At St Mark’s and St Mary Magdalen’s, the Alpha course is central to our pastoral strategy for the renewal and life of the parishes. Alpha encourages us to be missionary disciples, outward looking, inviting others to come and meet Jesus in the fullness of our Catholic faith. It is hoped that everyone in the parish will have the opportunity to participate in at least one Alpha course over the next three years and all are encouraged to actively invite non-Christians and lapsed Catholic friends and neighbours to attend a course.
Alpha covers the fundamental basics of Christian belief including the existence of God, who Jesus is, how Jesus saves us, God as a Trinity of persons, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the life of the Christian.
Preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion - requires this foundational knowledge, and thus anyone preparing for these sacraments will ordinarily be expected to participate in the Alpha course. In the case of children or young people preparing for First Holy Communion or Confirmation, the expectation is that one or more parents or guardians complete the Alpha course. This is for two reasons; firstly, as the primary educators of their children in the faith, it is imperative that parents have a firm grasp of what is to be taught to their children and secondly it reinforces the idea that faith is shared within a family, and demonstrates a shared commitment between parent and child in preparation for the sacraments.
Alpha and the Catholic Church
The Alpha Course started from within the Anglican tradition at the Church of Holy Trinity Brompton in London in 1977. It has since been translated into over 100 languages and is run by various Christian communities and churches around the world, including the Catholic church.
In his 2013 letter Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Pope Francis stressed “the fundamental role of the first announcement or kerygma, which needs to be the centre of all evangelising activity and all efforts at Church renewal” (para 164).
The kerygma is the basic proclamation of the gospel, it is Catholic to say Jesus has saved me, Jesus is risen from the dead and alive and Jesus sends his Holy Spirit.
The Alpha course is not a complete Catechesis on the Catholic faith, nor is it designed to be. Rather it is a presentation of the basic gospel message which gives space for people to reflect, learn and remind themselves of what it means to believe in God, and know that Jesus has come to save us. The Alpha course is, then, thoroughly Catholic at its core and it is a well-established tool, used successfully by Catholic parishes and other Christians across the world for doing exactly what Pope Francis is advocating – introducing people to the person of Jesus Christ and helping them develop a personal relationship with him through the power of the Holy Spirit.
It is centred on welcome and hospitality - sharing and prayer. Each session includes a meal, a talk and small group discussion, where no question is too simple.
Although used by many Christians, the Alpha course features input from Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, uses illustrations from the lives of Saints Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Maximilian Kolbe as well as drawing on quotes from Pope St John Paul II and Pope Francis.
Our parish priest, Fr Luke Goymour, has participated in several Alpha courses and has previously run Alpha at St John the Baptist Catholic Cathedral Norwich, as well as at St Mark’s and St Mary Magdalen Ipswich. As part of the renewal of the parish, Alpha in a Catholic context is key to his pastoral strategy and vision.
There will be a further Alpha course starting on Wednesday 30th April 2025. This will be held in St Mark's church hall, 180 Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich, IP2 0QQ at 7:30pm, and weekly thereafter. The full dates of all these sessions can be found here in the parish calendar. If you are interested in finding out more about Christianity, exploring your faith further, or looking for a spiritual boost in your life, then why not come along and explore Alpha for yourself
If you would like to find out more about Alpha, or would like to register your interest in joining our next course, please [javascript protected email address] us with your details and we will get back to you nearer the time, or you can click here to watch a short introductory video about the Alpha course.
On February 27th, the annual general meeting of the parish was held in the Garden Room at 7:00 pm. The meeting was chaired by Fr Luke and a good number of members of the parish community were in attendance. The minutes of this meeting can be read here.
We ask your prayers for Patrick Doran, Jim Spence, Margaret Ward née Curry and all our brothers and sisters who are unwell, afflicted, housebound or distressed.
Lord, comfort and relieve them according to their needs, and grant them the love and consolation of your Spirit. Amen
On July 18th, 2023, a general meeting of the parish, the first since the arrival of Fr Luke and Fr Paul to the parish community, was held in the Garden Room. The meeting was chaired by Fr Luke and Fr Paul and thirty members of the parish community were in attendance. The minutes of this meeting can be read here.
The second Parish meeting held after the arrival of Fr Paul Spellman, was held in the Garden Room on Saturday 19th March, 2022. The notes of this meeting can be read here.
Saroya Ekwugha
On Sunday 9th February 2025, we welcomed baby Saroya Ekwugha into the Catholic church and our parish community during the 10:00 am Mass when she received the Sacrament of Baptism. Please remember Saroya in your prayers and pray also for her parents John and Tracy and her godparents James and Rachael, that they may guide and support her faithful Christian development in the years ahead.
Thea Rooney
On Sunday 3rd November, 2024, Thea Rooney was Baptised into the Catholic church and welcomed to our parish community. Please remember Thea in your prayers also pray for her parents Harry and Matilda and godparents Peter, Flora and Stacey that they may guide Thea in her faith and help her in her Christian development in the years ahead.
Jakub Majewski
Please pray for Jakub, his parents Piotr and Monika and his godparents Witold Stangierski and Marlena Ruminska as we welcomed him into our church and community on Saturday 26th October, 2024.
Aurelia Kiefer-Weir
On Saturday 28th September, 2024, Fr Paul baptised Zuri Horeira, daughter of Nelson Horeira and Jussara Sanca, welcoming her into the Catholic church and the St Mary Magdalen parish. Please remember Zuri, Nelson and Jussara in your prayers, and pray also for her godfather Elisio Rodrigues and godmother Elizabete da Silva that they may support her parents faithfully in the development of her Christian life.
Oliver Sheppard
On Sunday 1st September, 2024, Aurelia was welcomed into the Catholic church and to our parish community when she was Baptised by Fr Paul Chanh. Please remember Aurelia Oliver in your prayers and also pray for her parents Thomas and Shannah, her godfather Damian Urban and her godmother Ashleigh Moloney-Joyce, that they may guide her as she grows and develops into a full and meaningful relationship with Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Janelle Pereira
On Saturday 17th August, 2024, Janelle Pereira was Baptised into the Catholic church and welcomed to our parish community. Please remember Janelle in your prayers also pray for her parents Halitan Pereira and Joleen Fernandes and her godmother Jollina Pereira, that they may guide her in her faith and help her in her Christian development in the years ahead.
María Consuelo Al
On Sunday 4th August 2024, we welcomed María Consuelo, daughter of Yucel Al and Rita Calle into the Catholic Church and our parish community when she was baptised by Fr Paul Chanh. Please remember María Consuelo and her parents in your prayers and also pray for her godparents Edwin and María Rodriguez that they may guide her to a full and meaningful relationship with Our Lord Jesus Christ in the years to come.
Ema Kubiliute
On Saturday 6th July 2024, we welcomed Ema Kubiliute into the Catholic Church and our parish community when she was baptised by Fr Paul. Please remember Ema in your prayers and also pray for her parents Saulius Kubilius and Ramune Kubile and her godparents Minolaugas Jacina and Lina Protopaite that they may guide her to a full and meaningful relationship with Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Zuri Horeira
On Saturday 18th May, 2024, Fr Paul baptised Zuri Horeira, daughter of Nelson Horeira and Jussara Sanca, welcoming her into the Catholic church and the St Mary Magdalen parish. Please remember Zuri, Nelson and Jussara in your prayers, and pray also for her godfather Elisio Rodrigues and godmother Elizabete da Silva that they may support her parents faithfully in the development of her Christian life.
William Shimmon
On Sunday 5th May, 2024, Fr Paul baptised William Shimmon, son of Adam and Shanel, welcoming him into the Catholic church and the St Mary Magdalen parish. Please remember William, Adam and Shanel in your prayers, and pray also for his godmother Monica Magabulo that she may support his parents faithfully in the development of his Christian life.
Aurimas Baltokas
On Saturday 20th April, 2024, Aurimas was Baptised by Fr Paul and we welcomed him into our parish community. Please remember Aurimas in your prayers, and pray also for his parents Arvydas Baltokas and Inga Baltokiene, his Godparents Gintas Gaska and Regina Gaskiene and all his family.
Noah Toquero
On Saturday 9th March 2024, we welcomed Noah Toquero into the Catholic Church and our parish community when he was baptised. Please remember Noah in your prayers and also pray for his parents Lawrence and Charlotte and godparents William, Henry, Sameer, Bethany, Erin and Ana that they may guide him to a full and meaningful relationship with Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jenson Brett
On Sunday 10th December, 2023, Jenson Brett was baptised and we welcomed him to our parish community. Please remember Jenson in your prayers, and also pray for his parents Alistair and Sean, his Godfather Marlon Dias and his Godmothers Rhiannon Dias and Claire Pratt and all his family.
Areli Lubin
On Sunday 19th November 2023, we welcomed Areli Lubin into the Catholic Church and our parish community when she is baptised. Please remember Areli in your prayers and also pray for her parents and godparents that they may guide her to a full and meaningful relationship with Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Alias Zizka
On Sunday 12th November 2023, we welcomed Alias Zizka into the Catholic Church and our parish community when he was baptised at 12 noon. Please remember Alias in your prayers and also pray for his parents and godparents that they may guide their child to a full and meaningful relationship with Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Kian McMahon
On Saturday 21st October 2023, Kian McMahon was be baptised and we welcomed him to our parish community. Please remember Kian in your prayers, and also pray for his parents Riccardo and Rachel, his Godfather Marco McMahon, his Godmother Sarah MacDonald and all his family.
Arthur Finbow
On Sunday 15th October 2023, Arthur was Baptised by Fr Luke and we welcomed him into our parish community. Please remember Arthur in your prayers, and pray also for his parents James and Charlotte, his Godparents Rory, Sophie, Laura and Rebecca and all his family.
The first Parish meeting held after the arrival of Fr Paul Spellman, was held in the Garden Room on Thursday 2nd December, 2021. This meeting presented a great opportunity for our parish community to come together as we began a new chapter of service to one another and the Kingdom of God. The notes of this meeting can be read here.
Leslie Jermy RIP
Leslie Jermy, husband of parishioner Magdalen and father of Hannah and Rebecca, sadly passed away in Ipswich Hospital on 26th November 2024. A Requiem Mass was celebrated by Fr Luke Goymour at St Mary Magdalen church on Wednesday 15th January, followed by interment at the Ipswich Lawn Cemetery. Please remember Leslie in your prayers and pray also for the comfort of Magdalen, Hannah and Rebecca and all who mourn his passing.
Mildred "Millie" von Fragstein RIP
Mildred von Fragstein, known generally as Millie, a long standing parishioner of St Mary Magdalen church, passed away on Thursday 27th June 2024 in Heath Road hospital after a short illness. Her body was received into church on 23rd July at 6:00pm, when a special Mass was offered for the repose of her soul, and a requiem Mass was held for Millie on Wednesday 24th July at 10:00 am. Please remember Millie in your prayers, and pray also for her family and friends who mourn her passing.
Mary Chennels RIP
Mary Chennels, one of our most senior parishioners, passed away on April 20th 2024. A long standing parishioner, Mary had spent her last few years in Walton House, Ipswich, before moving to Alice Grange Care Home, Kesgrave, where she passed away. She was visited regularly by Fr Paul who took her Holy Communion each week. Her requiem Mass was celebrated on Friday 10th May at St Mary Magdalen church, followed by cremation at Ipswich crematorium. Please remember Mary in your prayers, and pray also for her family and friends who mourn her passing.
Wilhelmina Firmin RIP
Wilhelmina Firmin, known as Helmi, passed away on February 19th 2024 aged 97 years. The Firmin family were in the parish for many years living on Bramford Road, but Wilhelmina has been most recently a resident at Sherrington House Care Home. Her requiem was held at St Mary Magdalen church on Thursday 21st March. Please pray for Wilhelmina and for her family and friends who mourn her passing.
Sheila Curry RIP
Sheila Curry, one of the last remaining parish founding family members, passed away Saturday 10th February 2024 in the Ipswich Hospital, having only recently celebrated her 97th birthday. Sheila's Requiem Mass was held at St Mary Magdalen church on Tuesday 12th March at 10:30 am, followed by Cremation at the Ipswich Crematorium. Please remember Sheila in your prayers, and pray also for the comfort of her family and friends who mourn her passing.
Patrick Mullan RIP
Patrick "Paddy" Mullan, a long standing parishioner in the parish, passed away in hospital on 14th January 2024. His Requiem Mass was held at St Mary Magdalen church on Tuesday 13th February. Please pray for the repose of Patrick’s soul, and also remember in your prayers his widow Martha and all his family and friends who mourn his passing.
Ida James RIP
Ida James, a parishioner of many years standing, passed away on Wednesday 6th December 2023. A Requiem Mass for Ida will be celebrated on Tuesday 9th January 2024 at 10:00 am. Please remember Ida in your prayers, and pray also for her son Anthony and all her family and friends who mourn her passing.
Margaret "Peggy" Heffer RIP
Margaret Heffer, who many of you will know as a parishioner of many years standing, passed away on Wednesday 18th October 2023 after a long battle with cancer. Please remember Margaret in your prayers, and pray also for her family and friends who mourn her passing.
Philip Razzell RIP
Many of you will have known Philip Razzell, a long-standing member of the parish and a regular at 8:00 Mass. Sadly Philip passed away in hospital on 26th June 2023 after a short illness. His funeral was held at the Seven Hills Cemetery on Thursday 20th July. Please remember Philip in your prayers, and also his friends and family who will be mourning his loss.
Maureen Sparkes RIP
A regular at the 6:00 pm evening Mass for many years, Maureen passed away on 27th December 2022. A Requiem Mass was held at St Mary Magdalen church at 11:00 am Thursday 16th
February 2023 , followed by interment at the Ipswich Lawn Cemetery. Please pray for the repose of Maureen’s soul and remember her family and friends who mourn her passing.
Deacon Clive Brooks RIP
Deacon Clive Brooks, who ministered at St Mary Magdalen for many years during the tenure of Fr Russell Frost as parish priest, passed away on December 21st 2022 after a long battle with cancer. Clive also worked tirelessly as the Catholic Chaplain to the Hospital for many years prior to his retirement. He has now been reunited with his beloved wife Mary who passed away in 2011. Please remember Clive in your prayers, and remember also his family and friends who mourn his loss. You can read a tribute to Clive, written by his friend and colleague Deacon John Morrill, on the Diocesan web site - click here.
Ron Green RIP
Many of the older parishioners will remember Ron Green, a regular at St Mary Magdalen church for many years before his health failed. Sadly, Ron passed away on 20th December 2022 at home, after a long and difficult period of illness. Please remember Ron in your prayers and also his widow Pamela, his sons and all those who mourn his passing. A funeral service for Ron was held on Tuesday 31st January at 2:00 pm.
Frank Sutton RIP
Many of you will remember Frank Sutton who with his wife Rosina, was very active in the parish and school in years past. Sadly Frank passed away on 1st
November 2022 peacefully at home, with his family around him, after a long battle with cancer. A memorial Mass for Frank was held on Tuesday 29th November . Please pray for the repose of his soul, and for the comfort of his widow, family and friends who mourn his passing.
Fr Martin Orme RIP
It is with great sadness that we announce the Fr Martin Orme, former assistant priest at St Mary Magdalen church, died peacefully on Tuesday 18th October 2022 having received the Last Rites on Monday, and is now reunited with his beloved wife Jean who passed away one year earlier. You can read his obituary written bt Fr Russel Frost on the Diocesan web site here. Please pray for the repose of Fr Martin's soul and for the comfort of his friends and family who mourn his passing.
Heather Poll RIP
It is with great sadness that we announce that Heather Poll, wife of Jim, passed away on Saturday 3rd September 2022 following serious health issues bravely born. Heather, aged 79, was the younger daughter of James and Catherine Barrett, one of the founding families of St Mary Magdalen parish. Please pray for the repose of her soul, and remember also her husband Jim, her daughter Beverley, her sister Molly, brother Michael and all her family and friends who mourn her passing.
Michael Wojciechowski RIP
You may remember back in January, we had a Requiem Mass for Stanislaw Wojciechowski. The Mass on Saturday, 10th September at 12 noon, is a requiem for his son Michael, who sadly died in August 2022. Due to ongoing ill health, Michael had separated himself from his friends and at times from his family.
Annick Smith RIP
Annick Smith who was a regular in the parish for many years, sadly passed away on 9th November 2021. A Requiem Mass was held at St Mary Magdalen church at 2:00 pm on Wednesday 1st December, which, at the request of the family, was live streamed from church so that family and friends in France could witness the service. Please pray for the repose of her soul, and remember her family and friends who will be mourning her passing.
Karen Sutton RIP
Many parishioners will know Karen Sutton, daughter of Frank and Rosie, who sadly passed away on Thursday 16th December 2021. Please pray for her and remember her family and friends who mourn her passing.
Jean Ward (née Marchant) RIP
Many of our older parishioners will remember Jean Ward, the elder daughter of Ted and Agnes Marchant who were themselves one of the founding families of the parish. Jean sadly passed away in the St Elizabeth Hospice on Sunday 19th December 2021, after a long struggle with cancer. Her funeral was held at 11:15 am on Monday 24th January, 2022, at the Seven Hills crematorium. Please remember Jean in your prayers, and also the family and friends that mourn her passing.
Martha Ndow-Grace RIP
Martha sadly passed away in hospital on December 28th 2021. Please pray for the repose of her soul, and remember her friends and family who mourn her passing. Her funeral took place at St Mary Magdalen church on Friday 28th January, 2022 at 11:45 am and was followed by her committal at Ipswich crematorium.
Francis Jacobi RIP
Many of our older parishioners will remember Francis Jacobi who, until moving away to Derbyshire in 2015, was a regular at St Mary Magdalen church and many will remember Jacobi's bicycle shop on Norwich Road which he ran for many years. Francis sadly passed away on January 28th 2021 aged 91 years. Please remember Francis in your prayers, and pray also for his wife, family and friends who mourn his passing.
May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen
Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requiescant in pace. Amen.
On September 24th 2017, a Parish Assembly was held in the church hall, the first since Fr Mathew arrived at St Mary Magdalens. Chaired by Declan Moore, the meeting was intended not to be a decision making session but rather a forum for discussion, ideas to be raised and suggestions made to help Fr Mathew shape the forward direction and future of the parish. It is intended that further such meetings will be held, at approximately 6 monthly intervals or sooner if circumstances require it.
The notes of the meeting in September can be read here.
The Memorial Garden is located in the south east section of the St Mary Magdalen Catholic Church grounds. It is a tranquil place with flower beds and trees offering a location where the cremated remains of deceased parishioners may be interred and friends and relatives can sit in peaceful surroundings and remember their loved ones.
In accordance with the teaching of the Catholic Church, cremated remains are buried and not scattered. Our Christian belief in the resurrection of the dead on the last day means that we treat all human remains with great dignity and respect; our dust and ashes will one day be transformed into the new body of the resurrection, and so should not be allowed to be blown away by the wind, but, rather, reverently laid to rest in the earth.
In order to arrange for such a burial, in the first instance please complete an application form, available from the church or you can download one here. This should be completed and returned to the parish priest before a date and time for the internment can be agreed. There is a one-off fee, payable in advance, charged for such burials to cover the cost of interment and ongoing maintenance.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to bury any form of casket or urn containing the remains; rather the remains should be brought to the church in the cardboard box in which the crematorium issues them to the undertaker, and at the burial, they should be reverently poured into the hole which will be prepared in advance.
In order to maintain the character of the Memorial Garden, individual memorials may not be placed at the spot where the burial takes place. However, a small engraved plaque, no larger than 20 centimetres wide and 15 centimetres high, may be provided, which we will then fix to the southern church wall within the garden area.
Artificial flowers or wreaths are not permitted to be left in the Memorial Garden. Real flowers may be left but any wrappings and packaging should first be removed. Nothing should be planted in the Memorial Garden flower beds without first obtaining permission from the parish priest.
If you would like to be involved in the upkeep and maintenance of the Memorial Garden where your loved ones are placed, we are always appreciative of offers of help and support.
