Would all those parishioners who normally make their weekly offering using Gift Aid envelopes please note that their new 2026/27 envelopes are now available for collection from the Narthex. If you can't find your envelope in the box please write your name on the sheet provided for this purpose and it will be made available for collection next week. If you don't currently have a Gift Aid envelope with which to make your cash offertory but would like one, please also write your name on the list and it will be arranged for you. If anyone who has already signed up to giving by Gift Aid has changed their address during the last year or did not pay sufficient income or capital gains tax to cover the tax reclaimable on their offerings then please notify Chis Croker, Treasurer and Gift Aid Coordinator.
The Shepherd's Voice is a series of short pamphlets and reflections by Fr Luke Goymour on a number of different faith topics. These pamphlets are available at the back of church or can be read on line on this web site - click here to find the seven titles in the series.
Now available in the church porch are the new editions of the Diocesan Year Book for 2026. These are priced at £5 per copy.
The annual Yearbook contains a comprehensive, up-to-date guide to the Diocese of East Anglia. It can also be read and referenced online here on the parish web site - click on the image to the left to access it.
You may remember Tom, a young Indian student who was staying in the Presbytery with Fr Mathew during the Covid period.
This week news was received from Fr Mathew that Tom and his wife have been blessed with twins and Fr Mathew has recently baptised them both in India. Pictured here is Fr Mathew with the family. Congratulations to Tom and his wife.
There will be parish based pilgrimage to Medjugorje, led by Fr Luke Goymour, taking place from 16th to 23rd September 2026.
Flying from Stansted airport, the cost of the pilgrimage includes flights, transfers, 7 nights accommodation in Hotel Leone on a half-board basis and a fully organised religious programme whilst there.
The flight tickets include a luggage allowance of 10Kg per person, but additional allowance can be purchased if required.
Travel from Ipswich to Stansted is not included, but in previous years a private minibus has been organised nearer the time, at additional cost.
The cost of the trip is £849 per person based on sharing a room, and there is an early-booking discount of £100 if booked before November 3rd.
To book online you can visit the Joe Walsh Tours web site by clicking here or you can call them on 0808 189468.
Further information can be obtained from the parish office by email or call 01473 684963 option 5.
This trip is inspirational and highly recommended.
Have you registered yet? Churchsuite is a new, computerised records system specifically designed for churches. We would like every parishioner to register - it only takes a few moments.
If you are new to the parish, or have only recently joined, please could you complete the Churchsuite registration. This will ensure we have your details in the parish records and can effect a proper introduction and welcome to you and your family.
You can find more information about Churchsuite and a registration form here.
On Saturday 27th September, we came together as a community to celebrate a special Mass at 12 noon. This was a Mass of thanksgiving for the long service as a priest of Fr Paul Chanh.
The Mass was very well attended by a number of parishioners from St Mary Magdalen, St Marks and Holy Family churches and was a moving and emotional farewell to a much loved and respected priest.
The Mass was followed by a BBQ and reception in the parish garden, when Fr Paul was presented with a cheque to mark his retirement. His retirement accommodation has not yet been finalised, so he will remain living for the time being in the Norwich Road Presbytery.
A selection of photographs from the event are shown below.
As well as Fr Paul's retirement, also retiring this month, after 47 years since his ordination to the priesthood, was “our own” Fr Pat Cleary, who retired from the parish of Thetford on 5thSeptember. We also wish Fr Pat a long and happy retirement.
Fr Pat's retirement features in an article in the November edition of Catholic East Anglia, the Diocesan newspaper, which you can find here.
The Autumn 2025 issue of LIFE news is out and you can read it by clicking the image to the left.
Life has also launched an appeal and you can read the story of Zena, that is being used as part of this appeal, by clicking here.
Donations to LIFE may be made by posting the donation form in the appeal, or online here at the LIFE website.
As you probably know, in the space of one week at the end of June, MPs voted to decriminalise abortion up to birth and legalise assisted suicide. The Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child (SPUC) has launched its Fightback campaign to raise awareness and support and to encourage people to make their voice heard and stand up for the most vulnerable in our society. There are some postcards at the back of church which you can complete and send off to SPUC and you will be sent an information pack about what you can do to help support this cause.
