Parish Announcements – 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 9 August 2026
✝️ Liturgical season: 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
We continue our journey through Ordinary Time in the liturgical year. This week, we observe Fatima Day, commemorate saints and blessed martyrs, and prepare for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
📖 This week in the liturgy, we celebrate:
- Monday – the Feast of St Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr;
- Tuesday – St Clare, Virgin;
- Friday – St Maximilian Mary Kolbe, Priest and Martyr.
1. Blessed Martyrs of Peru
Today marks the 35th anniversary of the martyrdom of Blessed Fathers Zbigniew Strzałkowski and Michał Tomaszek, whose relics are kept in our church. We invite everyone to join us in a prayer of thanksgiving for their sacrifice and to pray for their canonisation.
The Polish Franciscan friars, Fr Zbigniew and Fr Michał, were martyred in Peru on 9 August 1991 by terrorists belonging to the communist Shining Path organisation.
2. Fatima Day – Thursday, 13 August
Thursday is the 13th day of the month and therefore Fatima Day. At 18:30, we will pray the Rosary, followed by a procession with the statue of Our Lady and Holy Mass immediately after the procession.
The Fatima devotion is our response to two requests made by Our Lady: to pray the Rosary and to do penance for sinners.
3. Cleaning the church
I would like to thank everyone who helped to clean our church. I also invite and encourage more parishioners to help us care for the beauty of our church.
The next cleaning will take place on Friday after the evening Mass, at approximately 20:00.
4. Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Next Sunday, 16 August, in accordance with the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church in Great Britain, we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
On that day, Poles living abroad will also commemorate another anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw, known as the Miracle on the Vistula, and celebrate Polish Armed Forces Day.
Herbs and flowers will be blessed during every Mass.
5. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Confession
You are invited to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from Tuesday to Friday, between 18:00 and 19:00. Confession will also be available during this time.
As I am currently the only priest in the parish, Confession before Sunday Masses will be difficult to arrange. I therefore encourage everyone to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the week.
6. Collection for the maintenance of our church
Last Sunday, we collected £600.47 towards the maintenance of our church. Thank you for your generosity. May God reward you.
7. Month of sobriety and abstinence
The month of sobriety and abstinence continues. Let us offer our reception of Holy Communion, our sufferings and our crosses for those affected by alcohol addiction.
8. Parish office
The parish office is open on Thursdays from 16:00 to 18:00 and in the sacristy after every evening Mass from Tuesday to Saturday.
9. Parish pilgrimages
Our parish is organising pilgrimages to Walsingham and Fatima. Further details are available on the posters near the church exit.
10. Best wishes for the coming week
I extend my warmest wishes to everyone celebrating a birthday, name day or anniversary. I wish all parishioners and visitors God’s blessing and His providential care in the coming week.
