A&B gears up for Festival 50 at Amex Stadium Brighton

The Bishop of the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton, Rt Rev Richard Moth has extended an invitation to all people in Surrey and Sussex to attend Festival 50 on Sunday 5th July at the Amex Stadium and Conference Centre in Brighton.

Festival 50 is an opportunity not just for the Diocese to celebrate its Golden Jubilee, but also for Bishop Richard to meet the people of his new Diocese, following his installation as the new Bishop on 28 May this year.

Bishop Richard said: "Festival 50 ..will be an important event in the history of the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton. I hope and pray that many of the people of the Diocese will be inspired to participate in the day, especially those who are sick and infirm. I invite you all to join me at the Festival for Morning Prayer at 10am and for the Jubilee Mass at 3pm."

The line-up of speakers includes: Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, former Bishop of the Diocese, Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury and Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP, former Master General of the Dominican Order as well as Claire Dixon from CAFOD and Bishop Dan Turley from the sister Diocese of Chulucanas in Peru.

Other events include theatre from Rise, music from Christian Rock bands, Dance displays from Irish and Ukrainian groups, a local Mauritian band, the Harris Brothers Vintage Fairground rides, exhibition and stalls from groups in the Diocese and beyond, a Youth Stream for young people which begins with a Youth Vigil the night before, an Ecumenical Walking Pilgrimage group arriving from Arundel, Cinema, dozens of School Choirs, a Family area, and also areas for
quiet and prayer.

The climax of the day will be a Mass of Thanksgiving in the Stadium at 3pm led by Bishop Richard alongside the priests, deacons and people of the Diocese.

A mass choir of singers including BBC's 'The Voice' contestant, Stephen Bloy plus musicians will lead the celebration in song and music. The choir will include not only pupils of local schools, but adult choir members from across the Diocese making it one of the biggest choirs to gather in the South East this year.

Bishop Richard said: "Festival 50 will be a great opportunity not only for me to meet many people in the Diocese, but also to welcome people from the whole area to join us in celebrating 50 years as a Diocese in Surrey and Sussex. All are welcome!"

The people of the Diocese with their clergy will be coming by coaches, train, bus and on foot, but not by car, to the Amex Stadium on 5th July. There is no car parking available on site.

The welcome to the event extends not just to all parishioners of the Diocese including the sick and disabled who as the special VIPs will have superb care and facilities on the day, but to anyone Catholic, Christian or not to just turn up on the day by train or bus, and enjoy the fairground rides, the theatre, the talks, stalls and exhibitions, bands and celebration. And entrance to the event will be free! You've got to A&B There!

More than 10,000 people have already booked in advance. Many more expected to come to the 30,000 seater Amex Stadium for a wonderful day of faith, fun and friendship.

Source: Diocese of Arundel & Brighton

For more information see: www.dabnet.org/

See the Festival Programme here: www.abdiocese.org.uk/festival50