St. Anselm, Dartford

Introduction

The church is distinguished by relics of Saint Anselm, Saint Rosaline, Blessed Edmund Rice and Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross sealed in its altar.

History

In 1851, Father Maurice of Cossato, a Capuchin friar from Piedmont, opened a Catholic Mission at St Ronan’s, East Hill. Father Edmund Buckley gave a purpose-built church in 1887.

The church in Spital Street opened in 1900 and a pipe organ was installed in the early 1900s. Mr W Firmin was almost certainly the first organist, playing from 1906 until 1915. In 1909 Gladys Peyman joined as assistant organist.

Music and liturgy

The choir dates back to the opening of the first chapel in Hythe Street and probably first sang on Easter Sunday 25 March 1866. With Vatican II and changes in the liturgy, the choir had to learn new masses in English.

Parish life

Sick parishioners are visited regularly by priests, deacon, parish sister, and ministers of the Eucharist, who bring Holy Communion to homes, residential and nursing homes, and hospitals. The priests visit Residential and Nursing Homes in turn to say Mass for the Catholic residents. A parish bereavement team meets regularly to pray for the deceased and their families and to offer support to the bereaved. The parish’s primary school is Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School, King Edward Avenue, Dartford.

Regular events

The parish holds a First Holy Communion Mass every year, with the Blessed Sacrament Procession usually on the next day. The parish holds penitential services in Advent and Lent where outside priests hear individual confessions.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The parish has a bereavement team that offers confidential, sympathetic, non-judgemental support to the bereaved. Parents of children to be baptised attend a course of preparation meeting for three evenings over three weeks. Couples wishing to marry must give at least six full months notice and attend a session of talks with one of the priests or deacon. The priests are on call 24 hours a day to help those who are dying, and their friends and families.

The parish has a memorial book in the church to keep alive the memory of those who have died. The parish offers anointing on call for the sick. The parish has a confirmation programme for young people who are in year 8 or aged 12+, baptised Roman Catholic, have made their first Holy Communion, and attend Sunday Mass weekly.

Visiting

St Anselm’s weekly newsletter carries the names of sick parishioners who have asked for prayers. A bereavement team member would be happy to visit you at home or meet with you at the presbytery, the parish room, the church, or speak with you on the telephone.