Psalm 69 captures viscerally, the power of the waters for the Jewish mind: the waters symbolise the churning feeling of being overwhelmed by the folly of our sins and the general mess of our life: ‘Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.’ I don’t know if it’s a feeling with which you’re familiar! The waters in Jewish cosmology represent the chaos always threatening to overthrow the fragile order of our lives, our relationships and indeed, our world. It’s ancient but says something profound of our life experience. We often find the well-made plans of our life, our strengths, our relationships, securities are all very fragile; we can suddenly be overwhelmed by chaos. For the Fathers, sin is what invited this chaos into our lives. Sin is a force of de-creation – it destroys the order set into creation by God from the beginning. In his baptism, Christ descends into these chaotic waters of our world: it is a scene of re-creation: the Holy Spirit broods again as in the beginning, the voice of the Father resounds as new life springs forth. But most movingly, here, it is not something abstract: the Son steps into our chaos, willingly paying the ultimate price for our sinfulness. And those who believe in him, he offers his loving redemption.
News & Events
Thank you! Fr Rajiv and Fr Jakub would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to all parishioners and visitors for your unwavering support, generosity and gifts throughout the Christmas season and the entire year. We extend our thanks to those who have contributed directly our dedicated coffee morning bakers and helpers, catechists, readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, cleaners, church furniture fixers, researchers, singers, instrumentalists, ushers, greeters, offertory collectors, flower arrangers, church decorators, and countless other volunteers who may not be specifically mentioned. We also appreciate those who have supported us through donations for this church and/or for charities that have appealed here. Your generosity in these difficult times truly embodies the spirit of Christ!
Free to take! If you want to grow deeper in your Scriptures, one simple way is to prayerfully reflect on the Sunday readings, before Mass. Next Sunday, January 19th, you’ll have a great opportunity to make this easier by taking home the Missals (the books we use to follow the readings at Mass) because we will be changing the missals the next week to update to the new ESV translation. For more information about the change, https://rcdow.org.uk/news/the-new-lectionary-whats-changing-and-why-it-matters/
Do you want more from your life? Are you feeling stuck in your faith and not sure if God has a plan for you? You might find these answers in an exciting retreat weekend we will be hosting at Blessed Sacrament church, between 7-9th February, 2025. It’s titled ‘Radical Conversion of our Hearts’. It will be led by Patrick and Joy Campbell (www.CrossofStBenedict.com) who are much sought after missionaries, who have changed countless lives through their breakthrough healing workshops. More information on the QR code.
First Holy Communion Hopefully you’re well aware that Mass attendance is compulsory and that the first children’s meeting is after the 10am Mass today. Please see our website for more information and for other meeting dates. https://parish.rcdow.org.uk/islington/sacramental-prep/communion/
Confirmation candidates and parents meeting Monday 13th January 2025 and it is the first session. It’s for the confirmation candidate AND their parents or carers. It’s at 6.30pm in the Crypt. Please go straight to the crypt. You will need to bring your completed registration form, baptism certificate and £60 (cash or contactless) which just about cover costs. If you’ve already given us your registration form or a copy of your baptism certificate then you don’t need to bring this. For more information including meeting dates beyond this one, please go to our website. We look forward to seeing you all at 6.30pm on Monday 13th in the Crypt.
Pax Christi Sunday 19th January is ‘Peace’ Sunday. We are asked by the bishops to pray for Peace and Reconciliation in our families and in our world suffering from war and strife. Please take a special Peace Sunday prayer card from the table outside; this is produced by Pax Christi, a catholic international organisation that works for Peace and Reconciliation in the world. There will also be envelopes should you wish to make a donation. You may like to consider membership of Pax Christi during this Holy Year.
Sahara walking retreat An exciting opportunity to make a walking retreat in the Sahara! Dates from 10th to 25th February. The desert is always a privileged place of encounter with God in the Scriptures. But simply walking in the desert has its own soothing and balancing effect on our beings. This is a unique experience and a chance to take a step back and reflect on your spiritual life. Leaflets in the porch and info at www.desert-retreat.com
St Richard Reynolds Catholic College Vacancy The college is currently looking for a teacher of Religious Education. For more information, view their website https://strichardreynolds.org.uk/ and please contact recruitment@srrcc.org.uk or phone 0208325 4630 for more information.
Catholic History Walks The next one is on Wednesday January 15th. They will be meeting at 2.30pm, Church of the Most Precious Blood, O’Meara Street London SE1 1TN. All are welcome.No need to book – just turn up. For more information http://www.catholichistorywalks.com
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.
Jubilee Pilgrimage to Rome Canon Peter Newby is leading a students’ pilgrimage from St Mary’s University to Rome from 23 to 28 February 2025 and he extends an invitation to other university students who would like to join. The group will stay in Palazzola and travel with British Airways, costing £700 for travel and half-board. If you are a student and are interested in joining the group, or would like more information, please contact Grazia Hazell at chaplaincy@stmarys.ac.uk.
The Holy Year of Jubilee, 2025 began on Christmas Eve with the opening of the Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome and on the 29th December, at Westminster Cathedral. The Church first declared a Holy Year in 1300 and has continued ever since. Jubilees are occasions of renewal, to undergo a ‘reset’. And this Holy Year invites us to deepen and renew the place of hope in our lives with its theme, ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. Our world suffers today greatly from a lack of hope; and for many people life is simply endured, without much ground for hope. The pilgrimage of life is harsh and unrelenting. Yet, in the midst of these realities we have an anchor in the person of Jesus. There are many graces to be received in a time such as this. Try to participate in some of the events happening for this year in the Diocese. Do not let this pass you by!
What would help you? We are barely out of Christmas, but Lent looms around the corner! There are always lots of spiritual activities in Churches for Lent and it’s a time when we look for some new way of engaging with our spiritual life. We have done different things in the past – but are there some things you would like to see happen/be involved in/find helpful to grow in your faith? Let us know! Speak to us or mail us at the office islington@rcdow.org.uk
Donations to the church
We have two contactless card readers at the back of the church. If you would like to Gift Aid your donation then please follow the instructions on the card reader. Or go to our Donate page.
Raise money by shopping! Use easyfundraising.org
This is a website where charities can register their cause and raise money just from your shopping at no additional cost to you! Your everyday online shopping, whether it’s Sainsburys and Waitrose, or a bigger John Lewis buy can raise a significant amount of money for the Church. Please do take a look at https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/st-john-islington-church/ . It’s very simple to use – if you need help, please email us at islington@rcdow.org.uk The page can be accessed via the QR code too. If you’re able to gift aid your donations, it would make a big difference. Do speak to us if you need help!
Church opening time
The church is open from 9am for private prayer till around dusk most days and on Saturdays, it will close after the 6pm Vigil Mass.
Parish office opening times
The parish office will be mostly closed until Monday January 6th so that we can recharge our batteries! It may take us a bit longer to get back to you but we hope you can understand that it’s been very busy during the run up to and during Christmas. Our email is islington@rcdow.org.uk and telephone 020 7226 3277.