Garden party, Cantonese Mass, peace concert

Latest news from across the Diocese of East Anglia includes May devotions to Our Lady in Ipswich, a garden party in St Neots, Cantonese Masses and a concert for peace in Cambridge.

May devotions to Our Lady at St Pancras Church in Ipswich (pictured above) were attended by about 60 parishioners including 15 children who were due to be making their first Holy Communion in June.

Fr Joseph Welch said: “The service began in the hall with the blessing of a crown of flowers and the crowning of the statue of Our Lady by one of the First Communicants, Claudia Griggs. The statue was then carried in procession whilst the children sprinkled flower petals on the ground to lay a carpet at her feet. Several old favourite Marian hymns were sung – including May is the Month of Mary, Bring Flowers of the Rarest, and Daily, Daily Sing to Mary – as the procession made its way outside on to the streets around the church, much to the amazement of onlookers.

“After processing around the church, the statue of Our Lady was placed in the sanctuary and there followed solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, after which everyone retired to the hall again for refreshments.”

Catholic guitarist and singer Gillian Margolin will be performing at a summer concert for peace and reconciliation, from 12 noon on Thursday July 20 at St Philip’s church, 185 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 3AN. The music will include songs by Bob Dylan, John Denver and local composer Cate Williams alongside Jewish music. More details from Gillian Margolin at [email protected]

Canon Hoan Minh Nguyen will be celebrating a regular Mass in Cantonese at Our Lady of Lourdes, 135 High Street, Sawston CB22 3HJ at 2pm on Saturdays. Upcoming dates of the Cantonese Masses for 2023 are: Jul 15 (cancelled), Aug 19, Sep 10, Oct 14, Nov 18, Dec 16.
The Masses will be followed by tea and an opportunity to mingle. More information from [email protected] or from Dominic Chung on 07768 376919.

Fr Tibor Borovský, parish priest of St Joseph’s Church in St Neots hosted a Garden Party to thank parish volunteers for their service on May 13. The day started with the Crowning of Our Lady in the garden. Michael McLoughlin had the honour of placing the crown, in memory of his late wife Mary McLoughlin, who was a founding member of the parish Rosary group. Prayers were led by Fr Tibor and Ann McDermott (pictured below). Afterwards, about 50 parish volunteers enjoyed the festivities and food.