As part of the refurbishment at the Church of Christ the Eternal High Priest in Gidea Park Fr Adrian Graffy, parish priest, commissioned a bronze image of the mother and child. The unique image was produced by the liturgical firm of Serpone in Naples. The artist is Dario Caruso. The image took months to complete, and was finally shipped to England, arriving at the parish in November 2019. It was hanging in the church during Advent 2019. Gratitude is due to Bob, Tom and Jack for fixing it firmly on the wall.
Meanwhile the wooden statue of the Virgin in prayer has now found a new home in a newly built shrine in Ss Peter and Paul Junior School in Ilford. Headteacher, Mrs Sue Johnson, who attends Gidea Park church, was delighted with the gift and went to great lengths, despite the pandemic, to have the new home ready for the travelling statue.
Fr Adrian said: ‘It is wonderful to have such a fine new image of Mother and Child in our lovely church, and I am delighted that the Virgin in prayer has found a new home where she will inspire so many young boys and girls as they grow in their life of faith in that wonderful school.’
