The Daughters of Divine Charity, who have a convent and school in Swaffham and a small care home in Hunstanton, have celebrated the 150th anniversary of the founding of their Congregation with events in Vienna and Norwich.

The Congregation was founded in Vienna in 1868 by Mother Franciska Lechner and an international celebration was held in the Austrian capital city for three days in early June.

Provincial Superior Sr Thomas More, Sr Danuta, Sr Kasjana, Sr Bernarda, Sr Linda and three Novices went to Vienna along with three girls from the Year 10 class at Sacred Heart and two teachers. There were also three young girls from Chesterfield who are interested in joining the Congregation and Fr Michael Johnstone, the former Parish Priest of Swaffham.

Bishop Alan Hopes also invited the Sisters, the school, friends and parishioners to an 11.30am Celebration Mass at St John’s Cathedral in Norwich on July 5 to mark the anniversary.

Sr Francis Ridler said: “The 150th Anniversary at the Cathedral was a very special occasion. The pupils sang with enthusiasm and all who had individual tasks exceeded expectations. It was a wonderful community effort with school staff, Bishop Alan, several priests, parishioners, friends and parents joining in our celebration.

“Many parishioners at the Cathedral praised the organisation and good behaviour of the pupils. The children enjoyed seeing the Sisters from Chesterfield and Hunstanton.”

The offertory procession included items that represented the Sisters and school such as a candle, its emblem, the mission statement and a globe. Year 6 escorted the Nursery children who held flags from the 20 countries in which the sisters work.

One of the highlights of the Mass was a Year 11 pupil, Emily Ringwood, singing a solo Pia Jesu and the angelic voices of Sr Michaela and Sr Danuta as they sang the responsorial psalm.

The Mass was followed by a barbecue in the Narthex gardens organized by staff from the Narthex and from Sacred Heart school.

The Sisters said they would like to thank Bishop Alan for his invitation and for allowing his staff to work with the Sacred Heart Team to organise the Mass and barbecue.

Pictured above at the Norwich celebration Mass are sisters, pupils, priests and Bishop Alan. Picture by Rod Glenister.

More pictures by Michael Hill can seen by clicking here https://www.flickr.com/gp/flik_pix/s8MkTW

"In a moving ceremony at the Church of Our Lady and King St Edmund in Hunstanton, Fr Michael Stokes presented the Pope's blessing to two couples and a religious sister, marking significant milestones in their lives.
On 15th June, Michael and Hillary Rhodes (on the right) celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary, while on 25th July, Tom and Elizabeth Koning (in the centre) marked their golden anniversary. Finally, on 28th August, Sr Mary Gonçalves FDC (left) pronounced her vows, making her final profession as a religious sister in the Daughters of Divine Charity.
Pope Francis "invoked an abundance of divine graces" upon them all. The congregation was enthusiastic in its expression of congratulations."
1 image: Sr Mary Gonçalves FDC, Fr Michael Stokes, Tom and Elizabeth Koning, Michael and Hillary Rhodes

"Retired East Anglian priest Fr James Fyfe celebrated the 25th anniversary of his ordination on 20th November with a Mass, a Papal Blessing and a cake.", story continues.
image 1 caption: "Fr James Fyfe with his celebration cake"

"In a progressive step towards sustainability, Our Lady of Perpetual Succour and St Edmund Church, Hunstanton, has embraced solar energy, underscoring the parish's commitment to environmental stewardship and economic foresight.", story continues.
image 1 caption: "Stuart [Grant] (left) and Chris [Davey] (right) with some of the solar panels as they were being fitted."

"A church has invested £27,000 in solar panels in a bid to cut its fuel bills and its carbon footprint.", story continues.
image 1 caption: "Stuart Grant (left) and Chris Davey (right) at the church."

A shrine to Our Lady in Hunstanton in North West Norfolk has been restored and consecrated in memory of Polish troops who helped defend the county from the threat of invasion during the Second World War. When The Church of Our Lady and St Edmund in Hunstanton was built in 1905, it was no larger than a Lady Chapel and could only seat a few people. In 1940, a unit of Polish soldiers, billeted at nearby Heacham, came to man an armoured train that protected the coast as far as King's Lynn. They built an altar and a shrine in the garden and outdoor services were held. Expansion of the church in the 1950s lead to the demolition of the shrine and altar. A Polish lady parishioner, with the support of the Polish and parish communities, decided to rebuild the shrine in the grounds of the Church to commemorate all the troops.

News items from The Catholic Universe