Author: Steve

World Day of Migrants and Refugees

World Day of Migrants and Refugees is celebrated by the Church every year on the last Sunday of September. 2023 marks the 109th anniversary of World Day of Migrants and Refugees. The theme for this years’ celebration is ‘Free to choose whether to migrate or to stay’. For many today, migrating is their only choice. Everybody should be able to live their best life and to be able to feel safe and secure – whether in their home country or the place they come to call home. Sadly, our common home is not a place of safety, peace and welcome for all. How can we build our common home together? The Holy Father in his WDMR message says: ‘Only by walking together will we be able to go far and reach the common goal of our journey.’ The theme, and indeed the Holy Father’s message, echoes many of the principles found in the Bishops’ document on refugees and migrants published earlier in 2023 – Love the Stranger. The Pope’s message for WDMR can be seen on the Bishops’ Conference website.

Thank you and safe journey Fr Joachim

We say thank you to Fr Joachim for his service while Fr David has been away and wish him a safe journey back home to Nigeria on Monday hoping he has enjoyed his stay with us in London.

2023-2024 Sacramental Programs

First Communion: Parents of children in Year 3 or above wishing to make their first Holy Communion next year please collect a First Communion Form and return it to Fr David by October 1st. Confirmation: Young people who are in Year 9 or above who wish to be confirmed should collect an application form from Fr David and return it by 1st October. Adult Faith Formation: Coming to Mass but not a Catholic? Thinking of becoming a Catholic? Catholic but not made your confirmation? Looking to know more about your faith? On TUESDAY 3rd OCTOBER AT 8PM IN THE PRESBYTERY Fr David and the RCIA Team will be hosting an informal enquiry evening, an opportunity to chat and enjoy some snacks. This first gathering is for information and enquiry, there is no obligation to make any commitment to become Catholic.

Services

Sunday Masses are at 6:30pm (Saturday), 9:45am,  11:15am (Livestreamed) and 7pm.
Sunday Scripture readings
Notes on the Scripture readings
Weekday Masses are normally at 9am Monday, Tuesday Wednesday and Friday after Morning Prayer at 8:45am. Note: Church is closed and there is no Mass on Thursday. If there is a Funeral Mass, there will be no 9am Mass. Continue reading Parish News – 24th September

Evangelii Gaudium Sunday – A Call to Mission

In 2013, the first year of his pontificate, Pope Francis released an Apostolic Exhortation on the joy of the Gospel titled Evangelii Gaudium. In it, he encouraged the Christian faithful to: “embark on a new chapter of evangelisation” marked by this joy, whilst striving to find new paths to proclaim the Gospel in today’s world. We cannot forget that evangelisation is first and foremost about preaching the Gospel to those who do not know Jesus Christ or who have always rejected him. Many of these are quietly seeking God, led by a yearning to see his face… Christians have the duty to proclaim the Gospel without excluding anyone. Evangelii Gaudium, §14. This is the challenge and opportunity we take up on Evangelii Gaudium Sunday. Formerly known as Home Mission Sunday, Evangelii Gaudium Sunday is celebrated each year on the Third Sunday in September. Read more, including Pope Francis’ message, on the Bishops’ Conference website where you can also donate to the work of the Bishops’ Directorate of Mission. Continue reading Parish News – 17th September

Today is Education Sunday, a national day to celebrate the achievements of the past and to ask Our Lord to bless the work of the year ahead. Yet, this year’s Education Sunday takes place at a time when the world around us looks very dark and cold. Families of many children and young adults in education more than ever need real support to cover basic needs like food, heating and accommodation. In addition, many young people are experiencing mental health problems, including anxiety caused by the war in Ukraine and the impacts of climate change. As schools recover from the difficulties caused by Covid, many now face new disruption to their students’ education as we have been hearing all this week in the news. The theme for this Sunday is ‘The Armour of Light’. Despite all of these challenges, as Christians we have hope – because of Jesus, and the salvation that He brings for all of us. We put on armour (literally, protection), but instead of it being made of metal, it is made of light – of the hope and faith that Jesus gives to us. And in turn, we consider how we can bring this light and hope to children and young adults in education. However long it takes to resolve the problems we are facing now, let us make a start on this Education Sunday to think about ways in which we can journey together with the children and young adults in education, so they can find hope, light and a place in which they can flourish. Let us pray especially for our own children studying at St Peter’s and St Gildas’ Schools as we welcome our new Headteacher, Peter O’Shannessy, to lead them, together with our wonderful school staff, on this journey. Continue reading Parish News – 10th September

Season of Creation

The World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, celebrated on 1 September, kicked off the Season of Creation, an annual ecumenical celebration which lasts a month and four days ending on the Feast of St Francis of Assisi. During this season we are encouraged to pray and engage in community events in order to deepen our relationship with God, our neighbour and the earth we share, being ever more attentive to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. “Let Justice and Peace flow” is the theme and invitation of this year’s Season of Creation inspired by the words of the prophet Amos: “Let justice flow on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream” (5:24). The evocative image used by Amos speaks to us of what God desires. God wants justice to reign. This justice must flow forth wherever it is needed …. God wants everyone to strive to be just in every situation, to live according to his laws and thus to enable life to flourish. You can read more via the Bishops’ website, including Pope Francis’ message.

Father, Lord of all creation,
Teach us to contemplate You in the beauty of the universe, for all things speak of You.
Give us the grace to recognise, respect and protect all You have created,
using wisely all that you have entrusted to us.
Holy Spirit, who first hovered over the dawn of creation and drew order out of the chaos,
help us to build your kingdom of justice, love, peace and beauty
where the poor of the earth are crying out. Amen Continue reading Parish News – 3rd September