Newsletters

download the current newsletter, 6th September, here or read it below.

fr rajiv writes…

What is the Church? Is it an organisation or something else? Does it need to be run by rules and codes of law or should it be just a place of welcome, of love and fellowship with no need for any law? Are law and love opposed to each other? What then is love? All these questions and more arise from the Word we have received today.

The Church is not simply an organisation – it is the Body of Christ. Maybe that seems very mystical and holy and not very clearly concrete. But it is a very rich image, one of the primary images of the Church in the Scriptures. Within a body, all organs work together. The heart cannot do without the liver, the liver without the brain or the pancreas for that matter. Scientists are only now discovering that even the appendix, always considered a vestigial organ has a role to play – we won’t die without it but certainly be impoverished. And the blood that flows through all of the organs passes on what one produces to another, clears out the toxins produced and keeps them working in harmony. This is the Church.

Another way to look at it is a family. The blood that unites (literally) a family, in this case is love. It is what passes on the gifts of one to another and clears out the toxins which will always be generated: that is forgiveness. A healthy body is one where this constantly happens. But within a body, there are rules which are implicitly obeyed: the liver works based on how it is built, it expects some signals and feed from the heart and other organs and sends out its own. If it decided not to do that, most probably because it is sick, it causes the whole body to malfunction. The whole body becomes sick. What each organ is supposed to do, is the law of the organ – and there is a law which holds all of it together – things like proper diet, rest, recreation, exercise. When one does not follow the laws of health, one gets sick. No amount of clearing out toxins through the flow of blood can compensate for a lawless body; that body will die.

Similarly, the body of Christ dies without its members and as a whole living by a spiritual law: when its members are independent without working together, worshipping together and there is no overall sustaining vision which holds them. The love within a body which is its lifeblood presupposes the law of love which gives each its place. The love of Christ, present within a functioning body keeps it alive, a place of love and welcome, but it is the law of Christ which gives structure to it. Let us strive to make our parish a body which is one, united and a place of love in Islington and King’s Cross.

News and Events

WELCOME BACK EVERYONE! We hope you all had a wonderful summer and a warm welcome to those that are new to the parish.

SR MIRIAM has given us so much both to the parish and personally. Sadly, she’ll be leaving for Canada this week. Her address will be School Sisters of Notre Dame, 1921 Snake Road, Waterdown, Ontario L0R 2H0, Canada. Her email remains the same: ssnd27@yahoo.co.uk We’ll miss you and we’ll pray for you, Sr Miriam!

REQUIESCAT IN PACE The funeral of Alan Keane is on Thursday 10^th September at 12 noon at St John’s. Mario Luigi Arturo Maestri’s funeral is also at St John’s on Friday 11^th September at 12 noon. May the Lord comfort the friends and family of Alan Keane and Mario Luigi Arturo Maestri.

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) on Tuesday 29^th September at 7.30pm, St John’s. Please apply by either emailing us or 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. All are welcome. We look forward to hearing from you.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION For all families that would like their children to receive First Holy Communion then you’re very welcome. There is an intro talk for newcomers and their families on Sunday 20^th September after the 10am Mass at St John’s. Please note that this is an ongoing program. First Holy Communion takes place when your child and you are ready. That’s because, you, the parents are the teachers! We ask that the whole family participate and travel on this journey of faith together, to get to know God together. It’s a beautiful gift and indeed, this is the Growing in Faith Together (GIFT) pathway. Please see our website for more details https://parish.rcdow.org.uk/islington/first-holy-communion/

LATE SUMMER BBQ On Saturday September 12^th, there’s the Blessed Sacrament BBQ from 2 to 5pm. Come along for some great food and fine company. Bring your friends and food.

MOVIE NIGHT At St John’s in the crypt after the Vigil Mass at 7.15pm. There’ll be free snacks, drinks and a Catholic themed film on Saturday September 19^thCome along, eat, drink and watch the film. Everyone is welcome.

COMMEMORATE AND CELEBRATE ST FRANCIS at St John’s on Saturday October 3^rd . 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.

URGENT – OPPOSE ASSISTED SUICIDE This will only take a moment and it’s easy – write to your MP, even if you’ve already done it. Click here: https://righttolife.org.uk/Sept11vote

The reason for the urgency is because the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is back in the House of Commons and seeks to legalise assisted suicide. It will have its Second Reading and vote on Friday 11 September. Archbishop Richard Moth and all of us at the parish ask you to write to our MP ASAP even if you’ve done it before. For more information and resources, visit cbcew.org.uk/opposing-assisted-suicide.

SUPPORT WITH SCHOOL UNIFORM You or someone you know may be eligible for a School Uniform Grant from Islington Council. These support families preparing for the new academic year in buying school uniform if your child is moving to secondary school from year 6. For more information, including eligibility please visit Islington Council website. https://www.islington.gov.uk/children-and-families/help-with-childcare-and-family-costs/free-school-meals-and-uniform-grant

WESTMINSTER YOUTH MINISTRY YOUNG ADULTS MASS & RESONATE TALK The Mass is held in Westminster Cathedral Crypt, followed by a panel Q&A on the three different vocations in the Church: priesthood, religious life, and marriage. The evening will be an opportunity to hear honest, real, faith-orientated reflections from people who live out their vocation in different ways. Whether you are discerning your future, wondering what God is calling you to, trying to understand vocation more deeply, or simply curious and have general questions to ask then this panel is for you! Tuesday 8th September, Mass at 7pm, talk at 7.45pm at Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, SW1P 1QN.

SPUC LONDON ONE-DAY CONFERENCE The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) will hold a one-day conference on Saturday 12th September, from 9am to 5pm, at the Holiday Inn Regent’s Park. Open to people of all ages, the conference will offer inspiring talks, seminars and practical workshops designed to equip participants to defend unborn children and the dignity of human life. The day also provides an opportunity to meet others involved in the pro-life cause. Admission £50, including includes all meals and access to the lectures, workshops and exhibition hall. Further details https://spuc.org.uk/event/london-one-day-conference-2026/.

YEAR 7 SECONDARY SCHOOL OPEN EVENINGS The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School’s open evening is on Thursday 17^th and Tuesday 22^nd September https://www.cvms.co.uk/. Maria Fidelis’s open evening is on Wednesday 23^rd September https://www.mariafidelis.camden.sch.uk/

CARITAS DEAF SERVICE 50TH ANNIVERSARY The Deaf Service will celebrate 50 years as part of the diocesan family on Saturday 26 September with a Mass at 2pm in Westminster Cathedral, celebrated by Bishop Paul McAleenan. All are invited to join this Mass in Word and Sign.

MARRIAGE IN A RUT? Or need help with deeper issues? Retrouvaille has helped thousands of couples find hope and healing in their marriage. Next dates: 2nd – 4th Oct. www.retrouvaille.org.uk/info Tel 0788 7296983. More info can be found here

https://www.cbcew.org.uk/chair-marriage-care-on-the-ingredients-for-a-strong-relationship/

https://rcdow.org.uk/news/marriage-the-grace-of-the-present-moment/

FIDARA – FREE CATHOLIC APP to help Catholics pray, follow the Church year, pray the Rosary, and access daily Mass readings. The app does not require an account and does not collect personal data.