The Church of the Holy Apostles

Parish life

The parish operates a minibus, called the 'ambulance', that brings elderly and mobility-impaired people to Saturday Mass. The same minibus also carries senior citizens to the Monday Club and to shopping trips. Justice and Peace is an umbrella for ministries supporting Catholic Social Teaching, including the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, London Citizens, FairTrade, Cafod and the Kenya Project. The parish is twinned with the parish of Todonyang in Turkana, northern Kenya, and supports it through regular contributions and fundraising events.

The parish has been twinned with Todonyang Parish in Turkana since 2002. An RCIA programme for adults exploring the Catholic faith is offered by the parish. The parish has become the fourth livesimply parish in the diocese, with the plaque presented by Baroness Shirley Williams to the Parish Priest.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The small faith groups meet twice yearly for six weeks, usually in a member's home, reflecting on Scripture and discussing Christian practice. The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul offers tangible assistance to those in need on a person-to-person basis. The parish runs a First Holy Communion class, a contemporary course designed to engage young minds in the foundations of the faith, with nine monthly sessions for both parents and children.

Adults seeking baptism are invited to join the RCIA program, with no obligation on anyone. Older children aged 5 or more who are not baptised need to have some classes to explain the Sacrament at their level.

Baptised adult Catholics who have never been confirmed can contact the parish clergy to look into this further. The parish's Readers read at weekday and Sunday Masses, with a monthly rota.