Featured Events
Patronal Festival & Confirmation 2022
The last weekend of September is our Patronal Festival each year - the celebration of St Gabriel the Archangel. For 2022 we followed our usual practice, with the St Gabrieltide Dinner (a formal reception and dinner party) on Saturday evening, and a High Mass and Procession on Sunday morning. This year the Bishop of Willesden joined us as celebrant and preacher, and he also administered Confirmation to seven candidates from our church.
The tables ready for the Saint Gabrieltide Dinner to commence.
Diners enjoying each other's company as the kitchens begin to serve.
The candle-light dinner is a highlight of our year together annually.
Fr Timothy (their parish priest since before they were born) presented these & other candidates to the Bishop.
The Bishop officiated at a Pontifical High Mass & Procession.
The Gospel is proclaimed by the Deacon, Fr Callan.
The Bishop spoke of the gift of our names, and the need to respect each other's stories.
Bishop Lusa at the font, where vows were made and renewed.
One by one the candidates knelt before the Bishop to receive the sacrament of Confirmation.
The Bishop is censed at the offertory.
The Eucharistic Prayer is the very heart of our worship, uniting us with all the faithful in Christ crucified.
One of many cakes on tables groaning with food for the Sunday buffet luncheon.
The Bishop with the sacred ministers, the parish priest, and the altar servers (acolytes, crucifer, thurifer, missal bearer, vimpa, & MC).
Bishop Lusa and Father Timothy pictured with the Confirmation candidates after the service.
Walsingham Pilgrimage 2022
Each summer a group of pilgrims sets off from North Acton, led by our Cell of the Society of Our Lady of Walsingham, to journey prayerfully to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in rural north Norfolk. There we join with the resident community and hundreds of fellow-pilgrims from around the country, for a very special week of good liturgy, good food, and good company, in the charming and idyllic surroundings of the Shrine, with its beautiful buildings, luxurious facilities, and immaculate gardens. It is always a wonderful week, a real highlight of the year - and 2022 was no exception!
Tuesday mass in St Anne's Chapel.
A stroll to Warham railway station to see the resident chickens.
Pilgrims walking the Holy Mile.
Some pilgrims prefer to be carried.
Wednesday's mass in St Thomas Becket's Chapel.
The grounds are stunning.
Thursday's mass in St John the Evangelist's Chapel.
The High Altar of the Shrine Church.
There is always a trip on the local narrow-gauge light railway.
Friday's mass in the Holy House, under the image of Our Lady of Walsingham.
Food is good, plentiful, and with many options daily.
Some pilgrims choose to walk the Holy Mile barefoot.
Stations of the Cross is one of the many devotions during the week.
The accommodation is beautiful.
The countryside is spectacular.
The solemn stillness and beauty of the Shrine buildings.
Everyone loves a train ride.
Some St Gabriel's pilgrims.
Contemplation in the quiet gardens.
The group liturgies are spectacular, especially Benediction.