A prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes to grant us wisdom, compassion and clarity as we make decisions to support our Parish.
Meet the members of our Parish Council who can be contacted via the Parish Office.
Tito Pereira – Chair
I have been in the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes since 1968. During this time, together with my wife Andrea, I have served the parish in numerous ways. Over the years, I have worked as a Youth Minister, Catechist, Sacristan and in Liturgical Celebrations. I am a founder member of the Children’s Liturgy Group. In 2007, I was ordained to the Diaconate by Bishop Alan Hopes, and serve the parish as an ordained minister of the Church; witnessing marriages, baptisms and presiding at funerals and other functions such as preaching at Masses. I am married and have three grown up children whom all received their sacraments in this church. As Chair of the Parish Council, I have an overview of all roles and work together with all its members including the Priests. Being part of Our Lady of Lourdes has been an honour and I enjoy being part of this diverse and welcoming community.
Maggie Kurnicka-Mpofu – 1st Deputy Chairperson (Responsible for Family)
I have been coming to this parish church for the past 15 years. My son was baptised here and later had his First Holy Communion and my husband and I celebrated our church wedding on the same day, making it very special for our family. This parish is very dear to my heart. I work as a Montessori Teacher and co-manager in Elmwood Montessori in Chiswick and I have been working with two to four year old children and their families for the past seventeen years. The children are so honest and true and I love their innocent view of life. In my spare time I enjoy going on trips and discovering new places with my family, reading, journaling and allotment work.
Richard Stoner – 2nd Deputy Chairperson
I first settled in Acton in 1986. I’ve been in the parish for 36 years, both sons went to St. Vincent’s. Reading at the 9am Sunday mass has been most rewarding. Elizabeth my wife, spent several years as a Catechist for First Holy Communion. I’ve recently retired from TV/Film/Video work. It is a great privilege to be a part of this parish.
Fr. Patrick Adusei Poku-CSSp – Parish Priest
I am originally from Ghana and a member of the Religious Missionary Order of Holy Ghost Fathers (The Spiritans). I have worked as Assistant Priest at Mary Immaculate & St Peter Church in New Barnet London, St. Luke’s Parish in Manchester, Assistant Priest of the Good Shepherd in Dover, Chaplain for the Spiritan Youth Ministry in Manchester, Chaplain for St. George’s High School and St. John Vianney RC School, a special needs school. I also worked as chaplain in North Manchester General Hospital, Manchester Prison (Strangeways), Parish Priest of St. Francis De Sales in Hartley, Kent and currently Parish Priest of Our Lady of Lourdes, Acton-London. I also currently work as the Chaplain for the Immigration Removal Centre at Heathrow
Sean Currie – Health & Safety Buildings/Repairs
I moved to Acton in 1992 and have been an active member of the parish ever since. I attend 9am Mass where I serve both as a Minister of the Word and an Exrtaordinary Minister of the Eucharist. My 4 children all attended St. Vincent’s Primary School, where I served as a Governor for the school for 13 years. My wife, Veronica, is the Church Organist. I look forward to contributing to the Parish Council and to this wonderful church community.
Caroline Braggs – Coordinator Liturgy, sacramental programmes, Christian formation, parish trips
I’ve been a parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes for thirty-four years. I attend and proclaim the Word of God at the 10.30am Mass on Sunday. In the early 1990s I ran the confirmation programme. I started my teaching career in 1988 in Gunnersbury Catholic School and retired as Headteacher of Gumley House School FCJ in 2020. I now work on a part-time basis for the FCJ (Faith Companions of Jesus) Educational Trust. I also work with ROE (Religious Orders in Education) as part of the Charism Group. I feel very blessed to be invited to join the Parish Council. I’m looking forward to working with other council members to ensure that our parish continues to flourish as a community of faith, where Gospel values are lived out on a daily basis and it is evident that the Spirit is alive and active amongst us. .
Eddie O’Reilly – Safeguarding Coordinator
I’m Eddie O’Reilly and I have been part of Our Lady of Lourdes parish since birth. I was baptised, made my first holy communion and confirmation all within the sacred walls of the church. I am husband to Kelly and father to Thomas and Edward, both of whom attend St Vincent’s Catholic Primary School. My role within the parish council Parish safeguarding lead. I also train all the new and existing altar servers to make sure they are upholding the standards expected from them whilst on our altar.
Hugh Potter – Coordinator Parish Liturgical Music
My wife, Mercy, and I moved to Acton in 1994. Since then our four children have arrived and (mostly) departed taking in St Vincent’s and Catholic secondary schools along the way. I have been involved in Parish music for many of these years, helping at the 10:30 Sunday mass with my guitar. With Mercy we also prepare engaged couples for the sacrament of marriage. I am delighted we now have a Parish Council and I look forward to being part of that team serving our parish community
Peter Roberston – School Liaison, Coordinator Children’s Liturgy & Youth Mass (Youth)
My family have been parishioners since moving to Acton from Shepherds Bush in 1999. All three of my children went to St Vincent’s and received the Sacraments in OLOL. Over the years, I have been a catechist for Holy Communion and Confirmation. I was a Trustee for Acton Homeless Concern until stepping down last year. My main role has been one of the Children’s Liturgy team leaders. I was a journalist and editor at the BBC and now work for Christian Aid in their communications team.” pleasure to be serving this parish
Herve Sodatonou – Family Liaison
My wife Hanna, and our 3 children, have been in the Acton parish for 15 years. We did our marriage preparation in the parish, and our children have also been Baptised and received Holy Communion there. I am a Management Consulting Executive. My role in the Parish Council is to be a listening ear and offer support, advice and guidance to individuals, couples and families around specific issues, requests or anything people in our community would like to share. In our Parish Council, we don’t judge; we want our community to be happy and thrive, so we want to support families facing challenging times. These can range from financial problems/housing support/emotional difficulties/separation/children’s behaviour/domestic abuse/marriage preparation, etc. Please reach out to me if you want to discuss family support.
Michael Thompson – Liaison Community Outreach
I was born in Egypt, studied languages, lived in Germany and France, and as part of the Charismatic Renewal joined the Antioch Community in the early 80’s. Beth and I have 5 children, and you’ll hear Ruth singing at 10:30 mass. I have experience of working with other churches in Acton on items such as the Good Friday March (sadly not possible this year), and at present I organise a monthly mass for the residents of Torkington House care home
Agnes Tierney – Volunteers Liaison & Social Committees/events
I have been in the parish for over 40 years. I used to help with the Parish Visiting Group and St. Vincent De Paul. I currently help clean the church and parish hall. I love Our Lady of Lourdes and am glad to be able to help out.
Jenifer Travassos – Group Coordinator (fundraising), Youth Coordinator
My family and I relocated from Dubai in 2017. We were warmly welcomed and have since been a part of the Our Lady of Lourdes parish. My professional background is in Banking and Marketing. I am a mother of 3 children who are active members of the church community.
With our collective efforts as a parish council we can continue to make our parish an even more vibrant community.
Veronica Tregidgo – Chair of Finance (Fundraising)
I am married with two grown-up sons. I am a qualified accountant and have been involved in various finance roles in the parish for 20 years. I have also been a First Communion catechist for 25 years. I am currently Chair of the Parish Finance Committee and so part of the council.
Patricia Waugh – Justice and Peace (Fundraising)
I have been a parishioner for over 40 years and have raised my two children in the parish. I am parish representative for Justice and Peace, CAFOD, Fairtrade and Caritas Westminster. I have been a Baptism Catechist, CAFOD youth and Confirmation groups Facilitator and Save the Children Community youth group Facilitator.
I previously worked in Banking and became a Financial Capability Facilitator, volunteering financial education to various Charities. I am now working as a Domestic Abuse Advisor, supporting women and children survivors of domestic abuse.
I am a strong believer and advocate for Justice and Peace, Catholic Social Teaching and putting Faith into Action.
JoAnn Wolff – Youth Coordinator
I have been a parishioner for over 40 years and was pleased to be asked to undertake the role of safeguarding representative. My background is in education. I have taken on voluntary roles within the parish, the wider Acton community and at St Vincent’s school, where my 3 children have all attended.
Jo Brianti – Communications and Administration (Website, Social Media, Parish Trips)
I have been attending Mass in Our Lady of Lourdes since moving into the Parish in 2014 and have been a Minister of the Word since moving here. I joined the Catholic Church through the RCIA programme under the tutelage of Sr Breda and was confirmed by Fr Danny in St Aiden’s. I have twin boys who were baptised in St Aiden’s and First Holy Communion in Our Lady of Lourdes, they attended St Vincent’s and now attend Gunnersbury High School. My husband Rob grew up in Shepherds Bush and is a lifelong QPR supporter.
In my professional life I am a Data Protection Consultant working with micro and small businesses owners advising on all matters relating to data protection compliance nationally and internationally. I am also a Charity Trustee and a School Governor.