Please follow this link to read a copy of the letter from Fr Michael that has been sent out this week with the bulletin. It relates to the revised schedule of masses for both parishes following their recent pairing.

20th December 2024

In recent years the ‘pairing’ of some neighbouring parishes in the Diocese of Westminster has been both necessary and advantageous. Necessary because of changing demographics and new realities concerning the numbers and the composition of local communities in London and Hertfordshire, the need to rationalise resources and the declining number of men offering themselves for priesthood in the Diocese, with more lay men and women becoming more actively involved in the life and work of the Church in parishes and more widely, supporting the clergy and fellow parishioners. There is scope to increase such involvement. Advantageous because of the beneficial sharing of resources, human and material, and because the sustainability and viability of parishes are more secure going forward. Across the Diocese there are some twenty such ‘pairings’, involving forty-plus parishes. Pairings are in all four pastoral areas of the Diocese. ‘Paired’ parishes have one Parish Priest serving both parishes and churches. Some also have an Assistant Priest if the size of the parishes and the presence of a school or hospital, etc. make this possible, taking into account the availability of priests. Some also have the benefit of the ministry of a permanent deacon, usually a parishioner of one of the parishes, trained and ordained for this ministry.

From 1 January 2025 the parishes of St Alban and St Stephen, St Albans and St Bartholomew, St Albans South will be ‘paired’, with Fr Michael O’Boy as Parish Priest of both parishes and continuing to reside at St Alban & St Stephen. Inevitably there will need to be some adjustments to the present schedule of Masses in both parishes. Both parishes will continue to have a Finance Committee to assist and advise the Parish Priest. Both parishes will continue to have their distinctive identities while being open to parishioners of, and visitors to, both parishes. Parish boundaries will be maintained while being more porous than rigid. ‘Less walls, more bridges’ is the way forward for parishes. Please do give the support Fr Michael will need as he takes on additional responsibilities assisted by Fr John Casey. He has responded generously to what has been asked of him and he will rely on the prayers and goodwill of the communities of St Albans and St Albans South.

St Alban, St Stephen, St John Fisher and St Bartholomew, pray for us.

 Fr Michael writes… As Mgr. Hayes says the pairing of parishes is not new to the Diocese or indeed the Deanery to which we belong. Moreover, there is a sense in which the pairing of St Alban and St Stephen with St Bartholomew’s is a natural one, grouping together the Catholic parishes of the City of St Albans. Even so, I am conscious that the pairing of parishes may feel like a loss – calling on each parish to share its parish clergy. Undoubtedly, the pairing will involve a division of time and labour, but I hope and believe that this pairing of St Alban and St Stephen with St Bartholomew’s will open up a new and exciting chapter for the Catholic community here in St Albans. Where there is need, opportunity or advantage in our working closely with St Bartholomew’s it will make collaboration, and therefore the best use of all the resources at our disposal, much easier. It will also enable the common witness of the Catholic community here in St Albans.

This coming Monday evening I will be meeting with our Parish Pastoral Council to reflect on what this pairing will mean for us here at St Alban and St Stephen and in the first instance, as it is the most pressing practical question, what the pairing of parishes might mean for the Sunday and weekday Mass schedule at St Alban & St Stephen. I hope to do the same with St Bartholomew’s Parish Council in the very near future. In the coming weeks and months there will be much to consider, but as that process begins, I want to reassure you that I am committed to maintaining the Catholic presence across St Albans – in St Bartholomew’s, Marshalswick and the City Centre – and to delivering the plans that have been made, and are in the making, for the refurbishment of the parish complex here on Beaconsfield Road. Please pray for our parish, for the whole Parish Team, the parishioners of St Barts as well as for myself and Fr John, and Fr Francis as he moves on to new pastures, as we, the Catholic Parishes of St Albans, look to renew our mission.

1 December 2024

The theme of the Jubilee Year 2025, “Pilgrims of Hope,” is uniquely captured in the prayers, readings, and options of the Mass for the Holy Year. They stress the themes of pilgrimage. More information about the Jubilee Year and prayers can be downloaded from Prayers for The Jubilee 2025 – Catholic Bishops’ Conference. The faithful, united under Christ’s banner, always have hope. The expectation that the Lord will come in the present, and the end of the ages, inspires them to make a pilgrimage to God, and their neighbour.

22 November 2024

We have received an email from the Diocese this week highlighting a concerning rise in scam emails targeting parishioners in the Diocese. These emails impersonate the parish priest, often using a similar email name and masking the real email address. They typically request the recipient to purchase Amazon or other gift cards as gifts for the priest. Unfortunately, we have received reports of people falling victim to these scams, with some individuals losing up to £600 to the fraudsters.

To avoid this happening to you, please:

• Never purchase gift cards as gifts for the parish priest, based on an email request, unless you have verified the request directly in person or through a trusted means.
• Double-check any suspicious email by directly contacting the parish office.
• Avoid sharing personal or financial information in response to unsolicited emails.

If you encounter these emails, please report them as spam and inform the parish office immediately.

19 November 2024

As we did last year, we are planning to begin this coming Advent with Forty Hours of Eucharistic Devotion. Beginning with Mass at 7pm on Thursday 28 November our Forty Hours will run through until the 10am Mass on Saturday 30 November. During this period, day or night, there is an open opportunity to come and pray before the Blessed Sacrament which will be exposed on the altar. As with last year, each hour will be given over to a particular intention, but there will be an emphasis on world peace, remembering especially the Ukraine and all those engulfed in the war in the Middle East.

We need to ensure that there will be a few people present in church throughout the Forty Hours so there will be sign up sheets available next weekend allowing you to sign up for the time and/or intention you would like to be present for.

Fr Michael

31 October 2024

For those unable to be here last Sunday I would just like to share news of our receiving the go ahead from the diocese for the extension of the porch and refurbishment of the forecourt. This approval is a major step towards the realisation of the project. We can now work with the architect on the finalisation of the drawings and with the Quantity Surveyor on the beginning of the tender process. In the last few weeks we have received further donations raising the total of pledged or donated funds to £440,000.

Thank you to everyone for your ongoing and generous support!

Fr Michael

31 October 2024

The new four volume lectionary to be used from the First Sunday of Advent has now arrived. Thank you to those who have donated these volumes to the parish. Thank you also for the anonymous donation towards the cost of the new Parish Mass Book for the congregation. The parish Mass Book comes in six volumes. We require 300 copies of each volume and this donation will cover the cost of the volume to be used from the First Sunday of Advent.

Fr Michael 

31 October 2024

A number of parishioners meet on  Wednesday evenings via Zoom to  reflect on the scripture readings for mass the following weekend and to say the evening prayers of the church. If you would like to join our friendly and informal group, please email the parish office  or call Melanie (07900 051956)

31 October 2024

Parish Friends would like to thank all those who made the Tea Party on Sunday such a great success. We had brilliant entertainment from Elvince  and some very tasty cakes baked by several parishioners. It was a wonderful afternoon!

21 October 2024

The group received some lovely feedback from a parishioner at St Barts recently. Each year her son goes to Tanzania and Zimbabwe and is allowed an extra suitcase baggage allowance. Our knit and natter group has made at least 150-200 baby vests for him to take with him to distribute to needy children. The children love the vests and because they are stretchy, older siblings have been squeezing into them too. His comment was, “The children are delighted with the vests which could be their only possession. Your group are doing a great job, long may it continue with your generosity and love.”

The Knit and Natter Group has also delivered at least 100 knitted blankets to the residents of Alban Manor Care Home and the matron there was delighted and sent her thanks to the group. Please see below for a photo of the vests the group members are knitting.

21 October 2024

Calling musicians, singers and readers! If you’d like to be involved, please email stalbanscbc@rcdow.org.uk or text 07840 367555.

Practices on:

• 23 November, 30 November, 7 December – 2pm singers THEN 4pm musicians
• 14 December, 21 December, singers AND musicians from 2pm
• 23 December, 5.45pm everyone in preparation before the service

25 September 2024

Fr Michael will be available as shown to sign certificates of catholic practice for parents, guardians & carers who need one to accompany their child’s application for a school or nursery:

• Friday 18 October 3.30 – 6.00pm
• Tuesday 22 October 6.00 -7.30pm
• Wednesday 30 October 3.30 – 6.00pm
• Wednesday 6 November 7.30pm – 9.00pm
• Wednesday 11 December 3.30 – 6.00pm
• Friday 13 December  6.00 -7.30pm

Please be conscious that upwards of 100 families could be looking for school forms and your endeavouring to make one of these times would be much appreciated. No appointment is necessary and children need not attend.

20 September 2024

A new edition of the Lectionary, the series of books from which the Scripture is read at Mass, will be coming into use from the First Sunday of Advent this year (Sunday 1st December). The current edition of the lectionary uses the ‘Jerusalem’ translation of the Bible and the ‘Grail’ translation of the psalms. The new Lectionary will use the English ‘Standard Version – Catholic Edition’ of the Bible and the ‘Abbey Psalter’ for the responsorial psalms. The Bishops of England and Wales made the decision to change the translation of the Bible we use at Mass because they wanted to be more faithful to the original languages of the bible, to reflect current biblical scholarship, and to provide an edition which was easier for readers to proclaim and, where appropriate, more inclusive.

We have already ordered the new sanctuary editions of the lectionary to be used by readers, deacons and priests in the main church and at Marshalswick. There are several volumes in the new sanctuary edition of the lectionary. They are not cheap, but if anyone would like to sponsor one of these editions, donating them on behalf of their family or in memory of someone, please let me know.

Going forward we will need to decide how we make the Sunday readings available to the congregation as a whole. Do we continue to provide the Sunday Missals that we currently use and recycle at the end of the year? Do we revert to the use of paper missalettes which are recycled weekly? Or do we purchase Mass books which would be used for several years ahead. There are pros and cons to each. If you have any strong feelings, please let me know.

Finally, I know that some people like to have their own personal copy of the prayers and readings used at Mass. Several publishers will be producing their own editions of these. Below are some links with information on the Sunday Missals being produced by the Catholic Truth Society, Redemptorist Publications and St Paul’s Books.

Fr Michael

20 September 2024

We had a wonderful day trip to Bletchley Park at the end of August – beautiful weather, a smooth coach journey there and back and plenty to see at our destination. Our guided tour was an extra bonus – we heard all about the development of the park and the work that went on there during the Second World War. Our group consisted of parishioners, friends, and Fr John – we were delighted to have 2 children with us too. There were plenty of places to grab some refreshments and areas where you could rest and relax.

Many thanks to everyone who helped to make it such a success.

19 September 2024

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the rite through which adults are received into the Catholic Church. The parish RCIA group is a group for those who wish to explore the Catholic faith further with the possibility of being baptised/received into the church or, for those of you who are already baptised Catholic, with a view to being confirmed.

The RCIA group meets on a Wednesday evening from 7.45pm to 9.15pm in the presbytery conference room. Please email Fr John at johncasey@rcdow.org.uk  if you would like more information.

Please see below for a photograph of the 2023/24 RCIA group.

18 September 2024

The Parish Friends Knit and Natter Group meets in the Parish Centre every second Tuesday from 2.15 to 4pm. All are welcome to join us. Please contact Helen Bassill on 07860 830340 for more information. The next meetings of the group are 24 September and 8 October.

16 September 2024

It is just under a year since we launched our Building Fund Appeal. Our target was set at £500,000. It mirrors the amount we have received from a few very generous legacies in recent years. To date we have received donations and pledges which will amount to £430,000 over five years. In the lead up to the summer holidays we appointed a quantity surveyor to work with us on the first phase of works involving the extension of the Church Porch and the Refurbishment of the Church Forecourt.

Last week, I was in a position to submit an application to the Diocesan Trustees who need to approve the project and the associated expenditure. My hope is that we will receive this approval by the end of September and that we can then, having finalised drawings with the architect, initiate the tendering process. As you can guess, I have been learning lots of new things, things the seminary curriculum didn’t cover. There is still some way to go before we appoint a contractor and set a start date for the works, but I just wanted to update you on the progress thus far.

Fr Michael

13 September 2024

As part of our ‘Live Simply’ initiative for the Season of Creation, there will be a cardboard recycling box in the church porch from 7 to 30 September; for collecting unwanted household items to raise money for Mary’s Meals. Wanted: Jewellery, watches, used stamps, foreign and obsolete bank notes/coins, mobile phones, cameras, sat navs, gaming devices, iPods/MP3s, tablets.

13 September 2024

The Open Evening for prospective pupils applying to Loreto College, St Albans for September 2025 will take place on Tuesday 24 September from 4pm to 7pm.  Please use the entrance in Upper Lattimore Road.  More details are available on the school website www.loreto.herts.sch.uk.

13 September 2024

SPUC is holding a one-day conference on Saturday 28 September at Holiday Inn Regent’s Park, Carburton Street, London, W1W 5EE. Tickets £40, including lunch. Speakers include Alex Schadenberg, Executive Director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, Canada, and David Campanale, a former Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, who was deselected for his pro-life, Christian beliefs. Bookings can be made via the SPUC website. Email katherinehampton@spuc.org.uk for details.

13 September 2024

The first Men’s Breakfast after summer will be on Saturday 12 October. The theme this year is learning more about the gospels and the background and key messages in each of the four books. We will meet in the Parish Centre from 8.15 for coffee, croissants and conversation, followed by a 30 minute video on the gospel of St Mark, which we have been reading throughout this year, and conclude with a short discussion on the themes emerging.

If you would like more details please email d4dstalbans@gmail.com, or just turn up on the Saturday morning.

13 September 2024

Centre 33 is the local charity that provides hot meals for anyone in need on St Albans, 5 mornings and 5 evenings each week.  Some of the visitors are homeless people. Others are people who are lonely and come for a meal, a warm welcome and some company. Centre 33 is run entirely by approximately 100 volunteers, with our income coming from donations and small grants. We served more than 7,000 meals in 2023. Centre 33 is in desperate need of additional volunteers to enable our meal services to continue to operate. Could you help by giving 2 hours of your time to serve meals- even once a month in St Albans? Volunteers receive training and join a rota of friendly volunteers: 3 for breakfast and 4 for the evening meals. The rota is flexible and volunteers sign up for dates that suit them: they can be different days each week or month.

If you would like to know more, please contact Melanie (tel 07900 051956  or email chairman@centre33.org) or  apply direct  at https://www.centre33.org/application-form. Centre 33 is also seeking a new treasurer. Our current treasurer of 10 years has taken on an additional role at Centre 33. Please contact Melanie for more details.

6 September 2024

For the past 50 years Worldwide Marriage Encounter has been offering marriage enrichment retreats all around the world. Focused on couples who want to enrich their relationship and gain a deeper understanding of the Sacrament of Marriage, the retreat offers a unique experience. It’s a chance to explore your relationship at a deeper, more intimate level, regardless of how long you have been together. The next non-residential retreat is from 21-22 September 2024 at Church of the Annunciation, Burnt Oak, London, HA8 0HQ. Why not find out more at wwme.org.uk.

6 September 2024

During the weekend of the 26-27 October 2024, Young Catholic Adults and the Traditional English Association of Catholic History will be organising a pilgrimage to Catholic York, including a visit to, St. Margaret Clitherow’s Shrine, the Bar Convent and St. Mary’s Bishophill – the oldest Church in York. This event is aimed at Young Catholic Adults and Catholics interested in history. For details of how to book onto this free weekend please see here.

6 September 2024

Would you like to save the planet but not really sure where to begin? This extended online retreat in daily life may help you to make a start, and to do so in collaboration with God and with other generous, but equally bewildered people, who desire to do more. This retreat will span eight months (October 2024- June 2025) and will invite you to contemplate certain realities and experiences to notice better how God is speaking to you personally through them and about them. Please follow this link for more information.

6 September 2024

On Sunday 4^th August 2024 parishioners from Ss Alban and Stephen Church held a joint service with the St Albans’ Abbey community, and representatives of other churches and of Pax Christi, at the Peace Obelisk in Sumpter Yard at St Albans Abbey (Cathedral). This is an annual event which takes place on the Sunday closest to 6^th August, when the first atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. 6^th August is also the Feast of the Transfiguration. This year the Obelisk was relocated to a new site at the Abbey and to mark this change, the service started with a blessing of the Obelisk at its new site.

Pupils from Loreto College produced Origami Peace Cranes and Doves which were distributed at all Masses in Ss Alban and Stephen Church at the weekend and were also distributed to those attending the service.

The vigil is always conducted at the Peace Obelisk which is a gift from the people of Japan to the Cathedral. It was given in 1982 to commemorate the decision of Dean Cuthbert Thicknesse to refuse to allow the Abbey bells to be rung to celebrate the end of the War in the East. At the time the Guardian reported the Dean’s decision, as explained at a council meeting on 14^th August 1945, as follows: “After the dean, who is the mayor’s chaplain, had opened the council meeting with prayer, he made a statement to the council. “Let it not be supposed,” he said, “that any of us withhold our due sense of gratitude for the mighty deliverance.”

The events of the last ten days had given cause for deep searchings of heart to many people. “The decision to use the atomic bomb was made by the leaders of the democratic nations. We are all, therefore, though without our consent, implicated in that act. I do not hold a service of thanksgiving in St. Albans because I cannot honestly give thanks to God for an event brought about by a wrong use of force, by an act of wholesale, indiscriminate massacre which is different in kind from all the acts of open warfare hitherto, however brutal and hideous.”

Please follow this link to read more from the Guardian.

Origami Cranes

Sadako Sasaki was a Japanese girl born on 7^th January 1943 in Hiroshima. The first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on 6^th August 1945. In October 1954 Sadako developed swellings and was diagnosed with leukaemia. Whilst she was being treated in hospital her father told her a Japanese legend: if you folded one thousand ‘orizuru’ (paper cranes) you would be granted a wish. The crane is a special bird in Japan. Sadako set about making 1000 cranes and then tried to make another 1000 but passed away having made another 600. She died on 25^th October 1955. In 1958 a statue of Sadako holding a life-size crane was built in Hiroshima Peace Park; it is called the Children’s Peace Monument.

More information about the significance of cranes and origami can be found here.

The Peace Vigil has been reported in the ICN, Independent Catholic News, and the report can be found here.

19 August 2024

The Season of Creation is the 5-week global ecumenical celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home, starting each year on 1 September and finishing on the feast of St Francis, 4 October. This year the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation group are offering two ways of marking the Season of Creation whose theme is Hope and Act with Creation:

2. Reflections and prayers will be available for individual or group use.
3. The opportunity to discuss Laudate Deum (Praise God) the Pope’s recent document on the climate crisis to people of good will, an update of his influential Laudato ‘Si with two sessions on Tuesday 3 September from 7:30 to 9pm in the Parish Centre, and Monday 7 October (details to follow). Please contact Stan and Maureen tel. 765549, or Barbara tel. 860266 if you are interested.

16 July 2024

Thank you to all those who made last Sunday’s party an amazing success. About 50 people attended what was a great afternoon’s entertainment. Diamond Years were sensational. They had everyone on their feet dancing including Fr John who showed us a few new steps! Thank you to all the bakers who provided a wonderful supply of cakes including a superbly iced cake given as a raffle prize. It was one of our best Tea Parties to date. Thank you!

16 July 2024

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England  and Wales, has welcomed the Instrumentum laboris, the working document that will guide the work of the second session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod that will be held in Rome from 2 to 27 October. . How to be a missionary synodal Church is the question at the heart of the Instrumentum laboris   that has just been published ; it does not offer any “pre-packaged answers” but rather “indications and proposals”. These regard how the Church, as a whole, can respond “to the need to be ‘synodal in mission’”. That is, to be a Church closer to people, less bureaucratic, where all the baptised are – within their different ministries and roles – co-responsible and participants in its life. For more information, please read the notice in the Church porch or see this link.

16 July 2024

The Vatican has granted permission for Our Lady of Walsingham to be celebrated as a new Feast in the dioceses of England, starting this year on 24 September. The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham was established in 1061, according to the text of the Pynson Ballad, when devout noblewoman Richeldis de Faverches asked in prayer for inspiration so that she could carry out a special work in honour of Our Lady.

16 July 2024

In October our Parish will host part 3 of the acclaimed three part CATHOLICISM Series Study Program by Bishop Barron. (Please note you can join the programme from the commencement of any part).  To find out more information about the programme, please follow this link.

• Starting Wednesday 9 October at 10.45am or Thursday 10 October at 7.45pm with a break for half-term. Light refreshments provided: Wednesdays: biscuits and cakes; Thursdays: soup and a roll
• Commitment – 6 weekly sessions in the Church Hall, each 90 minutes (plus 30 min preparation time at home in advance of the weekly sessions).
• New Registrations (i.e. only if you haven’t already attended either part 1 or part 2 of the course) Cost – £10 including study guide:
• Please register by emailing stalbans@rcdow.org.uk with your name and contact number by Monday 29 September.
• To pay, either drop a marked envelope through the presbytery door with your name and cash or a cheque for £10 made payable to ‘WRCDT – St Albans’ or make a bank transfer for £10 using the reference ‘AFF/<NAME>’ so that we can identify the payments. Account name: WRCDT St Albans, Sort Code: 40-05-20, Account No: 21094696

11 July 2024

Could you possibly join a group to study Laudate Deum (Praise God), the Pope’s second document on the climate crisis?  The first of two sessions will be on Tuesday 3 September from 7:30 to 9pm in the Parish Hall. In advance, please read Chapters 1 – 3 of the document available on the vatican.va website. If you do not have access to the internet, we will provide you with CAFOD’s 2-page summary document. Please contact us: Barbara 860266, or Stan & Maureen at grabecki@hotmail.com. The first of two prayer and reflection sheets on this year’s theme of “Hope and Act with Creation” will available on Sunday 1 September at the start of the Season of Creation. The second prayer sheet will follow at the end of September, with the second session on Monday 7 October (details to follow).

11 July 2024

Pupils from St John Fisher School entertained members of the Mass Centre with a delicious home-made  cream tea. There was great singing by Reception & Years 1 & 2. We were waited on by the School Council who took  delight in making us feel very welcome. Thanks to the children & teachers for a  delightful afternoon.

11 July 2024

Missio is the Pope’s charity for overseas mission. It helps God’s love to be shared, supporting local missionaries working with communities all around the world that are poor or in need, regardless of background or belief. It also works in partnership with the Mill Hill Missionaries, Britain’s own missionary society. Our parish reps or ‘Local Secretaries’ are the engine room of the work of Missio and the Mill Hill Missionaries. Missio’s red collection boxes can be found in 200,000 homes across England and Wales. They play a vital role in the universal mission of the Church. One of the key roles of a Local Secretary is to look after the Red Box members in their parish, ensuring that boxes are distributed and emptied, as well as to facilitate  the distribution of Missio’s free quarterly magazine, Mission Today. As a Local Secretary you would not be alone! Our volunteers have the full support of the Missio team who will support you at every stage and answer all your queries. For more information see missio.org.uk If you would like to be our Local Secretary please contact the parish office.

24 May 2024

Could you inspire the next generation and gain valuable experience of presenting to young people at the same time? CAFOD is looking for volunteers to visit local schools to present assemblies and workshops. Full training and support provided. Visit www.cafod.org.uk/Volunteers for more information or contact Chris Driscoll at westminsterschools@cafod.org.uk or on 07776 493162

24 May 2024

St John Fisher Catholic Primary School is seeking to recruit Governors. This is an exciting opportunity to support our school community and play a role in a vibrant and collaborative Trust that is in the process of expansion and development. For more information please see here and to register your interest please contact governance@ascat.co.uk or complete the online register of interest form on the ASCAT website.

24 May 2024

UNFORTUNTELY THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO AN INCLEMENT WEATHER FORECAST FOR SATURDAY.

Everyone is invited to meet by the bandstand and join the friendly group walk from noon, ‘Bring Your Own’ picnic at 1pm and finish around 2pm. Leave picnic, chairs etc with our group; walk as much or as little as you like or see if you can find Fr Tom’s bench by the cricket field. Please check the Parish  News page of the website on the evening of Friday 17 to see if the walk has been called off due to bad weather. All ages welcome and please supervise your own children. Suggested £5 per family donation to CAFOD on the day.

22 April 2024

On Saturday 27 April, following the 6pm mass, members of the parish SVP were delighted to present John Moule with a long standing service award, in recognition of 47 years’ service to the SVP. John joined the St Albans Conference in 1977 and was the president of the SS Alban and Stephen, St Albans Conference from 2020 to 2024. He has been a very popular and inspirational leader and the SVP group was very pleased to be able to recognise his service in this way. The long service presentation was made by the President of the Westminster Central Council, Brendan Timlin. 

 The St Vincent de Paul Society (England & Wales) is part of an international Christian voluntary network dedicated to tackling poverty in all its forms by providing practical assistance to people in need. Founded in Britain in 1844, it fosters diverse and inclusive connections, as a Society that is welcoming of people of all faiths and none. It joyfully extends a hand in the care and personal service of individuals and families who need support. Its 10,000 members, motivated by faith, visit vulnerable or isolated people across England and Wales and offer them friendship and practical support. The essence of its work is person-to-person contact and spending time with people is its greatest gift.

 The SS Alban and Stephen, St Albans Conference celebrated its centenary in 2023, commemorating 100 years of giving help and support to the needy of our parish. Need can be anything from poverty to loneliness, and the call today is as great as it has ever been.  But we need more hands to reach out to that call.  It may be work that would interest people who have a bit more free time on their hands.  If you feel this could be of interest to you, please contact the parish office or visit www.svp.org.uk   We meet on the first and third Friday of the month at 7.30pm in the presbytery.  Perhaps you could be part of the next 100 years?

2 May 2024

The Catholic Church’s first World Children’s Day takes place over the weekend of 25 – 26 May 2024. Children from around the globe, including those from areas of conflict and children of different faiths, are invited to join together as sisters and brothers. Pope Francis calls on Catholics around the globe to celebrate this event. “World Children’s Day is an occasion to put children, who are the present and the future of humanity, back at the centre of the world’s attention… It offers children the possibility to become protagonists through moments of prayer, friendship, and formation.” To help schools celebrate World Children’s Day, Mission Together has produced several free resources. These include an introductory assembly, Celebration of the Word, Activities, Celebrating our Cultures ideas sheet, Virtual map Explorer Worksheets, and more.

1 May 2024

Cardinal Vincent Nichols writes: At every moment of every day, somewhere in the world, Christians are praying the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples. When said in liturgy or in devotional prayer, together or privately, the Lord’s Prayer is a like a gentle, multilingual hum of heartfelt praise and petition. Pope Francis has asked us, as part of our preparation for the Holy Year in 2025, to make this year into a time for refreshing our prayer, and especially our appreciation and use of the Our Father. I am pleased, then, to commend to you We Dare To Say, a five-week faith sharing resource on the familiar and powerful words of the Our Father. May you come to a deeper appreciation of what the Lord Jesus himself has given us in response to the disciples’ request ‘Lord, teach us to pray’.

22 April 2024

The first Men’s Breakfast after Easter will be on Saturday 11th May. The theme this year is how science supports our Christian faith, rather than undermines it.  We will be watching a talk given by Professor Francis Collins, who led the Human Genome Project which led the decoding of DNA. Professor Collins began his path to becoming a Christian after talking to a hospital patient. We will meet in the Parish Centre from 8.15am for coffee, croissants and conversation, followed by the video on Francis Collins followed by an opportunity to conclude with a short discussion on the themes emerging. If you would like more details please just turn up on the Saturday morning or email d4dstalbans@gmail.com.

22 April 2024

Fr Patrick van der Vorst, a recently ordained priest of the Archdiocese of Westminster, former Director of Sotheby’s Europe, and founder of the evangelistic initiative www.Christian.Art, will deliver our Marian Lecture on How Beauty Draws us Closer to God. Fr. Patrick will explore how beauty elevates us to encounter the Divine, how the Church has historically sought to create art that facilitates this meeting, and how this can happen in our visually overstimulated world.

22 April 2024

Concert for Christian Aid 7.30pm Saturday 11 May – Marshalswick Baptist Free Church, Sherwood Avenue, St Albans, An evening of diverse entertainment with a retiring collection for the work of Christian Aid.

Christian Aid Week Market Saturday 18 May 10am -1.30pm St Mary’s Church Sherwood Avenue – Refreshments, Lunch, Live Music, Book, Plants, Cakes, Children’s Activities, Fairtrade Raffle.

22 April 2024

We are commemorating our deceased loved ones in a special way in our Easter Garden again this year by writing their names on bamboo flower shapes and planting them around the rose garden in front of the presbytery. These are close to the three empty crosses, a symbol of the new life Christ won for us in his resurrection.

Please follow this link to see a list of those names included in our Easter Garden.

28 March 2024

18 March 2024

Please follow this link for an article about Jules Chevalier and the MSCs

1 March 2024

23 February 2024

14 February 2024

14 February 2024

14 February 2024

14 February 2024

11 February 2024

11 February 2024

29 January 2024

24 January 2024

21 December 2023

Thank you to all those who entered the competition this year. The winning design and the designs from the five runners up can be seen below.

08 December 2023

There will be no Christmas tree or traditional festivities in the place of Jesus Christ’s birth this year in response to the thousands killed in the conflict in the Holy Land. Instead, the focus in the Church of the Nativity and Manger Square in Bethlehem will be on praying for peace.

Hear Angels Cry

Amidst the rubble and ruins, a poignant voice rises to declare that the light of hope will persist in the small West Bank town where the Christmas story unfolded.

Youstina Safar, a resident of Bethlehem and a student at Bethlehem University, has collaborated with the London-based band Ooberfuse to deliver a powerful message through their Christmas song, Hear Angels Cry. The song resonates with the belief that hope for a better future, born in the hearts of humanity.

Papal support

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has not only heard about the song, but has sent a message to Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Bishops’ Conference, commending it for drawing attention to “the sublime significance of the city where Jesus Christ was born.”

Communicated by the Holy See’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Pope Francis’ message holds up the Holy Land as the place that was home to Jesus, the Prince of Peace, and called to be a place of encounter, dialogue and hope for all. The Pope wrote that his hope was that the song “will inspire many people this Christmas to pray for a new flourishing of fraternal solidarity, reconciliation and peace in the Holy Land.”

Please follow this link to read more and to watch the song on YouTube.

12 December 2023

Seventy knitted angels have been made by the ladies in our knitting group for residents in care homes. Lots of knitting groups and schools are making angels and they will be distributed with a Christmas card by Maggie Dodds (Anna Chaplaincy) to every resident in every care home in St Albans.

08 December 2023

Thank you everyone for your tremendous generosity and support in making the YCBS 2023 scheme such a success once again.  The Santa Team is currently delivering gift vouchers to over 150 children.  The children are all known to us through our Parish schools, the SVP, the Life House and individual parishioners.  We are also supporting children from the St Albans Refuge, Home Start, the Intensive Family Support Team and local Ukrainian refugees. In addition, several adults with either special needs or living in a refuge will also receive a Christmas voucher.

Thank you once again, your donations really make a difference, as this message from one of our families demonstrates:

‘Just wanted to say a huge thank you to you …..The children have always known that it’s the church that have given them this gift and whilst its lovely and exciting for them to be able to spend their gift voucher, I think the biggest benefit for the children is that it is a symbol that they are part of a loving, caring community who have thought about them …’

08 December 2023

Donate to CAFOD’s Israeli-Palestinian Crisis Appeal at cafod.org.uk/ipc or call 0303 303 3030 to support those affected and get funds to local trusted experts in Gaza and southern Israel who have been working alongside communities helping those most in need.  Your donation will help support aid workers providing urgent humanitarian aid including food, water and emergency shelter to those in need. Thank you for your prayers.

08 November 2023

The Synthesis Report at the conclusion of the 16th General Assembly of the Synod on Synodality has been published. Looking ahead to the second session in 2024, the text offers reflections and proposals on topics such as the role of women and the laity, the ministry of bishops, priesthood and the diaconate, the importance of the poor and migrants, digital mission, ecumenism, and abuse. The document acknowledges that the assembly took place “while wars both old and new have raged in the world, with dramatic consequences that are impacting upon countless victims.” The report continues, “The cry of the poor resounded among us, of those forced to migrate and of those suffering violence and the devastating consequences of climate change. We heard their cry not only through the media, but also through the voices of many present, who were personally involved in these tragic events whether through their families or their people”.

To this challenge and many others, the universal Church has tried to offer a response in the Synthesis Report, which traces the path for the work to be done in the second session in 2024. For more information click here. Copies of the summary are also available in the Church porch or by clicking here.

06 November 2023

The Parish Pastoral Council met during the week. In the first part of our meeting Joan Egenes, our catechetical co-ordinator, shared with us an update on Family in Faith, our revised approach to Sacramental Preparation, which begins over this weekend. Please keep the families participating in Family in Faith in your prayers, as well as the young people participating in Family in Faith Youth who will be discerning, with the support of their families and catechists, whether to go forward for Confirmation.

The PPC also reflected on the launch of the Building Fund Appeal and in particular the plans for the extended church porch and refurbished forecourt. (These are displayed in the Church Porch.) The PPC felt it would be helpful to emphasise two points. First, a significant amount of the work to be undertaken is being done to address existing issues. For example, the brickwork on the front wall is blown in a number of places, while the lighting of the church forecourt and steps is poor. Indeed, parts of the flat roofing over the presbytery have failed and are letting in water, while the glazing in many of the presbytery windows has failed. Secondly, the PPC felt it important to stress that the Building Fund Appeal is not subject to any diocesan levy and that all the money given to the Building Fund Appeal will be used to fund the development of the parish complex.

30 September 2023

Thank you to all those parishioners who came along last Friday evening to Fr Andrew’s Farewell Mass and the the party afterwards in the Parish Centre. Despite the inclement weather, the mass and social afterwards were extremely well attended and a great many people came to say thank you to Fr Andrew for his ministry with us and to wish him well for the future. It was lovely to see so many staying on to socialise and enjoy drinks and a very well stocked buffet.

Thank you to all who helped to plan the event, set up the hall, serve food and drinks, provide savouries and cakes and clear away afterwards. It was a lovely evening and a great opportunity for the parish community to come together to celebrate and give thanks.

Please see below for some photos of the event.

27 September 2023

Please follow this link to read a copy of the latest Pastoral Letter from Cardinal Vincent Nicols, Archbishop of Westminster.

An audio recording of the Pastoral Letter will be made available on the diocesan website after 3pm on 16^th September.

12 September 2023

On Tuesday 22 August the parish hosted a group of seven local migrants who cooked and prepared a meal for themselves and for parish volunteers. This was a really lovely occasion which everyone enjoyed. It gave the migrants a chance to experience food as a source of happy memories and of creating new memories and friendships. It also gave several attendees a chance to talk about their experiences, and their hopes, in a safe environment. It introduced them to the church as a place of friendship. As a result at least one person has joined the Knit and Natter group and further outreach and friendship is being offered to individuals who were able to ask for what they need and tell us about what they would like to contribute to life in St Albans.

One attendee said afterwards: ‘Thank you so much, all of you. Yesterday I felt I met with angels. Yesterday was an amazing and memorable day. I will remember this day in my whole life. Again, thank you so much for all of you, you arrange that for us’.

We are hoping to repeat the exercise once a month on a Thursday. If you wish to be involved please contact Mary on 07976277. You do not need to be able to cook – the guests will do the cooking.

4 September 2023

CAFOD have been running a campaign to support small scale farmers around the world. They have produced a letter addressed to the World Bank, asking the World Bank to provide funding for small farmers and not to distort markets by channeling funds to large farmers and corporations. The issue of seed production and access to resources for small farmers is one which Pope Francis specifically mentions in his encyclical Laudato Si.

Details of the CAFOD campaign can be seen at https://cafod.org.uk/campaign/fix-the-food-system where you will find an email letter which can easily be sent to the World Bank, up to 17th September.

CAFOD have also produced a briefing on the issues at https://shop.cafod.org.uk/collections/fix-the-food-system/products/fix-the-food-system-briefing.

The issues are considered in more detail in the CAFOD report which can be found at www.Cafod.org.uk/sowingtheseeds.

The letter writing campaign will end on 17th September 2023.

As a result of the efforts of several parishioners we have obtained a phenomenal 908 signatures for this campaign. In addition many parishioners will have sent the email letter which CAFOD provides on their website.

The signatures were made up as follows:

–          Parish – 378

–          Loreto College – 403

–          Alban and Stephen Primary School – 44

–          St Adrian’s Primary School – 83.

We have received a couple of thank you messages from CAFOD including the following from Liam Finn who spoke to us in July:

‘Just to add our thanks for this – 908 signatures is incredible! We’ve seen so much support for Salina’s letter, it’s been wonderful. We’ve had almost 500 parishes sign a letter and many have reported an extremely high level of people taking part in their parish’.

Many thanks to everyone who supported this campaign.

If you wish to be kept informed about Live Simply please contact Mary on 07976277059 and provide your email address so that you can be added to the circulation list.

4 September 2023

At 5am last Friday, Fr Andrew and a group of 34 parishioners from St Alban and St Stephen parish set off for for a week in Lourdes. The group was part of the Diocesan Pilgrimage 2023, led By Cardinal Vincent Nicols.

Everyone had a wonderful week in Lourdes and all arrived home safely on Friday evening.

Please see below for some photos from the Pilgrimage. More photos of the pilgrimage can be found on the Diocesan Flickr page.

31 July 2023

There will be open meetings, for those who could not attend this last week’s meetings, at 7.30pm on Tuesday 12 September in the hall for the parents of children starting years 2 & 3 this coming September and at 7.30pm on Wednesday 13 September in the parish centre for parents of children starting year 9 & 10 this coming September.  These meetings will outline those proposed changes to the FHC and Confirmation programmes, as highlighted in last’s week’s bulletin and weekend masses, and shared in parent meetings this week, and to answer further questions you may have. 

Please see the First Holy Communion and Confirmation pages of our website for more information or email Joan Egenes, our Catechetical Coordinator.

23 July 2023

Download the brand new CELEBRATE online family activity pack for summer! Packed full of activities to do, pray, read and watch, this online resource will give you ideas on how to connect with God, your family and others. Why not try the CELEBRATE Summer Psalm walk in this pack at your local park or on holiday?

Use this link to download the CELEBRATE SUMMER pack for free today!

26 July 2023

If you are an adult who has never been baptised, have been baptised in another Christian tradition but would like to find out more about Catholicism, or you were baptised Catholic and were never confirmed, then Enquiry could be the group for you. Beginning in September the group will meet on a weekly basis to reflect on the Sunday Scripture and explore the Catholic Faith. If you would like to find out more please speak with Fr Michael or contact him at michaeloboy@rcdow.org.uk.

20 July 2023

Thanks to the 291 parishioners who signed CAFOD’s Letter/petition. We will also be receiving signed letters from local schools. CAFOD will continue to run the campaign until the end of September so if you missed the letter please click here where you will find information and a pre-printed letter which you can easily email to the Head of the World Bank. If you wish to be kept informed about developments on Live Simply issues and are not yet on our mailing list please email marytharber@gmail.com.

21 July 2023

In October our Parish will host part 2 of the acclaimed three-part CATHOLICISM Series Study Program. (Please note you can join the programme from the commencement of any part and then cycle through the three parts)

Bishop Robert Barron is an author, theologian and podcasting priest from Chicago, and the founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries.  He created this ground breaking program, based on his 10-episode film CATHOLICISM, as a thematic presentation of what Catholics believe and why, so that all adults can come to a deeper understanding of the Catholic Faith. Not simply a video lecture, Church history or scripture study, this engaging and interesting formational program uses the art, architecture, literature, music and all the treasures of the Catholic tradition to illuminate the timeless teachings of the Church.

Filmed in 50 locations throughout 15 countries, the Catholicism Series and Study Program is on-location and in the streets illustrating the global Church. The Study Program expands and reinforces the content of the film with extensive commentary and questions for understanding and application.

It is hoped that anyone seeking to understand or deepen their faith as adults or anyone who wants to be able to confidently answer questions posed to them about our faith, will come and journey around the world and go deeper into the Catholic faith, supported by fellow parishioners.

Starting: Wednesday 4 October 2023 at 10.45am or Thursday 5 October 2023 at 7.45pm with break for half term. Light refreshments provided – Wednesdays: biscuits and cakes; Thursdays: soup and a roll

Commitment: 6 weekly sessions in the Church Hall, each 90 minutes (plus 30 min preparation time at home in advance of the weekly sessions).  Participant bring and share dinner 22 November 2023 at 7.45pm

Cost: £10 including study guide for new registrations

New Registrations by: Monday 24 July 2023. Please email the parish office on stalbans@rcdow.org.uk to register.  Payment upon registration, please:

1. Drop a marked envelope through the presbytery door with your name and cash or a cheque made payable to ‘WRCDT – St Albans’
2. Make a bank transfer, using the reference ‘AFF/<NAME>’ so that we can identify the payments.

Our bank details are: Bank: HSBC-69 Pall Mall, Account name: WRCDT St Albans, Sort Code: 40-05-20, Account No: 21094696.

20 June 2023

The latest Heart to Heart Newsletter is now available in the porch as or can be viewed online at www.hearttoheartstalbans.org. This issue gives news from the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, their Lay Associates here in St Albans and how their Spirituality of the Heart is reflected in our parish’s Live Simply initiative.

12 June 2023

Our parish coronation event went very well. About 100 parishioners, neighbours and some of the Trinity URC congregation enjoyed what was a lovely warm and sunny afternoon. The prosecco flowed, people brought a fantastic array of food and cakes to share. There was a lovely family feel, with children of 4 or 5 years old upwards playing while their parents and other parishioners chatted and laughed with each other. We were regaled with music from King Charles’ playlist – beginning with The Beatles’ “Come Together” – very apt, indeed.

Many thanks to all who helped in any way, and who brought and shared such lovely food, and who spent time making the afternoon such a wonderful time to remember for so many people. God save the King!

10 May 2023

The Pax Christi Administration and Finance Manager, Fausta Valentine (third from left), recently spent an evening with our parish Justice & Peace Group talking about their work. Fausta expressed her thanks to the group for the invitation and their interest in Pax Christi. The photo shows the group getting ready for a Mass for Migrants.

10 May 2023

This film, based on Pope Francis’ encyclical, will be shown in the Church Hall on Saturday 10 June. Everyone is invited to this free event which helps us to see how everything is connected and how we treat our home planet is a reflection of how we treat each other. Refreshments from 11am, film at 11.15 and some time for discussion at the end, if you wish to stay. Arranged by the parish Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation group.

10 May 2023

CAFOD speakers Tony Sheen and Liam Finn will meet us on respectively Saturday 3 June at 11am and, for those who can’t come on the Saturday, Wednesday 14 June at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre, to help us plan for the next step in the Live Simply project. Please come to discuss your ideas or to listen. Bring a packed lunch on 3 June so that we can continue the discussion over lunch. For more details contact Mary 07976 277 059.

10 May 2023

We are commemorating our deceased loved ones in a special way in our Easter Garden again this year by writing their names on bamboo flower shapes and planting them around the rose garden in front of the presbytery. These are close to the three crosses and are a symbol of the new life with Christ promised by the resurrection. Please follow this link to see the names of those who have been remembered in our Easter Garden.

6 April 2023

At the General Audience on Wednesday, the Holy Father made the following statement about the Solemnity of the Annunciation this Saturday

The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord will be celebrated on Saturday and our thoughts turn to March 25 of last year, when, in union with all the Bishops of the world, the Church and humanity were consecrated, especially Russia and the Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Let us never tire of entrusting the cause of peace to the Queen of Peace. I therefore wish to invite each believer and community, especially prayer groups, to renew the act of consecration to Our Lady every March 25, so that she, who is a Mother, may keep us all in unity and peace.

And let us not forget, in these days, battered Ukraine, which is suffering so much.

Bishop John Sherrington

Please follow this link to view the full text of the Act of Consecration.

24 March 2023

Please follow this link for our Easter 2023 Services leaflet detailing mass and service times during Holy Week and confession times during Lent.

20 March 2023

The document, ‘Love the Stranger – A Catholic Response to Migrants and Refugees’ from the Department for International Affairs of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales was published on 14 March 2023.

The publication has been endorsed by Father Fabio Baggio, the Undersecretary of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and Father Manuel Barrios Prieto, the Secretary General of the Commission of Catholic Episcopal Conferences of the European Union (COMECE),

A digital version can be accessed here.

Bishop Paul McAleenan, Lead Bishop for Migrants and Refugees

16 March 2023

This weekend members of the parish Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation Group (JPIC) spoke after all masses to ask parishioners whether the parish should seek to register for a CAFOD Live Simply award. The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales have said: ‘We must respond as Christians to the cry of creation and think hard about how we live our lives so that we are good stewards of our fragile planet and live in solidarity with the world’s poorest communities.’ Is this something we want to do as a parish? Is the CAFOD scheme a way to do it?

Questionnaires were handed out and can be accessed here. Responses can be submitted either online or by posting them through the presbytery door until 19th March.

The text of Live Simply Parish Address can be accessed here and the JPIC Group page also contains more information about the award.

15 March 2023

Easter cards for 2023 are available this weekend, please take a few home to give to your friends and family. They will also be distributed at our market stall on 29 March. Please note that, although there is no Penitential Service this year, there are many other opportunities for confessions during the weeks leading up to Easter.

Volunteers are asked to commit 30 minutes of your time on Wednesday 29 March to distribute parish Easter greetings in the market. Please call Mary on 07976 277 059 or email marytharber@gmail.com or give your name to us at mass if you can spare some time for this welcoming activity. Also, if you can help collect names of volunteers after masses on 18/19 & 25/26 March please call Mary.

13 March 2023

The Cardinal invites all couples in the Diocese, who are celebrating their 5th 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th (and every year over 60) wedding anniversary of Catholic marriage in 2023.  If you are celebrating an anniversary, please give your parish clergy the following details: husband and wife’s names, wedding date, full postal address, email and telephone number.

6 March 2023

We will be commemorating our deceased loved ones in a special way in our Easter Garden again this year by writing their names on bamboo flower shapes and plant them around the rose garden in front of the presbytery. These will be close to the three crosses and will be a symbol of the new life with Christ promised by the resurrection. If you would like to remember your deceased family or friends in this way, please send their names into the office clearly marked ‘Easter Garden’ either by emailing the parish office at stalbans@rcdow.org.uk or by posting the details through the presbytery door.

13 March 2023

A number of additional opportunities for deepening our faith are planned  for our parish in the early part of 2023.  You may like to make a note of these in your diary. More information will follow in due course and all are welcome:

• Sharing the Light: Church, 7pm Thursday, 2 March
• Parish Day of Reflection: Niland Centre, Bushey, Saturday, 4 March,
• Lent Talks: Parish Hall 7.45pm with refreshments from 7.30pm:
• Pope St John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter ‘Salvici Dolores’: Thursday 16 March
• The Cross: Thursday 23 March
• Ignatian Prayer Course: Parish Hall 7.30pm: Thursdays, 20 and 27 April; 11, 18 and 25 May

1 March 2023

• Lourdes Quarterly Reunion Mass on 7 March 6:30pm in the Cathedral Crypt, followed by a social.
• Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes: 21- 28 July.
• Annual Pilgrimage to Walsingham: 23 September.
• Annual Pilgrimage to the Holy Land 19-27 November.

Please consider fundraising and sponsoring to raise £1,000 for your Parish Priest or a less able pilgrim or a nominated volunteer in your parish to take part in next year’s Westminster Diocese Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Contact the Pilgrimage Office if you want to volunteer as a helper with the Diocese of Westminster in Lourdes. Committed to a culture of Safeguarding. See here for details.

1 March 2023

The YCBS team recently met to review the 2022 scheme.  It was another hugely successful initiative; over 200 children enjoyed the gift of a Christmas voucher this year.  The children are all known to us through our Parish schools, the SVP, the Life House and individual parishioners.  We also supported children from the St Albans Refuge, Home Start and the Intensive Family Support Team.   In addition, 16 adults with either special needs or living in a refuge, along with residents of the Catholic Workers’ Farm also received a Christmas voucher.  In total, over £5,000 worth of vouchers were donated throughout our community.

Thank you everyone for your tremendous generosity and support in making the YCBS scheme such a success.  Your donations really make such an important difference:

“We have had the best Christmas ever, my daughter was so excited to see Santa had been and he had known what was on her Christmas list.  I cried when I saw her face, thank you to everyone for thinking of us.”

“This is the first Christmas I have been able to wake up knowing the day was going to be happy, we thank god for the kindness of people.”

 “If I could hug everyone for my presents I would, Christmas has been perfect.”

 Last year we were able to extend the YCBS scheme to Easter when we kept in touch with our families and delivered a small voucher for an Easter Egg to all the children involved in the scheme.  We are delighted that we have enough funds left over from Christmas to be able to do this again in 2023.

As a result of the unfailing generosity of our parishioners, the YCBS scheme has been running for over 10 years now, helping to support our local community at Christmas.  Many families have been with us since the scheme began and new families are invited to be a part of the scheme every year.  It’s also lovely to hear from families whose circumstances have changed:

“I would like to thank you all at St Albans and St Stephens Church for all the years you have helped me and my children since 2015, we will not be taking part in you can be Santa anymore. You have helped us for so many years now and we feel there is a family out there in more need than us.”

Thank you once again for everything you do to make the scheme such a success.  We will look forward to launching the 2023 YCBS scheme later in the year.

The Santa Team

25 January 2023

On Saturday 4^th March there will be a Parish Day of Reflection at the Niland Centre in Bushey, open to everyone 18+. This will be an opportunity to stop and reflect on Lent and our journey to Holy Week and Easter. With Covid there have been relatively few opportunities like this, but spaces are limited. So, if you want to do something positive about Lent, if you want to ‘live’ Lent rather than its happening to you, why not block out the day and sign up for our Day of Recollection?

We will be asking people to make their own way to the Niland Centre (there is ample parking) and to bring a packed lunch. I do not want cost to be an obstacle so we will be asking people for donations rather than making a specific charge.

Fr Michael

24 January 2023

Many thanks to all who helped in any way with last week’s clothing collection for migrants who are being housed locally. We received nearly everything which we had been asked to supply and delivered 50 bags. The local charity StAR (St Albans for Refugees) were very surprised at the speed with which the parish had addressed this need and have said: ‘Wow! What you have done in such a short period is truly wonderful.  Please let your parishioners know how grateful we at StAR are for the kindness they have shown for the  people in the … Hotel’.

The sorting team were grateful that donors had largely supplied only what was on the lists as that is all that we could deliver. Pictures can be seen below. StAR say that they would welcome volunteers NB: to assist with sorting which they do on a Thursday afternoon; they can be contacted at volunteering@stalbansforrefugees.org.

24 January 2023

The knit and natter group will be meeting from 2.15- 4pm on 31 January and 14 and 28 February.  Everyone welcome. For more details please contact Helen Bassill 07860 830340.

The knit and natter group are currently making bright orange baby hats for new born babies who require special attention, vests for babies in Africa and also blankets of varying sizes. Four of our blankets are going to babies of refugees in St Albans.

24 January 2023