International food festival, history talks, leprosy day

Latest news of interest across the Diocese of East Anglia includes an international food festival, history talks and World Leprosy Day.

St Etheldreda’s Ely SVP celebrated an International Food Festival Parish Lunch, inviting all parishioners to bring and share, a dish from their country of origin or that they have an affiliation with, reports Joan Wall.

The lunch, on Sunday November 26, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, was so well attended that we thought we would not all fit into the parish rooms. Fr David Finegan opened the meal with prayers to thank the Lord for the food we were about to share and to help us support those less fortunate, all over the world, through the work of the SVP.

It was a wonderful day with exciting dishes to try from England, Scotland, Ireland, Philippines, Poland, Italy, Spain, Nigeria, Jamaica, Ukraine, South Africa, China, Canada and India – a good cross-section from a fairly small parish. There were a lot of appreciative comments and requests for recipe exchange and general conversation between new friends.

So many people helped with all aspects of the event, setting up and clearing away.  It was so popular there were many requests to repeat the occasion during the summer when we can spread out into the garden.

Bury St Edmunds Catholic historian John Saunders is delivering talks on January 30 and 31, at 7.30pm in St Edmund’s Church Crypt, Bury St Edmunds.  The first relates to the Brackland, a part of the town steeped in history; the second is about the life of Capel Lofft who campaigned in many ways for justice. 

These are fundraising events for Fr Tim Peacock’s mission in Zimbabwe – he was recently attacked and robbed.  Supper and a drink are included in the cost of £12 per talk which must be booked, if possible by January 23, at jes767894@btinternet.com or 07794409793.

World Leprosy Day on January 28 is being marked by the John Bradburne Memorial Society (JBMS), which endeavours to continue and uphold the legacy of John Bradburne.

John, who grew up in Norfolk, was a Franciscan layman, who cared for the leprosy patients living at the Mutemwa Leprosy Care Centre in Zimbabwe for the last 10 years of his life until he was murdered. JBMS helps to provide essential items to the community at Mutemwa.

Kate Macpherson, Secretary of the JBMS, said: “Leprosy is a curable disease, but unfortunately the stigma and lack of education associated with the disease, means people do not get treated early enough to prevent the development of disabilities.

“Together with your kind support and prayers we continue our promise to uphold John Bradburne’s legacy in supporting those living at Mutemwa with leprosy.”

More details of the society and how to donate are at: www.johnbradburne.com

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