On Sunday 17th September, the community of St Mary’s Catholic Church on the High Road, celebrated a double anniversary. Bishop John Sherrington presided at a special Mass to commemorate 125 years since the parish of St Mary’s was established in East Finchley and 70 years since the present church building was opened.
Attending the celebration were the local MP: Mike Freer, Cllr Alison Moore, three of the surviving past Parish Priests and two of the five vocations of the parish: Canon Mehall Lowry and Canon Robert Plourde.
As well as Fr Peter Scott (parish priest) and Deacon Domagoj Matokovic lighting 12 church consecration candles, the celebration involved a procession of children from Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School in Bow Lane, and an offertory dance by the Nigerian Calabir Union Dancers.
In his homily, Bishop John paid tribute to St Mary's as a 'sanctuary' which 'offers a word of welcome to those whose lives are dry and parched.' It is a parish with looks after its families and looks outwards to serve the needs around it.
'All these activities, with Christ at the centre, as well as the conversations in the streets and the local shops, are moment when we can give hope to others and communicate, often not in words, the hope that is in our heart that is Jesus Christ risen from the dead to save us and call us his friends.'
The original St Mary’s was badly damaged during an air raid in 1940. The present St Mary’s located on the High Road, was the first church to be built after the second world war and its unique designs (recorded by its “blue prints”) are held at the Victoria & Albert Museum.
'It was an amazing day', said Fr Peter, 'full of prayer, solemnity and laughter. We have steadfastly put down roots to be here for another 125 years!'
