On the 29^th of May, the St. Mary’s catholic community fides fest was hosted by the St. Alphonsa’s catholic community in Keighley. This programme, in which the members of each community came together to demonstrate their skills and compete in numerous competitions, was set in the Holy Family Catholic School, in Keighley.

The fides fest has Latin origins, linking it to one’s faith, and this tradition has been continued by Kerala Christians for a long time. Now, this has been brought to England, and is being proudly celebrated here.

In this competition, there were many events ranging from group songs to bible knowledge quizzes for those from children, young adults, and adults. The different communities involved were from Leeds, Bradford, Keighley, Harrogate, Halifax and Wakefield.

This was the first fides fest to take place after the ordination of the bishop, mar Joseph Srampickal last year. Even before the ordination, the fides fest had taken place under the care of Fr. Joseph Ponneth, and now, Fr. Mathew Mulayolil has taken up the mantle of responsibility to organise the fest. Over 260 children and approximately 30 teachers, from the Leeds catholic community Sunday school, took part in the fest, along with a large number of adults participating or urging them on.

Fr. Mulayolil told MalayalamUK that “this tradition has not changed at all, from the joyful celebration that took place back home, and from the point of view of a parish priest, this is amazing.”

The final results were: Leeds (1^st), Keighley (2^nd) and Bradford (3^rd)