Thursday Evenings from 1st October 2026 at St. Mary’s

Thursday Evenings at St Mary’s 7-8pm from October 1st

Thursday evenings from October 1st will offer a varied programme of prayer, worship, formation and fellowship, open to the whole parish.

The evening may include:

• Adoration and Benediction
• The Rosary and other traditional devotions
• Scripture evenings and lectio divina
• Catechesis on the Catholic faith
• Video presentations followed by discussion
• “Ask the Priest” evenings and open Q&A
• Talks on the saints and Church history
• Sacred art, music and architecture
• Introduction to Gregorian chant and the music of the Mass
• Explanations of the Mass, the Sacraments and the Church’s liturgy
• Practical evenings on how to pray
• Stations of the Cross and other seasonal devotions
• Testimonies from parishioners, converts and invited guests
• Vocations evenings
• Marriage and family-life evenings
• Apologetics and some of the difficult questions people ask about the Catholic faith
• Church tours and opportunities to learn about vestments, sacred vessels and other aspects of Catholic worship
• Film evenings
• Catholic book or reading evenings
• Parish suppers, refreshments and social evenings
• Opportunities for works of mercy and practical service
• Seasonal celebrations during Advent, Lent, Easter and throughout the Church’s year
• Occasional pilgrimages, processions or visits to our other churches
• Shorter half-hour gatherings on PPC evenings

These evenings are particularly suitable for those becoming Catholic, our Confirmandi, and parents of children preparing for First Confession and First Holy Communion, but they are truly for everyone.

We especially encourage parishioners simply to come along. You do not need to be attending a course or preparing for a Sacrament. Your presence, conversation, welcome and friendship can be every bit as important as the formal teaching. Formation in the faith happens often through meeting other Catholics, praying together, asking questions, sharing experiences and simply spending time with one another.

The aim is simple: to pray together, learn together, get to know one another, and grow together as a parish family.

Come when you can, bring someone with you, and help make Thursday evening a regular meeting point for our parish family.