First Sunday of Lent (B)
STATIONS OF THE CROSS: Every Friday in Lent at 6.30pm.
LENTEN MUSICAL ORATORIES WITH THE FATHERS
Spiritual discourses, music and prayer in the tradition of St Philip Neri will take place in the Oratory Church at 6.30pm on Wednesdays during Lent. The first evening on Wednesday 21st February will feature members of the Oratory Choir and baroque strings performing Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater. See also here.
PARISH MEETINGS FOR SYNODAL PROCESS
Our Cardinal Archbishop has asked each Parish in the Diocese to have two gatherings that are meant to form part of the synodal process in preparation for the meeting of the worldwide Synod in Rome in October 2024. The timetable is rather tight, and we are asked to offer our reflections by the end of Februar.
The second meeting for the Oratory Parish will be in St Joseph’s Hall on Friday 23rd February at 7.30pm (after Stations of the Cross). The topics for reflection and discussion will be: What concrete steps can we take to witness and proclaim our Faith more effectively? How might we need to develop or change the way we are organised in order to achieve this end?
All parishioners and regular worshippers are warmly invited to these meetings.
ASK YOUR MP TO OPPOSE NEW EXTREME ABORTION UP TO BIRTH AMENDMENT
Diana Johnson MP has tabled a new abortion up to birth amendment ahead of Report Stage of the Government’s flagship Criminal Justice Bill. This proposed extreme change to the law would likely lead to a tragic increase in the number of babies’ lives being ended through late-term abortions performed at home. Pro-abortion campaigners are flooding MPs’ inboxes with emails asking them to put their name to the new amendment and vote in support of it at Report Stage. It is vital at this point that MPs see that they have a large number of constituents who are opposed to this extreme change to the law and that they must not support this amendment. Right to Life UK have just launched an easy-to-use tool on their website that makes it simple for you to send an email to your MP asking them to oppose Diana Johnson’s amendment. Please click on the link above to contact your MP now. It only takes 30 seconds.
THE ORATORY PILGRIMAGE TO EGYPT – AN ILLUSTRATED REVIEW
Last month, Fr Michael Lang led a group of 30 pilgrims on a wonderful and blessed journey to Egypt. Highlights of the nine-day trip included stops at a number of ancient holy sites, including Mount Sinai and the flourishing Coptic monasteries of Wadi El Natrun and of St Mina. The group also visited the Giza Pyramids and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. On Thursday 29th February at 7.30pm (after Holy Hour) in St Wilfrid’s Hall, Fr Lang will share his impressions of the pilgrimage and discuss the historical and religious significance of the sites the group visited. The talk will be illustrated with photographs from the trip. All are welcome.
BOOK LAUNCH AT ST MARY’S UNIVERSITY TWICKENHAM
You are warmly invited to the launch of St. Mary’s University Press and the launch of its first book, Catholic Social Thought, the Market and Public Policy – Twenty-first Century Challenges”. The book is edited by Philip Booth and Andre Alves, with contributions various distinguished authors. The launch will be held at St. Mary’s University, Waldegrave Rd, Twickenham TW1 4SX, on Tuesday 27th February, starting at 6pm. For more information and how to sign up, click here.
RETREAT/PILGRIMAGE TO ITALY
In the footsteps of Blessed Antonio Rosmini, Founder of the Institute of Charity, with Fr. David Tobin, IC. Monday 13th to Thursday 23rd May 2024. The pilgrimage will include visits to Rovereto, the birthplace of Rosmini in the Archdiocese of Trent; Verona, city of Romeo and Juliet; Bergamo, city of Pope John XXIII; Domodossola, near the Swiss border, home of the Sacro Monte Calvario, from where Rosmini sent his missionaries for the conversion of England; Stresa and the beautiful Lago Maggiore. Local concerts included. £1,645 ensuite and no Single room supplements. British Airways flights to Verona and back from Milan. Please contact the retreat organiser for further details and colour brochure. Anthony Weaver, phone 020 7379 7273 or email retreatsdover@gmail.com.
CATHOLIC ART GROUP
Join us for monthly art visits and music events with a focus on religious works. Exhibition venues to include National Gallery, V&A, Tate Britain and various private galleries. Days/times: last Sundays of the month, also “Friday lates”. Contact: catholicartgroup@gmail.com.
CATHOLIC BUSINESS GROUP
Aimed at men, a monthly group to compare notes on upholding Catholic values in our work and the challenges that arise. Focusing on management, entrepreneurship, finance, law, tech/AI. For details, contact: catholicbusinessgroup24@gmail.com.
ICON PAINTING SUMMER COURSE
Are you attracted by the beauty of icons? Would you like to paint your own icon of the Archangel Michael? Sign up for this 7-day introduction to icon painting in the Russian Byzantine style using liquid egg tempera technique. Classes open with prayer, then talk on the theology & meaning of each stage; each step of painting will be demonstrated & then accomplished. Time for questions & individual attention throughout the course. Your tutor will be Sharon Seager, who has trained and continues to be mentored by senior faculty of the Prosopon School of Iconography. Sharon also organises and assists with courses given by visiting Prosopon tutors across the UK. For more on the Prosopon School, see https://www.prosoponschool.org. When: Tuesday 30th July to Friday 2nd August & Monday 5th to Wednesday 7th August 2024. Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm each day. Where: St Joseph’s Hall at the Oratory. Cost: £471 to cover tuition, all materials, teas/coffees. For further information, contact Sharon on Instagram: @iconsthroughsharon. For admin details etc, email Marie-Claire at mc.kaminski56@gmail.com. Numbers restricted to only 10 places!
HELPING THE HOMELESS AND NEEDY IN OUR AREA
HTB (Holy Trinity Brompton) run a shelter to aid those who are homeless or in dire need at St Augustine's Church, 117 Queen's Gate, SW7 5LP every Wednesday morning from 9am-12pm. They also run a laundry service for our shelter guests to be able to wash their clothes whilst they are attending shelter. If you would like to help in one of these projects (mentioning that you heard about this from the Oratory), please email: shelter@htb.org. You can also help them by buying from the HTB wish list on Amazon and sending your gifts directly to them to distribute: click on this link.
SPIRITUAL EXERCISES FOR MEN
Five-day Ignatian retreats for men only conducted in English by the Fathers of Abbaye Saint-Joseph de Clairval in Flavigny (France): Saturday 13th to Thursday 18th July in Creeslough, Co. Donegal, Ireland, Tuesday 23rd to Sunday 28th July in Co. Waterford, Ireland, and Sunday 15th to Friday 20th September in Godalming, Surrey. Contact by phone: (33) 03 80 96 22 31, or email: abbey@clairval.com. For more information, click here.
MASS INTENTIONS
CHILDREN’S AREA
On Sunday mornings, St Gregory’s Library at the back of the Church is made available to parents whose children become restless during Mass. There are books and some toys. Entrance is through the Sacred Heart Chapel at the back of the church. Children must be supervised by their parents at all times. We need more help to maintain this much appreciated service, especially during the 11am and 12:30pm Masses. If you can spare a few hours on a Sunday occasionally, please contact David Campbell (phone 07768176848).
ORATORY SCOUT GROUP
We meet in St Michael’s Hall at the Oratory and have four sections offering a Catholic scouting experience for all children – boys and girls aged 6 to 18.
Beavers (aged 6–8): Friday 5:30–6:30pm. Leaders: Gio, Richard, Julia, Lilian, Louis.
Cubs (aged 8–10½): Friday 6:15–7:45pm. Leaders: Richard, Adam, Alex, Dan, Genevieve, Stephanie.
Scouts (aged 10½–14): Friday 6:30–7:45pm. Leaders: Silvia, Socorro, Mark, Gabriel, Mattia.
Explorers (aged 14–18): Fridays 7:00–8:00pm. Leaders: Mattia, Valeria
Please note that there is a waiting list to join the Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts. Please email our Group Scout Leader Mattia Barbarossa at oratoryscoutgroup@bromptonoratory.co.uk
We are currently seeking volunteers to assist as leaders. All ages accepted, but younger members of the Oratory congregation would be especially welcome. No prior experience is necessary. Please contact Mattia Barbarossa at oratoryscoutgroup@bromptonoratory.co.uk.
ORATORY BOOKSHOP & REPOSITORY
The shop is usually open: Sunday 9.30am–4.30pm. Wednesday 11.00am–1.30pm, Thursday 11.00am–2.00pm & 3.15pm–5.45pm, Friday 5.00pm–6.00pm, Saturday 10.45pm–1.15pm & 3.15pm–5.45pm. In order to keep to these opening times, we need more volunteers. If you are willing to help, please contact the Oratory House.
COST OF LIVING CRISIS
Caritas Westminster has an updated list of organisations that can offer help in the present cost of living crisis. Click here for more information.
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.
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.
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.
VARIA
Disclaimer: The Oratory cannot guarantee the accuracy or endorse any of the information provided.
Looking for work as a cleaner, carer or decorator. Reasonable prices. Anyone interested, please contact 07535955782.
Experienced Carpenter & general handyman seeking job opportunities of any scale. NVQ-2 (and CSCS) accredited. If interested, please contact dorcu_madalin@yahoo.com.
Tutor available for homework assistance and 7+ 11+, 13+ exam preparation for all subjects. Latin and Ancient Greek GCSE tuition also provided. £20 per hour online / £25 in person. Please call Alexander on 07999404998.
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.