Dear friends,
It’s been another full and joyful week at St Alban’s. On Tuesday we celebrated Fr Joshua’s Licensing, and I want to say a heartfelt thank you to the many members of our congregation who came to support him on this important occasion. Your presence was a wonderful witness to the love and fellowship we share as a parish. A photograph from the service is below.
This weekend, a group of us are making our annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. As we pray at England’s Nazareth, please be assured that we will be remembering all of you and the life of our parish in our prayers.
While I am away, I’m delighted Fr Jothi will celebrate and preach on Sunday. As we continue our journey through Matthew chapter 13, we remain in Jesus’ great discourse on the parables. Each week these familiar stories invite us to look more deeply at the mysteries of God’s kingdom and to reflect on how we are responding to Christ’s call in our own lives.
With every blessing,
Fr Sean
Fr Joshua's Licensing
We had a wonderful occasion last week as we celebrated Fr Joshua’s Licensing. It was a joy to see 21 members of our congregation there to support him and over 150 in attendance, a wonderful witness to the love and fellowship of St Alban’s.
Please continue to keep Fr Joshua in your prayers as he begins this new chapter of ministry. May God bless him, strengthen him, and use him mightily in the service of His Church.
Fr Luke Demetri
It’s with a heavy heart that I must share the news of Fr Luke below. This message is made to the people of St Alphage Burnt Oak, where Fr Luke is Parish Priest, by our Bishop of Fulham.
Fr Luke was pastoral assistant here at St Alban’s for several months while he was an ordinand at St Stephen’s House during Covid. Prayers and Mass will be regularly offered for him. Please pray for him.
Thank you, Fr Sean
“Fr Luke Demetri, your parish priest, has been undergoing urgent medical tests and examinations over the past few weeks. All this culminated in a seven-hour operation in Charing Cross hospital last week to attempt to remove a tumour from his brain.
Following the operation, the medical team has – very sadly – made a diagnosis of terminal cancer. In order to improve Fr Luke’s quality of life, the tumour will have to be treated by courses of radio and chemotherapy over the next few months.
Fr Luke remains on sick leave for the foreseeable future. For now, he assures all the people of St Alphage of his love and prayers, and asks that you continue to pray for him, for his family, and for all the medical staff who are caring for him at this time.
Fr Luke remains your parish priest. During his absence the parish will be ably supported by the Churchwardens, the Area Dean and the Archdeacon of Hampstead.
I will be visiting you on Friday 24th July 2026 at 7.00pm to offer a Mass for Fr Luke’s intentions, and I hope as many of you as possible will be there to pray for your parish priest. Afterwards I will be available to speak with you.
I assure all of you of my prayers at this time of anxiety and uncertainty. May St Alphage, St Luke the physician, and Our Lady of Walsingham pray for Fr Luke, and for all the people of the parish.”
Notices
Summer Break
The choir, children’s church, toddler Tuesday, and zoom bible study take a summer break and return at the beginning of September. 10am Mass on Tuesday resumes.
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.
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Sunday 16th August 10am
Healing Pilgrimage to Walsingham – Monday 31st August
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 an adult) Please return completed booking form/s with payment at the end of the 10am Mass on Sundays to the 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
