In 2007 Bishop Brian grouped parishes together in Local Pastoral Areas. In a Pastoral Letter in July 2007 he wrote: The purpose of Local Pastoral Areas is to support the viability of local communities. I see co-operation and sharing of resources as central to this purpose. It will, of course, require willingness on everyone's part to plan and take decisions conducive to the well-bring of the whole area.

St. Chad's is linked with our daughter parishes: St. Ann's, Cheadle Hulme and Christ Church, Heald Green. Together we form ST. CHAD'S LOCAL PASTORAL AREA (LPA 19).

The LPA plans joint activities and gives support to the three parishes through meetings of parish representatives - the LPA Team - consisting of the three parish priests, an elected rep from each parish, and a teacher and a catechist appointed by the Bishop

THE LPA TEAM

St. Chad's       -        Fr. John  (Mrs. Bernie McShane)

St. Ann's         -        Fr. Chris  (Mr. Bob Silcock)

Christ Church -          Fr. Paul   (Mrs. Joan Bleackley)

Catechist         -          Mrs. Christine Bodley

Teacher           -           Mr. Kevin Platt

The rest of the team elected Fr. John and Joan Bleackley as co-chairs

The three parishes share the three schools: Cheadle Catholic Infant School,

Cheadle Catholic Junior School, and St. James' Catholic High School

WHAT WE DO TOGETHER

Services of Reconciliation are celebrated each Advent and Lent.

An annual Day of Recollection is held primarily for Readers and Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, but all are welcome.

Confirmation is celebrated jointly for all Year 9 students

One of the priests is a school governor

All three priests share chaplaincy work in the schools

At social events arranged by one parish, members of the other parishes are welcome

Weekend Mass times in the three parishes have been co-ordinated in order that in an emergency two priests can celebrate the usual Masses in all three parishes

St. Chad's is one of seven churches in Cheadle and Gatley, and enjoys good relations with them all. The clergy meet regularly and United Services and meetings are not infrequent. While maintaining our own traditions, the churches are all committed to furthering the Kingdom of God in this area. We worship together, we meet together, we socialise together, building bridges between the different denominations so that we may more and more speak with one voice as we proclaim the Gospel of Christ.

Some Shared Activities

A United Service is held each year in the week of Prayer for Christian Unity

United Services are held at St. James', Gatley URC, Trinity and St. Chad's to mark the Patronal Feast or Church Anniversary of each church.

Weekly meetings are held in Advent and Lent between some of the churches

The churches take it in turn to host a weekly Lenten Lunch at which one of the clergy gives a talk and a collection is taken for charity.

The Gatley churches and the Cheadle churches come together at their respective War Memorials for a Remembrance Day service

The Seven Churches

Cheadle

St. Mary's Parish Church (Rector: Rev. Dr. Rob Munro)

St. Cuthbert's C of E (Minister: Rev. Mike Newman)

Trinity United Reformed & Methodist Church (Minister: Rev. Louise Gough)

St. Chad's Catholic Church (Parish Priest:  Canon John Gordon)

Gatley

St. James Parish Church (Vicar: Rev. Matthew Carlisle)

Gatley United Reformed Church (Minister:)

Bethany Community Church (Pastor: David Meggers)