Celebrating Diversity at Jubilee Launch

St Edmund’s Parish in Bury St Edmunds marked the beginning of its Diocesan Jubilee celebrations with an ‘International Evening’ held in the church crypt on 12 May. Around 130 parishioners attended, representing 30 different nationalities.

Event co-ordinator John Saunders explained the inspiration behind the evening:

“Our once largely white British congregation has changed significantly since a video recording from 1987. Today, we are probably one of the most multicultural congregations among local churches. This diversity is a great strength, and relationships are good. However, many of us attend Mass, exchange greetings, but do not always take the opportunity to truly get to know one another or understand how we might support each other better.”

Seven parish representatives were invited to share their personal stories in short presentations of no more than eight minutes. They spoke about their countries of origin, their journeys to Bury St Edmunds, the challenges and joys they had encountered, and how the parish community might grow in understanding. Care was taken to avoid political discussion and to maintain the evening’s spirit of respect and unity.

Speakers came from India, Poland, the United States, Vietnam, the Philippines, Nigeria and England, each offering a thoughtful and often moving reflection.

Jetty spoke about the growing Keralan community, many of whom have come to Bury to work in healthcare and support the NHS. “We were drawn by opportunities in healthcare, care work and skilled trades, seeking a new chapter for our families,” she said. “The town’s welcoming character, safe streets and historic charm made it a natural choice. We have brought with us our faith, values and cultural richness, which sustain us and enable us to contribute to our new home.”

Emmanuel reflected on the challenges of settling in a new country, including language barriers, cultural adjustment and the need for greater understanding around equality, diversity and inclusion. Despite these difficulties, he highlighted the many positives, particularly the opportunity to build a career and raise a family in a place where faith can be freely practised. He described the evening as “an important step towards a more inclusive future”.

Another speaker shared her powerful story of arriving in England as a refugee from a war-torn country with nothing. Eventually settling in Bury, she and her family were welcomed by a local household. She has since raised her own family and now runs a successful business. “Over the years, I have been able to settle, become part of the Catholic Church and be accepted in the wider community,” she said. “Tonight’s event will do much to bring us even closer together.”

Significantly, the event took place on the same day it was reported that racial attacks on NHS staff had increased by 17 per cent. Against this backdrop, the evening underscored both the valuable contributions made by people from overseas and the shared desire to enjoy the opportunities that Bury offers. Hearing these personal stories fostered a deeper understanding and a clear wish for greater unity within the community.

The second half of the evening featured food tasting from nine different countries, offering a further opportunity for conversation and fellowship. Participants were encouraged to learn the names of at least three new people before the evening ended, a challenge that was enthusiastically embraced.

The event was widely regarded as a success, with clear signs of growing cross-cultural dialogue. This has already led to increased participation in parish life, including attendance at the Syro-Malabar Mass, invitations to speakers for parish groups, and a greater willingness to volunteer.

Looking ahead, the challenge will be to sustain this momentum and allow it to deepen the parish’s shared faith and worship.

Bury St Edmunds is currently awaiting the outcome of its bid to become a national Town of Culture, and John believes the initiative could contribute positively to the wider community. A local school is already planning to replicate the concept of an international evening.

“It will not be easy to preserve the special character of our town,” John said. “There may be times when divisions arise, but by working together in unity, we can resist negative influences and demonstrate the importance of loving our neighbour.”

He also encouraged those who may feel concerned about immigration to reflect on the stories shared during the evening. While acknowledging that not all circumstances are straightforward, he emphasised that most newcomers are law-abiding, contribute through work and taxation, and bring valuable skills, often filling roles that are otherwise hard to recruit for.

“They are part of our community,” he added, “and their presence shows how we can all benefit from diversity, equality and inclusion.”

Further Jubilee events are planned in the coming months, but this first gathering has provided a strong and hopeful beginning.

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