Bishop Joins St Alban’s for 60th Anniversary Mass

Students, staff, governors and clergy gathered at St Alban’s as the school marked its 60th anniversary with a special whole-school Mass celebrated by the Bishop of East Anglia, the Rt Rev Peter Collins.

The celebration brought together the entire school community, along with members of Our Lady of Walsingham Catholic Multi Academy Trust, to give thanks for six decades of Catholic education, faith and service. Several local clergy also joined the occasion, including former priest chaplains to the school: Canon Patrick Cleary, Canon David Bagstaff, Fr John Warrington and Fr Jude Belnas.

The day began with Bishop Collins meeting the Headteacher, the Chief Executive Officer of Our Lady of Walsingham Catholic Multi Academy Trust, Clare Clark, and members of the student chaplaincy team. Students spoke about what makes St Alban’s special to them, highlighting the importance of faith, prayer, service and belonging in the daily life of the school.

They described how Catholic life is reflected not only in formal liturgies, but also through everyday relationships, acts of kindness, charitable work and opportunities for students to take an active role in the life of the Church. The Bishop also heard how students had established their own Bible group.

Bishop Collins praised the school’s role in spreading the faith and commented on the reverence shown by students during the Mass. Pupils took part in the liturgy through the readings, bidding prayers and altar serving, helping to create a celebration that was both prayerful and joyful.

There was also a speech from the Head Student of Sixth Form, who spoke on behalf of the student body and reflected on the importance of the anniversary. Mr Corless, the Headteacher, thanked the visiting clergy for joining the school community to mark what he described as a momentous milestone in the school’s history.

Visiting clergy also commented positively on the way Catholic life is visible throughout the school, noting that faith is not treated as something separate, but as something that shapes the rhythm, values and mission of the community.

The Bishop also noted that the school would soon have a deacon as its chaplain, with Paul Gilbert having been ordained to the permanent diaconate on Saturday, 18 July, at the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Norwich. The news added further significance to the anniversary celebration and highlighted the continuing development of chaplaincy and Catholic life at St Alban’s.

For many students, the occasion was the first time they had met the Bishop of East Anglia. After the Mass, Bishop Collins and the visiting clergy visited the school chapel, where he blessed the recently commissioned Stations of the Cross, designed by an art teacher.

The blessing created a lasting spiritual legacy for the anniversary year, ensuring the artwork will continue to support prayer and reflection for students and staff in the years ahead. The visit concluded with the clergy meeting members of the leadership team, teaching staff and governors before sharing a working lunch in the chapel garden.

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