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Author: Fr. Matthew

  • News for 8th January

    Baptism, renewed.

    This Sunday we celebrate the great feast of the Baptism of the Lord. It celebrates the moment that Jesus was baptised in the river Jordan by John the Baptist and what many call the start of his adult and public ministry in the world. 

    It is a moment of affirmation of who He is – as he comes up from the water the heavens open and a voice speaks,

    ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him.’ (Matthew 3,17)

    There is no question here about who Jesus is – the Son of God – and we see one of the clearest depictions of the Holy Spirit in Scripture.

    God the father in voice from heaven, God the holy spirit descending as a dove and God the son in the person of Jesus Christ. 

    We celebrate this moment each year, as Christmas moves into Epiphany, as a stark reminder that we are called to go out in the world as Jesus did and are empowered to do so through our baptisms.

    Our baptisms are not just a one-off event that we may or may not remember. 

    They are not just a day in the diary that our Godparents send us a card – or it we’re lucky a present, to remember that special day. 

    They are not just an excuse for a party!

    They are the moment that we are given everything we need to in our lives to serve God.

    They are the moment that we are made ready to proclaim His Gospel to the world. 

    And every time we do… there is a voice from heaven proclaiming His favour on us. 

    Pray for the strength to step out in His name and proclaim Him anew.

    Fr. Matthew

    Downloads

    Look Sheet for 8th JanuaryDownload
    Bulletin for 8th JanuaryDownload

    Other News

    Alpha starts next week! (19th Jan) If you’re interested, or know someone who you think may be close to becoming Christian, given them a flyer or point them to our website at stanselm.matthewcashmore.com/alpha

    You’ll have noticed our new coffee bike is now in place alongside our new cafe area. We’ll be advertising shortly for somebody to come and run the cafe on our behalf for a set daily fee – if you know of anyone who may be interested please speak to Fr. Matthew.

    Fr. Josiah is organising our first family mass at the end of this month. If your child would like to take part, please speak to him. We’re very keen for children to lead the readings and the prayers – we have much to learn from them!

    Parent and toddler group will return in January, details to be confirmed but look out for posters and leaflets to share.

    Sunday School also makes a comeback from the first Sunday in February. 

    Our foodbank has been severely depleted by a significant rise in use over the new year. Please, please, please consider bringing some tins of meat, veg and pasta / rice to church.

  • News for January 1st, 2023

    Alpha, Stay Curious.

    We’re really excited to share that in January 2023 we’ll be running Alpha at St. Anselm in partnership with our dear friends at St. Edmund’s.

    Thursday evenings (7:30pm) from January 19th at St. Anselm church hall. (UB3 4DF)

    You’re invited.

    You are invited to Alpha for a time of great food, even better conversation and talks that make you think.

    If you come along, we won’t call you after, write, or ask you to pick up the cheque — the balls are completely in your court.

    What have you got to lose?

    What is Alpha?

    Alpha is a place to explore the Christian faith in an easy and friendly environment.

    There’s no cost, and no pressure. Just lots of great conversation and space to think.

    Each session starts with food and a short talk. Then there’s plenty of time to share your thoughts.

    There’s no follow up, charge, or pressure. No matter your background or beliefs, everyone’s welcome.

    Head to our website to find out more

    stanselm.matthewcashmore.com/alpha

    Fr. Matthew

    Downloads

    Bulletin for 1st January, 2023Download
    Look Sheet for Children for 1st January, 2023Download
    The Message and Readings for 1st January, 2023Download

    Other News

    We’re running Alpha from the 19th January. If you don’t know what Alpha is or want to sign up, head to the website at stanselm.matthewcashmore.com/alpha It’s a place to ask big questions about life, faith and love. We start each session with a hot meal and good chat.

    A huge thank you to everyone who made Christmas at St. Anselm such a huge success. We saw over 50 people at each of our major services which is huge growth and very encouraging for the year ahead. 

    You’ll have noticed our new coffee bike is now in place alongside our new cafe area. We’ll be advertising shortly for somebody to come and run the cafe on our behalf for a set daily fee – if you know of anyone who may be interested please speak to Fr. Matthew.

    In the coming month we’ll be launching a new after school lego club, if you’d like to help or be involved please be in touch.

    Fr. Josiah is organising our first family mass at the end of this month. If your child would like to take part, please speak to him. We’re very keen for children to lead the readings and the prayers – we have much to learn from them!

    Parent and toddler group will return in January, details to be confirmed but look out for posters and leaflets to share.

    Sunday School also makes a comeback from the first Sunday in February. 

  • News for Christmas Day

    The Arrival.

    A very merry Christmas.

    It has been a momentous year in the life of St. Anselm. We have had high points and low points, there have been times when we’ve wondered if things were going to work out and there have been times we’ve shared happiness and joy at the new things happening.

    We welcomed our new mission priest and his family, we’ve welcomed new people who have become part of our loving family and we’ve grown in both numbers and depth of love in Jesus. 

    We have much to be grateful for and even more to be excited about. 

    Christmas is a time to be excited, it is a time to put aside the cynicism and doubt we collect as we grow older and to re-capture the simple joy and expectation of children on Christmas Eve. 

    Be happy. Be joyful. Be expectant of how things will improve in your life in the coming year. 

    Most of all be joyful at the love of Jesus working in your life. When cynicism and doubt threaten to raise their ugly heads picture the Holy Family in the stable, surrounded by animals and embraced in their love for one another. 

    Be peaceful, be full of love.

    Fr. Matthew

    Downloads

    Bulletin for 25th DecemberDownload
    Order of Service for Midnight MassDOWNLOAD
    Order of Service for Christmas Day MassDOWNLOAD

    Other news

    All of us here at St. Anselm wish you a very happy and a very merry Christmas with all our best wishes and prayers for a wonderful new year. 

    It’s a very quiet week in church, but please do use the calendar to pray at home. 

    Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to make the church beautiful and welcoming over Christmas. People have been welcomed to a warm, clean and loving space, and that is down to a great deal of hard work – thank you. 

    Don’t forget we’re running Alpha from the 19th January. If you don’t know what Alpha is or want to sign up, head to the website at stanselm.matthewcashmore.com/alpha It’s a place to ask big questions about life, faith and love. We start each session with a hot meal and good chat.

  • News for 18th December

    The Arrival.

    Conclusion.

    For the past three weeks we have been on a journey of preparation which has led us into what Advent is about and what to expect during advent, the importance of scripture in our Christian journey by availing ourselves to the hearing, reading, marking and inwardly digesting the scriptures. We completed last week by focusing on knowing Jesus, loving Him and serving Him and indeed our own St. Richard of Chichester (1197-1253) made it simple for us with his prayer “…may I know you more clearly, love you more dearly and follow you more nearly, day by day”.

    This week we conclude by meditating on one of the most popular biblical quotes “For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16). 

    God first showed us love by giving us His only begotten Son, he first showed us love by first extending a hand of unconditional love. In showing His love He first acted, and it is our turn to respond to this act of love. God expressed this love so that we will not perish but be guaranteed eternal life.

    His son is going to be with us very soon and His coming is all about love, making things right and bringing us salvation. How do we express love to those around us? Are we ready and willing to give of our best to make others have some comfort? Are we ready to do something to help the less privileged in our community going through hard times in the cold? How are we expressing the love that God has shown us to those we come across? Let us meditate on this and ask God to speak to us to show love to the suffering.

    Fr. Josiah.

    Downloads

    18th December BulletinDownload
    Look Sheet for children for 18th DecemberDownload
    The Message & Readings for 18th DecemberDownload

    Other News

    Please make a special effort to come to our Advent & Christmas Carol service on Sunday evening at 6pm. You’ll get to see (and use) our new coffee bike which Fr. Matthew is picking up and will be arriving with at the end of the 10am Mass – be there to witness him trying to drive it into church!

    Advent & Christmas Dates:

    • Advent Course, Thursdays after mass (10:30am)
      and online via zoom (7:30pm) – 22/12
    • 18th December – Advent & Christmas Carols, 6pm 
    • 24th December – Crib & Carols Service, 3pm
    • 24th December – Midnight Mass, 11:30pm
    • 25th December – Christmas Day Mass, 10am

  • News for 11th December

    The Arrival.

    Part 3.

    Know Him, Love Him and Serve Him

    St. Richard of Chichester (1197-1253) said in a prayer “…May I know you more clearly, love you more dearly and follow you more nearly, day by day”. 

    We are anxiously waiting for the coming of our saviour Jesus Christ and one of the three things that Jesus expect from us is to Know him, love him and be ready to serve him. When we are expecting a guest in our homes, we try to know the person in order to prepare appropriately for his coming. We purpose in our hearts to show him love and to serve him.

    We can know Jesus through the scriptures by availing ourselves to teachings, prayer and the directions of the Holy Spirit. Through testimonies of the apostles, saints and believers who lived exceptionally good lives and how Jesus used them in the assembly. 

    1 John 4:19 says “We love because he first loved us” 

    Jesus has given us the example of love “greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friend” (John 15:13). 

    In loving Jesus, he expects us to love one another with an unconditional love because he first exhibited that love by laying down His life for us. It is therefore our calling to love our friends as ourselves. 

    We are also called to serve Jesus Christ by being each other’s keeper, being there for people especially in the time of their need. Jesus said in Matthew 20:28 “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…”. 

    Fr. Josiah

    Downloads

    Bulletin for 11th DecemberDownload
    The Message and Readings for Sunday 11th DecemberDownload
    Look Sheet for Sunday 11th DecemberDownload

    Other news

    Thank you to everyone who turned out to support the Ecumenical Carols at the Golden Disk this week. Over 200 leaflets were giving out with an invitation to join us this Advent & Christmas.

    Don’t miss 9 Lessons & Carols next week – a beautiful service of scripture and music.

    We welcome Ally (or organist) back this week – so bring your big singing voices!

    Advent & Christmas Dates:

    • Advent Course, Thursdays after mass (10:30am)
      and online via zoom (7:30pm) – 15/12, 22/12
    • 18th December – 9 Lessons and Carols, 6pm 
    • 24th December – Crib & Carols Service, 3pm
    • 24th December – Midnight Mass, 11:30pm
    • 25th December – Christmas Day Mass, 10am

  • News for December 4th

    The Arrival.

    Part 2.

    During Advent it is always important to take note of our approach to scripture in our Christian journey. 

    II Timothy 3:16 – 17 “All scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 

    So, we must allow scripture to inform us in all that do although sometimes it becomes difficult to defend our faith with the scripture due to the dynamics of our societies today, we must not give up but find other innovative ways to make the word of God known to the world.

    The Collect for 2nd Sunday in Advent from the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) shows it is The Lord who caused holy Scripture to be written for our learning and that we should hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them. 

    This Collect admonishes us to make time for the word of God and be ready to always hear them, spend some time in our personal devotions to read and make it a point to take note by marking them spiritually in our hearts. It goes on to tell us to avail ourselves for scripture learning so that it will move us to inwardly digest and or discern the will of God in our lives, be able to know God better to prepare well for His coming and be able to meet Him with confidence. Amen.

    Fr. Josiah

    Downloads

    Bulletin for 4th DecemberDownload
    Look Sheet for 4th DecemberDownload
    Readings and The Message for 4th DecemberDownload

    Other news

    Ecumenical Carols – join with Christians from across Hayes on Monday evening at 7pm at the Golden Disk in Hayes Town to sign carols and hand out flyers with details of all our Christmas services on. A great act of mission, faith and invitation – not to mention a great opportunity to prepare for Christmas. 

    Advent & Christmas Dates:

    • Advent Course, Thursdays after mass (10:30am)
      and online via zoom (7:30pm) – 8/12, 15/12, 22/12
    • 5th December – Ecumenical Carols at the Golden Disk, 7pm
    • 18th December – 9 Lessons and Carols, 6pm 
    • 24th December – Crib & Carols Service, 3pm
    • 24th December – Midnight Mass, 11:30pm
    • 25th December – Christmas Day Mass, 10am

    You can set up regular giving by direct debit with Parish Giving by calling 0333 002 1271 and quoting our Parish Giving Code – 230 623 503 (or online via stanselm.matthewcashmore.com/giving)

  • Christmas 2022

    It’s wonderful to be planning a range of Christmas events for 2022 with no worry about lockdown or any other changes! We’re excited to share our events for this Christmas.

    We kick off on Monday 5th December (7pm) at the Golden Disk in Hayes Town with a traditional sing-a-long carol concert. Carol Sheets are provided and it’ll be a great way to start Advent and get ready for Christmas.

    On the 18th December, 6pm we have a traditional service of Nine Lessons and Carols. This candlelit service traditionally marks the start of the last week of Advent and gets us ready for Christmas Day. Beautiful carols interspersed with the story of the nativity read from scripture. Calm, quiet and a perfect end to a rushed hard working term.

    On Christmas Eve join us for a great family service – Crib & Carols at 3pm. A riot of carols and fun as children take part in the nativity story and bring the figures from around the church to the crib at the front – all accompanied by your favourite carols. Hot Chocolate, mulled wine, mince pies and other treats will be available and we may even have a visit from Father Christmas before he sets off on his travels on Christmas Eve night. The service starts at 3pm.

    Later that night (11:30pm) join us for our traditional Midnight Mass – the first mass of Christmas is short and beautiful. Come and join us after you’ve been out and bring yourself to our calm and loving service.

    On Christmas Day we will have Christmas Day Mass at 10am. Come and share your stories of presents and family fun as we come together as the church family to wish each other the very best for the coming Christmas season.

    Christmas 2022

    • Advent Course, Thursdays after mass (10:30am) 1/12 8/12 15/12 22/12 and online – register here for the link – it will be sent each week automatically.
    • 5th December – Ecumenical Carols at the Golden Disk, 7pm
    • 18th December – 9 Lessons and Carols, 6pm
    • 24th – Crib Service, 3pm
    • 24th – Midnight Mass, 11:30pm
    • 25th – Christmas Day Mass, 10am (Fr. Josiah)

  • News for 27th November

    The Arrival, Part 1.

    Advent is a very important season in the Christian calendar because it is the beginning of the liturgical year. It is from Latin ‘Adventus’ which is translated as ‘coming’ or ‘arrival’ in Greek it is ‘Parousia’ and is used in the New Testament as ‘the second coming’. This is a season to prepare for the Nativity of Christ at Christmas. The liturgical Colour for this season is purple or violet. Advent is a four-week period in the church’s calendar, gives us four Sundays in Advent, and Christmas comes after Advent.

    What To Expect During Advent

    Advent Wreath/Advent Crown

    This is a Christian tradition, and the wreath is made with assorted green leaves which signifies continuous life. The laurel signifies victory over persecution and suffering; pine, holly, and yew, immortality; and cedar, strength and healing. The prickly leaves also signify and reminds us of the crown of thorns. The circle of the wreath symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found in Jesus Christ. Pinecones, nuts or seed pods used to decorate the wreath also symbolizes life and resurrection.

    The Four candles represent the four weeks of Advent. The tradition is that each week represents 1,000 years making 4,000 years from Adam and Eve until the birth of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Out of the four candles, three are purple and one is rose, and the purple candles symbolizes prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices, goods and work done at this time. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday called Gaudete Sunday and, on this Sunday, the liturgical colour is rose. This third Sunday is the Sunday of rejoicing because we have reached the mid-point of Advent. The light signifies Christ who is our light. In this modern era, a white candle is placed in the middle of the wreath which signifies Christ, and it is lit on Christmas eve.

    (from https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/the-history-of-the-advent-wreath.html)

    Downloads

    Bulletin for 27th NovemberDownload
    The Message & Readings for 27th November Download
    Look Sheet for Children 27th NovemberDownload

    Other news

    There will be a PCC meeting this Sunday (27th) immediately after mass. All are invited. It will be quite a long meeting so lunch will be provided and we may even go as far as turning the heating on! The accounts for 2021 will be presented.  

    Advent & Christmas Dates:

    • Advent Course, Thursdays after mass (10:30am)
      and online via zoom (7:30pm)
      1/12, 8/12, 15/12, 22/12
    • 5th December – Ecumenical Carols at the Golden Disk, 7pm
    • 18th December – 9 Lessons and Carols, 6pm 
    • 24th December – Crib & Carols Service, 3pm
    • 24th December – Midnight Mass, 11:30pm
    • 25th December – Christmas Day Mass, 10am

    You can set up regular giving by direct debit with Parish Giving by calling 0333 002 1271 and quoting our Parish Giving Code – 230 623 503 (or online via stanselm.matthewcashmore.com/giving)

  • News for 20th November

    Exciting times ahead.

    This week we’ve received two pieces of extraordinary news.

    As many of you know St. Anselm is ‘suspended’ by the Diocese of London. This essentially means that it’s at risk of ‘pastoral reorganisation’ – that reorganisation can include closure or being combined with another parish or having other things changed. 

    We were originally suspended in 2019, shortly after the Resolutions were passed, by the then Bishop of Willesden +Pete Broadbent. 

    Parishes that are suspended do not have a ‘vicar’ but rather a ‘priest in charge’ who can be removed by the bishop very easily.

    This is almost never good news for the parish involved!

    However, when I was licensed as priest in charge in 2020 it was clear that if we could demonstrate our ability to stand our own feet and to bring new people to Christ a new dawn may follow – and that has proved true.

    Next year the parish will be ‘unsuspended’ and – if the PCC and you would like to keep me – I’ll be installed as your vicar proper. 

    The Bishops of Willesden and Fulham have expressed their confidence in our brining new people to Jesus, in growing our congregation, and in becoming financially stable. 

    In addition to this wonderful news they have also made a one off grant to us of £50,000 to help us on that journey! 

    I don’t think they could have made a clearer declaration of their confidence in us here at St. Anselm.

    This is a testament to all your hard work and prayer over the last two years and I have been humbled and honoured to be your priest in charge and look forward to being your vicar!

    Fr. Matthew

    Downloads

    Bulletin for 20th NovemberDownload
    Look Sheet for Children for 20th NovemberDownload
    The Message and Readings for Sunday 20th NovemberDownload

    Other news

    There will be a PCC meeting next Sunday (27th) immediately after mass. All are invited. It will be quite a long meeting so lunch will be provided and we may even go as far as turning the heating on! The accounts for 2021 will be presented.  

    You can set up regular giving by direct debit with Parish Giving by calling 0333 002 1271 and quoting our Parish Giving Code – 230 623 503 (or online via stanselm.matthewcashmore.com/giving)

    Advent & Christmas Dates:

    • Advent Course, Thursdays after mass (10:30am)
      and online via zoom (7:30pm)
      1/12, 8/12, 15/12, 22/12
    • 5th December – Ecumenical Carols at the Golden Disk, 7pm
    • 18th December – 9 Lessons and Carols, 6pm 
    • 24th December – Crib & Carols Service, 3pm
    • 24th December – Midnight Mass, 11:30pm
    • 25th December – Christmas Day Mass, 10am

  • News for 13th November

    War, what is it good for?

    War is just about the worst thing that we humans practice on each other. The moment we declare war on each other the rules of decent human love go out the window. 

    We dress this up by saying there are rules of war, that you can do this – but you can’t do that. You can arrest a soldier but you mustn’t mistreat him.

    It’s of little comfort when the aim appears to be to kill as many men, women and children as you can of the ‘enemy’. 

    The reality is of course that we have only one enemy in this life and he lives somewhere rather warmer than earth.

    It is that fallen creature that drives us towards hatred and the normalising of killing each other, of aiming missiles and guns at each other.

    There is only one enemy that helps us somehow make war okay – because we have ‘rules’. 

    War is never okay. It is never okay because it requires us to cease to love our neighbour as ourselves – as Jesus loved us and as He continues to love us.

    War starts in the small acts of aggressions we show each other every day. War starts in the nastiness of our own hearts when they are not full of the love that Jesus gives us.

    Pray that your own heart is shed of any hatred and aggression, that it is instead filled with Jesus’ Love. Pray that the hearts of others are filled with that love. Pray that one day we will be able to say that War is a thing of the past. 

    Fr. Matthew

    Downloads

    Bulletin for 13th NovemberDownload
    Look Sheet for 13th NovemberDownload
    Readings for 13th NovemberDownload

    Other News

    The Hayes Town Christmas Lights will be turned on from St. Anselm at 4pm on Thursday. The massed choirs of the local schools will be turning out and it would be great if we could have a mulled wine & mince pie stall set up to help raise funds for the church. We’re expecting hundreds of people! Please speak to Fr. Matthew 0r Fr. Josiah if you can lend a hand.

    Did you know you can support the parish by giving via Direct Debit? It’s super easy to set up and you can control it over the phone or via the website. It has a HUGE upside for the church as it means we automatically collect the Gift Aid on it (at no cost or fuss to you, the money comes direct from the Government). There are currently only 4 of us set up for Parish Giving but that brought in over £600 in additional Gift Aid last year, imagine if we were all doing this!

    You can set it up by calling 0333 002 1271 and giving them our Parish Giving Code – 230 623 503 

    Envelopes are still also available – please do speak to David if you don’t have a giving envelope and would like to help fund our mission.