Timorese Families Celebrate Holy Family Mass

The Timorese Catholic community in Cambridge gathered at St Laurence’s to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, during which five children joyfully received their First Holy Communion. Adrito Do Nascimento reports. 

On 27 December 2025, members of the Timorese community in Cambridge gathered at the Church of St Laurence for a special end of year celebration marking the Feast of the Holy Family, a day devoted to honouring Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The Mass was celebrated by Fr Robert Verrill OP.

The occasion was especially joyful for five Timorese children, two boys and three girls, who received their First Holy Communion. This important milestone in the Catholic faith marks the first time they receive the Body of Christ in the Eucharist.

In his homily, Fr Robert addressed the children and their families, emphasising that receiving Holy Communion is a precious gift, drawing each of them closer to Jesus. He reminded the children that the Eucharist is spiritual nourishment that helps them grow into kind and faithful adults. He also encouraged parents to remain steadfast in prayer and regular attendance at Mass together as a family.

Following the Mass, the celebration continued in a nearby hall, where the families of the five children hosted a shared meal for Fr Robert and the wider Timorese community. It was a joyful time of food, conversation and fellowship, reflecting the strong bonds within the Timorese Catholic community in Cambridge.

The gathering provided a fitting conclusion to the year, celebrating both the deepening faith of the children and the unity and love shared among the community.

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