patrick’s School
St Patrick’s infant and primary school were opened in 1933. The full cost of the construction was paid for by parishioners. In 2013, the school became an academy. The school is rated outstanding in all areas by Ofsted. More than 50% of the 210 pupils come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds and have English as an additional language. The school and parish church share the same site and are integrated into a collaborative vision and approach to faith growth and development. Canon Gregory is pictured with Head Teacher, Michele Marshall.