Dear friends,
This weekend we will celebrate the great festival of Christ the King, and welcome as our guest preacher (both on Saturday at 6pm, and on Sunday at 10.30am) Fr Alex Honey, Assistant Curate in the parish of Heavitree and St Mary Steps in Exeter, whose ordination to the priesthood I was privileged to attend this summer. Our Gospel reading reminds us that Christ’s kingdom and kingship are not of this world: in place of a crown of gold, instead he wears one woven of thorns; and he sits not on a lofty throne, but hangs upon a lowly Cross. But, as our King, he cares for, defends and intercedes for us, his people – and invites us, through lives of faithfulness, to join him forever in his kingdom. On Sunday, Mass will conclude with a procession of the Blessed Sacrament, and Benediction: for now, in bread and wine, Christ our King sits upon the throne of the altar – and raises his hand in blessing, to bestow his grace and glory upon the world.
This weekend will also be the final opportunity to bring to church items for inclusion in the Christmas “care boxes” for St Luke’s Hospice: thank you for your generous support to date.
Our “Countdown to Christmas” Table-Top Christmas Market will take place in the Hall this Saturday, 22 November, between 10am-5pm: please do invite family, friends and neighbours to join us – for cakes and hot food, and homemade Christmas gifts for sale. Please speak to Johnette if you can assist on the day, even for just an hour.
A new intercessions list will be produced in time for Advent Sunday next week, 30 November: before then, please (re-add) the names of those for whom prayer is requested to the list in church, and please PRINT these names clearly.
Our young people (in school year 6 and above) are invited to “Source and Summit”, an Anglo-Catholic Youth Event at St Alban, Holborn on Saturday, 6 December: please register your interest on the sheet in church.
You can also sign up to join the parish Christmas outing to the pantomime, on Sunday, 14 December – to enjoy “Dick Whittington” at the Harrow Arts Centre, at 3pm: tickets are £20 for adults, and just £5 for 18yos and younger.
We have been invited for a short session of carol-singing at St Luke’s Hospice on Tuesday, 16 December (at 5pm): please speak to me if you would like to join us – we are looking ideally for confident singers who can read music well without a rehearsal. (A reminder that we are likewise invited to join in the Bereavement Care carol-singing, at Harrow-on-the-Hill station, on Wednesday, 17 December from 4.30pm.)
Confirmation classes (for the Confirmation with Bishop Jonathan on Sunday, 8 February 2026) will begin next month, and are also open to those who would simply like to refresh their understanding of the Faith: we will gather on six occasions, to explore topics such as prayer; the sacraments; true happiness, and the person of Jesus Christ. Speak to me if you would like to join us.
On New Year’s Day (Thursday, 1 January 2026) there will be a Sung Mass at 12 noon (in honour of Mary, the Mother of God) – followed by a bring-and-share parish lunch in the Hall (alcoholic and soft drinks provided). Please confirm your contribution to Pat – who would also like to draw up a list of those kindly prepared to help set up, and to clear away afterwards: we all must play our part to make these splendid parish occasions so special!
Following Fr Matthew Cashmore’s recent and welcome return visit to Kenton, we are halfway towards restoring the live-stream in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel: as you will see here, the picture quality on the feed is excellent – however, we have still to resolve an issue with the audio, to mute the whistling sound in the background of the live-stream: stay tuned for further updates!
Please note that, on Saturday next week, 29 November, there will be no public Evening Prayer, Confessions or Vigil Mass – to allow us to support our friends in Kingsbury, as we attend the Patronal Festival celebrations (at 4.30pm) at St Andrew’s Church – with Bishop Norman Banks; and on Saturday (not Sunday!), 13 December there will be no public Evening Prayer, or Confessions – on account of the Stanmore Choral Society concert in church – but the 6pm Vigil Mass will proceed as normal on this occasion.
Please also find attached invitations to the Patronal Festival celebrations at St Andrew, Holborn (with Bishop Jonathan, and the Dean of Windsor); to an Advent Carol Service at St Dunstan-in-the-West, on Fleet Street, and to the Harrow, Hillingdon and Friends’ Mens’ Pilgrimage to Walsingham in the New Year: please contact me for more information, and/or an application form.
May God bless you with every heavenly blessing; make you always pure and holy in His sight; pour out in abundance upon you the riches of His glory, and teach you with the words of truth,
Fr Richard