The current Catholic Church building in Daventry, St. Augustine’s, celebrated its 50th birthday with a special Service on Sunday April 24th at 6.30 p.m. The highlight was the use of incense to incense the building and the people, a sign of prayers ascending to God, and also the dignity of the worshippers. The worshippers came from the various Christian Churches in Daventry, and included Rev. Dawn Stokes the current Rector of Holy Cross Anglican Church, and Rev. Andy Hardwick from the Daventry Methodist Church. Mr. Norman Chandler of the URC Church in Long Buckby also took part. The preacher was the Rev. Michael Webber, the previous Rector of Holy Cross. He spoke of the progress the unity of the Christian Churches over the years, and that this implied a change of mind-set.
Also present was the Catholic Bishop of Northampton, Rt. Rev. Dr. David Oakley, who gave the final Blessing, and congratulated the congregation on the anniversary. Also presnt was Mr. Chris. Heaton-Harris, the local M.P., Mr. Malcom Ogle, the Deputy Mayor and Cllr. Lynne Taylor.
Fr. James Cassidy, the Parish Priest, said,
“Everybody enjoyed the Service, and it was good to be together after the enforced separation due to Covid. We were together in worship and also at the Reception afterwards.”