Bishop visits Ipswich School, 750 students attend Mass

On Thursday July 18, Bishop Peter Collins visited St Alban’s Catholic High School in Ipswich for the first time as Bishop. He was given a tour and celebrated Mass, attended by 750 students.

On his arrival, he was warmly greeted by Mr Baker, Headteacher, Paul Gilbert, Lay School Chaplain, members of the trust and governing body, and two Year 10 students, Isaac Hawke and Tammy Akinbile, who would take the Bishop on a tour of the school.

Both Isaac and Tammy said, “At first, we were really nervous about taking the Bishop around, as it was the first time that we have come this close to the Bishop, but as soon as he spoke to us, he put us at ease and we ended up talking about what life was like living in Wales and coming from there to East Anglia.”

Tammy also said, “The Bishop was really friendly and wanted to know what the life of the school was like and he has a great sense of humour. I felt truly honoured that I had this opportunity and it is something that I will remember.”

During the tour, Bishop Peter visited a number of lessons. Beginning with English, he was inquisitive to know what was being taught. The Class Teacher, Miss Duxbury, explained that the class was studying emotive poems and referenced a poem about the events of 9/11 and how the poems could relate to how people were feeling when those events occurred.

Following the English lesson, Bishop Peter was taken to a Spanish class where he was able to converse with the students and teacher in Spanish. One of the students remarked on how fluent the Bishop was in Spanish, and he explained that he had lived in Spain for a number of years both for his training as a priest and as a vice rector of a seminary. The students were amazed that he had experienced Spanish culture for a long period of time.

Once the tour of the school was complete, he also remarked on the prayer garden at the side of the school chapel, noting that it was a good space for staff and students to come and reflect and to pray. Bishop Peter also said that the Catholic life in the school is important to the school’s identity, which is something the whole school should be proud of.

The high point of the visit was the whole school Mass where over 750 students had assembled. Bishop Peter was the main celebrant and was assisted by a number of local clergy, Fr Jude Belnas, Deacon Christopher Brighten, Fr John Barnes, and Fr Tony Rogers. Bishop Peter offered the Mass intention in thanksgiving for the support and ministry of Fr Tony and Fr John to the local area, in which they were deeply moved and appreciative.

During the homily, Bishop Peter paid tribute to Fr John and Fr Tony as they are retiring. Bishop Peter explained to the students that Fr Tony was highly influential as a governor of St Alban’s for many years and that Fr John had served across the diocese for many years, most recently as parish priest of Felixstowe and dean of the Ipswich Deanery. They were both presented with cards from the staff.

Mr Baker was invited up to speak for the school, and he too paid tribute to the immense support Fr Tony has given to the school. He also paid tribute to a number of staff who were leaving the school to pursue new ventures, and the Bishop echoed his words, thanking the members of staff for the service they had given to the school over the years.

Throughout the visit to the school, many of the students had an opportunity to meet with Bishop Peter. They were delighted that he took the time to meet with them. They found it very moving, knowing how busy he would be in the school.

Bishop Peter thanked the staff and students for their warm and generous hospitality and wished everyone in the school a happy and restful summer holiday so that they come back in September refreshed.

Bishop Peter said, “This is my first visit to the school, and I hope there will be many more visits over the coming years. It is a great school and one that is welcoming, and I thank Mr Baker and his staff for all the work they do for the young people.”

Paul Gilbert said, “It was a great delight to be able to welcome the Bishop to the school and to see the interaction between staff, students and the Bishop. It was a great day. We could not have wished for a better end to what has been a busy term within the school.”

Pictured above is Bishop Peter Collins with some of the students, and below, a photo of the Mass.

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