Parish Team
Father Kevin Jordan was born in this parish in the hospital of St John and St Elizabeth. His family lived in Alexandra Road until he was two before moving to Kenton where he attended Salvatorian College and St Dominic’s Sixth Form College before going to the University of London and qualifying as a vet from the Royal Veterinary College in 1991. After working in Suffolk and Essex he entered Allen Hall (getting to know Canon McGowan, Canon Davis, Fr Mark Anwyll and Fr Allen Morris who taught him) and was ordained a priest in 1999. Since then he has had the immense privilege of witnessing the many ways in which God has worked in the lives of His people among the parishioners of the Cathedral, Enfield, North Harrow and Willesden Green; with staff and pupils in both day and boarding schools; among patients and carers in hospitals and hospices from the beginning of life to its natural end; alongside soldiers and their families; through the lives and stories of those who struggle with addiction. Inspired by these extraordinary people he hopes he can worthily carry their message of faith to you just as his predecessors here have done. Archbishop Terrence Cooke of New York once said, “A priest is called to be a brother who shares the worries and fears and the frailty of the people around him and who brings to them not any great strength and invulnerability of his own, but his joyful trust in the Father who loves him and in Jesus whose priesthood he shares.” He says that if he can spend his time here doing that, he shall be very happy indeed.
Father Alex Balzanella, is the assistant priest of our parish. He was born in Kingston-upon-Thames and was raised in Northamptonshire before going to the Universities of York and Bristol to study politics. During his time at university he applied for the Catholic parliamentary internship scheme, which places recent graduates with MPs and Catholic NGOs. The time in the parliamentary internship scheme was a time in which he came to know the Diocese of Westminster, but, more profoundly, he came to know Jesus Christ. He applied for priesthood with the Diocese of Westminster and was sent to the English College in Rome (where he studied alongside Fr Benjamin Woodley), and was ordained in September 2020.
After ordination he had a year of further studies in theology before being appointed to Holy Rood, Watford, serving as chaplain to the primary school and Watford General hospital for two years. He is deeply grateful for his time there, which showed him the hunger for God in our world as well as the rich faith held by so many. However, he very much enjoys his time in at Our Lady’s and has been touched by the warmth and kindness shown since his arrival in September 2023.
Sister Brigid Collins, our Parish Sister, has been associated with the parish for a good number of years now, in fact since she was 16 when she entered the convent of the Sisters of Mercy in Harewood Avenue. Sister Brigid looks after a great range of activities including the Union of Catholic Mothers, Parents and Toddlers’ groups, the Youth Mercy Associates (our youth groups)….. the list could go on!
Martin Toyer was appointed Director of Music at the Church of Our Lady in Advent 2014, however, he has been singing and playing at our church since Christmas 1996. As a child, Martin was a chorister in Luton; his first appointment as Director of Music was when he was sixteen years old and he has been directing choirs ever since. Whilst studying at Oxford University, Martin was Organ Scholar and director of the chapel choir at Brasenose College. During his time at university, he performed as soloist, director and ensemble member for many groups around the city. Whilst the liturgy of Our Lady gives Martin plenty of opportunities to indulge in his passions for Bach’s organ music, plainchant, and Renaissance polyphony, he also directs Ensemble 42, a small group of musicians who perform solo and ensemble works, exploring all genres of music from plainchant to lieder, from Baroque to modern opera. Martin is also busy as a singer, conductor, and accompanist in London.
Roger Rutuerma is one of our most important team members as he keeps the parish hall, offices and presbytery tidy for visitors and the staff. He has been with the parish for over twenty years now and knows the grounds and facilities very well. He is around the parish on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and we are all very blessed to have Roger amongst us.
Parish Administrator – Awaiting appointment.
Frances Uchea is our Parish Safeguarding Officer. If you have any concerns or questions regarding Safeguarding contact Frances at stjohnswoodsg@safeguardrcdow.org.uk