Photo Gallery
scroll down to see photos of St Mary's church, people and events throughout the year
Bishop Norman's licensing in the cathedral
Bishop Norman was licensed as an assistant Bishop of the diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich by + Nigel, the diocesan Bishop, in Bury St Edmunds Cathedral at Choral Evensong on Friday 27th January 2012 at 5.30 pm. About 20 of our congregation were able to attend. After Evensong, we enjoyed the hospitality offered by the cathedral.
(These photos courtesy of Graham Howard; click on thumbnails to see larger photos)
(These photos courtesy of Graham Howard; click on thumbnails to see larger photos)
Plough Sunday - 8th January 2012
This year Plough Sunday fell on the Feast of the Epiphany. Plough Sunday is an ancient English custom when we ask God's blessing on the land. The decorated plough was blessed at Parish Mass, accompanied by Morris Dancing by the East Suffolk Morris Men. After Mass the Plough was taken in procession around the village, where Fr Philip prayed for God's blessing on the people of the village and there was more Morris dancing. Paul, landlord of the King's Head, welcomed us and provided hospitality at the end of the procession. We returned to St Joseph's centre for a shared lunch.
Click on each picture to see larger version
Click on each picture to see larger version
Bishop Norman with our boy bishop Owen
We welcomed Bishop Norman to preside and preach at our parish Mass on Advent IV (18th December).
Also present was our boy bishop, Owen.
For many years St Mary's has revived the mediaeval custom of enthroning a boy bishop whose 'reign' lasts from Advent II to the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, after Epiphany.
Our boy bishop by the Advent wreath, with the four Advent candles alight.
Also present was our boy bishop, Owen.
For many years St Mary's has revived the mediaeval custom of enthroning a boy bishop whose 'reign' lasts from Advent II to the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, after Epiphany.
Our boy bishop by the Advent wreath, with the four Advent candles alight.
Remembrance Sunday 2011
On Friday 11th November 2011 at an Armistice Day Service attended by Mendlesham Community School and again on Sunday 13th November: Remembrance Sunday at the 9.30am Parish Mass of Requiem,candles were lit in memory of each Mendlesham man who gave his life in World War 1, World War 2 and the Korean War, large candles were lit for all who died in the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan and 190 candles lit for the 190 American Servicemen based at Mendlesham who gave their lives in WW2. May they rest in the peace of Christ and rise in glory.
Photos of the candles lit as a prayer for all who gave their lives in the two World Wars and recent conflicts.
Photos of the candles lit as a prayer for all who gave their lives in the two World Wars and recent conflicts.
Jenny & Emma present an Ethiopian cross to St Mary's
Jenny and Emma, two of our servers, presented a new cross to St Mary's which they brought back from Ethiopia, where they have recently spent several weeks working alongside the de la Salle brothers in a new school near Addis Ababa. They went there after climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for a children's charity. The cross was blessed at Parish Mass by Fr Philip on 4th September 2011.
Mendlesham Summer Festival 2011
This was the weekend of our Patronal Festival, - the Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven -when the sacred was mixed with the secular in the spirit of our mediaeval forebears.
On Friday 12th Aug we had a Concelebrated Festival Mass, Procession, Benediction then a magnificent Firework display. 'Mendlesham's Best' Assumption Edition 2011 Real Ale was blessed & enjoyed by many.
On Saturday 13th August we had a glorious concert in the church with soprano Laura Wright, whose new CD had topped the classical charts for the second week running at the time. She was accompanied by Alisdair Kitchen and local group the Edmund Octet.
On Sunday 14th August, after the Parish Mass, we had a superb laid-back 1930's afternoon in the churchyard - 'And all that Jazz' with the Brandeston Pickles, plus a barbecue, beer and teas.
The total profit from the festival for the church restoration fund was £3083.46.
On Friday 12th Aug we had a Concelebrated Festival Mass, Procession, Benediction then a magnificent Firework display. 'Mendlesham's Best' Assumption Edition 2011 Real Ale was blessed & enjoyed by many.
On Saturday 13th August we had a glorious concert in the church with soprano Laura Wright, whose new CD had topped the classical charts for the second week running at the time. She was accompanied by Alisdair Kitchen and local group the Edmund Octet.
On Sunday 14th August, after the Parish Mass, we had a superb laid-back 1930's afternoon in the churchyard - 'And all that Jazz' with the Brandeston Pickles, plus a barbecue, beer and teas.
The total profit from the festival for the church restoration fund was £3083.46.
Flower Festival & Exhibition of Christening Robes for Whitsun/Pentecost
10th - 12th June 2011 - Photos taken on preview evening - Friday 10th June. Nearly every village organisation contributed a display.
click on thumbnails to see larger photos
May Fiesta 2011 - in honour of Mary, Mother of God. The statue of Our Lady is crowned, then the May Queen, representing Our Lady, is crowned, along with her attendants. There is then Morris dancing in church, and after Mass a procession around the village, asking God's blessing on the life of the village. Paul, landlord of the King's Head, welcomes us on our way, and we return to the church for Benediction. Afterwards we share lunch in St Joseph's centre. The next day the May Queen takes part in the village Street Fayre procession.
Click on thumbnails to see larger photo
Plough Sunday in previous years
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