A CHURCH in Kidderminster welcomed a very special visitor when His Grace Archbishop Bernard Longley came to present Ubi Caritas awards to parishioners.
Four attendees from St Ambrose Catholic Church were handed accolades. They included Mark and Abigail Farmer, along with Jan Stachewicz and Dale Minaker.
The awards recognised the group for going above and beyond when they helped refurbish the building over the past 18 months.
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Dale’s mother Christine accepted it on his behalf as he was away on holiday. It had been booked before he knew of the nomination.
The Ubi Caritas Award is a prestigious diocesan medal awarded by the Catholic Church.
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Its name derives from the ancient Latin hymn phrase ‘Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est’. This translates as ‘where there is love and kindness, God is there.
The accolades honour individuals making outstanding contributions to charitable work, parish life and Catholic education.
Crowds turned out
The church was packed, ladies wore hats and the men wore bright colourful ties and shirts. And people also wore their national dress.
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After the service, everyone was invited into the hall and gardens. There, people could enjoy food from the different nationalities of the parish.
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His Grace Archbishop Bernard Longley congratulated the award winners for their hard work and the parish for showing such a good example of a community coming together to celebrate.
He added: “It was a splendid celebration for the redecoration of St Ambrose church, which looks really beautiful.
“My congratulations to you and all the team of parishioners.
“Thank you for the most joyful and prayerful mass.”
As well as the church being painted and redecorated, the church now has a new chapel in honour of St Pious. He the tenth under whose patronage the Habberley community met for 40 years. The chapel was blessed by his Grace.
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Canon Douglas Lamb, the parish priest at St Ambrose RC Church, said afterwards: “A thoroughly good time was had by all – the sun was out but not too warm.”
