Pentecost event, choir celebration, election resources

Latest news of interest to the East Anglia Catholic community includes an international Pentecost event, a four-choir celebration and Catholic General Election resources.

The feast of Pentecost was an ideal opportunity for an International Weekend at St Peter the Apostle Parish, Gorleston, led by Fr Alvan (pictured above), and what an amazing weekend it was, reports Janet Rust.  

Saturday evening social and presentation gave an insight into the cultures and traditions of some of the nationalities of our parishioners, including a beautiful floral dance from our Filipino community, followed by international snacks.  The entertainment continued spontaneously with many singing and dancing.   A memorable occasion for all who attended. 

The Sunday Mass on May 19, was both moving and unique. It was a joyful, multicultural, multilingual celebratory Pentecost mass.  22 flags processed in (pictured below), two priests and one Deacon, four different choirs singing (English, Nigerian (complete with percussion), Indian and Filipino), six language bidding prayers, all the children joined the offertory with gifts and there was a special Sign of Peace with everyone turning to all four points of the compass. 

This was followed by a happy celebration in the hall.   Steve from Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s Cultural Connections (who had helped fund these events) addressed the hall briefly and was delighted that many people signed up or took information about their volunteering programme. 

There was then a massive international buffet with umpteen dishes so loving prepared by the parishioners.  This was simply delicious and was shared and enjoyed by over 70 people.  A very special weekend.

On Sunday, July 14, the St John’s Cathedral choir will be joined by a number of visiting choirs for the last Sunday of term. They will welcome Bradford Catholic Youth Choir and Huddersfield Catholic Youth choir, who are visiting from the Diocese of Leeds.

The choirs will also be joined by the choir of St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School, Costessey. Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Peter, who is marking his 40th anniversary of ordination.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales has published a new section on its website to provide information and guidance on key issues of importance to Catholics, to help inform how they vote. You can find it at CBCEW.org.uk/election24

CAFOD and the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) started a campaign to help the Catholic voice be heard in the General Election, and to make sure politicians make tackling poverty a priority. The two organisations are inviting parishes to reach out to their local candidates ahead of the next election, with the intention of “strengthening community participation as a local faith group and practicing the culture of encounter that Pope Francis talks about”.

For more details on A Year of Encounter, see the SVP website. 

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