30th Sunday of the Year (B)
Our Lord Jesus Christ the King
OCTOBER ROSARY
In October the Rosary will be said every day 20 minutes before the evening Mass at the Lady Altar.
CLOCKS GO BACK THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday at 2am the clocks go back by one hour to mark the end of British Summer Time.
NO DISTRICT AND CIRCLE LINE SERVICES AT SOUTH KENSINGTON STATION
On Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd November, there will be no Circle and District line services at South Kensington station because of track renewal works. The Piccadilly line is expected to run normally.
ALL SAINTS
Friday 1st November is the Solemnity of All Saints, which is a Holy Day of Obligation. On Thursday there will be Solemn First Vespers & Benediction at 5.30pm, followed by the Vigil Mass at 6.30pm. Masses on Friday will be at 7am, 8am (1962 Missal), 10am, 12.30pm, 5.30pm & 6.30pm (Solemn High Mass). See also here.
ALL SOULS
Saturday 2nd November is All Souls’ Day. The Solemn Mass of Requiem will be at 11.00am. Other Requiem Masses will be at 7am, 8am (1962 Missal) , 10am (in the Little Oratory) and 6pm (fulfils the Sunday obligation). See also here.
INDULGENCES FOR SOULS OF THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED
On All Souls’ Day a plenary indulgence, applicable only to the Holy Souls, is granted to those who visit any parish church or public oratory and there recite the Our Father and the Creed once. Every day from 1st to 8th November inclusive, a plenary indulgence, applicable only to the Holy Souls, is granted to those who visit a cemetery and pray, even if only mentally, for the departed. The usual conditions for indulgences apply:
1. Only one plenary indulgence can be granted per day.
2. It is necessary to be in the state of grace, at least by completion of the work.
3. Freedom from attachment to sin, even venial sin, is necessary to gain a plenary indulgence. To be free of attachment to sin means that there is no particular sin in our life that we are unwilling to renounce. If this condition is lacking, the indulgence is only partial.
4. Holy Communion must be received each time the indulgence is sought.
5. Prayers must be recited for the intentions of the Holy Father on each day the indulgence is sought. No particular prayers are prescribed. One Our Father and Hail Mary suffice.
6. A sacramental confession must be made within a week of completion of the prescribed work. One confession made during the week, made with the intention of gaining all the indulgences, suffices.
REQUIEM FOR DECEASED FATHERS AND BROTHERS
The annual Requiem for deceased Fathers & Brothers of the Oratory will be on Friday 8th November at 6pm.
LIKELY VOTE ON ASSISTED SUICIDE IN PARLIAMENT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
The most vulnerable in our society are at risk. MPs will vote on whether to introduce an extreme assisted suicide law on 29th November. To protect the vulnerable from this radical law change, contact your MP and ask them to vote NO. Take action now – it only takes 30 seconds to contact your MP using this tool: www.righttolife.org.uk/mpcontactnow
Watch actor and disability rights advocate Liz Carr’s BBC documentary on assisted suicide, Better Off Dead?, which examines the impact of one of the world’s most extreme assisted suicide laws in Canada. Watch for free online (you do not need a TV licence): righttolife.org.uk/betteroffdead.
SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE
We need more volunteers to maintain this much-appreciated weekly offer. If you can spare a few hours per month, please contact Fr Michael Lang on michaellang@rcdow.org.uk or 020 7808 0900.
OCTOBER ORGAN RECITALS
The Oratory’s annual Organ Recital Series continues this October. Players from the UK present varied programmes, delivered on the famous J. W. Walker instrument designed by the legendary former Organist of the Oratory, Ralph Downes, and listed Grade 1 in the Institute of British Organ Studies register of organs of historical importance. Mondays in October at 7.30pm. Admission is free with a retiring collection, and all are welcome. For more information, click here.
MUSICAL ORATORY ON FRIDAY 22ND NOVEMBER
At 6.30pm on Friday 22nd November, the feast day of St Cecilia, patron saint of music, we will hold a special Musical Oratory in the church in her honour. During this Musical Oratory, Bishop Jim Curry will invest the Oratory’s Director of Music, Professor Patrick Russill, as a Knight of St Gregory the Great.
Bishop Curry, recently consecrated as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Westminster, has long been a friend of the Oratory, having been our neighbour for many years as Parish Priest at Our Lady of Victories Church, Kensington. We are delighted to welcome him back to the Oratory for the first time since his elevation to the episcopate.
The Pontifical Order of St Gregory the Great was founded in 1831 by Pope Gregory XVI. It is conferred as a reward for services to the Holy See and the Church upon gentlemen and ladies who “by reason of their nobility, the renown of their deeds, or the degree of their munificence, are deemed worthy to be honoured by a public expression of esteem on the part of the Holy See”.
The Latin decree of investiture reads as follows (in translation): “Francis, Supreme Pontiff, gladly acceding to a request made to Us, from which We have gathered that you are most deserving for what you have done for the Holy Catholic Church and its affairs, and in order that We might give a clear sign of Our pleasure and appreciation, We choose, make, and declare you, Patrick Russill, of the Diocese of Westminster, a Knight of the Order of St Gregory the Great. We bestow upon you the right to use and enjoy all the privileges which accompany this high dignity. Given at St Peter’s in Rome on 17 May 2024, Signed and sealed by Pietro Cardinal Parolin, Secretary of State”.
This honour is awarded to Professor Russill for his excellence and influence in church music, and on church musicians throughout the country and beyond, over many decades, including his years of dedicated service at the Oratory. We are conscious that this mark of esteem from the Holy See also does honour to the Oratory’s musical tradition, which Professor Russill has done so much to sustain and promote. The Fathers heartily join many others across the country in congratulating him on this much-deserved honour.
The music performed will include sacred works by Peter Philips and Monteverdi, including his great Gloria of 1640, with members of the Oratory Choir and period strings. All are warmly invited to attend.
BOOK LAUNCH: A SHORT HISTORY OF THE ROMAN MASS
Fr Michael Lang’s new book, A Short History of the Roman Mass, has just been published with Ignatius Press (click here for more information). There will be a book launch in St Wilfrid’s Hall on Thursday 21st November at 6.45pm. The book is also available in French (Desclée de Brouwer, 2023) and Spanish (Ediciones Cristiandad, 2024). There will be a presentation by Professor Stephen Bullivant, Director of the Benedict XVI Centre for Religion and Society, at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, whose studies of contemporary religious practice have received wide international coverage. Alll welcome. See also here.
BETHLEHEM BAUBLES
These traditional glass decorations are handmade using recycled glass in Bethlehem. In collaboration with Bethlehem Fair Trade Artisans, the baubles are “Handblown by Muslims – Painted by Christians – Shipped by Israel”. Sales generated from this project will be used to train up a new generation of painters and glass blowers, helping them to build a future in Palestine. Christmas baubles are £20 each. Visit https://www.bethlehembaubles.com/. Fill in this code (c.9) at checkout and receive a discount and £3.50 from each bauble sold will be donated to your church.
ENGLISH CATHOLIC HISTORY ASSOCIATION DAY CONFERENCE
Talks on “Elizabethan Secret Hiding Places” (Paul Hodgetts) and “The Conversion of Newman” (Mgr Rod Strange) plus a tour of the church. Saturday 9th November, 10.45am–4.15pm. Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and St Gregory, Warwick St, W1B 5LZ. Tickets on the door £10 or see https://echa.org.uk/.
CAROL SERVICE
The annual Carol Service will be on Friday 20th December at 7.30pm. Doors open at 7.00pm.
MARIAN APOSTLES GROUP PILGRIMAGE TO FRANCE
The Marian Apostles group is organising a pilgrimage to France from Friday 9th to Saturday 24th May 2025 with Tangney Tours. The pilgrimage will be led by Fr Thomas Crean, OP with the Marian Franciscans Sisters. The theme of the pilgrimage is: “Persevering to the end: the need for private and public prayer”. Visits include Marian shrines, Paray-le-Monial, Tours, Mont Saint-Michel, and more. Further information and booking forms from Tangney Tours. You can also contact Annabelle at 07733 223 903.
HELPING THE HOMELESS AND NEEDY IN OUR AREA
With the winter months approaching, HTB (Holy Trinity Brompton) will run a sleep-in night shelter in partnership with Glassdoor to assist those who are homeless or in dire need at St Augustine's Church, 117 Queen's Gate, SW7 5LP, every Wednesday evening. They will provide a hot meal service (3pm–9pm) for their guests and need volunteers to help in the kitchen – preparing, cooking, and washing dishes, as well as serving food.
If you are willing to spare some time and help with this service (no one needs to stay the whole time – any availability is welcome, e.g. 7pm–9pm or 3pm–5pm), please email HTB (mentioning that you heard about this from the Oratory) at shelter@htb.org.
They are also running their Love Christmas Campaign this year, aiming to offer 400 Christmas gifts for each homeless guest we serve, for those living on the streets, and for the women-only shelter provided by Glassdoor. If you would like to help with this program or purchase a gift for their guests, please click on this Amazon Wishlist link.
CHILDREN’S AREA
St Gregory’s Library will remain open on Sunday mornings for parents whose children become restless during Mass. During redecoration of the Sacred Heart Chapel, entrance will be from the Church porch. Children must be supervised by their parents at all times. If you can spare a few hours on a Sunday occasionally to help, please contact David Campbell (phone 07768 176 848).
MASS INTENTIONS
CONTACTLESS GIVING AVAILABLE
Click here for more information.
You can still make a donation via Stripe (see here) or make a bank transfer. Our account details are:
Account Name: The Oratory
Sort Code: 60 04 04
Account Number: 18192947
Please add your surname and first name as a reference, to help our bursar.
The Oratory very much depends on your contributions, and we thank you in advance for your generosity.
GIFT AID – HELPING THE ORATORY
If you are a UK taxpayer, the Oratory can claim back from the Inland Revenue 25p of every £1 you give, at no cost or inconvenience to you. Setting up a Gift Aid arrangement helps the Oratory to increase its income (click here for the forms).
PRIEST REFERENCE FOR SCHOOL APPLICATIONS
Parents who wish one of the Oratory Fathers to give their child a school reference must register with the “Mass Attendance” scheme. Registration forms are available from the Oratory House.
UNABLE TO GET TO MASS ON SUNDAYS?
The Oratory runs a bus service staffed by volunteers to help the elderly and/or incapacitated attending the 11am Mass each Sunday. The minibus has a lift for wheelchairs and volunteers help passengers go to Holy Communion if required. The service is available to parishioners and those who live in the Fulham and Earl’s Court areas. Please email generalenquiries@bromptonoratory.co.uk or telephone 020 7808 0900 if you are interested in making use of this service, or if you would like to volunteer as a driver or helper.
PSYCHOTHERAPY AND LIFE COACHING
Wilfrid’s House is a BACP-accredited, registered charity based at the Oratory and committed to helping people cope with life’s challenges`. Through low-cost counselling and psychotherapy, they support individuals who are going through challenges such as anxiety, depression, inability to cope with daily life, relationship issues, and bereavement. Through low-cost life coaching, they support individuals who are feeling overwhelmed and unable to move forward with purpose. Whether you are struggling with change, big decisions or simply day-to-day life, coaching offers emotional and practical support, enabling clarity and structure and helping you achieve your goals. Further information at www.wilfridshouse.org.
For job vacancies in the Diocese of Westminster, see https://jobs.rcdow.org.uk/.
INFORMATION FOR MARRIAGE
If you would like to be married at the Oratory, we will need at least 6 months notice. For the initial enquiry please come to the Oratory House in person and ask to speak to the priest on duty (see Hours of Duty below). All subsequent meetings, bookings and arrangements will be done through him, so please make a note of his name! No wedding bookings will be taken over the telephone or by email.
If you do not normally worship at the Oratory, please state the name of the church where you usually attend Mass and give the reasons you wish to marry here (for instance, personal connection to the Oratory or one of our schools). It is important to approach the church first before making your plans for a reception venue. We do not have weddings on a Sunday.
There are various arrangements and legalities, both civil and ecclesiastical which need to be attended to. You will also need to undergo a course of preparatory instruction about the sacrament of marriage. Speak to the priest for more details.
Hours of Duty:
Monday-Saturday: 9.30am-12.00pm; 3.00pm-5.30pm.
INFORMATION FOR BAPTISM
According to canon law, “Parents are obliged to see that their infants are baptised within the first few weeks. As soon as possible after the birth, indeed even before it, they are to approach the parish priest to ask for the sacrament for their child, and to be themselves duly prepared for it” (Code of Canon Law, can. 867 §1).
Those wishing to have their child baptised should contact the Oratory House and ask to speak to the priest on duty. All subsequent meeting, bookings and arrangements will be done through him. It will be necessary to meet with the priest for a class on the sacrament of baptism.
Normally baptisms take place in the parish where a family is resident. If you do not live within the territorial boundaries of the Oratory parish but have a good reason for wanting to have your child baptised here, please explain that to the priest on duty. In such cases your own parish priest will need to give permission for the baptism to take place at the Oratory.
The choice of godparents (sponsors), who are to help the baptised to live a good Christian life and faithfully to fulfil the duties inherent in baptism, is an important one. “There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each” (Code of Canon Law, can. 873). A godparent must be a Catholic of not less than sixteen years of age, who has been confirmed and who lives a life of faith that befits the role to be undertaken. A baptised person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community may be admitted in company with a Catholic sponsor as a Christian witness.