English Martyrs Church Reading

27/05/2026

24/05/2026

Donation for Chairs in our Parish Hall.

As announced some time back, we have had two donations for the purchase of more presentable and stronger chairs for our hall to replace the current ones, which are becoming increasingly unsafe. We once more thank the Anonymous Donor who gave £500 and Fr Richard, who, together with the Polish Community, raised £214. We have now bought 60 chairs, which cost over £2000. We need to get a total of 120 chairs. Any donation is welcome. If you would like to donate for one chair, you can pay £40 via the donation machine, by our bank account in the newsletter (reference – hall chairs) or by cash through the parish office. Thanks in advance for making our parish a more beautiful and safe place of prayer and fellowship.

24/05/2026

ALPHA FORMATION UPDATE:

Since launching Alpha 2026 at our parish on 13th May, we have been blessed with a wonderful turnout of guests joining us to explore the foundations of the Christian faith through deep discussions, great meals, and newly formed friendships. Collectively, we have reflected on the true purpose of life, who Jesus Christ is, and the empirical evidence of His existence and mission. 39 of us members joined together in fellowship during session 1 and 2.

As Alpha is designed for guests to join at any stage, we warmly invite parishioners, friends, and those of any faith or none to come along. Upcoming sessions will explore topics such as prayer, how God guides us, and growing in a deeper relationship with Him.

All are welcome every Wednesday evening from 6.45pm at English Martyrs Parish. For more information about Alpha, please contact Godly Sowah: [email protected].

24/05/2026

Pentecost Newsletter Doctrinal section: Sacraments

The sacraments offer a real encounter with Jesus Christ through which we are strengthened to live our faith each day.

- The sacraments “give the grace they signify” (CCC 1127).
- Through Baptism and Confirmation, we receive the Holy Spirit, who guides and strengthens us to witness to Christ with courage (CCC 1302–1305).
- In the Eucharist, we are nourished spiritually and united more deeply with Christ and His Church (CCC 1324).

24/05/2026

Pentecost Newsletter Reflection: EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT THROUGH THE SACRAMENTS

Pentecost reminds us that the Church was not born from human strength or planning, but from the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. The frightened disciples became courageous witnesses because they opened their hearts to God’s presence. The same Spirit given to them is given to us today, especially through the sacraments, where God continually pours His grace into our lives. In Baptism and Confirmation, we are sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit and strengthened to live as disciples of Christ, not only in extraordinary moments but also in the ordinary rhythm of our daily lives.

To live our faith docile to the Holy Spirit means learning to listen before we act, to pray before we decide, and to trust God even when the path is uncertain. The Holy Spirit speaks quietly through Scripture, through prayer, through the teachings of the Church, and through the grace we receive in the Eucharist and Reconciliation. He inspires patience when we are frustrated, compassion when we are tempted to judge, and courage when living the Gospel becomes difficult.

Pentecost challenges us to move beyond a faith that is practised only on Sundays. The Spirit desires to shape our conversations, our work, our family life, and our choices each day. Nourished by Christ in the Eucharist and renewed through the mercy of Confession, we are continually strengthened by the Holy Spirit to live lives of holiness and service. When we allow the Spirit to guide us, the fruits of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, kindness, and self-control, become visible in our lives and offer a witness to others.

As a parish community, Pentecost invites us to pray constantly: “Come, Holy Spirit.” When we surrender ourselves to His guidance, our parish becomes not simply a place we attend, but a living sign of Christ’s presence in the world.

12/05/2026

Pentecost Lunch - All Are Welcome

Join us at English Martyrs Church for our Pentecost Lunch on Saturday 24th May from 1:00pm–3:00pm.

This year we will also be celebrating Fr Richard’s 40th Ordination Anniversary.

Please bring a plate of food to share, and feel free to come in your national dress or colours representing your country’s flag.

One Spirit. Many Nations. One Church.

25/04/2026

BAPTISM PREPARATORY COURSES FOR 2026:

The next sessions will be on Tuesday 16 June, Tuesday 23 June and Saturday 27 June

In July, dates will be Tuesday 7 July, Tuesday 14 July and Saturday 18 July

There will be no course in August.

Attendance is compulsory prior to the baptism taking place.

25/04/2026

VOCATION PROMOTION VISIT: CANON JOHN COOKE

Have you asked yourself who is responsible for ‘finding’ your next priest? Is it down to Archbishop Richard Moth, Bishop Philip, or maybe even a task for Fr Gaston to plan for his own succession?

It may surprise you to realise that the duty of fostering and supporting vocations lies with the whole Christian community. What do you do to foster and support vocations? Whilst each of us must come to a realisation of our personal vocation through God’s plan for each of us, our call to holiness & discipleship in Jesus’ name, it is good to focus on the need for priestly vocations in our Diocese.

I hope that our visit to you, highlighting vocations, will be memorable, that it stirs up a fresh enthusiasm in the parish for praying for vocations, for actively encouraging vocations & for being open to the possibility of exploring a God-given call. And who knows, it may be the start of a journey towards the priesthood for one of your parish members sitting in the pews this weekend. We can all play a part in God’s Divine plan because the Holy Spirit works through each one of us.

25/04/2026

CONFIRMATION MASS

Let us continue to pray for our Senior Youth who will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation in a Mass to be celebrated by Bishop Philip in our Church on May 16th at 11 a.m.

25/04/2026

CENTENARY MASS WITH SCHOOLS

We shall have our Parish Centenary Mass with our two schools (EM Primary and BHFS) on May 8th. The Mass will begin at 10a.m not 9:30p.m. This allows us to celebrate our parish school link as part of our centenary celebration.