St. Henry Morse

Introduction

The main church of the parish is St Henry Morse in Diss, built in 2012, replacing the Church of The Most Holy Trinity on Stanley Road dating from 1952.

History

On June 2nd 1976 the new Diocese of East Anglia was formed and the parish became part of it, with its cathedral church of St John the Baptist in Norwich. On Saturday, March 15th 1986 a bigger parish-hall was opened, made out of the main 'oven-room' of the old bakery. In 2014 a new parish priest was appointed. In September 2019 a new priest took over from the previous one.

Parish life

The parish was established on 12 November 1968, covering Diss and a surrounding area of some 370 square miles. In February 1985 the parish purchased Waveney House, the Old Bakery House on Fair Green, and converted it into The Parish Presbytery. By the Feast of the Holy Trinity 1986 the parish had one large site with church, presbytery, two parish halls, car park and a site for a bigger church. In mid-1993 average Sunday Mass attendance was 210, having declined by 60 since the end of 1990.

The parish has an annual Mass during which the Sacrament of Anointing is celebrated, usually in July. The parish supports a foodbank, with a food list displayed in the porch.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Parents seeking baptism for their child are expected to participate in a parish preparation programme. Couples are usually required to give six months notice of their intention to marry and to attend a preparation programme. The parish offers regular Catechism classes from primary level through to Confirmation age.

Visiting

The parish library catalogue lists books that may be borrowed if signed for. The website offers a photo archive of recent parish events.

A copy of the book 'Priest of the Plague' is available to borrow. The parish offers a Walsingham Pilgrimage 2026 download.