Dove Mosaic

This mosaic which can be seen above the main altar is a Mosaic of the HOLY SPIRIT given to Lutterworth Catholic church by Christopher Thistlethwaite in 2001. The Dove with a Halo symbolises the Holy Spirit of GOD bestowing His Seven Gifts in Love and Faith upon the people of the world. The Gifts are: Wisdom, Understanding, Right judgment, Courage, Knowledge, Love and Awe in God’s presence. This is an ancient symbol for friendship between people and it echoes the shape of the Dove descending as it did at Jesus’ Baptism.

On the reverse side of the mosaic the following words are inscribed:

THIS MOSAIC REPRESENTING THE HOLY SPIRIT DESCENDING AND BESTOWING SEVEN GIFTS IN LOVE & FAITH UPON US ALL WAS DESIGNED AND MADE BY CHRISTOPHER THISTLETHWAITE AND DONATED TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AT LUTTERWORTH WHERE HE AND HIS FAMILY WORSHIPPED FROM 1946 TO 1982

GIVEN IN GRATITUDE AND AS A MEMORIAL TO HIS LATE WIFE  ELIZABETH 1920 – 1999    RIP

Our Lady of Victories& St Alphonsus Catholic burial ground

In spring 2009 Father Feeley was asked by John Turner, retired tutor at Lutterworth Grammar School and ex Mayor of our town, if he and his wife Sue could restore the burial ground at the end of their garden. The burial ground had not been tended for many years and was very overgrown and in a bad state of repair, the last burial being in 1953. Father Feeley was very appreciative of their offer and the hard work began.

The burial ground is situated at the back and to the left of the church at the end of the garden centre. It can be seen marked out on a map of Lutterworth dated 1904.  Access is through the garden centre.

Ten graves and headstones have been discovered: the earliest dated 1891 and the most recent dated 1953, although our parish records show twelve more people were buried there. It is believed that Canon Hazeland, the first parish priest of the church, was buried in the cemetery in 1940, although a headstone has not been found.

On 12th November fifteen parishioners visited the cemetery, joined by Sue and John where prayers were said for all the Holy Souls. The names of all the people buried there were read out and remembered. It is hoped that this will become a regular parish event.

If anyone has any old photographs of the cemetery or has family connections to a person buried there, please contact June Jones or leave a note on the Church notice board.