2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – 18 January 2026

A Word from the Parish

As we begin this week, we hold the words of John the Baptist in our hearts:

“He must increase, and I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

May all that we do as a parish make space for Christ to grow among us.

Winter Celebration – Sunday, 1 February 2026

We joyfully invite all parishioners to our Winter Celebration and Mass, which will take place at:

Holy Cross Preparatory School Campus
George Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7NU

Programme:

• 10:30 am – Fun games for children, couples, and seniors
• Holy Mass followed by a shared meal

Please note: There will be no Sunday Mass at St Ann’s Church on 1 February, as we gather together at Holy Cross Prep School.

Sign-up sheets are available at the back of the church and in the hall. If you would like to bring a dish, contribute food items, or volunteer, please add your name.

In Loving Memory – Nan Brenninkmeyer

As a parish family of St Ann’s Catholic Church, we remember with sadness the sudden passing of Nan Brenninkmeyer. Nan was a much-loved presence in our parish and a great source of encouragement and support to the community. We commend her to God’s loving mercy and hold her family and grandchildren especially in our prayers.

“The Lord is close to the broken-hearted.” (Psalm 34:18)

Bible Study – Starting Friday, 23 January

Our Bible Study sessions will begin on Friday, 23 January, from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm, and will continue on the third Friday of each month.
All are warmly welcome to join as we grow together in Scripture and faith.

Family Mass – Sunday, 25 January

Next Sunday will be our Family Mass at 10:30 am.
All altar servers are kindly requested to come to the sacristy by 10:15 am. Thank you for your commitment and service.

Tea & Coffee After Sunday Mass

Everyone is invited to join us for tea and coffee after Sunday Mass in the church hall near the car park. Children are welcome to enjoy the Kids’ Corner, a space to play and make new friends.

RCIA – Journey of Faith

We are blessed to have eight RCIA candidates in our parish this year. They are preparing to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil.
Please keep them in your prayers as they journey in faith.

Next RCIA meeting:
Friday, 23 January 2026 – 5:30 pm
Theme: The Sacraments – Meeting Christ in Our Lives

Readers & Extraordinary Ministers Retreat

A retreat for Readers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion will be held on:
Friday, 31 January, from 10:00 am, followed by Holy Mass at 12 noon.
All ministers are warmly encouraged to attend this time of reflection and renewal.

Homily – Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus,

Today, we witness a beautiful transition in ministry — almost like a relay race, where the baton is passed with grace and clarity. John the Baptist sees Jesus walking towards him and declares, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” In that moment, John is not merely pointing to Jesus; he is handing over his role, completing the mission entrusted to him by God.

What is striking is John’s freedom of heart. He is not anxious. He does not cling to his position. He does not compete. Though people admired him, followed him, and even wondered whether he might be the Messiah, John steps back without regret. With deep humility he says, “He must increase, and I must decrease” (John 3:30).

This is not weakness. This is spiritual maturity.

Each one of us, in our lifetime, is called to run our part of the race — and then, at the right moment, to pass the baton. Parents pass values to children. Teachers pass wisdom to students. Leaders pass responsibility to others. Life itself is a series of holy handovers. The tragedy is not that we step aside; the tragedy is when we refuse to.

John understood that his purpose was to prepare the way, not to occupy the centre forever. He knew that his role was not about personal glory, but about God’s divine plan unfolding in history.

This challenges us deeply. How often do we seek first place? Priority? Recognition? Even love and approval within our own families? John shows us another way — a way where God’s mission matters more than our position.

There is a saying attributed to Alexander the Great. At the end of his life, he is said to have asked for three things:
that his hands be left open outside the coffin,
that his treasures be scattered on the road,
and that his coffin be carried by doctors.

Why did he ask this?

The open hands were meant to remind the world that we come into this life with nothing, and we leave with nothing. No title, no power, no achievement can be carried beyond the grave. Everything we cling to here must eventually be released.

The treasures scattered on the road were to teach that wealth, however vast, remains behind. What we spend our lives accumulating cannot save us, cannot follow us, cannot define us in the end.

And the coffin carried by doctors was a final, humble confession: that even the greatest human knowledge, skill, and medicine have limits. There comes a moment when human control ends, and only God remains.

In that sense, Alexander — one of the most powerful men and a great philosopher who was the student of Aristotle — learned the same truth John the Baptist already knew: life is not about holding on, but about knowing when to let go.

Life, then, is not something we control absolutely. It is God-given, God-held, and God-directed.

Dear brothers and sisters, the call today is gentle but clear:
to live sincerely,
to do the right things at the right time,
to run our race faithfully,
and to hand over gracefully.

We are not meant to run in confusion, chasing everything and reaching nowhere. We are called to be instruments of God, passing on values, faith, and love — not chaos, not competition.

May the humility of John the Baptist teach us to say, in our own lives:
“Lord, let Your purpose be fulfilled through me.”

And may God’s guidance and blessing remain upon us always.
Amen.