Welcome to
The Catholic Church of Our Lady St. John’s Wood
Built in 1836, Our Lady of St John’s Wood is one of the first Catholic Churches to be built in London following the 1829 Catholic Emancipation.
A Flag for All Times
The Risen Christ is often shown holding a white flag with a red cross on it. In the United Kingdom we call that the flag of St George. It used to be the emblem on the shirts of England’s soccer teams. But that’s another story.
The red is believed to symbolise the blood of Christ poured out for us on the cross, the white to indicate the purity of Christ we share in through Baptism with the water that flowed from His pierced side.
But it’s not just a victory flag because in the Middle Ages the same flag, the oriflamme, was the standard carried by the King of France into battle against his deadly enemies. Hence the flag Jesus holds is also a call to take up arms against today’s opponents of the Kingdom of God. In other words, while the war against the Devil and sin is won, battles remain to be fought against temptation and we must never forget this.
So as St Joan of Arc ordered that the cross be held higher so she could see it above the flames of her martyrdom, we too must hold high the flag of Christ’s victory over sin and death in the many temptations that confront us in our daily lives. Pope Francis puts it like this: “Jesus took upon Himself our weakness, our infirmities, even our death. He endured our sufferings and bore the weight of our sins. Because of this, God the Father exalted Him and now Jesus Christ lives forever; He is the Lord”.
What a King we have, and what power in the flag He carries. May confidence in our Saviour fill you and your loved ones throughout Ordinary Time with the joy of the Easter season and may God bless you all. Canon Kevin
The Seven Sacraments
For more information on the Sacraments of Initiation click on the one that concerns you or our child: Baptism, First Holy Communion or Confirmation. They are normally received in that order but if you are a young adult or older or have missed one for some reason please click on RCIA.
The Sacraments of Healing are Confession (or Reconciliation or Penance) and the Anointing of the Sick. Children are prepared for the former for the first time as part of the First Holy Communion programme.
The Sacraments of Vocation are Marriage and Holy Orders. We can do everything to help you prepare for the former but as for the latter, we can only offer to help you discern whether God is calling you to be a priest or a religious and encourage you to respond with generosity and find the fulfilment we have found in this form of service to Christ and His Church.
Music at Our Lady
The choir was founded by Claude Crozet in 1971 and some of the original members still sing with us. Claude’s project was considered quite pioneering during a period of cultural “reform” within the Church and his work has been continued by other conductors within the choir and beyond.
If you would like to join us, please introduce yourself at the end of mass or send a message.
Sunday Readings
Mass Book page 134
Ezekiel 18:25-28
Psalm 24:4-9
Philippians: 2:1-11
Matthew 21:28-32
Daily Service Times
Masses
Sunday: 6:00pm (Saturday Vigil), 9:00am, 10:30am (Sung), 12:00 noon (Sung), 6:00pm
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday: 10:00am
Thursday: 7:00pm
Friday: 10:00am
Saturday: 10:00am, 6:00pm (Vigil Mass of Sunday)
Confessions
Saturday: 10:30am – 11:00am, 5:15pm – 5:45pm
Support us
There are many ways in which you can support the upkeep of this beautiful building, and its pastoral mission to the parish and local community.
You can make a one-off donation, set up a standing order. Your generosity will ensure that Our Lady St. John’s Wood is here for future generations to enjoy.
Church of Our Lady St. John’s Wood
54 Lodge Road
London
NW8 8LA
Telephone: 020 7286 3214
Email: stjohnswood@rcdow.org.uk
Website: parish.rcdow.org.uk/stjohnswood/
Parish Clergy: Canon Kevin Jordan | Fr Alex Balzanella Parish Sister: Sr Brigid Collins, RSM
Parish Administrator: Kathleen Reddington | Safeguarding Officer Frances Uchea
Director of Music: Martin Toyer