Next Saturday, the 24th May is the 75th anniversary of the consecration of our church. We are marking the occasion by a special Mass at 6.00 pm on that day which will be led by Bishop Paul Hendricks. Bishop Paul is a local lad, born in Beckenham before moving to Orpington where I was also brought up.
St Edmund’s has always been a family church: many young people attending today are the grandchildren and even the great grandchildren of people who would have come to Mass here 75 years ago. To continue this connection with the past, alongside Bishop Paul, our organist today is Antony Sisley. Antony’s grandparents owned a sweet shop on the High Street where they made their own confectionary. Antony was baptised in our church, made his first communion here and his confirmation. He was also an altar server for many years and plays at many of our services.
In the years since our church’s consecration much has changed in the world and in Beckenham too! Our congregation is now made up of people from every corner of our world and this has added a richness and diversity to all we do although there is much to be done to build on this.
This special Mass has been brought together in somewhat of a hurry as this year has been particularly pressured with archdiocesan initiatives, my health issues, and the sudden death of Fr Sunith in our neighbouring parish. As Dean of Bromley I have had to spend considerable time assisting St Anthony’ over this very difficult period for them and we now have loaned our own Fr John to them.
We have given thought to how we can make a lasting memorial to this anniversary and decided we would like to renovate our Lady Chapel to make it a more welcoming, prayerful and comfortable space. Deacon Ray, who is an architect will spearhead this and we will show any plans to you when they are ready.
To help fund this project I have decided that the second collection at all Masses this weekend will go towards the Lady Chapel Fund.
I have commissioned some beautiful hand poured candles as a memento of this day. I am delighted to say that they have been made for us by a young man who also received all his sacraments at St Edmund’s, and his schooling at St Mary’s. All the profits from the sale of these candles will go to the Lady Chapel fund.
God bless,
Fr Steve