Dear friends,
It has been a busy and fruitful week at St Alban’s, and there is plenty to look forward to this Saturday!
Last week’s Black History Month service was a joyful celebration of the richness of God’s creation and the diversity of our parish family. My heartfelt thanks go to Gloria and her team for organising such a wonderful occasion, and of course for the delicious food, as always!
Divinitus also met this week, welcoming a bumper crowd for an evening full of joy, friendship and fellowship. It is lovely to see our community continuing to grow and flourish.
This Saturday, we look forward to welcoming members of Mothers’ Union from across the Diocese as they gather to celebrate 150 years of this wonderful ministry. We also keep our Divinitus group in our prayers as they go on pilgrimage to St Albans Cathedral, where they will celebrate Mass at the shrine of St Alban.
This Sunday at 1pm, we look forward to welcoming Kobe into the family of the Church through Holy Baptism. Please keep Kobe and his family in your prayers as they take this important step in faith, and pray that Kobe may grow in the knowledge and love of God throughout his life.
May St Alban, our patron, pray for us, that we may continue to grow in holiness, deepen our faith and shine with the light of Christ. Among the bright company of the martyrs, may he inspire us to bear faithful witness to the true and living God in our parish and community.
With my prayers and every blessing,
Fr Sean
Notices
Calling all young people in Years 6- 12
Youth Pilgrimage at Walsingham 2027 -week beginning 2 August
Next year’s Youth Pilgrimage has a whole new look! Pilgrims will not be camping this time, but will be staying at The Shrine and will be one day shorter. If interested, please come along (bring your parent too if possible) to a meeting at 11.30am after the Parish Mass on 18th October to find out more.
Let Jenny know if you are unable to come but want to find out more.
We do need an idea of numbers by 23 October.
Divinitus Pilgrimage to St Alban’s Cathedral – Saturday 17th October
Join for a group visit to St Albans Cathedral, the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain. All details and booking are on the website: www.divinitus.co.uk
Mothers’ Union 150th Celebration – Saturday 17th October, 10.30am
The local MU chapters from various churches will be joining us in St Alban’s for a celebration Service of the 150th anniversary of the MU.
Electrical repair Party – Saturday 17th October, 2pm
Following the MU celebration, the electrical repair party will be in church to fix any electrical items you may have for FREE.
All Saints’ and All Souls’
Halloween is quickly approaching, which means All Saints’ Day is nearly here celebrated on Sunday 1st November 10am, followed the next day by All Souls’. Please add a name of a dearly departed on a list at the back of the church, they will be prayed for during the Requiem Mass, 7pm.
Remembrance Sunday – 8th November, 10am
We pray for all who have lost their lives in war. The Parish Mass will be followed by an Act of Remembrance outside the front of church (weather permitting.)
Armistice Day – Wednesday 11th November, 11am
Following a shorter 10am Mass, Fr Sean will lead the Act of Remembrance outside Whitehorse School, which we are invited to attend. Refreshments are available in the school afterwards.
Christmas Market – Saturday 5th December 11am-2pm
Our Christmas Market is fast approaching! Please begin preparing items for your stalls, including homemade gifts, crafts, cakes, preserves and raffle prizes. Every contribution helps, so let’s work together to make this year’s market a great success!
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.
To give regularly, please visit the Giving section of our website:
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
