Fr Raymond Thompson writes … Sunday 5 October promised to have all the ingredients of a very special day in the life of the Rochester Mission, and we were not to be disappointed. We began with the procession and Patronal Festival Solemn Mass, celebrated by Fr Thompson, priest-in-charge, at which the preacher was the Dean, Fr Mead; the Reception of three new members, Danny and Colin Rumens and Kevin Sage; and the presentation to the Mission by the Dean of a relic of S. Francis housed in a beautiful reliquary and the distribution to the congregation of souvenir medals followed the Veneration of the Relic. A picnic lunch followed with an opportunity for a good chat to friends old and new who had come to join us. After lunch everyone returned to the chapel where the Dean presided at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, which concluded the festivities. Everyone agreed that it had been a most enjoyable and uplifting day.

ACC welcomes Danny, Colin and Kevin, who have proved themselves to be regular, faithful and valued members of the congregation.