Double Celebration for Canon David & The Diocese

Parishioner Carole Wilson reflects on a joyful double celebration at All Saints, Leiston, where parishioners, family and friends gathered to mark both the Diocese of East Anglia’s 50th anniversary and Canon David Bagstaff’s golden jubilee of ordination.

Over the summer months, many of the parishes in the Diocese of East Anglia have held special celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the Diocese. However, on Sunday 12 July, the parish of Aldeburgh and Leiston had two 50th anniversaries to celebrate, as it was also Canon David Bagstaff’s 50th anniversary of ordination (10 July).

Canon David was the first priest to be ordained for the new Diocese of East Anglia and has held many roles and served in many parishes since 1976, so will be well known to and well loved by many.

The parish celebrated with one Sunday Mass at All Saints, Leiston, the larger of the two churches, which also has an adjacent hall.

In order to be with Canon David as he celebrated this very special Mass, the church was filled with local parishioners and friends from across the Diocese, as well as members of his family; many had travelled long distances to share in the special double celebration.

The readings from the Mass of the day were naturally aligned to the theme of the occasion. It was one of those times when it was compelling to think of fellow Catholics, not only throughout the Diocese but throughout the whole world, who would be listening to and learning from them, and perhaps also reflecting on the blessings in their lives because of dedicated priests like Canon David.

With only slight bias, Suffolk folk have a reputation for being great singers and happily ‘raised the roof’ for this special occasion. As the liturgy and hymns were sung, it felt as though the church was filled with twice the number in the congregation. Afterwards, many visitors commented on the joyful and uplifting effect of this.

Mass was followed by an advertised ‘finger buffet’ that actually transpired to be an amazing sight: a beautifully arranged and very delicious feast. After everyone had taken their fill, the plates seemed to refill themselves in biblical fashion – the catering team were definitely thinking ‘double’!

And, of course, there had to be double cake too. With two knives to hand, Canon David did the honours with encouragement from all, who were full of admiration for both the diocesan commemorative cake and his own commemorative cake, which carried a scroll listing his many roles and appointments from 1976–2026.

After a round of applause, Canon David was feted with yet more singing as ‘For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow’ rang out, followed by spontaneous cries of ‘Three Cheers’ from the crowds gathered around him after a very sociable lunch in the church grounds.

The event organising team, and all who helped make the Mass doubly special, are to be congratulated but, from the heart, a special thank you is due to Canon David, whose knowledge, experience, wisdom, tact and gentle humour are a blessing to all who come into contact with him.

A truly memorable double celebration that left everyone both fulfilled and filled.

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