It was a bittersweet moment for the parishioners of St Edmund King and Martyr in Bury St Edmunds as they gathered on July 31st to bid farewell to their beloved priest, Fr Anthony Asomugha. After just one year of serving the community, Fr Anthony had been called to take up a new appointment at the prestigious Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Norwich. As the news of his departure spread, the community came together to show their appreciation and gratitude for the time he had spent among them. The farewell ceremony was a testament to the impact Fr Anthony had made on the lives of the people in the parish, and it was clear that he would be deeply missed.
The farewell Mass, which was attended by around 70 parishioners, was a special moment for everyone involved. It was a chance for the community to come together and celebrate the time they had shared with Fr Anthony, and to wish him well on his new journey. The ceremony was followed by a gathering in the crypt, where the community had the opportunity to personally thank Fr Anthony for his service and to present him with a monetary gift. Mark Shakespeare, the Chair of the Parish Pastoral Council, presented the gift on behalf of the parish community, and Fr Dick White paid tribute to Fr Anthony’s ministry, highlighting the significant impact he had made during his time in the parish. The gift and the kind words were a small token of the community’s appreciation for the love, care, and dedication that Fr Anthony had shown them during his time in Bury St Edmunds.
Fr Anthony’s time in the parish may have been short, but it was certainly meaningful. He had a gentle and compassionate nature that endeared him to everyone he met. His dedication to his work was evident in everything he did, and he had a particular gift for working with young people. He had encouraged and increased the number of altar servers in the parish, and his influence in this area would be remembered fondly for years to come. The community was grateful for the time they had with him, and they were sad to see him go. However, they were also excited for him as he embarked on this new chapter in his ministry, and they wished him every blessing as he took on new challenges and opportunities.
The parish community of Bury St Edmunds is a close-knit one, and Fr Anthony had become a beloved member of the family. His departure was a reminder that the community is not just a group of individuals, but a family that comes together to support and care for one another. As they said their goodbyes, the community was filled with a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the time they had with Fr Anthony. They were thankful for the laughter, the tears, and the memories they had shared with him, and they knew that his legacy would live on in their hearts. The community came together to wish Fr Anthony well, and to let him know that he would always be remembered and cherished as a special part of their family.
As Fr Anthony begins his new journey at the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Norwich, the community of Bury St Edmunds will be thinking of him and wishing him all the best. They know that he will bring his unique gifts and talents to his new role, and that he will touch the lives of many more people in the years to come. Fr Anthony’s gentle and compassionate nature, his dedication to his work, and his love for the community will be a blessing to all those he meets, and the community of Bury St Edmunds will be proud to call him one of their own. Though he may be physically absent from the parish, his spirit and his legacy will live on, inspiring and guiding the community as they continue on their own journey of faith and discovery.
In the end, Fr Anthony’s departure from Bury St Edmunds is not an end, but a new beginning. It is a reminder that life is full of change and transition, but it is also full of opportunity and promise. As the community of St Edmund King and Martyr looks to the future, they do so with a sense of hope and optimism, knowing that they have been touched by the love and ministry of Fr Anthony. They will carry his memory and his legacy with them, and they will continue to be inspired by his example of compassion, kindness, and dedication. As they bid farewell to their beloved priest, they do so with gratitude and appreciation, knowing that they have been blessed to have had him in their lives, and that his impact will be felt for years to come.
