St Edward the Confessor Catholic Church was consecrated on 6th May 1856. To mark the 170th Anniversary year there is a wonderful calendar of events, Masses, and times to pray, including a special parish renewal week in October, as we celebrate the Feast of St Edward the Confessor.
The “At a glance” events calendar for Summer is here:
Anniversary Events June to October
Sunday 28th June, 2-4pm Strawberry Tea
Sitting in the beautiful parish centre, or – if the weather is lovely – on the piazza in front of the church – enjoy a fabulous Strawberry Tea. Scones, fresh strawberries, cream and tea or coffee, all served on crockery from across the decades. A wonderful occasion, full of conversation, meeting old friends and new. All are welcome.
Friday 17th – Friday 24th July Lourdes Pilgrimage.
Parishioners are warmly invited to join the Diocesan Group travelling to Lourdes from Friday 17th – Friday 24th July 2026. Join the Bishop, clergy and parishioners from across the Diocese. Cost approx. £1200 for flights, accommodation, insurance and all meals. Bookings are direct with Tangney Tours: www.tangney-tours.com/brentwood. Please specify in your booking notes that you are with Romford parish, staying at the Hotel Padoue.The pilgrimage includes medical support – if you have any questions about whether you can travel please email Deidre Pembroke on lourdes@brcdt.org
Parish Renewal Week – October 12th – 16th
Monday 12th October, 6.00pm, Rediscovering Mass, 6.00pm. A Mass welcoming those who have never been before, or have not been for a while. A Mass for those who come every week, but wonder, “why do we do that?” Fr Dominic will celebrate the Mass, and then there will be simple refreshments in the Parish Centre (approx 7-8pm), with a chance for more questions.
Tuesday 13th October, 6.00pm, Feast of St Edward the Confessor, Celebration of Mass with Bishop Alan Williams. The life of St Edward the Confessor has great significance for Christians in England – and a particular link to Havering. Our preacher will be Fr Nicholas Schofield, Archivist at the Diocese of Westminster. In 1856 there was no Diocese of Brentwood, so the origins of our parish are in Westminster Diocese, and St Edward the Confessor was key in the building of the original Westminster Abbey. Much to learn about. The Mass will be followed by an array of tasty refreshments in the Parish Centre. All are welcome.
Wednesday 14th October, 12.15pm Mass, Celebrating the Golden Club. We will be joined by the Campion Schola before a buffet lunch for the Golden Club, who represent many decades of wisdom and lived faith.
Wednesday 14th October, 6-6.45pm, Michelle Moran, “Renewing our faith.” Michelle is an Internationally acclaimed speaker. She founded the Sion Community in Brentwood, and in recent years was appointed by Pope Francis to serve on the Pontifical Council for the Laity. Michelle will offer all sorts of insights about how we keep our faith fresh and active, and is well worth hearing. Mass will be celebrated at 7pm, and then there will be a chance to meet Michelle over simple refreshments in the Parish Centre (approx 7.45 – 8.30pm).
Thursday 15th October, full day visit by Greg Finn to the children at St Peter’s school. The children are very familiar with the music and videos from Mark 10 Mission, and this is a great chance for them to discover more about the face they see on screen.
Thursday 15th October, 6-6.45pm, Greg Finn, “Renewing our family’s faith.” Greg is another acclaimed speaker, with a fast growing reputation. He is the founder of Mark 10 Mission who offer a wonderful array of resources for Primary and Secondary school pupils. These are used by many of our children, through the work of St Peter’s school, and Greg has magnificent insights to offer families to help them to sustain and deepen faith in amongst the complexities of family life. Mass will be celebrated at 7pm, and then there will be a chance to meet Greg over simple refreshments in the Parish Centre (approx 7.45 – 8.30pm).
Friday 16th October, 5pm Sung Vespers at Westminster Abbey, near to the tomb of St Edward the Confessor. We have been invited to join the combined Choirs of Wesminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral for the Friday evening sung vespers (Note: there is no need for you to be a singer! Everyone can come – we are listening to the singing and joining with the congregational parts). There will be time to pray at the tomb of St Edward the Confessor. More details of transport options, etc., will be available nearer the time.
Celebratory Weekend, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th October. A special welcome to new parishioners, and refreshments after each of the weekend Masses (cheese and wine after the Saturday 6.30pm, coffee and cakes after the Sunday 9.30 and 11.30am Masses) to conclude this week of renewal.
More events throughout the year – additional information will be here about six weeks before each event.
Download the full calendar of events (as at January 2026) here.
Wrapping the Year in Prayer
From 1st January, and throughout the whole year, pray the Living Rosary. Sign up for a specific date any time from January to December. Gather your family, friends and neighbours for a time of shared prayer. For the full explanation, download the leaflet here:
To sign up, email the Legion of Mary team via the parish office on romford@brcdt.org
From 6th January and throughout the whole year there will be an additional Tuesday evening Mass at 6.30pm. We hope this is helpful for those at College, work or school who would like to come to a midweek Mass but cannot make the usual 9am Masses.
From 9th January and throughout the whole year there will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every Friday at 5pm, concluding with Benediction at 5.50pm (in Lent, Stations of the Cross at 6pm).
You can look back on earlier months by reading from here. We are also developing a gallery of photos from the different events so far, which we will display over the summer, and add to during the rest of the year:
January
Wednesday 7th January the Parish Alpha Course begins. Please pray for all those taking part, that it may be a time full of the Holy Spirit, with much discovery, grace, sharing and community. To discover more email Romain and the parish Alpha team direct on alpharomford@brcdt.org .
Saturday 31st January Anniversary Quiz, led by our parish young adults, raising money for them to travel to Lourdes. Featuring Onose (our Parish Partnership Youth Coordinator and brilliant singer) in a live singing round. 7.30pm for 8.00pm start. Come along for a creative and joyful evening. £7 entry fee, or £45 for a team of 8. Order tickets from the Parish Office or after Masses on 17/18 and 24/25 January.
February
Friday 13th February, 7-8pm Discover the Camino di Santiago as Fr Dominic and friends who are seasoned Camino pilgrims share their experience. Ideal if you are a Camino walker who wants to reminisce, or if you are thinking of walking the Camino in the future. Plenty of tips and hints.
Sunday 14th February, 2.30pm Mass with Anointing of the Sick. On the Saturday closest to the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, this Mass is warmly open to those who may be too frail to come to Mass more frequently. The church has step free access, and there will be people to offer lifts, if needed – just contact the parish office on romford@brcdt.org.
18th February is Ash Wednesday. From then until Easter Sunday there was a dedicated Lent and Easter page of the Parish Website with full details of Lenten Lunches, Stations of the Cross, and a special appeal by the Friends of the Holy Land.
April
Saturday 11th April, afternoon pilgrimage to Ingatestone Hall
The Petre family donated £2000 in 1854, paying for the land and some of the construction of the new church for the “Romford Mission”. The current Lord Petre welcomes us to Ingatestone Hall for a tour, with coffee/tea and home made biscuits at the end. The tour is 90 minutes, and regrettably unsuitable for those with limited mobility or in wheelchairs. Ingatestone Hall is full of fascinating Catholic history – come and see!
Saturday 18th April, 7.30 – 10.30pm, Karaoke Night
You may have had the joy of hearing the 11.30am choir singing at Mass. Now hear some of the finest singers with their Karaoke favourites … and you are welcome to bring your voice to the microphone too! Tickets just £5 – more info after all Masses on 11/12 April, or contact the parish office.
May
Saturday 2nd – Monday 4th May, Flower Festival
“The Petals” are an extraordinary group of friends and flower arrangers, who warmly welcome newcomers. With the theme “Eternal Love” a beautiful range of floral displays will cover every window sill and highlight the most sacred areas of the sanctuary and side chapel. The displays can be viewed from 10am – 3.30pm Saturday and Monday, and 1.30-3.30pm Sunday (after the morning Masses, which continue as usual). There will also be a tasty array of tea and cake in the parish centre. Everyone is very warmly welcome, and this is a great opportunity to bring neighbours, visitors and especially those who have never been to our church before.
Wednesday 6th May, 7.00pm, 170th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Church
We are pleased to welcome Mgr Kevin Hale, former Parish Priest in Romford and now Vicar General of the Diocese of Brentwood, to preside at this Mass which commemorates the Consecration of the Church by Cardinal Nicholas Wiseman on 6th May 1856. Fr Paul Keane has a specialism in history, and is currently Chaplain to the University of Cambridge, and he will give the homily. There will be refreshments after Mass and everyone is very welcome to mark this historic occasion. The Mass will be Livestreamed – to go to the Livestream, click here
Sunday 10th – Saturday 16th May, Week of Guided Prayer
If you have ever asked “How do I pray?” “What should my prayer life look like?” “What even is a prayer life?” then this could be for you. Daily appointments online or in person with an experienced spiritual guide. Over the course of the week they will help you dive deeper into prayer, Scripture and faith. Caroline, who is running the week, will speak at all Masses on 11-12th April, and there is also information in the leaflet available to download here:
Saturday 23rd May, Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham.
Join hundreds of pilgrims from across the Diocese at “England’s Nazareth.” The coach leaves from outside the church at 07.45, arriving into Walsingham in good time for Mass at Midday, lunch and a walk to the original Walsingham Shrine for prayers and a look at the village. Return to Romford about 7.30pm. Sign up after Mass or by contacting the parish office. £25 covers the coach for the day.
Sunday 7th June, Corpus Christi Procession
Meet at St Peter’s Primary School, Dorset Avenue, at 2pm. At 2.30pm we will process with the Blessed Sacrament Our First Holy Communion children will lead the procession, and at the doors of the church there will be a simple Benediction, before the First Holy Communion and families celebrate their Mass of Thanksgiving.