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The Parish
Introduction
Arms of the Diocese of East Anglia	The Parish of Our Lady in Stowmarket is in the Diocese of East Anglia which was carved out of the much larger Diocese of Northampton in March 1976. Bishop Michael Evans has charge of the area which covers Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and the Unitary Authority of Peterborough. The Cathedral Church is that of St John the Baptist in St Giles Gate, Norwich and the Bishop’s residence is in Poringland on the outskirts of the city. Most of the parishes in the diocese are like Our Lady’s in Stowmarket – geographically very extensive and with small Catholic numbers in relation to the total population. For example, in Suffolk, Catholics count for little more than four per cent of the total. However, the proportion is increasing as people move in from other parts of the country. The diocese is divided into Deaneries, and Stowmarket, together with the parishes of Brandon, Bury St Edmunds, Clare, Diss, Haverhill, Newmarket, Sudbury and Thetford, falls in that of St Edmund. The Dean is Fr Denys Lloyd.
The Parish
	The area of Our Lady’s parish is the largest in the diocese, covering more than 500 square miles and including 83 villages. There is a Mass centre at Woolpit at St Mary's Parish Church (C of E) where the first Mass of Sunday is said on Saturday evenings. On the first Sunday of each month there is a Mass at Wattisham Airfield Station Church at 12.15 pm. On the second Sunday of each month there is a Mass at St John's Parish Church (C of E) in Needham Market at 12.15 pm. In addition there are House Masses from time to time in other villages. Local Contacts help to keep the Parish Priest informed of the needs of our scattered community.
The Parish Pastoral Council
	All policy decisions as well as the practical administration of the parish are the responsibility of the Parish Priest. In Our Lady’s parish he is advised and assisted by the Parish Pastoral Council. Eight parish councillors are nominated and elected by the parishioners and four are selected by the Parish Priest.
The Catholic Community Centre
	The Catholic Community Centre is situated next to the church. This building serves as a centre for our community and its various activities, and it houses a small reference library of religious publications. In addition, the Centre is used by local organisations as a venue for meetings and gatherings of a non-political nature.
The Church Hall
	The hall above the church was used as the church until 1970. It is now the home of Our Lady’s Pre-School Group. Occasionally it is available for social functions.