Events

We welcome the designation of Tuesday 23rd March as a National Day of Reflection to mark the anniversary of the first national lockdown with a minute’s silence at midday and doorstep vigils of light at 8pm.

We ask you all to make this not only a Day of Reflection but also a Day of Prayer. In reflection we ponder on all that has taken place; in prayer we bring this to our Heavenly Father. For all who live by faith in God, reflection and prayer always go hand in hand. Prayer completes reflection. Reflection informs prayer. Prayer opens our life to its true horizon. Without prayer we live in a foreshortened world and are more easily swamped by its clamour and tragedy. Throughout this difficult year, so many have been inspired by prayer, so much effort sustained in prayer, in every place. So let us make the 23rd March truly a day of prayer.

March 2020 was the first time our churches had to be closed. It is our hope that on this day, every one of our churches will be open. We invite everyone to enter a church on this day, to reflect and pray in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. We know this will involve an extra effort, but this can be part of our important contribution to a significant moment in the life of our country. Indeed, we ask that you might invite a friend, neighbour or colleague to come to church with you as you make this visit.

There is so much on which to reflect and include in our prayer.

We reflect in sorrow on all those who have died, whether family members, friends or those unknown to us personally. We pray for them, asking our Father to welcome them into their heavenly home, the destiny for which God first gave us the gift of life. We reflect with compassion on all those who have suffered during this last year, whether through illness, stress, financial disaster or family tensions. We pray for their ongoing resilience, courage and capacity to forgive.

We reflect with thanksgiving for the generosity, inventiveness, self-sacrifice and determination shown by so many in this most difficult of times. We pray for them, thanking God for their gifts and dedication, whether they are scientists, politicians, health workers, public servants of every kind, community leaders or steadfast family members and friends who continue to show such love and compassion.

We reflect in hope that, as the pandemic is controlled and we open up our lives again, we will gather in the lessons we have learned and build our society into a better shape, more compassionate, less marked by inequalities, more responsive to needs and deprivation. We ask for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us in this endeavour, whether we are focussing on overcoming family breakdowns, economic recovery, or building political consensus.

Christian prayer is, of course, centred on Jesus Christ, the one who is “lifted up” before us “so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him” (John 3.13). We pray with Jesus, in him and through him, for he is the one who carries us, and our prayers, into the embracing presence of his Father. He is our comfort in sorrow, our strength in the face of need, our rejoicing in the gifts we celebrate and our hope in the face of the weighty darkness of death.

May Tuesday 23rd March be a great day of prayer that this pandemic comes to an end and that the gift of God’s Holy Spirit will carry us all forward to a new and better life, both here and in the world to come.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols – President

Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP – Vice-President

Holy Week Services

March 13, 2021 by Victoria Miller

Please download details of our Holy Week Services by clicking the link below:

Holy Week Services 2021

2021 A Year of St Joseph

March 4, 2021 by Victoria Miller

Pope Francis has declared a year dedicated to St Joseph, from 8 December 2020 to 8 December 2021.

He says: “Each of us can discover in Joseph – the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence – an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble” (Patris Corde – With a Father’s Love – Pope Francis). Let’s do that. Let’s ask St Joseph to keep a watchful eye on this family of the Church, to intercede on our behalf”.

– Cardinal Vincent Nichols

Novena - A Journey with St Joseph

Ash Wednesday

February 11, 2021 by Victoria Miller

We will be streaming our Ash Wednesday mass at 10am on Wednesday 17th February on YouTube.

Here is the link to the service:

https://youtu.be/CPGL0rnwHy8

Cardinal Vincent Nichols has sent a Pastoral Letter to all parishes in preparation for the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday 17th February and how families could celebrate Ash Wednesday with their families especially those who are not able to attend physically in our Parish Church.

Download a copy of the letter and prayers below:

Ash Wednesday Letter from Cardinal Vincent Nichols

Celebrating Ash Wednesday At Home

Global Healing – How Faith Helps us Care for our Common Home

February 9, 2021 by Victoria Miller

In light of the environmental crisis our world is facing, Pope Francis has called each of us to listen to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. This Lent, join us for a series of reflective evenings with inspiring speakers, prayer and discussion, using the film-based resource “Global Healing”. These engaging documentaries will inform and challenge people to respond to Pope Francis’ call to Care for Our Common Home. Suitable for all who are concerned about what is happening to our world and who want to take action.

When?
Six Thursdays from 18th February – 25th March 2021, 7.30pm – 8.30pm

Hosted by the Global Catholic Climate Movement Laudato Si’ Animators in the UK.

How to Join?
Please download the pdf below for information on how to join:

Global Healing - How Faith Helps us Care for our Common Home

Speakers:
On Thursday 18th February – Bishop John Arnold, Bishop of Salford Diocese and Bishop for the Environment; Dr. Carmody Grey (Assistant Professor of Catholic Theology, Durham University).
On Thursday 25th February our speaker will be Jane Mellett from the Global Catholic Climate Movement.
On Thursday March 4th 2021 our speaker will be Dr. Emma Gardner (Head of Environment, Salford Diocese).
On Thursday March 11th 2021 our speaker will be Sr. Shirley Aeria, FMDM (Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood).
On Thursday March 18th 2021 our speaker will be Graham Gordan, Head of Public Policy at CAFOD.
On Thursday March 25th, our speaker will be Paul Kelly, a retired GP, is a LiveSimply assessor and personally committed in two parishes that have received the LiveSimply Award in the north-west. He is a member of the NJPN (National Justice and Peace Network) Environment group.

Time:
Feb 18, 2021 07:30 PM
Feb 25, 2021 07:30 PM
Mar 4, 2021 07:30 PM
Mar 11, 2021 07:30 PM
Mar 18, 2021 07:30 PM
Mar 25, 2021 07:30 PM
(Time shows in Greenwich Mean Time)

International Day of Human Fraternity – Thursday 4th February

February 2, 2021 by Victoria Miller

Please find below some information about INTERNATIONAL DAY OF HUMAN FRATERNITY: 4TH FEBRUARY which may be of interest to you.

‘’I apologise for the late notification but I received the attached letter only yesterday. I appreciate there is not time to include this information in one’s newsletter. Nevertheless, I thought you might be interested to hear of the International Day of Human Fraternity taking place on Thursday 4th February; and may wish to draw it to the attention of parishioners enthused by ‘Fratelli Tutti’.

This notification comes from H.E. Cardinal Ayuso Guixot, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. His communication helpfully draws out the essential implications of ‘Fratelli Tutti’ for Interreligious Dialogue; and is an invitation to join in the virtual celebration taking place next Thursday with the participation of Pope Francis to commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the Holy Father’s apostolic journey to the UAE and his signing with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, the document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together.

Yours fraternally in Christ,

+Nicholas’’

Rt Rev. Nicholas Hudson | Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster
Archbishop’s House | Ambrosden Avenue | London | SW1P 1QJ

Epiphany Service – Wednesday 6th January at 10am

January 4, 2021 by Victoria Miller

We will be streaming our Epiphany Service on Wednesday 6th of January at 10am.

Here is the link for the service:

Funeral Mass for Late Dorina Cardosi – Friday 28th May

Funeral Mass for Michael O’Mara

Easter Mass Online Links

Reconciliation Service

Palm Sunday

Wednesday of Holy Week

Maundy Thursday

Good Friday

Easter Saturday

Easter Sunday

National Day of Reflection for COVID-19 – Tuesday 23rd March 2021

Statement from the Presidency of the Bishops’ Conference on the National Day of Reflection for COVID-19 Tuesday 23rd March 2021