Dear friends,
As we now enter the long stretch of Ordinary Time, we do so having celebrated the great feasts and solemnities that have carried us through the first half of the Church’s year. But, as the saying goes, Ordinary Time is far from ordinary! It is in these weeks that we continue to witness God’s grace at work in the life of the Church.
We are still very much in ordination season, and this Saturday, 4th July, at 10.30am, we look forward to supporting our friends at St Michael’s Church as Fr Antonio is ordained to the priesthood. Please do keep him in your prayers as he begins this wonderful ministry.
And, of course, a happy Independence Day to our American friends as they celebrate their 250th anniversary—or, as we might say (to quote the King), “just the other day!”
Fr Antonio will celebrate his First Mass on Sunday evening at 5.00pm, and I do hope many of you will be able to attend and support him on this special occasion.
I shall be at the ordination on Saturday, but on Sunday I will be at St Mary’s, Petworth, for Fr Mark’s (Father Grandad/ my dad) retirement celebration. During the Mass, I will also have the privilege of blessing my parents as they celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary—a wonderful milestone and a great personal joy for our family.
So, there is certainly no shortage of celebrations and blessings in this so-called “Ordinary Time”! My sincere thanks to Fr Jothi, who will be celebrating our Sunday Mass and preaching while I am away.
May God continue to bless you all, and may these summer weeks be filled with opportunities to recognise His extraordinary grace in the ordinary moments of life.
With every blessing,
Fr Sean, Vicar
Ordination of a deacon and 5 priests
Fr Sean, along with other members of our parish, had the joy of attending the ordination of Felix as the new Fulham deacon (the only one!) and 5 new priests pictured below with our Bishop.
Praise to Almighty God, may He raise up new faithful shepherds for the church.
Notices
Fr Antonio’s Ordination & First Mass
Fr Antonio who will be ordained priest at St Michael’s, Croydon Saturday 4th July 10.30am, first mass the next day at 5pm. All are welcome!
Bishop Christopher’s final service at Southwark Cathedral, 18th July 12noon
Movie Night with Divinitus – 19th July, 6pm
Join us for a screening of: Exodus: Gods and Kings. Enjoy your Sunday evening with us – unwind in a relaxed setting, in good company, with popcorn and drinks, and be ready for the week ahead. St Michaels Croydon, 7 Poplar Walk, Croydon CR0 1UA To help us plan the evening, please register for a ticket on the Divinitus Website or speak to Natalie. There is no set cost for tickets, however donations are warmly welcomed and can be made in any amount. We look forward to seeing you.
Fr Joshua’s Licensing at St Andrew’s Kingsbury– 21st July 7pm
For catering purposes, please let Fr Joshua’s parish know you’re coming by signing up on a sheet at the back of church. More details will be given on how to get there, but a general direction is:
Train from Thornton Heath to Watford Junction – get off at Wembley Central – 83 Bus – get off at Deanscroft Avenue – 3 min walk to St Andrew’s Kingsbury.
Funeral of Harry Chapman RIP in St Alban’s Church – 22nd July, 12noon
A short said Requiem Mass in the presence of Harry Chapman RIP and family, followed by Funeral Service at Croydon Crematorium at 1pm.
Parish Pilgrimage to Walsingham – 24th-27th July
Any prayer requests while the parish are on Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, please speak to Fr Sean.
150th Anniversary of the Mothers’ Union – Sunday 9th August, 10am
We are celebrating 150 years of the MU this year and we look forward to praying and giving thanks for our own MU and it’s members during the Parish Mass on this day. Please pray for the mission and work of the MU and for all families.
Healing Pilgrimage to Walsingham – Monday 31st August
The Pilgrimage for Healing and Renewal is one of the major pilgrimages of the Shrine’s year. Weather permitting, all aspects of the pilgrimage day are held in the Shrine gardens. The 12 noon Mass is followed by lunch – most pilgrims picnic in the gardens – and then Sprinkling, Laying-On of Hands and Anointing.
Coach departs from St. Alban’s 6.45am Leaves Walsingham 4.45pm
Cost £35 per adult £28.00 per child (under 18 and accompanied by a responsible adult) Please return completed booking form/s with payment at the end of the 10am Mass on Sundays to the designated people at the back of church.
This Week at St Alban's
Contact
Vicar:
Fr Sean Gilbert SSC (020) 8653 6092
Churchwarden:
Jenny Sturtevant 07745 017607
Safeguarding Officers:
Shelley Leckey (020) 8240 9188
Margaret Earle 07972647007
Hall Hire:
Tammy Sprosen 07944435013
hmalbanse25@gmail.com
