On Sunday, 31 August 2014, (Trinity 11) Fr Raymond Thompson retired from active parish ministry at Our Lady of Walsingham and S. Francis of Assisi, Rochester, Kent. He had ministered there for 14 years, 11 of them as parish priest. Previously serving as Lay Reader then Curate under the Bishop when he was Parish Priest.
After a well-attended Parish Mass Fr Jonathan Munn, the Rochester Parish’s Curate, on behalf of the congregation, presented Fr Thompson with a card and the gift of a yearâ??s membership to English Heritage for him and Mrs Thompson, which was very much appreciated and will be greatly enjoyed whilst being put to good use.
A splendid cake was made by Matt Farrant, continuing what seems to have become a parish custom. Unfortunately no photos were taken of the cake before its demolition!