Welcome to the webpages of the Roman Catholic Church of St Anselm and St Cæcilia, Lincoln’s Inn Fields. Here you will find information about us including normal Mass times as well as Parish contacts.
Our postal address is 70 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, WC2A 3JA. The post code for satnav or google maps is WC2B 6DX. We are adjacent to Greggs.
You will find us on the east side of Kingsway, a few steps from Holborn Station (LT).
You can contact us on 020 7405 0376. Our email address is lincolnsinnfields@rcdow.org.uk
MASS TIMES: MONDAY – FRIDAY 6pm.
SATURDAY 6pm and SUNDAYS 10am & 6pm.
EXTRA MASS! As from SUNDAY 6th NOVEMBER, there will be an additional Mass (In Latin) on Sundays at 8:30am
ADORATION 5pm, ROSARY 5.20pm, Mass at 6pm
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (CONFESSIONS)
MONDAY-FRIDAY 5.30pm-5.50pm, SATURDAY 5.00pm – 5.40pm
EACH MASS WILL BE LIVE STREAMED https://www.churchservices.tv/lincolnsinnfields
CHURCH OPENING TIMES (for Silent Prayer)
7.30am DAILY (Monday – Friday), (Saturday 12 Noon) and (Sunday: 8am)
CLOSING AFTER EVENING MASS EACH DAY
PARISH OFFICE OPENING TIMES
WITH EFFECT FROM MONDAY 2nd JUNE 2025,
Mondays: 9:00am – 5:30pm
Tuesdays: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Wednesdays CLOSED
Thursdays CLOSED
Fridays: 9:30 – 5:30pm
Parish Priest: Mgr. John Conneely
Parish Administrator: Mandy O’Sullivan-Whiting
If any enquires are urgent, foremost, please email the parish at lincolnsinnfields@rcdow.org.uk
or call 0207 405 0376 and leave a message.
To donate to our parish: https://parish.rcdow.org.uk/lincolnsinnfields/donate/
This will take you to our Donation page on the Dona website. Thank you.
Please let us know what your donation is for: eg Mass Intentions, Upkeep of the Church, large candles,etc.
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SUNDAY 8th MARCH 2026
THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT
TODAY’S GOSPEL: In the encounter with the Samaritan woman the symbol of water stands out in the foreground, alluding clearly to the sacrament of Baptism, the source of new life for faith in God’s Grace. This Gospel, in fact, (…) is part of the ancient journey of the catechumen’s preparation for Christian Initiation, which took place at the great Easter Vigil. “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him”, Jesus said, “will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” Sn 4:1.4). This water represents the Holy Spirit, the “gift” par excellence that Jesus came to bring on the part of God the Father. Whoever is reborn by water and by the Holy Spirit, that is, in Baptism, enters into a real relationship with God, a filial relationship, and can worship him “in spirit and in truth” Sn 4:23,24), as Jesus went on to reveal to the Samaritan woman. Thanks to the meeting with Jesus Christ and to the gift of the Holy Spirit, the human being’s faith attains fulfilment, as a response to the fullness of God’s revelation. Each one of us can identify himself with the Samaritan woman: Jesus is waiting for us, especially in this Season of Lent, to speak to our hearts, to my heart. Let us pause a moment in silence, in our room or in a church or in a separate place. Let us listen to his voice which tells us “If you knew the gift of God… “ (Benedict XVI -Angelus, 27 March 2011)
CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY: Last weekend’s collections for Cafod raised £258.34. Thank you for your generosity.
THE NATIONAL NOVENA TO ST JOSEPH: will take place from 10th – 18th March 2026 at St Joseph’s Church in Maidenhead. Every year, the Mill Hill Missionaries prepare for the Feast of St Joseph, their Society patron, with a special Novena of Masses and prayers to ask for God’s blessing on their Society’s missionary outreach, and for the intentions of all those who support their work. If you are able, and if it is possible to attend, Mass is at 10.00am every day of the Novena except Sunday when it is at 11.00am. Each Mass will be available to follow on YouTube, via the Mill Hill website: www.millhillmissionaries.com/novena.
The Novena Prayer Booklet is available on request for a suggested donation of £1 per booklet to cover costs.
You are welcome to send in your petitions and/or to request a Novena prayer booklet.
Please write to Novena Director at 6 Colby Gardens, Maidenhead, SL6 7GZ Email:novenamhm@gmail.com
THE NOVENA WILL BE RECITED AFTER MASS IN OUR PARISH FROM 10th – 18th MARCH.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT: Fridays, 6:30pm. (following 6pm Mass).
THE NEXT PARISH ASSEMBLY: is TOMORROW Monday 9th March at 6:45pm in the Parish Room All welcome.
HOLBORN’S ALLEYWAYS – HOLBORN LIVEABLE NEIGHBOURHOOD STARTER PROJECT CONSULTATION: Please visit the website to comment on the proposal for Twyford Place (side of the church). Posters are available at the back of the church. This could affect us being able to have processions on Feast days. Consultation closes 22nd March 2026. https://consultations.wearecamden.org/supporting-communities/holbornsalleyways/
THE LIGHT: Tuesday evenings, in the parish room after 6pm Mass. Open to all with special encouragement to students, young adults (20-40s). Just come along. See the flyer at the back of the church.
CONFIRMATION: Application forms can be obtainable from Fr John after any Sunday Mass, the forms can only be collected by the candidate & not on their behalf. The basic requirements are you must be at least 14 years old, baptised Catholic & having received the Sacraments of Reconciliation & Holy Communion. If you do not attend Mass here every Sunday, a letter from the Parish Priest where you do may be required.
ST PATRICK’S DAY: St Patrick’s Soho Square, Shamrock will be blessed & distributed at all Masses (and not before). Monday, 16th Match, 6pm Mass, Celebrant Ft Brian O’Mahony and Tuesday 17th March, Mass: 8am,12:45pm & 6pm.
STABAT MATER CONCERT: As part of a Lenten devotion, on Wednesday 18th March at 6.45pm in Westminster Cathedral, the Cathedral Choir & the Britten Sinfonia will perform a concert of reflection on the ancient Marian hymn, contemplating the sorrow of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the foot of the Cross: MacMillan’s Stabat Mater, & Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis. An opportunity to buy tickets at a discount of 50%. Tickets are available in Sections A, B & N at: https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/1F00638BCD835BA6?did=50off Password: WCSBDO. The performance will begin with Sir James MacMillan in conversation with Fr Patrick van der Vorst, our Precentor and Founder of Christian Art website.
A DAY WITH MARY is taking place at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 14 March 26 (9.45am to 5.00pm). Further info is available at https://www.adaywithmary.org/ or https://eventcatholic.com/
CALLED TO LOVE: A retreat for singles, dating & engaged young adults who want to think more deeply about relationships and the call to marriage. A relaxed weekend with input, prayer, discussion & social, as well as the opportunity to meet like-minded others! This year’s retreat will have as its theme masculinity & femininity. From Sat 2nd – Sun 3rd May, with the option of staying Friday night. https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/called-to-love/
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SUNDAY 1st MARCH 2026
SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT
Inspirational Quotes for The Lenten Season
1. “Lent comes providentially to reawaken us, to shake us from our lethargy.” — Pope Francis
2. “Are you capable of risking your life for someone? Do it for Christ.” — Pope St John Paul II
3. “As Lent is the time for greater love, listen to Jesus’ thirst…’Repent and believe’ Jesus tells us. What are we to repent? Our indifference, our hardness of heart. What are we to believe? Jesus thirsts even now, in your heart and in the poor — He knows your weakness. He wants only your love, wants only the chance to love you.” — St Teresa of Calcutta
4. “Prayer is where the action is.” — John Wesley
5. “The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great things. But when it ceases to act, it ceases to exist.” — Pope St. Gregory the Great
6. “Lent stimulates us to let the Word of God penetrate our life and in this way to know the fundamental truth: who we are, where we come from, where we must go, what path we must take in life…” – Pope Benedict XVI
7. “Renounce yourself in order to follow Christ; discipline your body; do not pamper yourself, but love fasting.” — Saint Benedict
8. “Lent is like a long ‘retreat’ during which we can turn back into ourselves and listen to the voice of God, in order to defeat the temptations of the Evil One. It is a period of spiritual ‘combat’ which we must experience alongside Jesus, not with pride and presumption, but using the arms of faith: prayer, listening to the word of God and penance. In this way we will be able to celebrate Easter in truth, ready to renew the promises of our Baptism.” — Pope Benedict XVI
CHILDRENS LITURGY & 1st COMMUNION, TODAY, SUNDAY 1st MARCH: CL and FHC session, FHC children to bring their A4 poster about their patron saint and to complete chapter 7 and 8 of their FHC book.
CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY APPEAL TODAY: THERE WILL BE RETIRING COLLECTIONS AFTER ALL MASSES TODAY. This Lent, live out the Gospel call to love your neighbour. By fasting and giving what you save, you join in Christ’s compassion and help another family put food on the table. Your donation can help families around the world grow food in difficult conditions – such as on flood-resistant floating gardens or using solar-powered water pumps in times of drought. Collect a CAFOD envelope to bless others with your support, donate online at www.cafod.org.uk/envelope or call 0303 303 3030. Text CAFODLENT to 70085 to donate £10.
THE NEW ARCHBISHOP of WESTMINSTER (ARCHBISHOP RICHARD MOTH): has written a letter to us all in the diocese: Copies are available at the back of the church, please do take a copy home with you today, or read below.
FIRST THURSDAYS ORGAN RECITAL SERIES: The series Thursday 5th March at 1:10pm – Organ Recital given by Anthony Davie.
THE NEXT PARISH ASSEMBLY: is Monday 9th March at 6:45pm in the Parish Room All Welcome.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT: Fridays, 6:30pm, (following 6pm mass).
Please also remember our school, St Joseph’s Mackin St and all the staff, Children and families in your prayers on the Feast of St Joseph (School Mass was at: 10:00am, Thursday 19th March)
ARCHBISHOP’S LENTEN APPEAL 2026: “Because we are formed in faith, we are sent in love.” Our annual Lenten Appeal across the Diocese supports one shared mission: helping people encounter Christ and live that faith in love and service. Through Education, Youth & Evangelisation, and Marriage & Family Life, the diocese forms hearts, nurtures faith, and strengthens families within
our parishes. Through Social Action, that formed faith reaches outward, ensuring that no one in our
communities faces life’s hardest moments alone.
Your generous support this Lent will enable the Church to continue walking with people at every stage of life and be a visible sign of Christ’s love, both within our parishes and among our neighbours. To donate today please visit www.rcdow.org.uk/LentenAppeal. Alternatively, envelopes are available in church. Thank you for your support and for helping our diocesan family to continue
this vital work.
CHILDRENS LITURGY & 1st COMMUNION, SUNDAY 1st MARCH: CL and FHC session, FHC children to bring their A4 poster about their patron saint and to complete chapter 7 and 8 of their FHC book.
THE LIGHT: Tues evenings, in the parish room after 6pm mass. Open to all with special encouragement to students, young adults (20-40s). Just come along. See the flyer at the back of the church.
CONFIRMATION: Application forms can be obtainable from Fr John after any Sunday mass, the forms can only be collected by the candidate & not on their behalf. The basic requirements are you must be at least 14 years old, baptised Catholic & having received the sacraments of reconciliation & holy communion. If you do not attend mass here every Sunday, a letter from the parish priest where you do may be required.
CHURCHSERVICES.TV: Our Mass Streaming Service is viewed all around the world. We receive daily statistics that shows we are global! Please pass the link onto anyone who would benefit from the service both here in the UK and abroad. https://www.churchservices.tv/lincolnsinnfields
ST PATRICKS DAY: St Patrick’s Soho Square, Shamrock will be blessed & distributed at all Masses (and not before). Monday, 16th March, 6pm Mass, Celebrant Fr Brian O’Mahony and Tuesday 17th March, Mass: 8am, 12:45pm & 6pm
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ARCHBISHOP’S HOUSE, WESTMINSTER, LONDON, SW1P 1QJ
24 February 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
May I take this opportunity to thank you all: Lay, Faithful, Religious, Deacons and Priests for the very warm welcome that you have given to me on my arrival in the Diocese.
The Installation Liturgies were deeply moving and it was wonderful to see our Cathedral filled with everyone gathered in faith and prayer.
My thanks go to all those who were involved in the arrangements for these two days of celebration. I know you would all wish to join with me in thanking them for their hard work, dedication and attention to detail – enabling us all to enter more fully into the mystery of the Liturgy.It will take time to get to know everyone and I look forward to the Masses that will be celebrated around the deaneries in the coming weeks. Please keep me in your prayers as I embark upon my service for you and with you in the years ahead.
At this time, when we are seeing so many ‘green shoots’ of renewed openness to the Gospel, let us join together in the work the Lord has given us to do, that our witness will continue to call the world to the wonder of the Gospel, to relationship with Christ and to his gift of Peace.
With every blessing,
+ Archbishop Richard Moth
Archbishop of Westminster
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MASS INTENTIONS 28th FEBRUARY – 8th MARCH 2026
Saturday 28th February:
6:00pm Vigil Mass
Elizabeth Scott RIP
Sunday 1st March:
2nd Sunday in Lent
St David’s Day
8:30am Mass (In Latin)
Pro Populo
10:00am Mass
Margaret Walton RIP (Bday)
6:00pm Mass
Fr David Barnes RIP
Monday 2nd March:
6:00pm Mass
Aldo Antonioni RD
Tuesday 3rd March:
6:00pm Mass
Holy Souls
Wednesday 4th March:
6:00pm Mass
Mario Barreto & Lidia Caldeirn & Families RIP
Thursday 5th March:
6:00pm Mass
Angela Madronero Vargas – RIP
Friday 6th March:
6:00pm Mass
Patricia Cullen RIP
Saturday 7th February:
6:00pm Vigil Mass
For the forgotten Souls and for Charlie and Mary McCourt – RIP
Sunday 8th March:
3rd Sunday in Lent
Mothering Sunday
8:30am Mass (In Latin)
Pro Populo
10:00am Mass
Kathleen Carrick (Anniv)
6:00pm Mass
ALTAR SERVERS’ MASS: St Anselm & St Cecilia’s Altar Servers with their MC Mr Michael O’Leary after the Diocesan Mass for Altar Servers at WestminsterCathedral, Saturday 4th Oct, celebrated by Bishop James Curry.
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BELOW: OUR THIRD PROCESSION of OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM on 21st September 2025 around Lincoln’s Inn Fields as inaugurated by Fr David.
Our Procession proclaims: 1. GOD was made flesh and dwelt among us: Jesus is both Son of God and Son of Mary, and He is “Emmanuel” (God with us).
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Monsignor John writes: I would like to thank all who were involved in any way with the Mass for my installation as parish priest, and for making it such a memorable occasion. (If however you have missed it, you can watch on www.churchservices.tv I would also like to thank you on behalf of the members of my family who present for the warm welcome you gave them, they said I had not been exaggerating when I had told them how great you were.
It’s good to have a distinguished history, to have things happening in the present, but we need also look to the future. I can already see green shoots emerging in the parish which will hopefully bloom in the future. One green shoot is that a parishioner has been accepted to train for the priesthood for the Diocese. He is Charlie Brown, who many know especially at the Sunday 6:00 Mass. He will not start his training until September, and therefore you will still be seeing him around the parish until then. He obviously has a few years to go before he is, God willing, ordained but it is encouraging that the parish has produced a vocation to priesthood.
As important as the priesthood is we must also recall other the important vocations we are all called to, and how by virtue of our baptism we are called to be a prophetic people. One of the joys of becoming your parish priest has been encountering your love and enthusiasm for the parish and a willingness to answer a call for help or ministry when asked, and also offering your own exciting ideas. The faith is alive in the parish with many green shoots we can look forward to growing to fruition.
PRIEST TRAINING FUND
Next Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday, the day we pray for priests and for vocations to the priesthood. The annual Priest Training Fund pays for the priestly formation of men for the Catholic priesthood. There are currently 50 men studying at Allen Hall seminary, 13 of whom are from our own Diocese. 2 of these are deacons for Westminster. We also have 2 seminarians at the Royal English College in Valladolid. Last year 3 deacons who studied at Allen Hall were ordained priests. This fund also supports the ongoing enrichment and formation of the our ordained priests. Your generous donation helps ensure we can support these men who are called to be like Christ the Good Shepherd. Donation envelopes are available in the back of the church. Please take one home, read the information, and bring it back next weekend with your donation. Please continue to pray for vocations and for our priests. You can use the QR code to make your donation online or visit www.rcdow.org.uk/donations. Thank you for your generosity.
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CAFOD ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CRISIS APPEAL: Donate to CAFOD’s Israeli-Palestinian Crisis Appeal at www.cafod.org.uk/ipcor call 0303 303 3030 to support those affected and get funds to local trusted experts in Gaza and southern Israel who have been working alongside communities helping those most in need.Your donation will help support aid workers providing urgent humanitarian aid including food, water and emergency shelter to those in need. Thank you for your prayers.
PRAY FOR PEACE
God of peace, bearer of hope,
We seek your help
For the peoples of the Middle East.
Quiet the clamour of war
And guide us towards peace.
Where there is hatred and division
Sow seeds of calm and openness.
Where there is destruction
Help us to rebuild.
Where children are crying
Bring an end to tears.
Shelter your peoples and protect them
Guide them and keep them from harm.
Show us how to break down the barriers of history and fear
And breathe whispers of hope.
Amen.
Linda Jones / CAFOD
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PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
Lord Jesus Christ, Guide and Shepherd of your people,
touch the hearts of our young people, that they may, for the love of you
give their lives in the service of the Church.
Renew the hearts of priests, that they may model their lives on the mystery of the Cross
and imitate the Sacred Mysteries they celebrate at the altar.
Strengthen our families, that they may generously support those of their sons
whom you call to serve you as priests. Amen
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PRAYER OF ST THERESE OF LISIEUX FOR PRIESTS (please pray often for this intention)
O Jesus, I pray for your faithful and fervent priests;
for your unfaithful and tepid priests;
for your priests labouring at home or abroad in distant mission fields;
for your tempted priests; for your lonely and desolate priests;
for your young priests; for your dying priests;
for the souls of your priests in Purgatory.
But above all, I recommend to you the priests dearest to me;
the priest who baptised me; the priests who absolved me from my sins;
the priests at whose Masses I assisted
and who gave me Your Body and Blood in Holy Communion;
the priests who taught and instructed me;
all the priests to whom I am indebted in any other way.
O Jesus, keep them all close to your heart, and bless them
abundantly in time and in eternity. Amen