Dear friends,
This Sunday, with great joy, we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Here is a question I heard recently: Can you love Mary too much?
The answer you may be surprised to hear from me is: yes! But only if our love for Mary exceeds the love that Jesus Christ, her Son, has for her. In reality, that is very hard to do, because the love that Jesus has for Mary is immeasurable
Our love of Mary is simply part of our Christian faith. We honour her because God honoured her; we love her because she is the Mother of our Lord; and we turn to her because she continually points us towards her Son. As Mary herself says, “My soul magnifies the Lord.”
To love Mary rightly is always to love Jesus more deeply. And I am convinced that when we honour and love the Mother of Jesus, it makes Jesus happy.
I look forward to celebrating this great feast with you on Sunday, as together we rejoice in Mary’s Assumption and the hope of the glory that awaits all who belong to Christ.
With my prayers and every blessing,
Fr Sean
Walsingham Shrine on Radio 4
On Sunday, 16 August 2026, BBC Radio 4’s Sunday Worship is titled “Discovering Mary at Walsingham” and airs at 8:10 AM (38 minutes)
Professor Tina Beattie travels to Walsingham to explore the mysteries of the Virgin Mary, reflecting on the Immaculate Conception, the Virgin Birth, and the bodily Assumption. She visited the Walsingham Youth Pilgrimage and asked questions to some of the youth, including our very own JJ who joined the London Diocese group!
You can catch or stream the episode directly via BBC Sounds.
MU Celebration Last Week
Last Sunday we had a joyful celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Mothers’ Union. We give thanks to God for the wonderful work of our MU and for all those who give their time and energy to its mission.
Please consider joining our Mothers’ Union and being part of its important work, both here at St Alban’s and across the wider Church and world. Above all, please continue to pray for our Mothers’ Union, its members, and its mission.
Notices
The Bridge – Southwark Diocese Magazine – Summer 2026
A paper copy of The Bridge is available at the back of church, or download a copy here.
Fr Sean is away next week on holiday
Fr Tim & clergy will say Mass during the week
Healing Pilgrimage to Walsingham – Monday 31st August
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.
Sponsored Pilgrimage Walk – Saturday 13 September
To mark the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (which we celebrate the following day), we will be making a sponsored 10-mile pilgrimage walk from St Alban’s Church to Chislehurst, where Fr Charles Lowder, the founder of the Society of the Holy Cross (SSC), is buried. All sponsorship money raised will go towards our Brickwork Project. Sponsorship forms will be available shortly, and there will also be an option to donate online. If you would like to join the walk, please speak to Fr Sean. We’d love to have you with us!
How to help our Foodbank
Our foodbank has been awarded a grant by Tesco. The value of the grant is between £500 and £1,500 and is decided by public vote. If you are shopping in Tesco, please pick up a blue token when you go through the till. You can use this to vote for our foodbank in a clear display box near the tills. You can vote in various Tesco stores in the Croydon area not just Thornton Heath.
London Ambulance Service Open Day – Friday 21st August 11am-4pm
In front of the London Eye. The free public event features hands-on life-saving training with specialist paramedics. Learn CPR, learn how to help someone choking or bleeding, and ask questions you’ve always wanted to ask.
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
