St Mary's, Woolhampton

Introduction

At Saint Mary's church and college, Woolhampton, the secular priests were succeeded in 1903 by English Benedictine monks from Douai in northern France; those monks had left under the Association Laws and kept the name Douai Abbey. In 1977 a restoration at the mother church of Saint Mary, Woolhampton was the work of the firm of J. J. Frame.

Music and liturgy

Sunday Mass and parish-wide occasions include music and a choir in their liturgical celebrations. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is available in the parish for people who want to know more about the Catholic faith.

Parish life

The parish is served by Benedictine monks belonging to Douai Abbey. Families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness receive emotional and practical support from The Rainbow Trust, the parish's current charity. Bridge for Young People (formerly Young People and Children First), Reaching the Unreached, and Alexander Devine Children's Hospice are among the parish's former charities.

Across its churches, the parish maintains an initiative that responds to Laudato Si’. The idea for the Friday Self-denial Group comes from CAFOD.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The priests are assisted at Mass by altar servers, who ring the bell, carry the candles and help with the gifts; children who have made their First Communion may take the role. Normally, baptism courses take place a couple of times a year. A confirmation programme is arranged for children in Years 9-11. Preparation for First Confession and First Holy Communion is given to children of the parish who are in Year 3 or above.