Diocese offers free will writing service to parishioners
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Radio Maria fund-raiser, Prisoners Sunday, new book
October 7, 2024
On Sunday September 29, during the 10:45am Mass, at which donations were also received for the local Food Bank, the congregation presented Fr Andrew Neate with gifts and cards to mark his retirement.
Parishioners celebrated both harvest and Fr Andrew’s retirement in a service that filled the church. Many members of the congregation brought tins of food for the local food bank, along with meaningful gifts for Fr Andrew. The occasion was marked by warmth and gratitude, there was a lovely cake, and Fr Andrew received a heartfelt farewell.
Fr Andrew, who was appointed Priest in Charge in September 2020, reflected on the unique challenges he faced, particularly due to the pandemic. Until Christmas 2020, when COVID-19 restrictions were eased, he had not physically met parishioners, celebrating Mass alone in the church. During this period, he introduced himself to every person on the electoral roll via phone, resulting in many subsequent conversations about a wide range of matters, including requests for Masses and prayer intentions. As Fr Andrew remarked, it was far from a typical introduction to a new parish, but it nonetheless laid a strong foundation for his extensive pastoral work that followed.
During his four years in Fakenham, Fr Andrew played a key role in the development and growth of the parish. He supported the homeless in Norwich, administered home communions and visits across a parish spanning some 250 miles, and was an active member of Churches Together in Fakenham, hosting numerous events, including a highly successful Lent course in 2023. He also guided many children through their first Reconciliation and First Communion, and most recently, conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on two members of the congregation.
Among his personal milestones, Fr Andrew fulfilled a number of bucket list activities, including a recent walk from the Fakenham church to the Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady in Walsingham.
Fr Andrew now looks forward to settling into his new home in Cromer, where he plans to enjoy reading, gardening, and resuming his passion for open water swimming.
