All Saints Margaret Street.

Dear friends,

As we begin the new year, I have much good news to report to you about the progress of our fundraising campaign for the All Saints’ Choir and Music Trust.

I have, once again, been bowled over by the generosity of so many parishioners and friends who have contributed to our campaign since I last reported on our progress before Christmas.

The important news I have to reveal is that we have just received an exceptionally generous donation from the United States of $140,000, which equates to around £110,000.

This is a remarkable donation and I want to thank the benefactor for his outstanding kindness and magnanimity towards our parish. It will make a significant difference to the endowment we are seeking to build up and will result in an immediate increase in income from the Music Fund which will go to support our Music programme. Many thanks from the bottom of my heart.

This impressive gift now means the total we have raised since we began our Music Appeal three months ago is £213,608.07. This is a momentous achievement and has far outstripped all the estimates our PCC made of where we thought we would be by this stage in this campaign.

I ask you all to include a particular prayer of thanksgiving to God this Sunday when you come to Mass for what we have achieved together, and for the generosity he has prompted in the hearts of so many.

In addition to this significant leap ahead in the total sum raised, we have also seen a gradual and steady increase in the number of people who have subscribed as Music Patrons. We now have 25 Patrons, who, between them, contribute £667 each month to the Music and Choir Trust. This amounts to £8004 per year (a total of £10,005 with Gift Aid).

As we move forward with the campaign, now is the time to push awareness of our Music Patrons scheme, and to encourage every parishioner who has not yet joined to consider doing so.

To join the Music Patrons of All Saints’, simply set up a regular gift of at least £10 a month to our Choir and Music Trust via this link. If you are an American tax payer, you can become a Music Patron by making a regular gift of at least $15 a month via our Chapel and York account here.

I want to say a huge thank youth all who have contributed in any way to the success of our fundraising campaign so far. When I celebrate the High Mass on Sunday, my intention at the altar as I pray for our parish will be one of thanksgiving to God for the way in which he has blessed our efforts.

Thanks be to God for what we have achieved, and let us pray for the success of the remaining events in our Music fundraising calendar over the next year, that our parish’s musical tradition, which is so precious to us may be preserved, strengthened, and maintained for generations to come.

Fr Peter

Candlemas 2026

Liturgical arrangements for the feast of the Presentation of the Lord 2026:

Saturday 31st January 2026
6.00 pm  Confessions
6.30 pm  Vigil Mass of Candlemas
Sunday 1st February 2026
8.30 am  Low Mass
11.00 am  High Mass with blessing of candles
Preacher: Fr Peter Anthony
Music: Mozart, Missa Brevis in F, K192; Peter Phillips, Hodie Beata Virgo.
5.15 pm  Low Mass
6.00 pm  Candlemas Carol Service with Benediction of
the Blessed Sacrament
Music: Wood, Hail Gladdening Light; Byrd, Suscepimus Deus; Mendelssohn, Richte mich Gott; Schütz, Nunc Dimittis; Rheinberger, In Deo speravit; Sumsion, O Salutaris Hostia; Henschel, Tantum Ergo.

Zoom Theology

Join us online for our next Zoom Theology Seminar on Tuesday 27th January at 7pm about the 17th Century writer, mathematician and theologian, Blaise Pascal.

We are delighted that Dr Tomlin will join us to discuss his recent book Blaise Pascal: The Man Who Made the Modern World, which draws on his longstanding interest and extensive academic research in the field.

The seventeenth century polymath’s misunderstood ‘wager’ is only one small aspect of an extraordinary life. Although he died at 39, Pascal’s work covered numerous disciplines, and his writing explores especially movingly topics of faith, reason and human existence.

To attend, simply follow the link here. It would be useful, though not essential, to have read Bishop Tomlin’s book in preparation for the seminar.

Confirmation classes begin

Please note that this year’s first confirmation class for those preparing for the Sacraments of Initiation begins on Wednesday 21st January at 7.00 pm after the evening Mass.

If you would like to be baptized and/or confirmed, please be in touch with Fr Alan. There is still time for people to join the group of candidates.

The confirmation will take place at the 11.00 am High Mass on Sunday 21st June 2026. Do put this in your diary as a special day to support our candidates as they make this important step  in their journey of faith.

American Friends of All Saints’

There will be a drinks party held on Friday 20th March 2026 at the House of the Redeemer, New York City at 6.30 pm to celebrate the contribution to our parish’s life made by the American Friends of All Saints’, Margaret Street.

We hope this special occasion will be an opportunity for American Friends who live in or near New York to re-connect with All Saints’ and for us to thank our American benefactors for their support. Both Fr Alan and Fr Peter will be present.

This drinks party will be proceeded by a Mass celebrated by Fr in the Chapel of the House of the Redeemer at 6.00 pm, giving thanks for the life of All Saints’, for any who wish to attend.

If you live anywhere near New York City, do put this event on Friday 20th March in your diaries and come and see us. It will be wonderful to see new friends and old. You can book a ticket for the event via Eventbrite here.

Attendance last Sunday

For your prayers