Twelfth Sunday of the Year (A)

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

‍

LITURGICAL FEASTS

On Monday 22^nd June, we celebrate the martyrs of the English Reformation, Saints John Fisher and Thomas More, with Solemn Benediction at 6.30pm. On Wednesday 24^th June, we celebrate the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, with Solemn Benediction at 6.30pm.

ORATORY SUMMER ORGAN RECITALS

On 24^th June, our outgoing Pettman organ scholar, Evan Lawrence, will give his valedictory recital in the church, with works by Bach, Brahms, Howells and Franck. Admission to the recital is free, with a retiring collection and all are very welcome.

FUNERAL CATHERINE DONNER

Catherine Donner, a long-standing parishioner of the Oratory, passed away recently. Her funeral Mass will be on Wednesday 1^st July at 11am in the Oratory Church. All welcome. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.

2026 ORATORY PILGRIMAGE TO TURKEY – AN ILLUSTRATED REVIEW

Last May, Fr Michael Lang led a a pilgrimage to Turkey, which included ancient Syriac monasteries in Tur Abdin, the historical Christian centres of Edessa and Antioch, Tarsus, the birthplace of the Apostle Paul, the rock churches of Cappadocia and much more. On Friday 3^rd July at 6.45pm in St Wilfrid’s Hall, Fr Michael will share his impressions of the pilgrimage and talk about the historical and religious significance of the sites the group visited. The presentation will be illustrated with photographs from the trip. All are welcome.

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES

Boxes of weekly Offertory envelopes can now be collected from the Oratory House.

DEIFICATION AND THE SACRAMENTS: PERSPECTIVES EAST AND WEST

A conference at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, jointly organised with Newman Theological College,Edmonton, Thursday 25^th and Friday 26^th June, featuring papers from: Matthew Levering, John Behr, Fr Simon Gaine OP and Fr Michael Lang. For more information and how to book, see https://estore.stmarys.ac.uk/product-catalogue/conferences-events/school-of-theology-and-the-arts/deification-and-the-sacraments-perspectives-east-and-west-25th-26th-june-2026.

CARITAS VOLUNTEERS FAIR

Caritas Westminster invites parishioners, volunteers and community groups from across the Diocese to a Volunteer Fair on Saturday 4^th July at Westminster Cathedral Hall, from 3pm to 5pm. The event will showcase a wide range of opportunities with inspiring charities, social action projects and parish initiatives from across the diocese. To register, click here. If your parish or project is looking for more volunteers and would like to host a stand at the fair, please contact Elizabeth Wills at cvs@rcdow.org.uk.

CATHOLIC GENEROSITY REPORT

Catholics in Fundraising (Charity No. 1217362) will launch its landmark Catholic Generosity Report in the evening of 7^th July in Marylebone. This major new study offers the most comprehensive analysis to date of Catholic giving in the UK,examining philanthropy, charitable activity and wealth across the community. Drawing on extensive research, it highlights both the significant contribution already made by Catholics and the substantial untapped potential for future growth, particularly in legacy giving, major philanthropy and faith-consistent investment. The initiative aims to deepen understanding of generosity as a vital expression of Catholic social teaching. To request an invitation, email john@catholicsinfundraising.com.

WE BELIEVE FESTIVAL

Friday 24th to Monday 27^thJuly at St Mary’s College, Oscott, Birmingham. We Believe Festival brings the Church together in England and Wales. It is an unmissable opportunity to discover the traditions and charisms that flow through the Church, to experience the joy of community, and to encounter personally the Lord Jesus,our salvation. Information and tickets at www.webelievefestival.com.

PILGRIMAGE OF REPARATION AND PRAYER FOR THE SANCTITY OF LIFE

All are welcome to join the annual Pilgrimage of Reparation and Prayer for the Sanctity of Life on Saturday 1^st August, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. More details, including information on coach transport, can be found at https://prolifepilgrimage.org/. If you cannot join in person, please consider uniting with the pilgrims in prayer.

FAR ABOVE RUBIES

An intergenerational ladies’ fashion event on Saturday 8^th August, 2pm–6pm, in St Joseph’s Hall at the Oratory. Enjoy a stylish charity swap shop supporting Let The Children Live!, together with a talk by Delphine Chui on the feminine genius in fashion. Contact honorroberts@hotmail.com for any queries.

ORATORY SCOUT GROUP

Our Scouts Group has moved under the umbrella of the Catholic Scouts of Europe and is now ready to accept new applications for boys from School Years Y3 to Y6 (Cubs), Y7 to Y11 (Scouts) and girls between Y3 to Y6 (Guides Cubs), Y7 to Y11 (Guides). Email _{oratoryscoutgroup@bromptonoratory.co.uk}.

HELPING THE HOMELESS AND NEEDY IN OUR AREA

HTB (Holy Trinity Brompton) run a morning shelter to assist those who are homeless or  vulnerable at St Augustine's Church, 117 Queen's Gate, SW7 5LP, every Thursday 9.30am–1.30pm. They need all sort of help (hosting, washing up, sewing, cleaning). If you are willing to spare some time for this service (you do not need to stay the whole time) or would like to know more on how you can help, please email HTB (mentioning that you heard about this from the Oratory) at shelter@htb.org.

CHILDREN’S AREA

On Sunday mornings, St Gregory’s Library at the back of the Church is made available to parents whose children become restless during Mass. There are books and some toys. Entrance is through the Sacred Heart Chapel at the back of the church. Children must be supervised by their parents at all times.

MASS INTENTIONS

Click here for more information.

CONTACTLESS GIVING AVAILABLE

Click here for more information.

For a larger donation, please consider a bank transfer, because we have to pay a percentage fee for any card payment. For our account details, please contact generalenquiries@bromptonoratory.co.uk. Please add your first and last name as a reference, to help our bursar.

The Oratory very much depends on your contributions, and we thank you in advance for your generosity.

GIFT AID – HELPING THE ORATORY

If you are a UK taxpayer, the Oratory can claim back from the Inland Revenue 25p of every £1 you give, at no cost or inconvenience to you. Setting up a Gift Aid arrangement helps the Oratory to increase its income (click here for the forms).

PRIEST REFERENCE FOR SCHOOL APPLICATIONS

Parents who wish one of the Oratory Fathers to give their child a school reference must register with the “Mass Attendance” scheme. Registration forms are available from the Oratory House.

UNABLE TO GET TO MASS ON SUNDAYS?

The Oratory runs a bus service staffed by volunteers to help the elderly and/or incapacitated attending the 11am Mass each Sunday. The minibus has a lift for wheelchairs and volunteers help passengers go to Holy Communion if required. The service is available to parishioners and those who live in the Fulham and Earl’s Court areas. Please email generalenquiries@bromptonoratory.co.uk or telephone 020 7808 0900 if you are interested in making use of this service, or if you would like to volunteer as a driver or helper.

PSYCHOTHERAPY AND LIFE COACHING

Wilfrid’s House is a BACP-accredited, registered charity based at the Oratory and committed to helping people cope with life’s challenges. Through low-cost counselling, psychotherapy and coaching it supports individuals who are going through challenges such as anxiety, depression, inability to cope with daily life, relationship issues, and bereavement. Whether you are struggling with change, big decisions or simply day-to-day life, Wilfrid’s House offers emotional and practical support. For further information: www.wilfridshouse.org.

For job vacancies in the Diocese of Westminster, see https://jobs.rcdow.org.uk/.

INFORMATION FOR MARRIAGE

If you would like to be married at the Oratory, we will need at least 6 months notice. For the initial enquiry please come to the Oratory House in person and ask to speak to the priest on duty (see Hours of Duty below). All subsequent meetings, bookings and arrangements will be done through him. No wedding bookings will be taken over the telephone or by email.

If you do not normally worship at the Oratory, please state the name of the church where you usually attend Mass and give the reasons you wish to marry here (for instance, personal connection to the Oratory or one of our schools). It is important to approach the church first before making your plans for a reception venue. We do not have weddings on a Sunday.

There are various arrangements and legalities, both civil and ecclesiastical which need to be attended to. You will also need to undergo a course of preparatory instruction about the sacrament of marriage. Speak to the priest for more details.

Hours of Duty:      
Monday-Saturday: 9.30am-12.00noon; 3.00pm-5.30pm.

INFORMATION FOR BAPTISM

According to canon law, “Parents are obliged to see that their infants are baptised within the first few weeks. As soon as possible after the birth, indeed even before it, they are to approach the parish priest to ask for the sacrament for their child, and to be themselves duly prepared for it” (Code of Canon Law, can. 867 §1).

Those wishing to have their child baptised should contact the Oratory House and ask to speak to the priest on duty. All subsequent meeting, bookings and arrangements will be done through him. It will be necessary to meet with the priest for a class on the sacrament of baptism.

Normally baptisms take place in the parish where a family is resident. If you do not live within the territorial boundaries of the Oratory parish, your own parish priest will need to give permission for the baptism to take place at the Oratory.

The choice of godparents (sponsors), who are to help the baptised to live a good Christian life and faithfully to fulfil the duties inherent in baptism, is an important one. “There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each” (Code of Canon Law, can. 873). A godparent must be a Catholic of not less than sixteen years of age, who has been confirmed and who lives a life of faith that befits the role to be undertaken. A baptised person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community may be admitted in company with a Catholic sponsor as a Christian witness.