Catholic Church: Upper Norwood & Crystal Palace

23/03/2026

In a devastating moment for our country, the House of Lords has voted for an amendment which would legalise abortion up to birth. In reaction to this tragic news, Archbishop John Wilson said:

"This is a truly tragic moment for our nation. How can this frightening legislation, which, following Royal Assent, will permit the abortion of children right up until the moment of birth for any reason, have any place in a civilised society? We can never underestimate the challenges that women and men encounter facing difficult decisions. There is, however, another life involved which is now to be ignored and silenced. There are also serious concerns for the safety of women. While there is an even more difficult journey now to protect the unborn child, we must continue to speak up for the voiceless and work to protect the most vulnerable who are no longer protected by the law.

“As Christians, we affirm that each of us is loved by God and each of us is made in God’s image and likeness. Our innate human dignity is not something granted at birth, but exists from the moment of conception. The increasing advances that allow babies born prematurely to live full and happy lives stands in stark contrast to this legislation. This is fundamentally a matter of justice and this legislation, which favours some lives over others, increases inequality in our society.”

St Joseph, protector of expecting mothers and unborn children, pray for us 🙏

08/03/2026

Join us this afternoon for our Lenten reflections at 3pm at the Church of the Faithful Virgin, Upper Norwood.

Take a little time out of your day to pause, reflect, and journey together through this Lenten season. Everyone is warmly welcome—we would love to see you there. ✨🙏

17/02/2026

✝️⚫ Ash Wednesday 18th February 2026 ⚫✝️
Join us at Church of the Faithful Virgin, Upper Norwood ⛪
🙏 Distribution of Ashes
🕘 9:00 AM
🕖 7:00 PM

“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
📖 Enter the Lenten season in prayer and reflection.

26/01/2026

TODAY’S SAINTS

STS. TIMOTHY AND TITUS, BISHOPS, DISCIPLES OF ST. PAUL

Let’s take a moment to reflect on Timothy and Titus, two faithful companions of St. Paul and shining examples of service to the Gospel 💒

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🌿 Timothy’s Life

Timothy was born in Lystra to a Jewish mother and a pagan father. When St. Paul passed through during his second missionary journey, he chose Timothy as a companion because he was highly respected by the believers (Acts 16:2).
To better serve the mission among the Jews, Paul circumcised him (Acts 16:3).

Together with Paul, Timothy traveled through Asia Minor, Macedonia, Athens, Thessalonica, and Corinth, helping to spread the Good News 🌍✨
According to Church tradition, Timothy became the first Bishop of Ephesus. Some of his relics later made their way from Constantinople to Italy, where they now rest in the Cathedral of Termoli 🇮🇹🕊️

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🌿 Titus’ Life

Titus came from a Greek, pagan family and was converted by Paul. He quickly became a trusted collaborator, companion, and brother in mission 🤝
Paul took Titus with him to Jerusalem for the Council of the Apostles, where the great debate about circumcision and Gentile Christians took place.

Titus became a living symbol of the universality of Christianity—faith open to all, beyond race, culture, or nationality 🌎❤️
Paul later entrusted him with restoring peace in the troubled Church of Corinth, a mission Titus carried out successfully. Paul lovingly called him “my companion and collaborator” (2 Cor 8:23). Tradition also recognizes Titus as Bishop of Crete 🏝️⛪

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✨ Two Faithful Servants of the Gospel

Paul circumcised Timothy but not Titus—bringing together Jew and Gentile, law and faith, in one mission of love and unity 🤍✝️
To these two men, Paul wrote three personal letters—the only New Testament letters addressed not to communities, but to individuals. They are filled with wisdom, encouragement, and deep affection.

As Pope Benedict XVI beautifully said, Timothy and Titus “teach us to serve the Gospel with generosity, knowing that this also involves service to the Church itself.” 🙏✨

May their lives inspire us to serve faithfully, wherever God sends us🙏

25/01/2026

TODAY’S SAINTS

St. Ananias of Damascus

St. Ananias reminds us that God often works through quiet faithfulness rather than dramatic moments 🙏. Though afraid, he trusted the Lord’s word and went to Saul, the persecutor of the Church. By laying hands on him and baptizing him, Ananias became the humble instrument through whom God completed Paul’s conversion ✝️.

Ananias teaches us that obedience sometimes means stepping beyond fear and trusting that God is already at work. When we say yes to the Lord in simple but courageous ways ❤️, our faithfulness can become a channel of grace far greater than we imagine.

Conversion of Saint Paul

Saint Paul’s conversion reminds us that God meets us not when we are perfect, but when we are honest enough to be stopped by Him. On the road to Damascus, Paul learns that true conversion begins with humility—allowing Christ to interrupt our plans and redirect our lives ✝️. Today, we pray for the grace to hear the Lord’s call 🙏 and to let His light transform us, just as it transformed Paul.

16/12/2025

Christmas Masses

🎄 Christmas Eve – 24th December
• 6:00pm Mass
• Carols sung at 11:00pm, followed by Midnight Mass

🎄 Christmas Day – 25th December
• 10:00am Mass

All are warmly welcome — please join us as we celebrate Christmas together.

13/12/2025

Gadaute Sunday – Advent Message ✨🕯️

As we observe Gadaute Sunday tomorrow, during this sacred season of Advent, we are called to pause in gratitude and reflect on the hope we have in Christ. Advent is a time of watchful waiting, prayerful preparation, and joyful expectation of the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

This special observance reminds us to give thanks for God’s faithfulness, to strengthen our unity as the body of Christ, and to renew our commitment to love and service. As we wait in hope, may our hearts be prepared to receive Him with reverence and joy.

May the Lord bless us and guide us in peace and holiness.
Amen. 🙏

19/10/2025

Saint Paul of the Cross✝️

18/10/2025

✨Saint of the Day, St Luke✨
Lived during the 1st Century and passed away around the age of 84.

🙏 Known as the Patron Saint of:
🎨 Artists | 💍 Bachelors | 📚 Bookbinders | 🍺 Brewers | 🔪 Butchers | 🪞 Glassworkers | 💎 Goldworkers | 🪡 Laceworkers | ✍️ Notaries | 🩺 Physicians & Surgeons

🕊️ Canonized before the Congregation of Saints was formally established — one of the early saints of the Church!

06/10/2025

06/10/2025

More pictures from yesterday’s celebrations
🙏🏽🌹❤️