St Benedict's, Ealing

Introduction

The parish church is the Abbey Church, with the monastery alongside it. The Abbey has 13 candle stands that are cleaned weekly.

Music and liturgy

The church is about ten minutes' walk from Ealing Broadway. Parishioners can join the monastic community as they offer the Conventual Masses and the Divine Office. The Abbey's day runs from Matins at dawn to Compline at sunset.

Parish life

The church building is open to everyone from early to late. There is parking at the rear of the Church in the School playground. There is disabled parking at the front or back of the Church. The parish community is large and truly international, drawing people from all over the world.

The parish is cared for and served by the Benedictine Monastery of Ealing Abbey. The parish runs Family of Faith, which helps families grow in following Jesus Christ in their home life. Families in the Family of Faith group meet monthly for community, prayer and activities, with at-home resources provided. The parish no longer runs a separate Confirmation preparation; young people are formed through the Youth Group and can request Confirmation when ready.

Anchor is faith formation for children aged 6-11, with enrolment encouraged for children attending non-Catholic schools. The St Vincent de Paul group at the parish needs volunteers to visit the sick, bring people to Mass and help with the soup kitchen.

The parish has a team of trained volunteer visitors who visit people in hospital to pray with them and/or bring Communion. The Abbey has a Bereavement Support Group whose members provide support, distinct from professional counselling. The Pastoral Council acts as an advisory body for the Parish Team and helps steer various aspects of parish life.

The parish offers the RCIA journey through sessions held mainly on Thursdays throughout the calendar year. RCIA at St Benedict's is run by a team of volunteer catechists and helpers. The Aid to the Church in Need group raised £2002 for the Lebanon Fund through a raffle and Bread and Soup lunch.

Regular events

The parish organises a pilgrimage to Rome from 17 to 21 November 2025. Ignite leaders meet fortnightly to grow in friendship and be formed as disciples.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The parish offers a marriage preparation course that runs twice a year. Weddings at the parish are reserved for parishioners or those with a strong connection to the parish. The parish has a preparation course that helps parents discover God's plan for their child's growth in relationship with God.

First Holy Communion preparation is for children in years 3, 4 or 5, and only for parishioners of Saint Benedict's Parish. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is offered whenever someone needs special support and strength when facing a health problem. The parish has a dedicated Special Needs Coordinator.

Visiting

Disabled parking is available in Marchwood Crescent by the front of the church with ramped access, and more convenient access from Montpelier Avenue to the north side of the Abbey leads to disabled parking spaces next to the entrance. Large print hymn books and newsletters are available in the bookshop porch. The Church, Parish Hall and Bulbeck Room have a hard of hearing loop.

The Abbey has a Book shop and a Benet Bar where people can meet over a drink. The parish joins the diocesan pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham on Saturday, 20th September 2025. The parish pilgrimage to Rome in November 2025 included seeing the Pope and visiting sights such as the Vatican.