Diocese of Westminster

Continuing the Journey: Advent Day of Reflection for new adult Catholics
2026-11-28 10:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | St Mary Moorfields, 4-5 Eldon St, London, EC2M 7LS, United Kingdom
Continuing the Journey: Advent Day of Reflection for new adult Catholics
Saturday 28 November 2026, 10am to 4pm
Part of the Continuing the Journey series for new adult Catholics

Join us for a quiet day of reflection and discussion as we look forward to the start of Advent.
We will reflect on ‘Who am I?’ ‘Who has God made me to be?’ ‘How does God nourish me in my life, particularly during Advent?’
Please bring a packed lunch with you.
St. Mary Moorfields, 4-5 Eldon Street. London. EC2M 7LS

Please book in advance if you wish to attend. To book, please email: catadmin@rcdow.org.uk.

Proclaiming God’s Word: Exploring the Ministry of Reading
2026-10-31 10:00 - 13:00 | Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, London, London, SW1P 1QN, United Kingdom
Proclaiming God’s Word: Exploring the Ministry of Reading
The word of God is alive and active (Heb.4:12)
Our Catholic faith is alive! We practise our faith because it is an encounter, a relationship with Jesus Christ. We encounter Jesus first as the Word of God made Flesh. So God’s Word must have a central place in our lives.
The Ministry of Lector (Reader) is a privileged one. Each time we read and hear God’s Word, we encounter God anew. Those who proclaim God’s Word in the Liturgy are more than ‘readers’. We proclaim God’s Word in the words of Scripture. Therefore it is important for us to give time to our personal spiritual growth and formation.
These workshops will look at the Liturgy of the Word in the context of the Mass, how the Scriptures fit into the Liturgical Year, and look at the Scriptures themselves: what’s in the Bible? What’s it all about? How can we better understand God’s Word to enhance our proclamation and the congregation’s understanding?
Date: Saturday 31st October, 2026
Time: 10.00am – 1.00pm
Venue: Vaughan House, 46, Francis Street, London, SW1P 1QN
(Behind Westminster Cathedral)
(Nearest tube station: Victoria; on-street parking only)
Recommended donation £5, payable online, stating ‘Readers’ Formation’ as reference.

Procession of Our Lady of Willesden
2026-10-18 15:00 - 16:00 | Shrine of Our Lady of Willesden, Our Lady Of Willesden Church, 1 Nicoll Rd, London, NW10 9AX, United Kingdom
Join pilgrims in praying the Rosary for the protection of London and for Peace.
Preacher will be Archbishop Richard Moth, Archbishop of Westminster.

Catechists’ Course, Day 3: First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and The Liturgy of the Word with Children
2026-10-17 10:00 - 16:30 | Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, London, London, SW1P 1QN, United Kingdom
Catechists’ Course, Day 3: First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and The Liturgy of the Word with Children
Description:

All sessions are open to all catechists within the diocese, but please note some will be running at the same time.
Please book in advance by contacting Warren (details below), specifying which sessions you will attend.
Certificates for completing the Catechists’ course will be handed out at the end of the afternoon around 4:30pm and so we encourage everyone to stay for the whole day.
Please bring a packed lunch with you.
We will run four sessions on the day – two at the same time in the morning and two at the same time in the afternoon. The sessions will be:

Morning: Preparing Children for their First Reconciliation and The Liturgy of the Word with Children.
Preparing Children for First Reconciliation is primarily for those involved in preparing children to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time, but will also help other catechists discuss Reconciliation with teenagers and adults. The session will help them understand the Sacrament better, its development, purpose and how to encourage others to engage with Reconciliation meaningfully.
The Liturgy of the Word with Children is for those who lead Children’s Liturgy in parishes. This session will help them understand the principles of liturgy, particularly the Liturgy of the Word in Mass, and consider ways to share Scripture with children, using ideas and resources in keeping with the Directory for Masses with Children and the Guidelines from CBCEW.
Afternoon: Preparing Children for their First Holy Communion and Preparing Teenagers for their Confirmation.
Preparing Children for First Holy Communion is primarily for those involved in preparing children in the parish for their First Holy Communion. It will help catechists to understand the Mass, consider themes, methods and resources for FHC catechesis, and how to share our understanding with children and others.
Preparing Teenagers for their Confirmation is for those involved in Confirmation catechesis. It will discuss how catechists can work best with teenagers preparing to be Confirmed, and how we can understand the development of Confirmation; what should be included in Confirmation catechesis; and methods and resources used for Confirmation catechesis.

We invite First Holy Communion catechists to attend Preparing Children for their First Reconciliation (morning) and Preparing Children for their First Holy Communion (afternoon).
We invite Children’s Liturgy leaders to attend The Liturgy of the Word with Children (morning) and Preparing Children for their First Holy Communion (afternoon).
We invite Confirmation catechists to attend Preparing Teenagers for their Confirmation (afternoon), and Preparing Children for their First Reconciliation (morning).

Date: Saturday 17 October 2026
Time: 10am-4:30pm (please see description for the different sessions happening that day)
Venue: Ground Floor Meeting Room and Conference Room, Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, London, SW1P 1QN

Please book your ticket below in advance. If you have any queries, please email the Team Administrator at catadmin@rcdow.org.uk or telephone: 0207 798 9152.

Adoremus
2026-10-10 00:00 - 23:59 | St George’s Cathedral, Lambeth Rd, London, SE1 7HY, United Kingdom
A day of gathering as a national Church around the Blessed Sacrament.
More information to follow.

'Called to Serve' day for catechists, youth leaders and Caritas volunteers
2026-10-03 10:00 - 16:00 | Youth Ministry Retreat Centre, 125 Waxwell Lane, London, HA5 3EP, United Kingdom
Please note: The Called to Serve Day scheduled for 27 July has been cancelled. We look forward to welcoming you to our October day.

Are you a parish catechist?
Do you volunteer or work in your parish with children or young people?
Are you involved in social action in your parish?
Would you like to be involved in any of these ministries in your parish?

If you have answered yes to any of the above, then you are invited to our Called to Serve Day at the Westminster Youth Ministry Retreat Centre in Pinner, London, HA5 3EP, on Saturday 3rd October, 10am to 4pm. This day will be jointly led by the Agency for Evangelisation, Westminster Youth Ministry and Caritas Westminster, and our keynote speaker will be Fr Patrick van der Vorst (founder of Christian Art).
Join us as we celebrate our vocations to serve Christ and others in different ways in our parishes. The day will include opportunities to meet, discuss and pray with others in similar roles; find about useful resources; deepen our faith; and learn more through taster workshops led by Evangelisation, Caritas and Youth Ministry on the day.
This day in October is aimed primarily at those who live, work or serve in parishes in London, but is open to those in these roles from elsewhere in Westminster Diocese.
Refreshments will be provided but attendees should bring a packed lunch with them.
There is a donation of £10 per person for the day, and attendees need to book a place in advance. To do so, please register by 5pm on Monday 21 September 2026.
If you are unable to pay, please contact catadmin@rcdow.org.uk
Once you have booked you place we will email more information to you. If you have any questions about the day, please email Warren at catadmin@rcdow.org.uk.

Westminster Interfaith: 37th Annual Pilgrimage for Peace
2026-10-03 10:00 - 15:00
You are invited to join us for Westminster Interfaith’s 37th Annual Pilgrimage for Peace
2026 marks 40 years since our first Pilgrimage for Peace in 1986. This first pilgrimage took a group around Southall in West London, and 40 years on, we are returning!
We begin by meeting at 10am at St Anselm’s Catholic Church, UB2 4BE. Here there will be an opportunity to hear about the Catholic contribution to interreligious work in Southall, as well as to learn about the life of Br Daniel Faivre SG. Br Daniel, who lived in Southall, founded Westminster Interfaith in 1981.
From St Anselm’s we’ll travel around places of worship, stopping at one for lunch, and finishing around 3pm. Our exact itinerary will be updated once finalised.
Whilst we’d love for you to join us for the whole walk, we understand that Saturdays are busy! When reserving your ticket, please let us know if you’ll join or leave at some point throughout the day.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with us at westminsterinterfaith@rcdow.org.uk.

Catechists’ Course, Day 2: The Spirituality of the Catechist, and Baptism and the Catechumenal Model
2026-09-26 10:00 - 16:00 | Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, London, London, SW1P 1QN, United Kingdom
Catechists’ Course, Day 2: The Spirituality of the Catechist, and Baptism and the Catechumenal Model
Description:

Both sessions on this Day are core sessions for all catechists.
The day is open to all catechists within the diocese, but please book in advance by contacting Warren (details below).
Please bring a packed lunch with you.
The Spirituality of the Catechist (morning session) is for all catechists and will focus on how we can develop our faith as Catholic Christians, not just as catechists.
Baptism and the Catechumenal Model (afternoon session) is for all catechists and it will discuss the Sacraments, especially Baptism, and the different stages of catechesis based on the ancient catechumenate.

Date: Saturday 26 September 2026
Time: 10am-4pm
Venue: Ground Floor Meeting Room, Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, London, SW1P 1QN.
Please book your ticket below in advance. If you have any queries, please email the Team Administrator at catadmin@rcdow.org.uk or telephone: 0207 798 9152.

Continuing the Journey: Looking Back and Looking Forward
2026-09-19 10:00 - 13:00 | Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, London, London, SW1P 1QN, United Kingdom
Part of Continuing the Journey for new adult Catholics
Saturday 19 September 2026, 10am to 1pm
Join us as we reflecting together on the journey so far to being a new Catholic and where that road might take us. We will also discuss Catholic spiritual resources and habits which might help us in the coming months and years as we settle into the Catholic Church and our parishes.
Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, London. Victoria. SW1P 1QN.
Please book in advance if you wish to attend. To book, please email: catadmin@rcdow.org.uk.

Diocesan Walsingham Pilgrimage
2026-09-19 00:00 - 23:59 | Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, RC National Shrine, Houghton St Giles, Walsingham, Norfolk, NR22 6AL, United Kingdom
Led by Archbishop Richard Moth, we will be journeying to Walsingham for our 10th diocesan pilgrimage.
Sign up here!

Catechists’ Course, Day 1: An Introduction to Catechesis and Practical Skills for Catechists
2026-09-12 10:00 - 16:00 | Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, London, London, SW1P 1QN, United Kingdom
Catechists’ Course, Day 1: An Introduction to Catechesis and Practical Skills for Catechists
Saturday 12 September 2026, 10am-4pm (The two other days for this course will be 26 September and 17 October 2026)
Ground Floor Meeting Room, Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, London, SW1P 1QN.
Description:

Both sessions on this Day are core sessions for all parish catechists and will refer to key passages in the Directory for Catechesis.
The day is open to all catechists within the diocese, but please book in advance by contacting Warren (details below).
Please bring a packed lunch with you.
An Introduction to Catechesis (morning session) will provide a simple introduction to the main principles and practicalities of catechesis.
Practical Skills for Catechists (afternoon session) will provide concrete tools that can help catechists cope with the concerns that are a part of their Ministry.

Date: Saturday 12 September 2026
Time: 10am-4pm
Venue: Ground Floor Meeting Room, Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, London, SW1P 1QN.
Please book your ticket below in advance. If you have any queries, please email the Team Administrator at catadmin@rcdow.org.uk or telephone: 0207 798 9152.

Proclaiming God’s Word: Exploring the Ministry of Reading
2026-09-12 10:00 - 13:00 | Niland Conference Centre, 93 Elstree Road, Bushey Heath, Bushey, WD23 4EE, United Kingdom
Proclaiming God’s Word: Exploring the Ministry of Reading
The word of God is alive and active (Heb.4:12)
Our Catholic faith is alive! We practise our faith because it is an encounter, a relationship with Jesus Christ. We encounter Jesus first as the Word of God made Flesh. So God’s Word must have a central place in our lives.
The Ministry of Lector (Reader) is a privileged one. Each time we read and hear God’s Word, we encounter God anew. Those who proclaim God’s Word in the Liturgy are more than ‘readers’. We proclaim God’s Word in the words of Scripture. Therefore it is important for us to give time to our personal spiritual growth and formation.
These workshops will look at the Liturgy of the Word in the context of the Mass, how the Scriptures fit into the Liturgical Year, and look at the Scriptures themselves: what’s in the Bible? What’s it all about? How can we better understand God’s Word to enhance our proclamation and the congregation’s understanding?
Date: Saturday 12th September, 2026
Time: 10.00am – 1.00pm
Venue: The Niland Conference Centre, Rosary Priory,
93, Elstree Road, Bushey Heath, WD 23 4EE
(Nearest rail station: Bushey & Borehamwood; then bus 306 to Rosary Priory; ample parking available)
Recommended donation £5, payable online, stating ‘Readers’ Formation’ as reference.

Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage
2026-07-17 00:00 - 2026-07-25 23:59 | Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, 1 Av. Mgr Théas, Lourdes, 65108, France
Led by Archbishop Richard Moth, registrations for our diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes are now open!
Visit https://pilgrimages.rcdow.org.uk for more information.

Volunteer Fair
2026-07-04 15:00 - 17:00 | Westminster Cathedral Hall, Ambrosden Avenue, London, SW1P 1QJ, United Kingdom
This Saturday we’re hosting a Volunteer Fair, bringing together charities and community organisations from across the Diocese of Westminster.
The fair is a chance to meet local organisations, discover volunteering opportunities, and find out how you can put your time and talents at the service of others. Whether you are interested in supporting food banks, working with refugees, helping older people, accompanying people experiencing homelessness, or getting involved in parish social action, there will be a wide range of stalls to explore.
Date: Saturday 4 JulyTime: 3-5pmVenue: Westminster Cathedral Hall, Ambrosden Ave, SW1P 1QWCost: Free
Come along, speak to charity representatives, and discover how you can make a difference in your local community.

Gathering and Mass for New Catholics
2026-06-20 16:00 - 19:00 | Westminster Cathedral, Victoria Street, London, SW1P 1LT, United Kingdom
Talk at Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, SW1P 1QW from 4pm
Mass at Westminster Cathedral from 6pm
New Catholics and sponsors attending, please register by email: catadmin@rcdow.org.uk

Knife Crime Reduction Forum – Building Safer Communities Together
2026-06-18 19:00 - 20:15
Join Caritas Westminster and the Justice & Peace team of Tollington Park RC Parish for an important free online discussion on knife crime. Open to parishes, schools, young people, families, and the wider community, this forum will explore how we can raise awareness, support young people, and take action locally.
This event has grown out of ongoing concern and engagement with the issue of knife crime within the Diocese, including work by the Justice & Peace group of St Mellitus RC Church over a number of years, alongside Caritas Westminster’s involvement in related projects addressing knife crime and youth violence. Knife crime, however, is not an issue confined to one parish—it is affecting communities across London, particularly young people and their families. Between January 2025 and January 2026, London recorded around 14,900 knife crime offences The Metropolitan Police area continues to record the highest knife crime rate in England & Wales, and around half of knife crime victims in London are under 25.
The forum brings together parishes, parishioners, and community members from across the Diocese to share experiences and explore how we can respond more effectively at a local level. It is also a chance to hear what is already happening in different parishes and to learn from one another in a spirit of collaboration, encouragement, and shared commitment.
Sacha Ray, CEO of the charity Lives Not Knives – a youth-led organisation that works to tackle knife crime and prevent violence and anti-social behaviour among young people – will be one of the speakers, sharing her experience of working with young people and how to facilitate a youth-led approach.
During the forum we will:
· Share examples of initiatives and activities already taking place in parishes and communities
· Hear what other parishes have done to respond to knife crime in their communities
· Explore simple, practical ways to raise awareness locally
· Encourage ideas and action within parishes and communities
· Create space for discussion, sharing, and mutual encouragement
This forum is open to all and especially relevant for parishioners, catechists, clergy, youth leaders, educators, parents, young people, as well as anyone involved in ministry, outreach, or community life. Whether you are already active in this area or simply want to learn more, you are very welcome.
Date: 18th JuneTime: 7:00pm – 8:15pmLocation: Online (Microsoft Teams)

'John Paul II' Football Tournament
2026-06-06 00:00 - 23:59 | Club Des Sports, The Park Club East, Acton Lane, London, W3 7HB, United Kingdom
This year the JP2 Cup is back!
On the 6th of June 2026, 8 teams will go head to head in a round robin of 5-a-side football for the chance to be the 2026 Diocesan winners of the Cup!
If you are a young man between the ages of 18 and 35 and interested in signing up, gather a team, nominate a captian and contact youth@rcdow.org.uk or call 02037572516.
Each team will need at least 10 players to qualify.
Don’t have a team? Need a few more players to reach 10? Get in touch and we can help allocate a team or find you some players.
Please note: to enter you must be over 18.
We ask for a donation of £90 per team which goes towards covering costs of the day.
Want to volunteer to be a referee? Let us know!
Check out the video from last year! See you there!

Explore The Chosen
2026-05-30 14:00 - 17:30 | Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, London, London, SW1P 1QN, United Kingdom
This will be an interactive session where you will have the opportunity to see different ways to help people encounter Christ through this wonderful TV series.
Sign up here: https://wkf.ms/45MB6L6?text0=

London Eucharistic Octave 2026
2026-05-30 00:00 - 2026-06-07 23:59 | Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 1-5 Maiden Lane, London, WC7E 7NB, United Kingdom
A Eucharistic Octave at the Diocesan Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament in Covent Garden.
Saturday 30th May
6:00pm: Sung Mass in the Roman Rite (English) opening the Octave
Vigil Mass of the Most Holy Trinity
Sunday 31st June
9:30am: Said Mass in English
11:30am: Sung Mass in Latin
5:00pm: Holy Hour with Vespers, Rosary & Benediction
Monday 1st June
6:30pm: Missa Cantata
Celebrant: Fr Alan Robinson, Rector of Corpus Christi
Preacher: Fr Joseph Bailham, OP, Rector of the Rosary Shrine
Tuesday 2nd June
6:30pm: Mass in the Gheez Rite (Eritrean)
Celebrant & Preacher: Fr Ephrem Andom, Chaplain to the Eritrean Gheez Community in London
Wednesday 3rd June
6:30pm: Ukrainian Catholic Divine Liturgy
Celebrant & Preacher: Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Great Britain

The Annual Quarant’Ore Devotions will take place from the end of Mass on Thursday evening until Saturday 6pm. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed from 7am – Midnight during this time.
To submit a prayer intention or to have a lamp burning before Our Lord, click here

Thursday 4th June
6:30pm: Mass in the Roman Rite (Latin)
Mass opening Annual Quarant’Ore Devotions
Celebrant: Fr Alan Robinson, Rector of Corpus Christi
Preacher: Mgr Philip Whitmore, Rector of St James’s, Spanish Place
Friday 5th June
7am – Midnight: Continuation of Quarant’Ore Devotions
6:30pm: Ordinariate Use of the Roman Rite
Celebrant & Preacher: Fr Mark Elliott-Smith, Rector of Our Lady of the Assumption & St Gregory, Warwick Street
Saturday 6th June
7am – 6pm: Continuation of Quarant’Ore Devotions
6pm: Mass in the Roman Rite (English)
Mass closing the Annual Quarant’Ore Devotions
Celebrant & Preacher: Fr Alan Robinson, Rector of Corpus Christi
Sunday 7th June
11:00am: The Solemnity of Corpus Christi followed by a Eucharistic Procession through Central London from Maiden Lane to Warwick Street
Celebrant & Preacher: The Rt Revd Paul Mason, Bishop of the Forces
2:00pm – 3:30pm: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, at Warwick Street. Opportunity to purchase lunch from local shops around Regent Street / Piccadilly.
3:30pm: Continuation of The Annual Corpus Christi Procession Departing from Warwick Street at 3:30pm, towards Spanish Place via the Ukrainian Cathedral. Concluding with Pontifical Benediction, imparted by The Rt Revd Paul Mason, Bishop of the Forces.

Mass for Matrimony
2026-05-23 14:30 - 16:00 | Westminster Cathedral, Victoria Street, London, SW1P 1LT, United Kingdom
Celebrated by Archbishop Richard Moth, the Mass for Matrimony is an opportunity for couples with significant wedding anniversaries (5th 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th and every year over 60) to join together in celebration.
For more information, speak to your parish priest or contact family@rcdow.org.uk.
