SS Philip and James, Bedford

Introduction

SS Philip and James, Bedford, opened in September 1967, the church having been built by Thomas Donnelly, a former Mayor of Bedford.

Music and liturgy

Each Sunday the choir and music group leads Mass and selects music and hymns to fit the liturgical theme, the season and the readings. Congregational singing prompted a small group that grew into a choir, and in 2018, after the organist left, members revived instrumental skills and that choir became a mixed choir and music group. The choir and music group also sings with Holy Cross musicians at special occasions, Holy Week among them, beyond its Sunday singing, and the musical connection between the two parishes has strengthened.

Parish life

Twelve ladies make up the flower group. Two people on a rota arrange the flowers for each calendar month. Each week the flowers fill four stands and two niches and are watered in between, sometimes only freshened with a few new flowers.

Married Catholic mentor couples accompany engaged couples on the Smart Loving Engaged programme, which uses DVDs and sets aside time for private discussion. A Catholic chaplain serves at Bedford South Wing hospital. Holy Cross and Saints Philip and James have a joint finance committee, and one treasurer serves both parishes. Parishioners act as welcomers, whether or not they also belong to other parish groups.

Sacraments and pastoral care

As many of the flower group as can attend arrange the flowers together at Christmas, Easter, weddings and other special occasions. Couples marrying at Holy Cross, at Saints Philip and James, or elsewhere join a formation programme of three Saturdays in spring, held at Saints Philip and James and attended by couples from the Bedford Pastoral Area.

Parents of infants in the North Bedford Catholic Community Area are prepared, and baptism dates are arranged. The North Bedford Catholic Community runs one sacramental programme for the combined parishes of Holy Cross and Saints Philip and James. For that sacramental programme the parish provides classes for the child and sessions to help parents.

SVP members visit, give lifts and shop for the housebound, and at Christmas and Harvest Festival they distribute parishioners' gifts to local charities and those in need. The Sacrament of Confession can be celebrated by prior arrangement.

Visiting

SVP members from Holy Cross and Saints Philip and James support isolated and vulnerable people in Bedford by telephone or by visits at home, in care homes or in hospital.