Category: Parish events

The Early Parish Priests and Chaplains of St. Raphael’s

As you go into the Church, on the right-hand side of the vestibule is a white marble tablet which lists the Chaplains and Parish Priests of St. Raphael’s. Have you ever wondered about these men? For example, what is known about the first six who are listed, Fathers Donovan, Clark, Doyle, Ainsworth, Morley and du Plerny? Parishioner David Kennedy gave an illustrated talk on them as part of our 2023 Lenten fundraising project in support of our Lenten appeal. The transcript of his talk can be found here  https://kingstonhistoryresearch.co.uk/priests-of-st-raphaels-church-1850-1907-behind-the-names/

Talk by Lucy Underwood-Healy

At 6pm on 16 October, we are pleased to welcome Lucy Underwood-Healy to give a talk on her novel, The Guest of Night, and how she came to write it. Lucy is a Catholic historian and novelist. She will have books available on the night for purchase at a small event discount. Alternatively, it can be purchased online through Amazon.

Three teenagers are drawn into the hidden underside of Elizabethan England: a world where how you pray can get you hanged and misplaced trust can kill.  Catholicism is forbidden in this world and Catholics walk the line between faith and fear. Protestant Stephen distrusts treacherous Papists but values his friendship with Catholic Hugh; Hugh and Bridget resent Protestant tyranny but find themselves relying on Stephen’s help – and his silence.  All of them understand both less and more than their parents realize of the dangers hovering on the margins of their lives.  And this is the kind of volatile mix that can put nooses round necks.