At a Mass in Westminster Cathedral on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, Cardinal Nichols gave thanks for gift of diocesan priesthood and offered his thoughts on renewal of hearts and minds.
Parishioners from Colchester and further afield attended Mass at the Abbey Gatehouse on the feast of St John the Baptist - a day very special to the Benedictine monks of five centuries ago.
Bishop Alan unveiled a marble chalice commemorating the 58 men from the parish who went on to become cardinals, bishops, priests and deacons through its 124-year history.
The concert in Brentwood Cathedral was arranged to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Brentwood Catholic Children's Society which helps thousands of children across Essex and East London every year.
Nearly 60 priests and deacons have come from the parish of Saints Peter and Paul in Ilford - and a marble chalice bearing their names is to be blessed by Bishop Alan Williams. The ceremony will begin a parish novena of prayer for vocations.
