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.
SUNDAY 14th DECEMBER 2025 MASS SHEET
3rd SUNDAY OF ADVENT
GAUDETE SUNDAY
“REJOICE” SUNDAY (from Latin “Gaudete”) is the name given to this Third Sunday of Advent. We rejoice because of the coming celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord, born in the manger in Bethlehem.
We rejoice not only because He is “Emmanuel” (God with us), but because His coming (or advent) is the proof of God’s love for us: he has come to share His life completely with us. This is re-confirmed every time we receive Holy Communion.
Pope Francis teaches us that the Church should be a “House of Joy”. Our parish and families will be “a House of Joy” in so far as we recognise that the infant in the crib is truly God fully among us. To help us ponder this please ensure that the CRIB has a central place in your home. Let us gather around the crib to pray as a family.
Our joy is the fruit of our faith, God’s gift for our “Yes” to God. REJOICE!
PLEASE PICK UP A COPY OF OUR CHRISTMAS CARD WITH THE CHRISTMAS LITURGIES INSIDE
CAROLS ON THE STEPS: PLEASE NOTE DATE! We will be singing Carols on the steps of the Church on Friday 19th December, following 6pm Mass, followed by refreshments in the Parish room. If you would like to join us please do. All proceeds to be given the Westminster Children’s Society. All welcome.
BOOKLETS AVAILABLE TO BUY: from the Repository & Sacristy. Magnificat Dec 2025 £6.75
THE ADVENT: WALK WITH ME Booklet: is ONLY £1.00
WE ARE THRILLED TO WELCOME YOU BACK TO THE LIGHT: Tues evenings in the parish room after mass. Open to all with special encouragement to students, young adults (20-40s). Just come along. For more info see the flyer at the back of the church.
CATHOLICISM – THE PIVOTAL PLAYERS: Monday evenings at 6.45pm in the Parish Room. 15th December Michelangelo, The Artist
ANNE BASS RIP: Please pray for the gentle repose of Anne’s soul, please remember Ann’s family in your prayers at this difficult time. Her Funeral Service will be held here tomorrow, Monday 15th December at 12:30pm. May she rest in peace. Amen.
MARY MORTELL- RIP: Please pray for the gentle repose of Mary’s soul, please remember Mary’s family in your prayers at this difficult time. May she rest in peace. Amen – Funerals details to follow.
CHOIR CHILDREN, FOR CHRISTMAS EVE MASS: calling all children of the parish to come and sing with the choir during the 5pm Family Mass on Christmas Eve. There will be a rehearsal after 10am mass on Sun 21st Dec. All Welcome!
ST. ANSELM AND ST. CAECILIA CHILDREN’S CHOIR NEEDS YOUR VOICE!!: Do you love singing? Do you love music, and would you like to be an even better singer? The Schola Caeciliana, the youth Choir of St. Anselm and St. Caecilia is always looking for new members of age 7 upwards to sing at 10am Mass on Sundays. Choir practice takes place in the Parish Room at the church after 10am Mass. All are welcome and it’s not necessary to be able to read music. Free one-to-one singing lessons are provided. Your parents can sign you up by emailing the Parish Office at lincolnsinnfields@rcdow.org.uk
FIRST THURSDAYS ORGAN RECITAL SERIES: The series continues Thursday 2nd January 2025 at the holiday time of 10:30am (after the 10am Mass) to be given by our current Director of Music, Anthony Davie.
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MASS INTENTIONS 13th – 21st December 2025
Saturday 13th December:
6:00pm Vigil Mass
Fr David Barnes RIP
Sunday 14th December:
3rd Sunday of Advent
8:30am Mass (In Latin)
Pro Populo
10:00am Mass
Alain Danzin RIP (Anniv)
6:00pm Mass
Fr David Barnes RIP
Monday 15th December:
12:30pm Funeral Service
Anne Bass RIP
6:00pm Mass
Fr David Barnes RIP
Tuesday 16th December:
6:00pm Mass
Pio & Desolina Costella RIP
Wednesday 17th December:
6:00pm Mass
Paddy Sullivan Bday (Anniv)
Thursday 18th December:
6:00pm Mass
Apolonia J Babin RIP (Anniv)
Friday 19th December:
6:00pm Mass
Aldo Capitelli RIP
Saturday 20th December:
6:00pm Vigil Mass
Rita Leek Thanksgiving
Sunday 21st December:
4th Sunday of Advent
8:30am Mass (In Latin)
Angela Madronero Vargas – RIP bday
10:00am Mass
Thomas O’Sullivan RIP
6:00pm Mass
Fr David Barnes RIP
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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