A Joyful International Connection: Rodrigo Barba Visits Costessey Parish

The quiet Sunday Mass at Our Lady & St. Walstan Church in Costessey on September 28th was made especially memorable by the presence of an unexpected but warmly welcomed visitor. Rodrigo Barba, a Spanish native who has dedicated years of his life to working in Cambodia, joined the congregation, creating a moment of genuine international connection. For many parishioners, this was a remarkable occasion as Rodrigo has long been the bridge between their community and their twinned parish of Tahen in Cambodia. Despite being known to many only through correspondence, photographs, and Christmas greetings exchanged over the years, his physical presence brought an immediate sense of familiarity and joy to the parish community.

The twinning relationship between the parishes of Our Lady & St. Walstan in Costessey and Tahen in Cambodia represents one of those beautiful connections that transcend geographical boundaries, bringing together communities from vastly different cultural backgrounds. Through this relationship, both parishes have experienced the universal nature of faith while learning about each other’s unique challenges and celebrations. Rodrigo’s role has been pivotal in this exchange, serving as the main point of contact that has allowed this international friendship to flourish despite the thousands of miles separating Norfolk from Cambodia. His commitment to fostering this relationship speaks to the power of dedicated individuals in building meaningful global connections that enrich both communities.

Although Rodrigo’s visit was brief, occurring while he was in Huntingdon for work-related purposes, the impact of his presence was significant. The parish welcomed him with open arms, grateful for the opportunity to finally put a face to the name that had become so familiar in their communications about their sister parish. During his visit, Rodrigo was able to meet with key members of the Costessey parish, including Pauline Stephenson, who serves as chair of the parish council, Nick Walmsley, the director of music, and Father David Ward, the parish priest. These face-to-face interactions allowed for a more personal exchange of news and updates about the Cambodian community than could ever be conveyed through written correspondence alone.

For the parishioners of St. Walstan’s, Rodrigo’s visit provided a tangible connection to their friends in Cambodia. Many had contributed to projects supporting the Tahen parish over the years, sending financial assistance, educational resources, and spiritual solidarity without ever seeing firsthand the impact of their generosity. Meeting Rodrigo helped bridge this gap, allowing the Costessey community to hear directly about life in Tahen, the challenges faced by Cambodian Catholics as a religious minority, and how their support has made a difference. These personal stories and insights breathed new life into what could otherwise remain an abstract relationship, reinforcing the importance of their continued partnership.

During his time with the parish, Rodrigo shared news about his future plans, including more international travel as part of his work. This revelation was met with enthusiasm from the Costessey community, particularly when he expressed his hope to return for a longer stay on a future visit. Such a prospect promises deeper engagement between the twinned parishes and the possibility for more extensive cultural and spiritual exchange. It also gives the parishioners something concrete to look forward to—a chance to further develop the personal connections that began with this brief but meaningful encounter, perhaps even planning specific collaborative projects that could benefit from face-to-face coordination.

The spirit of global fellowship exemplified by Rodrigo’s visit to Costessey represents the best of what parish twinning programs aim to achieve. Beyond the formal structures of institutional relationships, these human connections remind us that the church exists as a worldwide community united in faith despite differences in language, culture, and circumstance. As Rodrigo departed, promising to convey the warm wishes of the Costessey parish back to the people of Tahen, both he and the parishioners carried with them a renewed sense of the meaningful bonds that can develop between communities thousands of miles apart. In an increasingly divided world, such connections serve as powerful reminders of our shared humanity and the possibilities for friendship that exist beyond borders.