Exciting times ahead.
This week we’ve received two pieces of extraordinary news.
As many of you know St. Anselm is ‘suspended’ by the Diocese of London. This essentially means that it’s at risk of ‘pastoral reorganisation’ – that reorganisation can include closure or being combined with another parish or having other things changed.
We were originally suspended in 2019, shortly after the Resolutions were passed, by the then Bishop of Willesden +Pete Broadbent.
Parishes that are suspended do not have a ‘vicar’ but rather a ‘priest in charge’ who can be removed by the bishop very easily.
This is almost never good news for the parish involved!
However, when I was licensed as priest in charge in 2020 it was clear that if we could demonstrate our ability to stand our own feet and to bring new people to Christ a new dawn may follow – and that has proved true.
Next year the parish will be ‘unsuspended’ and – if the PCC and you would like to keep me – I’ll be installed as your vicar proper.
The Bishops of Willesden and Fulham have expressed their confidence in our brining new people to Jesus, in growing our congregation, and in becoming financially stable.
In addition to this wonderful news they have also made a one off grant to us of £50,000 to help us on that journey!
I don’t think they could have made a clearer declaration of their confidence in us here at St. Anselm.
This is a testament to all your hard work and prayer over the last two years and I have been humbled and honoured to be your priest in charge and look forward to being your vicar!
Fr. Matthew
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Other news
There will be a PCC meeting next Sunday (27th) immediately after mass. All are invited. It will be quite a long meeting so lunch will be provided and we may even go as far as turning the heating on! The accounts for 2021 will be presented.
You can set up regular giving by direct debit with Parish Giving by calling 0333 002 1271 and quoting our Parish Giving Code – 230 623 503 (or online via www.stanselm.co.uk/giving)
Advent & Christmas Dates:
- Advent Course, Thursdays after mass (10:30am)
and online via zoom (7:30pm)
1/12, 8/12, 15/12, 22/12 - 5th December – Ecumenical Carols at the Golden Disk, 7pm
- 18th December – 9 Lessons and Carols, 6pm
- 24th December – Crib & Carols Service, 3pm
- 24th December – Midnight Mass, 11:30pm
- 25th December – Christmas Day Mass, 10am