A day of celebration as St Boniface Church celebrates 100 years

September 18 2022 was a day of celebration for 100 years of St Boniface Church in Okehampton and took the form of a celebratory mass in the presence of some 16 priests from the diocese, writes Margaret Haxton.

Canon Paul Cummins, the diocesan administrator and Bishop Emeritus Rt Revd Christopher Budd joined with others who have served in the parish over many years, along with some of Okehampton’s dignitaries and parishioners.

Father Darline Joseph Marianathan, the present parish priest, gave a welcome speech in which he mentioned a letter from the Queen dated just before her death in which she sent her warmest wishes in the marking of this milestone in the history of the parish of St Boniface, Okehampton. Father Darline said she would be specially remembered in the day’s celebration.

At the end of the mass Father Darline’s new book was launched Fiery learning from the Pastoral front line, Part 1. This was released by Canon Paul Cummins. The first copies were received by Monsignor George Hay, who served in the past as the parish priest and Jim Egan representing the people of the parish.