The second major celebration of the Golden Jubilee of St Mary’s Catholic Church in West Street, Dunstable, takes place on Sunday (June 22).
A special mass at 11.30am will be celebrated by the Rt Rev Peter Doyle, Bishop of Northampton, and many priests from neighbouring parishes. The Mayor of Dunstable will be among special guests.
The service starts at 11am with hymn singing and a short performance by the Zimbabwean Choir. This will be followed by a procession representing many of the 40 nationalities who now worship in the church week after week.
There will also be the unveiling and blessing of wall hangings depicting two saints connected with the Vincentians who run the parish, St Vincent de Paul and St Louise de Marilac, patrons of the poor. Parishioners will also be welcoming back the parish priest, Fr Kieran Magovern, following his accident while on holiday after Easter.
After the service there will be lunch on the lawn with food provided by parishioners, including dishes from many parts of the world.
Organisers hope that many Catholics who have not attended St Mary’s recently will return to join in the celebrations.