Dear brothers and sisters of St Alban’s,

This Sunday we celebrate the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, and we also observe Racial Justice Sunday. This is an important moment for us to reflect on our calling to be a Church that truly reflects the love, dignity, and equality of all God’s people.

The Diocese of Southwark’s Anti-Racist Charter reminds us that the Church is called to be a place where every person is valued and welcomed. It challenges us to recognise injustice, confront prejudice, and work actively to build communities where diversity is celebrated as a gift from God. As Christians, we are called not only to reject racism, but to be intentional in creating spaces of belonging, understanding, and reconciliation.

This past Thursday, members of the PCC took part in unconscious bias training. For me, this highlighted a very important part of our church’s mission: celebrating our diversity, honouring our differences, and being truly inclusive. Our parish should be a place where everyone is welcomed, where each person knows they have a home and a place in the life of the Church.

I am delighted that Fr Jothi will celebrate and preach at the Parish Mass this weekend. I hope and pray that we will continue to rejoice in the richness of our diversity, include everyone, and grow together in holiness and in number.

With every blessing,

Fr Sean