Sunday 30th November 2025
First Sunday of Advent (A)
ST RAPHAEL’S FUND APPEAL 2025
St Raphael’s Fund supports the training and upkeep of our novices and students for the priesthood. Each Oratory is independent and self-sustaining, so we rely entirely on your help to continue St Philip Neri’s work in London. Approximately £25,000 is required each year for six years for the formation and housing of each novice or student; that is £150,000 in total. We are blessed to have recently clothed a new novice; please pray for him and for future vocations to the Oratory. Since the clothing of our new novice in September we have raised approximately £18,000; we are extremely thankful to those who have contributedalready.
There will be a second collection for this fund after all Sunday Masses (including the Saturday Vigil Mass). Donations may also be sent to the Oratory House or made electronically (either as a one-off or on a recurring monthly basis) by visiting https://givealittle.co/c/st-raphaels-fund. Cheques should be made payable to “The London Oratory Charity”; please includea note explaining that your contribution is for St Raphael’s Fund. The Oratory Fathers say Masses every month for our benefactors. May Our Lady and St Philip reward you for your generosity.
ADVENT MUSICAL ORATORY
The Brothers of the Little Oratory invite you to the annual Advent Musical Oratory with the Oratory Junior Choir this Sunday at 4.30pm in the Little Oratory. There will be readings, Advent hymns and choral pieces. All welcome.
SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE AFTER 9AM MASS
This Sunday there will be, for the first time, coffee and cake after the 9am Mass in St Joseph's Hall. We are very grateful to our volunteers for making this possible. We hope to offer refreshments after the 9am Mass the last Sunday of the month from January 2026.
NEW ORATORY WEBSITE
We are delighted to introduce our new website at the very start of the new liturgical year, going live at 5pm on Saturday 29th November, in time for First Vespers of the First Sunday of Advent. Our previous site, launched in 2015, served us faithfully for over a decade, but as the online world has evolved, its limitations had begun to show – ten years is a long time in digital life. Recognising the need for a refreshed online presence, our web designers at SW10 Media have created a site that is both elegant and intuitive. We trust it will be a great service to anyone who wants to know more about or connect with the Oratory. The address remains the same: www.bromptonoratory.co.uk. Our website is a work in progress, so if you have any comments, write to webmaster.bromptonoratory@gmail.com.
The Confraternity of the Precious Blood will not meet on 30th November. The next meeting will be on Sunday 7th December.
There will be no Catechism forCatholics class on 3rd December. The next meeting will be on Wednesday10th December.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Monday 8th December is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Masses will be at 7am, 8am, 12.30pm and 6.30pm (Solemn High Mass with a Sermon by Fr John Church OP).
ORATORY 2026 PILGRIMAGE TO TURKEY – STILL PLACES AVAILABLE
There are still places available on our pilgrimage to Turkey with the theme “In the Footstepsof Abraham, the Apostles, and the Early Fathers of the Church”, led by Fr Michael Lang from 1st to 9thMay 2026. The tour will include 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. If you are interested and for more information, please contact Fr Michael at michaellang@rcdow.org.uk.
CARITAS WESTMINSTER ANNUAL GIVING CALENDAR
Caritas Westminster has launched its Annual Giving Calendar, encouraging adults and children to support their neighbour over Advent and Christmas. Each day of Advent the calendar invites individuals to contribute aspecific item on the calendar to their local food bank. Posters are displayed on the notice board as you enter the church. You can scan the barcode and download the calendar. We invite everyone to take part in this worthwhilecause.
FROM THE LONDON ORATORY SCHOOL
Thank you for your continued support of the London Oratory School’s Theatre Refurbishment project. The theatre is used daily by pupils and staff and serves as a rehearsal venue for the Schola Cantorum, who sing at the 6pm Saturday Vigil Mass. With new seating and carpets installed, the theatre is already being renewed, and we are now 82% of the way towards our fundraising goal. This December, the school is taking part in The Big Give Christmas Challenge – a national match-funding campaign where every donation is doubled. Any amount donated between 2nd and 9thDecember – whether large or small – will help the school move closer to completing Phase 3 of the Theatre Refurbishment: renewing the theatre foyer, kitchen and facilities, ensuring the space is as welcoming as the performances it will host. Legacy Opportunities include: Name a Seat in theTheatre (£150+) and Be listed on the Benefactors’ Board (£250+). A donation button will appear automatically on this website. All gifts must be made on this website by 9th December to qualify for matched funding. Please help us bring the theatre back to life forcurrent and future generations of pupils. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact the London Oratory School Development Office at devoffice@los.ac.
ORATORY CHRISTMAS LUNCH
The Oratory will host the Christmas Lunch (on Christmas Day) for the elderly and lonely as in previous years. We are looking for drivers to pick up and return one or more guests on the day. If you are able to help, please let us know by email: svpxmaslunch@gmail.com.
CAROL SERVICE
The annual Carol Service will be on Thursday 18th December at 7.30pm. Doors open at 7.00pm.
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS HANDMADE IN BETHLEHEM
Bethlehem Baubles is a social enterprise producing unique recycled glass decorations handmade by artisans in and around Bethlehem. Every year the artisans change the designs and include dated ribbons with the baubles, making them very collectible. They work closely with Muslim and Christian communities to provide much needed employment and support for families in the Holy Land – the heart of the Christmas events. We are encourage you to buy their decorations not only because they are lovely and for a worthwhile cause, but because they will also give the Oratory £3.50 for every item sold. Using our unique code c9 will also give you a 5% discount. You will see a sample bauble in the Oratory Bookshop and the flyers explaining it all are at the back of the church. Take one home with you and please remember to use our unique code c9 when you checkout online at www.bethlehembaubles.com.
ST MARY’S UNIVERSITY CHRISTMAS CONCERT
On Monday 1st December at 6.30pm, the Schola Cantorum of the London Oratory School, directed by Charles Cole, will lead a Christmas Carol Concert as part of St Mary's University’s 175th Anniversary celebrations. The service will be a mixture of readings, traditional carols and schola pieces followed by mince pies and mulled wine. Tickets are priced at £10 and can be purchased on this website.
FROM THE CHALLONER CLUB
The Challoner Club is hosting its first Carol Service at the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and Saint Gregory, Warwick Street, W1B 5LZ at 6pm on Friday 5th December, followed by a Christmas Reception at the East India Club, beginning at 7pm. Tickets can be purchased on this website.
TALKS ON THE NICENE CREED
The last of three talks to celebrate the Jubilee Year and the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea will take place at Allen Hall Seminary (28 Beaufort Street, Chelsea, SW3 5AA) on Saturday 6th December at 3pm. The talk entitled “Advent: Hoping that the Lord Jesus Christ Shall Come Again to Judge the Living and the Dead” will be given by Canon John O’Leary, Rector of Allen Hall. You are invited to stay for refreshments after the talk and enjoy a tour of Allen Hall with an explanation of its rich history starting at 5pm. You are also most welcome to join the Allen Hall community for Vespers at 5:30 pm. This will end with devotions to the Douai Martyrs – including veneration of St John Southworth’s Mayne’s relic. The afternoon will finish at about 6pm. To help plan for numbers, please register to attend by emailing parector@rcdow.org.uk.
EXPLORE THE CHOSEN
The TV series The Chosen on the life of Jesus provides us with a wonderful opportunity to invite people into a This will be an interactive afternoon that we hope will inspire watch parties, Bible studies and conversations about the Good News throughout the diocese. Saturday 6th December, 2.00pm to 4.30pm at Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, SW1P 1QN. The event is free and open to all. For more information and to book, please visit https://forms.monday.com/forms/82fce391acf81a899009f03ec11915b0?r=euc1&text0=.
IGNATIAN SPIRITUAL EXERCISES FOR MEN
A great opportunity to experience St Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises for men in a 5-day, shortened form: 4th–9th and 11th–16th February 2026. The retreat will be guided by the monastic community of St Joseph’s Abbey, Flavigny (France), who were founded with the specific charism of offering this version of the Exercises and with a particular apostolate to men. The retreat is open to men in all states of life. For more information and how to book, see this website.
JUBILEE YEAR INDULGENCES
The Diocese of Westminster has produced a guide how to obtain the plenary indulgence for the Jubilee Year, without the need to travel to Rome or other pilgrimage centres around the world. The guide is available as https://rcdow.org.uk/jubilee-2025/the-jubilee-indulgence-step-by-step/
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 Wednesday 8am–1.30pm and Thursday 9.30am–1.30pm. They need all sort of help (serving, 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.
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 3 to 6 (Cubs), Y7 to Y11 (Scouts) and girls between Y3 to Y6 (Guides Cubs), Y7 to Y11 (Guides). Email oratoryscoutgroup@bromptonoratory.co.uk.
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.
You can also donate by bank transfer or via Stripe (see here). 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 surname and first 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 and psychotherapy, they support individuals who are going through challenges such as anxiety, depression, inability to cope with daily life, relationship issues, and bereavement. Through low-cost life coaching, they support individuals who are feeling overwhelmed and unable to move forward with purpose. Whether you are struggling with change, big decisions or simply day-to-day life, coaching offers emotional and practical support, enabling clarity and structure and helping you achieve your goals. Further information at 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, so please make a note of his name! 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-12.00pm; 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 but have a good reason for wanting to have your child baptised here, please explain that to the priest on duty. In such cases 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.
EXPLORE WHITFIELD
EXPLORE WHITFIELD