Christ The King, Reading

31/10/2025

We are excited to announce the launch of Fr. Daniel Agber’s forthcoming memoir:
Legacy of Grace: A 60-Year Journey of Faith, Resilience, and Compassion

This will be held on Saturday, 15th November 2025 and will coincide with Fr. Daniel’s 60th birthday & 34th priestly ordination anniversary celebrations.

This book reflects his personal story, with a deeper journey of service, faith, and the enduring hope that has guided his priesthood.

Proceeds from the book will go towards supporting the work of the Torjir-Agber Foundation ( https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581756042616 ) that gives hope and dignity to the less privileged through education, health, and empowerment initiatives in Nigeria.

Please donate to this cause: https://click.contact.justgiving.com/?qs=a3ca5722fa95dea44cadb44d5585faa2e089af0cbace1f0fb82636bcce53c0e5f3605aea931b602698f6a92ed87d274a0f600a3e1f4073d1

11/07/2025

Tonight is the night and what a glorious evening it is set to be. Don't miss it!

29/06/2025

SAINTS PETER & PAUL: When the Broken Become Builders - Fr. Daniel Msugh Agber

There is an African Proverb: “Even a broken clock is right twice a day.” It sounds like a joke—but it holds deep truth. Even what’s broken still has purpose. That’s the wisdom at the heart of today’s feast. Saints Peter and Paul—by all human standards—should’ve been disqualified. One denied Jesus. The other hunted His followers. Yet these two “broken clocks” became the rock and the voice that built the Church.

St. Peter: Bold with words, weak with courage. Impulsive and spoke before thinking. Self-interested, almost transactional. Fearful and unfaithful under pressure. Struggled with consistency. He promised to die with Jesus, then denied Him when a servant girl asked a simple question. But God wasn’t done with him. In the first reading from Acts of Apostles, we see Peter chained in prison—helpless, waiting. Then the angel of the Lord nudges him: “Get up.” That’s all it took. The chains fell. The doors opened. There are many walking free but still chained inside—chained by shame, disappointment, by guilt, by betrayal, by failure, by secrets. But God doesn’t shout. He nudges. He whispers: “You’re not done yet.” You may have lost your way, but Heaven has not lost your address.

St. Paul: Brilliant, fiery, dangerous. He began as a violent enemy of Christ. But when Jesus met him, grace turned a weapon into a witness. By the time he writes 2 Timothy, Paul is aged and abandoned. No crowds. No miracles. No angel this time—just peace. “I have fought the good fight. I have kept the faith.” That’s the voice of someone who knows that the same Christ he once persecuted now walks beside him in his weakness. And that speaks to anyone today who has given all—parents, leaders, caregivers, servants—who wonder if it was worth it. God sees every sacrifice you’ve made in silence. And He will strengthen you when no one else applauds.

Then in the Gospel, Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?” Peter, broken but honest, says: “You are the Christ.” And Jesus says, “On this rock I will build my Church.” Not on Peter’s perfection. Not on his résumé. On his faith. On his yes. Jesus wasn’t rewarding Peter—He was commissioning him. Because that’s how God works. He doesn’t need stars. He calls servants. He builds with what’s cracked but open.

Look at the world: wars still rage—from Gaza to Ukraine, from Sudan to Congo. Entire generations of children are growing up under the sound of bombs, not lullabies. We’ve watched boatloads of migrants drown in the Mediterranean, seeking safety but finding silence. We see the rise of extremism, racial hate, political division, and economic injustice—and we ask: Where is God in all this?

Here in the UK, families struggle with the cost of living. Loneliness has become a hidden epidemic. Knife crime takes young lives in our cities. Even the Church faces scandal, decline, and deep divisions. In homes, marriages strain. Parents cry over children who no longer believe. And in many hearts, faith is growing cold.

Yes, the world feels broken. But so were Peter and Paul.

So what does this mean for us—in a world of war, in a Church full of wounds, in families facing crisis, in hearts struggling with doubt?

It means God still builds with what is broken.
It means our worst moments don’t disqualify us from divine purpose.
It means in a world falling apart, you and I can still be part of God’s rebuilding.

Peter was broken—but became a rock.
Paul was feared—but became a voice of faith.
And if God could use them, then yes, He can use you.
He can heal our homes. He can renew the Church. He can even bring peace to a bleeding world—through people like us who say yes, even when we feel unworthy.

So when the news overwhelms us, when the Church disappoints you, when your own life exhausts you—remember the broken clock. It still tells the right time—twice a day. And in God’s hands, so can you.

28/06/2025

THE SACRED HEARTS OF JESUS & IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY: A Feast of Two Hearts – A Call to Love, Hope, and Courage - Fr. Daniel Msugh Agber

Dear People of God,

Yesterday, we celebrated the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and today, the feast of the the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Church places before us two flames burning side by side. These are not just symbolic images; they are living realities of love, mercy, and suffering that continue to shape the world and touch our lives.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus is the very centre of divine love. A Heart that bleeds, not in defeat, but in redemption. A Heart that seeks out the lost, carries the broken, and forgives without limits. He is the Good Shepherd of Ezekiel who says: “I myself will look after my sheep. I will rescue them.” (Ez. 34:11–16). Even when we wander, His Heart keeps looking for us. And when we fall, it is this Heart that stoops to lift us up.

And the Immaculate Heart of Mary—what a treasure! A Heart that said “yes” to God without hesitation. A Heart that silently pondered divine mysteries, stood beneath the Cross, and never gave up on love. A Heart that continues to intercede, comfort, and protect.

Both Hearts are united: one pierced by nails, the other by a sword. Yet both still beat for humanity today.

Why does this feast matter, especially now?

Because we live in a world often starved of compassion, hardened by pain, and deafened by noise. The Two Hearts offer a different way—a way of mercy, truth, and hope.

The Sacred Heart invites us to love without counting the cost.
The Immaculate Heart teaches us how to love with purity, courage, and total surrender.

To all Christians everywhere: these devotions are not outdated traditions. They are lifelines. If your home is in turmoil, consecrate it to the Two Hearts. If your faith is dry, turn to these Hearts. If you’re burdened, wounded, or afraid, let their love lead you back to peace.

Now, permit me to speak especially, yet humbly and affectionately to my beloved friends and family in the Archdiocese of Abuja, particularly members of the Association of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Even from afar, my heart remains bound with yours. For over twenty years, I was privileged to walk that path of faith with you—as chaplain, companion, and brother. You are a radiant part of my priestly story.

I know that tomorrow, as is your tradition, you will gather in grand numbers once again to celebrate this great feast. While I cannot be physically present, please know—my prayers, my affection, and my priestly blessing are with you. I still cherish the journey we shared, and I remain proud of your enduring zeal, unity, and commitment.

You are the ones who carry this devotion forward. Do not get tired. Keep the fire burning. Let the Hearts of Jesus and Mary continue to shape your homes, families, hearts, your faith, and your future. Nigeria—our beloved country—needs the intercession of these Two Hearts now more than ever.

So today, I call on all who listen:
Let these Hearts be your refuge.
Let them be your compass.
Let them be your strength.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.

May God bless you all, and may His peace reign in your hearts—now and forever.
Amen.

15/06/2025

On Friday 11th July we welcome back the Arborfield Military Wives Choir for an evening of entertainment.
7:30-9:00pm
Free entry (donation to choir recommended).

08/05/2025

23/04/2025

21/04/2025

Obituary of Pope Francis, the 265th successor of Saint Peter, by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.

31/03/2025

Goodwill Message to All Mothers: You are God’s Greatest Gift - Fr. Daniel Msugh Agber

Dear Mothers,

Today, with hearts full of gratitude, we celebrate you, pillars of our families, the quiet heroes of our Churches and communities. You are God’s greatest gift to the world, reflecting His love and compassion in every moment of your lives. Through your sacrifices, tears, and countless acts of selfless devotion, you nurture the seeds of hope and strength in all those you touch.

You are there in the hardest of times, your strength never wavering. You endure the sleepless nights, the silent struggles, and the unseen burdens with grace and resilience. Your love is tireless and unconditional, lighting paths and mending hearts with a tenderness that mirrors God’s own love. For everything you give, for every silent prayer you offer, for every single time you place others before yourself—we honor you and thank you deeply.

Today, more than ever before, We lift you up, the extraordinary mothers into God’s loving care to bless you abundantly for your love and sacrifices. May He comfort you in your sorrows, heal your unseen wounds, and fill your hearts with His everlasting peace. May you all feel the warmth of God’s divine embrace and the gratitude of your children and those you nurture every day. May God’s grace sustain you always, and may His blessings multiply in your lives.

Once again, Happy Mother’s Day to all of you. We celebrate you today and every day. You are cherished, valued, and deeply loved. May God’s love and blessings surround you always.

Fr. Daniel Msugh Agber

31/03/2025

4th Sunday of Lent – Laetare Sunday & Mothering Sunday: “Rejoice! A Homecoming of Love, Mercy, and Renewal - Fr. Daniel Msugh Agber

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, the Church invites us to pause and rejoice as we celebrate Laetare Sunday—a day when the sombre tones of Lent give way to the light of hope and renewal. We also honour Mothering Sunday, a day to celebrate the sacrificial love of those who have nurtured us—our mothers, grandmothers, caregivers, and the Church herself. These two themes come together in a powerful message: No matter how far we have wandered, God’s love and mercy is calling us home.

A Homecoming of Renewal - Joshua 5:9a, 10-12:
In the first reading, the Israelites step into the Promised Land after forty years of wandering. God declares, “Today I have removed the reproach of Egypt from you.” The past is no longer their burden; a new beginning is dawned. Their burdens of the past are lifted, and they now begin a new chapter of freedom and abundance.

This is also our story. Many of us wander—struggling with guilt, doubt, or brokenness. We, too, very often carry burdens of regrets, shame, wounds of the past. But God, like a loving parent, never stops providing and guiding us, His mercy is greater. He invites us to step into renewal, leaving behind everything that keeps us from fully embracing His grace. It is therefore important to ask ourselves today:
 What “reproach of Egypt” do we still cling to?
 Are we willing to trust that God has a new beginning in store for us?
 What might we need to surrender today to embrace God’s promise of new life?
He invites us to step into renewal, leaving behind the weight of our past.

A Homecoming of Reconciliation - 2 Corinthians 5:17-21:
Saint Paul reminds us that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” God not only forgives us but also transforms us, making all things new. Paul urges us to be reconciled with God and one another, to let love heal what is broken in our hearts and relationships.

Reconciliation is not just a concept, a lofty ideal; it is a call to action. Is there someone we need to forgive, or an apology we’ve been reluctant to offer? Is there an old wound that needs healing? Like a mother who tirelessly mends divisions in her family, God longs to heal what is broken in our hearts, to heal the wounds that separate us from Him and from each other.

A Homecoming of Love - Luke 15:1-3, 11-32:
And then we come to the Gospel—the parable of the Prodigal Son. This story encapsulates the essence of God’s love: patient, forgiving, and full of joy. The younger son leaves home squanders everything and returns in shame. Expecting rejection, but he instead met with open arms, welcomed home not with judgment but with an embrace. His father runs to meet him—a profound image of God’s eagerness to forgive. This is the heart of God’s mercy. No matter how far we have strayed, He waits—not to condemn, but to embrace. His love is not based on our worthiness but on His faithfulness.

But let us not forget about the elder son, who refuses to rejoice at his brother’s return but is consumed by resentment! How often do we, too, hold unto the past grievances, bitterness, anger, refusing to celebrate the grace given to others? Today, God calls us not only to return home but to welcome others home, rejoicing in the mercy that is given to all.

Mothering Sunday: A Reflection on Unconditional Love:
On this day, we honour the love of mothers and all who have nurtured us. I know that most of us are characters, we are so impossible, unappreciative, disrespectful, ungrateful – always with that sense of entitlement, naughty, unteachable and very often we are the ones who complain more! Yet, our mother’s love is always forgiving, selfless, and unwavering—just like the love of God. Like the father in the Gospel, like God Himself, a real mother waits, welcomes, and restores.

Today I say to all of us who are children born of a woman that if there is distance between us and those who have loved us, today is a perfect opportunity to reconcile, express gratitude, and nurture the relationships that matter.

Living the Message:
Laetare Sunday calls us to rejoice—not because life is perfect, but because God’s love never fails. I therefore suggest that
# Like the Israelites, let us trust in God’s promise of freedom and grace.
# Seek reconciliation: Heal what is broken—in your heart, your family, and your community.
# Celebrate mercy: Rejoice in God’s forgiveness and extend that same forgiveness to others.

Happy Laetare Sunday and Mother’s Day to all mothers and God bless you all.