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On Monday, 30 March 2026, the President of the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), Mgr Mariano Crociata, shared the following message ahead the forthcoming celebration of Easter, at a time "marked by growing conflicts and tensions" - renewing the call for the European Union to promote peace, dialogue and solidarity among peoples. The Bishops of COMECE have follo... Read More

More than 50 students from St John Bosco Arts College, Croxteth, came together through music, dance and drama to perform a contemporary retelling of The Passion Play. Following Jesus' final hours, St John Bosco's Passion Play featured key moments including his betrayal at the Last Supper, as well as his trial, crucifixion and resurrection. A much-loved event in the school's calendar, students fr... Read More

"The abuse and manipulation of God's name to justify this and any other war is the gravest sin we can commit at the present time". Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Patriarch of Jerusalem, 17 March 2026. What do Peter Hegseth, US Secretary of Defence, Naim Qassem, secretary-General of Hezbollah, and Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israeli Minister of National Security, have in common? They all believe that mili... Read More

Gospel of 31 March 2026 John 13:21-33, 36-38 At that time: Jesus was reclining at table with his disciples. He was troubled in his spirit, and testified, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.' The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at the side of Jesus, so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask J... Read More

Lectio Hymn O Jesus I Have Promised The words of this much loved hymn of Christian discipleship, were written by an Anglican priest, John Ernest Bode (1816-1874) and had its beginning in the confirmation of the poet's daughter and two sons in 1866. Bode served a small parish near Cambridge, England, and when his three children were ready for confirmation and wrote this hymn especially for the occa... Read More

"Our presence among you is a reminder that you are not alone," said World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev Prof Dr Jerry Pillay during an ecumenical service held at the Episcopal Cathedral of Havana on 29 March. The service took place during a visit by global ecumenical leaders expressing solidarity with the Cuban people amid ongoing internal and external challenges. In his address,... Read More

Traffic came to a standstill in north London on Palm Sunday morning, as worshippers from several churches and their friends - waving palm and olive branches, gathered at the Manor House gates of Finsbury Park for Ecumenical prayers and Blessing of the Palms. Fr Clive Lee with parishioners from St Thomas More's Catholic church processed with Joseph the donkey. They were accompanied by singer Patric... Read More

Pope Leo XIV has prayed for seafarers who have died as a result of the Middle East conflict as well as for those who have sustained injuries and their families. In his Angelus address from St Peter's Square in the Vatican on Palm Sunday (29 March 2026), which was also posted on his official X account, the Pontiff said: "I also wish to entrust to the Lord the maritime workers who have fallen victim... Read More

The mural opposite the church, painted last September by local artists, was looking a little worse for wear. So, with Holy Week and Easter in mind, our mystery parish artists returned with a special message of love for Staines. Sure, it's no Banksy, but we hope that all who pass by will feel loved and uplifted as they head off to work, school, or leisure. Staines is our home, a place where strang... Read More

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land hereby confirm that the matters concerning the Holy Week and Easter celebrations at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre have been addressed and resolved in coordination with the relevant authorities. In agreement with the Israel Police, access for representatives of the Churches has been secured in order to conduct the liturgies and... Read More

Gospel of 30 March 2026 John 12:1-11 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The hous... Read More

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass for the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square on Palm Sunday. During his homily he reflected on Jesus as the King of Peace who rejects war and refuses to listen to the prayers of those who wage war. At the end of the Mass before the Angelus, Pope Leo read a heartfelt appeal for peace and called for prayers for all the victims of war. In his homily, Pope Leo said th... Read More

Lectio: Vexilla Regis As we begin Holy Week, moving onwards from Palm Sunday, it seems highly appropriate to reflect on an ancient processional hymn, which is one of the great treasures of the Latin liturgy, but has also been very successfully translated in English. This is the hymn, Vexilla Regis, which dates back to the 6th century. Originally composed by the poet and bishop of Poitiers Venantiu... Read More

"Let us not grow accustomed to the clamour of weapons and images of war!" Pope Leo XIV made this powerful appeal to the faithful of Monaco during the Mass he celebrated at Louis II Stadium during his one-day visit to the Principality. In his homily, the Pope stressed: "Every life cut short wounds the body of Christ," and reminded that, "Peace is not merely a balance of power; it is the work of pu... Read More