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 700 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