Welcome to St Pancras
The Catholic Church serving Central Ipswich
Scroll down for: times of Masses & Confessions, for a link to the latest newsletter, for other news, and for suggested reading lists
A warm welcome from all at St Pancras, whether you are a new parishioner, a returning parishioner, or a visitor.
Deum diligere et quae sunt Dei.
'To love God and the things of God.'
Our parish church is a sacred space and a house of prayer, consecrated to the worship of God, where parishioners and visitors may deepen their love of God and the things of God.
A Catholic parish has just two purposes, namely to give glory to Almighty God, and to pray and work for the sanctification and salvation of souls.
Here, through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass - the re-presentation in time of Christ's expiatory sacrifice on Calvary two thousand years ago - souls are taught, sanctified, and ordered towards heaven. In the baptismal font, souls are cleansed of the stain of original sin, filled with grace, and made adopted children of God and members of His Church. In the confessional, souls are reconciled to God and absolved, and sins are forgiven. Souls receive the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit to become soldiers of Christ at the hands of the bishop in the Sacrament of Confirmation. Standing before the altar of God, a man and a woman are united to each other by the bond of God's grace, and their mutual love, in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, in order to bring new life into the world, new souls to know, love, and serve God in this world and to be happy with Him forever in the next. And here, the souls of the Faithful departed are commended to the mercy of God and into the keeping of Our Saviour's love during requiem Masses as their mortal remains are laid to rest, ready to rise again from sleep on the Last Day.
Through our prayers and devotions, through our charitable works and virtuous deeds, and by getting to know more about the Catholic Faith, we learn to praise our God with joy and serve our neighbour with gladness (Ps 99:2).
Through these things, by God's grace, and by seeking the things that are above and storing up treasures in heaven (Col 3:1; Mt 6:20), we are lifted up to a supernatural plane to become 'partakers of the divine nature' (2 Peter 1:4).
Our church is open from approximately 7am to 7pm every day. See below for times of Masses and Confessions, and see our newsletter for full details.
Fr Joseph
Our Lady of Ipswich, pray for us.
St Pancras, pray for us.
Suggested Reading
New to the Catholic Faith? Read A Simple Outline of the Catholic Faith (Please email parishpriest[at]stpancraschurch.org.uk if you would like a hard copy of A Simple Outline. £5 each.)
For other reading suggestions, please click on the relevant link:
Introductory catechetical reading.
Weightier theological reading.
News
Newsletter
Our Newsletter is published every Saturday. Please click here for the latest. (Recent newsletters may be accessed via our Newsletter page.)
Thought for the Week
The text of the sermon from:
Sunday, 1 December 2024 - First Sunday of Advent: Hearts blameless in holiness
What's going on at St Pancras?
Click here for the parish calendar
Quarterly Parish Magazine
The Michaelmas 2024 edition of our quarterly parish magazine can be downloaded by clicking here.
Latest Pastoral Letter from Bishop Peter Collins
Please click to read Bishop Peter's Pastoral Letter on Assisted Dying, November 2024.
Our Lady of Ipswich
Click here for a brief history of our new statue.
EVENTS
Advent Rosary & Benediction
Wednesday in Advent at 6:30pm. Meditations on the Joyful Mysteries, Advent hymns, and concluding with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
REGULAR GROUPS
Tea & Coffee
After the 9:30am and 11am Masses on Sundays, and following the rosary on Fridays. All welcome.
Church Cleaning Group
The group gets out its mops and dusters every Friday after the 10am Mass and rosary. Please come along and help whenever you can.
Wednesday Evening Talks
Suspended during Advent, the talks will resume in January 2025. Exploring the Catholic Faith through the Gospel of Luke. Tea & coffee available. Bring a Bible and something to take notes with. All welcome.
Thursday Lunches
On 2nd Thursday of each month at 1pm (except in August).
Confirmation & First Communion Classes
Classes are open only to those who already attend Mass at St Pancras regularly.
The registration window for this year's classes is now open.
Book Club
Meets quarterly at 7pm in the parish hall. All welcome. Next meeting: Monday, 9th December - Bruce Marshall's novel, All Glorious Within.
Catholic Mothers' Group
We meet every 2nd Monday of the month at 11am for the five Cs: coffee, cake, conversation, catechism, and chaos. Next meeting: Monday, 9th December.
Catholic Young Adults
for 18-35 year olds. This group is enjoying an extended break at the moment. Watch this space for updates.
The Blessed Carlo Acutis Group
for 14-17 year olds. Next meeting: Thursday, 5th December at 7pm.
Times of Services
Sunday Mass times
Saturday 6pm Vigil Mass of Sunday
[8am (TLM) 2nd Sunday of the month]
Sunday 9:30am with hymns
Sunday 11am sung
Holy Days
Masses: 8am (TLM) 12:15pm 7pm (sung)
Confessions before each Mass. Rosary after the 12:15pm Mass.
Weekday Mass & Confession times
Confessions:
30 minutes before each Mass, and on the First Friday of each month 6pm - 7pm.
Masses:
Monday 10am - followed by the rosary
Tuesday 8am (TLM) - followed by the rosary
Wednesday 6pm - followed by the rosary (by devotions in Advent)
Thursday 12:15pm - followed by the rosary
Friday 10am - followed by the rosary (by the Stations of the Cross in Lent)
Saturday Mass & Confession times
MORNING
9:30am - Confessions
10am Mass - followed by devotions to Our Lady of Ipswich & S. Pancras
EVENING
Adoration & Confessions: 5pm - 5:45pm
Vigil Mass of Sunday: 6pm
How to find us
Parish Priest: Fr Joseph Welch
Church Address: 1 Orwell Place, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 1BD
E-mail: parishpriest@stpancraschurch.org.uk
Telephone: 01473 252596
Maps and directions: click here
St Pancras Church
1 Orwell Place Ipswich Suffolk IP4 1BD
Parish Office telephone:
01473 252596
Email:
parishpriest@stpancraschurch.org.uk
Ipswich Hospital Chaplaincy:
In the first instance, call Fr Joseph on 01473 252596