Sacred Heart of Jesus, Luton

Introduction

The church of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Luton was opened on 26th November 1950.

History

The Stopsley mission was founded from Castle Street in 1946, with Mass offered in Saint Thomas's church hall. In 1948, Father George Walker became the first resident priest. In 1960, the Presbytery was completed and the church was extended. The Society for the African Missions (SMA) looked after the Parish from 1976 to 2006.

Architecture and furnishings

A stained glass window depicting the Last Supper was installed in the sanctuary in 2013. A Pentecost stained glass window was installed in the sanctuary in 2014.

Music and liturgy

The Bethany Group Mass is a special Mass in the church for people with additional needs and their families and friends, usually every third Sunday afternoon of the month. Readers are commissioned on the Second Sunday of Advent each year for the service of the Parish. Altar servers belong to the Archconfraternity of St Stephen and new servers, after passing a simple test, can be enrolled as members and receive the Medal. Each year the Diocese holds a Mass at the Cathedral with the Bishop, which the church's servers attend. Penitential services are announced before Christmas and Easter.

Regular events

An annual service is held each November to remember those who have died during the previous year, followed by refreshments in the hall. Church flowers are arranged for weekly Masses, Christmas and Easter.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The parish asks that those requesting Baptism be registered and participating members for three months. Couples planning to marry are asked to attend a marriage preparation course at St Joseph's Parish Centre.

Parishioners volunteer to help parents of non-Catholic school children prepare their children for First Confession and First Holy Communion, with meetings in term time in the Parish Lounge. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion help distribute Holy Communion at Masses and may visit the sick and housebound with the Blessed Sacrament.

Visiting

The Parish Social Centre comprises a Hall and a Lounge with bar, kitchen and toilet facilities, used by Parish organisations and a select number of outside groups, and available for hire to registered parishioners for a specific event.