Welcome to St Edmund’s Catholic Church
in Bury St Edmunds
We are a friendly Catholic community who welcome others to join us in our worship and service of God.
We hope that you will find this website useful and that it will help you encounter Jesus Christ who is our life.
Don’t Just Count the Days — Make the Days Count!
At this time of year, the world rushes straight to Christmas morning. The Church, however, invites us to something different. She invites us to slow down. Advent isn't just a countdown to presents; it's a season of active waiting. We prepare our hearts for the arrival of Jesus in three ways:
1️⃣ In History: Remembering His birth in Bethlehem.
2️⃣ In Mystery: Welcoming Him into our hearts and the Eucharist today.
3️⃣ In Majesty: Preparing for His return at the end of time.
How can you live Advent this year?
🤫 Embrace the Silence: Turn off the car radio or put down the phone for 10 minutes. Ask God to prepare your heart.
🧹 Clean the "Manger": There is no better way to prepare for Jesus than a good Confession.
🎁 Give Back: See Christ in the poor. Consider a donation to the food bank.
This season, let's not just decorate our homes and our trees, but decorate our souls with virtue.
Come, Lord Jesus!
Mass Times
Saturday
18:00 St Edmund (Vigil)
Sunday
08:30 St Edmund
10:30 St Edmund
10:30 Montana
16:45 St Edmund (Polish Language)
For weekday Mass times see the parish newsletter
Holydays of Obligation
09:00 St Edmund’s Primary School
Term time only
12:00 St Edmund
19:00 St Edmund
Syro-Malabar Rite Masses
15:00 St Edmund
1st & 3rd Saturday of Month
Adoration & Prayers for Peace
10:30 Wednesday
Confessions
10:30 Wednesday & Saturday
Christmas Mass Times:
Christmas Eve:
17.00 Family Mass at St Edmund’s
20.00 Mass in Polish at St Edmund’s
20.00 Mass at Montana
22.30 Mass at St Edmund’s
Christmas Day:
08.30 Mass at St Edmund’s
10.30 Mass at St Edmund’s
10.30 Mass at Montana
12.00 Syro-Malabar Rite Mass
Pilgrimage to Assisi
14-18 September 2026
Fr Sean will be leading a pilgrimage to Assisi in 2026 to celebrate the 800th anniversary of St Francis’ death.
The cost is £1,210 per person based on a shared room. This covers flights, accommodation, transfers, half board, all entrance fees, a professional tour guide and gratuities. There are a limited number of single room supplements at £50.
Deposit of £300 and completed booking form required by 27 February 2026 with balance and any single supplement due by 29 June 2026.
To book, click on the button saying “Book your Place’, enter Italy as your destination, then click on the dates drop-down box and select the pilgrimage: St Edmund’s Parish, Bury St Edmunds.
If you prefer to use a paper booking form, please contact the parish office.
For more information, contact Pilgrimage People 01223 968363
Sunday’s Gospel
At that time:
When John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’ And Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.’ As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. ‘What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.” ‘Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.’
Matthew 11:2-11
Bury Teens
Bury Teens is our recently started youth group for the parish, open to all in Years 9, 10 and 11. Meeting once a month in the crypt on Saturdays from 19.00 until 21.00, each session will include a meal together, lots of fun activities and chance to socialise, and some prayer. Participants need to be registered by their parents/guardian before their first attendance. Registration forms can be downloaded here. For more information email buryteens@gmail.com
Bethany Bereavement Support Service
Most of us will suffer bereavement at some point in our lives. Our parish runs a bereavement support programme which has been described as ‘a journey from heartbreak to hope.’
The Bethany Team offers support for anyone (all faiths and none) who is over the age of 18 years old and living in the Bury St Edmunds area.
The team offers individual and group sessions to support someone through the stages of grief and bereavement and will suggest other services as needed.
St Josephine Bakhita
Feast Day: 8 February
St Josephine Bakhita is the patron saint of victims of human trafficking and modern slavery. There are 50 million victims of human trafficking across the world and as many as 5,000 in the Diocese, hidden in plain sight in your neighbourhood. Pope Francis describes human trafficking as “blood money” and a “crime against humanity”. We are all called to combat this evil trade. To find out more and what you can do click the button below.
Praying for Peace
There seems to be so much conflict going on around the world and sometimes, albeit on a much smaller scale, even within our own lives. As Christians, we are particularly sensitive to conflicts taking place in the Holy Land of Jesus’ birth and it is terrible to see the plight of the people of Gaza, as well as witnessing the terror attacks on those who live in Israel. As people living in Europe, it is shocking to see another European country engaged in such a long and brutal war with Russia. Each Wednesday, after Mass, we pray before the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and ask for peace in our world. You can join us in person, or online using the parish’s live stream, or simply use the prayers provided here to pray at home whenever you can.
Retrouvaille
Retrouvaille is the name of a programme designed to help heal and renew marriages. It all began in 1977 as a French language weekend for couples in Canada who were experiencing difficulties in their marriage. The word ‘Retrouvaille’ simply means ‘rediscovery’ and the programme offers the chance to rediscover yourself, your partner, and a loving relationship in your marriage. Retrouvaille now offers support and a lifeline for married couples facing difficulties in the UK and elsewhere around the world.
A Dementia Friendly Parish
A number of parishioners recently completed a dementia awareness course as our first step in ensuring that we are a dementia friendly parish. The five key takeaways seem obvious, but they challenge how we often think about dementia: (1) that dementia is not a natural part of ageing; (2) that dementia is caused by diseases of the brain; (3) that dementia is not just about losing your memory - it can affect thinking, communication and completing everyday tasks; (4) that it is possible to live well with dementia; and (5) that there is more to a person than the dementia.
Prayer
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Art & the Gospel
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Bible in a Year
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Ignatian Prayer
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Mark 10 Mission
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Pray as You Go
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Centering Prayer
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Divine Mercy
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Encounter Jesus
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Living Waters
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Rosary Group
