Polish crib and nativity scene for unique Christmas

Last news from the Diocese of East Anglia includes a Polish Crib in Bury St Edmunds and a nativity scene produced for SVP in King’s Lynn.

Jurek Oleszko, A Polish artist in Bury St Edmunds, made a beautiful outdoor crib to celebrate the coming of Christ in an unusual year. He constructed the stable of pallets and boards, and the figures from chicken wire and papier-mâché.

“It has been such a holy message to passing people and is much appreciated by so many,” said Anji Fuller, a parishioner in Bury St Edmunds. “Let’s create cribs round the diocese next Christmas and bring back the tradition of outdoor cribs. All the family could get involved, like my dog whose coat can be seen in the warm wool of the sheep.”

In King’s Lynn triplets Angel, Nigel and Rachel created a nativity scene as part of a fundraising drive by SVP. Pauline McSherry reports.

Despite the hardships endured by many, this year’s SVP collection for those in need has reached the amazing sum of almost £1000.

It is with heartfelt thanks and great joy that we have been able to reach out to many in need this Christmas. Lockdown restrictions have deprived us of those fruitful visits to care homes and to those who are alone. But they are not forgotten.

Eighty of our loved ones have received a Christmas card and a Mass card. They have all been remembered in a Novena of Masses during Christmastide at the Basilica of Our Lady at Walsingham.

Donations in kind have been made to the Food Bank, the Night Shelter, and the Purfleet Trust, a local charity providing help to the homeless. A turkey and Christmas puddings were delivered to residents at Merchants Terrace to ensure they too had a happy Christmas.

Pictured above is the Polish crib and, below, the nativity scene

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