What does it mean to be a parish today? It’s more than a building or a Sunday routine; it’s a place where faith is lived in community with others. As the Church teaches in Sacrosanctum Concilium, local parishes are ‘the visible Church constituted throughout the world.’ That truth came to life on 21 June at St Teresa of the Child Jesus in Borehamwood, where parishioners gathered to mark the 100th Anniversary of their church’s foundation.
Founded on Trinity Sunday in 1925 by Cardinal Bourne, just weeks after St Therese of Lisieux’s canonisation, the parish began in a small chapel that held only fifty worshippers. In his message for the occasion, Cardinal Vincent Nichols noted how ‘from humble beginnings [St Teresa’s] has become a spiritual home to so many over these past hundred years.’
This milestone was a celebration of the diverse community which has grown there. On this occasion, the Church was visible in the faces, voices and lives of those gathered in Borehamwood.
A key chapter in recent decades was written by Fr Dominic McKenna, parish priest from 2010 until 2023. Cardinal Nichols noted that one of his most enduring legacies is the Borehamwood Foodbank, started after an ecumenical meeting and supported by parish generosity. By feeding those in need, the Foodbank has put the Gospel into action in a practical way.
During the Centenary Mass, music and prayers from Filipino, Igbo, Polish, Portuguese and other traditions highlighted the parish’s diversity. Cardinal Nichols observed that such variety ‘comes as a gift of Christ’ and is held together by the unity he provides.
After Mass, the parish hall was renamed in memory of Fr Dominic. Awards were given to long-serving volunteers and to young members who had shown great service.
Sue Partington, former parish administrator for 15 years, said, ‘I think primarily it’s a parish that demonstrates its faith in real, practical ways. It’s the parishioners that make Borehamwood so special.’ A young parishioner added, ‘You’ll never see a more together parish, and this is why I love Borehamwood so much.’
Cardinal Nichols closed his homily by quoting Jesus: ‘Come to me,’ and thanked the parishioners, Fr Dominic, and now Fr Jude, for putting those words into action. As one of the first parishes to be dedicated to St Therese of Lisieux, the Cardinal encouraged those present to follow her example: ‘to do the small things well, to be missionaries here’.
