fr dan writes…
Last Sunday, Spain emerged worthy winners of the men’s football world cup, reinforcing the hope of many purists (and some disgruntled England fans) who believed that their victory was one that was for all those who love the beautiful game. Then on Monday Andy Burnham became this country’s seventh Prime Minster in the last ten years, promising to ‘bring back hope’ to a disillusioned, fractured and increasingly frustrated country. Hope is what St Paul is alluding to in our second reading today, but the hope he is promoting is not based on the unpredictable world of sports, nor on the everchanging political strategy of those in power, instead he urges us to place our hope in the love of God.
God’s love gives us the hope for both this life and the next. Even with the mystery of evil in this world, we can be assured of God’s ultimate victory. As St Catherine of Siena rightly states, “everything comes from love, all is ordained for the salvation of man, God does nothing without this goal in mind.” Which is why St Paul tells us that if we love God all things will work for the good, towards his purpose, because our God, as he proved with Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, can turn the evilest of events towards his purpose. However, as St Paul goes on to say, God also knows those who will choose to conform to the image of his Son and those who will reject it. This is not a slight on our free will, but rather an acknowledgment that God is beyond time and so knows what we will do. For us who exist in time, we are still free to choose if we wish to place our hope in God’s love or not.
Before we make up our minds, we should consider a few important points. First, the victory the Spanish team won will last until the end of the next world cup in four years. Second, our new PM will have to prove he can deliver on his promise before the next general election in three years. By contrast, our God has already demonstrated his love for us by sending his only begotten Son into the world; our God has already proven that he can transform the worst this world has to offer by raising Jesus from the dead; our God has already won the victory over sin and death which will last for eternity. When we place our hope in football teams or politicians, or in any human institution, they will sustain that hope for a while, but at some point, they will let us down. On the other hand, those who place their hope in God are rarely disappointed because for those who love God, as St Paul reminds us, all things work together for good, and towards God’s purpose. In football the old saying is ‘it’s the hope that kills you’, but with our God the opposite is true as, ‘it is hope in his wonderful love that keeps us alive!’
News and Events for July 26th (the next update is September 6th)
FROM SR MIRIAM This is my last chance in writing to say thank you, though I will see many of you at Mass during August. May God reward you all for your prayers, care, support, messages and gifts as I prepare to move back to Canada for the next phase of life’s journey. It has been a joy and privilege to live and work among you in Blessed Sacrament Parish. God bless you.
NO 6.30PM SUNDAY MASS Today, 26th July, is the last 6.30pm Mass at St John’s until Sunday September 6th.
THE PARISH OFFICE will be closed from Friday 31st July and will reopen on Tuesday 1st September. Urgent requests will still be attended to though probably at a slower pace. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. The next newsletter will be Sunday September 6th. Thanks for understanding.
MASS CANCELLATIONS ON WEEKDAYS There is no 10am Mass on Thursday 13th August. There may be further weekday mass cancellations and these will be announced. As mentioned previously, the 6.30pm Sunday Mass is cancelled but returns on 6th September. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
REQUIESCAT IN PACE Antonia Smith’s funeral be at St John’s on Friday 7th August at 12 noon. The funeral of Michael James Colm Swords is on Thursday 13th August at 12 noon, also at St John’s. May the Lord comfort the friends and family of Antonia Smith and Michael Swords.
SCAM MESSAGES There’s a new type of scam through Whatsapp where cyber criminals are pretending to be a priest or other parish representative. The cyber criminals are using AI to create scarily convincing videos that impersonate members of the clergy and after a few exchanges, ask for money. Don’t assume that a message is from a priest even if it looks like it is and if a priest or clergy is asking for money, please do not transfer any money, vouchers etc. Report any suspicious messages to us by email islington@rcdow.org.uk or call us on 020 7226 3277 and report to https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/ Thank you.
DAUGHTER OF THE LATE CYNTHIA KING Caroline, would like to thank all those who attended her mother’s funeral and to those that sent cards and good wishes in the post. The love, support and prayers have been truly appreciated during this difficult time.e an opportunity to hear and see God around us.
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CATHOLIC? If this is a yes then a warm welcome to our parish of The Blessed Sacrament and St John’s. We’ll be beginning the RCIA program (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) in the autumn but we welcome applications now using the form in the church porch or on the website https://parish.rcdow.org.uk/islington/rcia/ Please email it back to us or hand it to a priest after Mass. More information about the course can be found on the preceding web link. We look forward to hearing from you.
BIRTHDAY WISHES AND CONGRATULATIONS to Adrian Gunning who’s been St John’s resident organist for forty years(!) and on Wednesday, reached a big birthday milestone somewhere north of forty. A big thank you to Adrian for sharing his musical skills with us all these years.
ASSUMPTION OF MARY, SUNDAY AUGUST 16TH Sundays are already special but August 16th even more so because this is the date that Mary, one of only probably 3, was assumed into Heaven i.e. body and soul went straight to Heaven without actually dying. Let’s try and pray an additional Hail Mary this day and really think about the words we’re praying in this beautiful prayer.
DATES FOR THE DIARY…
LATE SUMMER BBQ Something to look forward to after the summer holidays. On Saturday September 12th, there’s the Blessed Sacrament BBQ from 2 to 5pm. Come along for some great food and fine company. Bring your friends and food. More details to come.
PICNIC IN THE PARK PLUS GAMES? FRESH AIR AND SCENIC COUNTRYSIDE? If you fancy recharging your batteries with a hearty picnic in natural surroundings and breathing in lung fulls of proper unpolluted air then please set aside Saturday September 19th . We’re planning a parish day out. More details to come.
COMMEMORATE AND CELEBRATE ST FRANCIS at St John’s on Saturday October 3rd . This date will be exactly 800 years since St Francis died. The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal will be leading the celebrations. St Francis is the second patron of this parish and if you miss this event on this day, you’ll need to wait another 100 years for another centenary celebration so all good reasons to come along. Timings to be announced.
WHAT IS THE NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS?! It’s a major Catholic gathering for England and Wales. It’s huge so do come along and take part. On Saturday 10th October, spend time with Jesus when Adoration starts after the 6pm Vigil Mass at Westminster Cathedral and continues until 6am on Sunday 11th October. The Vigil Mass is open to all without booking but if you would like to be part of the night time Adoration from 7.30pm until 6am, then please book here. https://westminstercathedral.org.uk/adoremus/
Youth ministries will be leading the Holy Hours from 7.30pm to 10.30pm.
Leading up to the Adoration Day is a 5 day pilgrimage from Maidstone to Southwark. You can do the whole lot or just part of one of the days. More details about the pilgrimage below. Specifically aimed for young people, there’s an art competition with age categories for young people up to 18 https://www.cbcew.org.uk/adoremus-art-competition/.
FELLOW PARISHIONERS! DO YOU WANT TO BE PART OF A PILGRIMAGE FROM KENT TO LONDON? It would be great if some of us at The Blessed Sacrament and St John’s walked together in the pilgrimage (also mentioned in the article above). It’s a 5 day walk and starts from Maidstone on October 5th and finishes at Southwark on Friday 9th October. You can do all the days or just ½ a day (and yes, zero days too, haha!). Grace, the parish administrator, intends to walk days 4 and 5 and would welcome anyone from the parishes to join. For more info, please see https://www.cbcew.org.uk/adoremus-walking-pilgrimage/ or email gracewu@rcdow.org.uk
AND FINALLY…BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL We wish you a happy and safe trip if you’re travelling and for those that aren’t, a, hopefully, peaceful time in London.indness from others and in the natural world that surrounds us. May this summer be an opportunity to hear and see God around us.
What’s on
Sat 12th Sep, 2 to 5pm, Summer BBQ at Blessed Sacrament
Sat 19th Sep, Parish day out for both parishes, for all ages
Sat 26th Sep, 7.30pm, Organ concert at St John’s
Sat 3rd Oct, St Francis celebration with Franciscan Friars of the Renewal at St John’s
Mon 5th Oct to Fri 9th, walking pilgrimage from Kent to London. More details in this newsletter.
Sat 10th / 11th Oct, National Eucharistic Congress. All night Vigil at Westminster Cathedral. More details in this newsletter.
What’s not on
Throughout August, no 6.30pm Sunday Mass (at St John’s)
Throughout August, no parish office
Regular Events
Adoration Mon, Tue, Wed (up to and including Sep 2nd) Thur, Fri 10.30am to 11am at St John’s.
Confessions At Blessed Sacrament, after the Monday 12.30pm Mass. At St John’s, Saturday 5.30pm to 5.50pm.
Rosary after Monday 12.30pm Mass at The Blessed Sacrament
Rosary after Wednesday 10am Mass at St John’s but not in August, returning Sep 9th
Divine Mercy Chaplet First Friday of the Month, 3pm at St John’s but not August 7th
Filipino Mass 3rd Sunday at 3pm at The Blessed Sacrament
If you would like to download the newsletter for July 26th, please click here. The next newsletter is September 6th.
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 26th July 2026
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 19th July 2026
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 12th July 2026
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 5th July 2026
11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 14th June 2026
The Most Holy Blood and Body of Christ (Corpus Christi), June 7th 2026
Holy Trinity Sunday, May 31st 2026
Pentecost Sunday, May 24th 2026
Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 17th 2026
Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 10th 2026
Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 3rd 2026
Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 25th 2026
Pastoral Letter for 4th Sunday of Easter, April 25th 2026
Third Sunday of Easter, 19th April 2026
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord, 5th April 2026