The churches of All Saints and St Thomas, the worship we offer in these places, and our ministry in Houghton Regis are signs of God’s presence – they witness of his enduring love in our town and the communities we serve.
 
Vestry Hour and Confessions
Vestry Hour (on Saturday mornings) resumed on 1 May.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) is also available during this time, or on appointment with Fr Diego.
 
Mass (with congregation, in church)
Mass will be celebrated publicly on
 
    Sundays:
    at St Thomas' Church, at 8:30am (traditional language)
    at All Saints' Parish Church, at 10:00am (main service of the week)
    Wednesdays, at St Thomas' Church, at 9:30am
 
Please note that there are hygiene, social distancing, and additional safety measures in place at these celebrations.
Wearing face coverings is compulsory - disposable face masks will be available at the door.
In line with Church of England guidelines Holy Communion will be distributed in one kind only, under the form of Bread. The Precious Blood (the chalice) will not be distributed among the faithful.
According to Government guidelines, there will not be congregational singing at these celebrations.
 
Mass (online, without a congregation), Worship, and Teaching
During lockdown we have taken Mass, other forms of worship, and Christian teaching online - on Facebook Live and YouTube. Mass will continue to be live streamed from St Thomas' Church at the following times:
 
    Sundays and Holy Days at 8:30am
    Weekdays at 8:30am (except Wednesdays at 9:30am)
 
The streaming of online services is sometimes shared with the Church of the Holy Cross, Luton and St Mary's Sundon.
 
Opening of church buildings
According to Government advice churches across England can open.
All Saints' Parish Church may open to the public for private prayer following the safety requirements put in place by the Church of England. Check our Facebook page for opening times.
St Thomas' Church on Lowry Drive remains closed to the public except for Mass and for meetings of community groups which can still take place in person.
 
Baptisms
The same hygiene and social distancing regulations used for Mass (above) still apply, and we must limit the numbers of people attending to 30 (and 50 from 17 May onwards)
 
Weddings
The same hygiene and social distancing regulations used for Mass (above) still apply.
The Government strongly advises that the number of people attending the ceremony is restricted to 30 until 21 June. This maximum number includes all those at the ceremony, but not the officiating minister and other workers (e.g. organist) or volunteers employed by the church such as vergers or churchwardens. This maximum number is set to change gradually; later this years to 30, and then abolished later in Summer.
The service should be kept concise while still consistent with the nature of the occasion, focusing on those parts of the marriage that are required in order to be legally binding under the law of England and Wales.
 
Funerals and Memorial Services (in church)
The same hygiene and social distancing regulations used for Mass (above) still apply.
We must limit the numbers of people attending to 30 (and 50 from 17 May onwards).
Alternatively, funerals services can take place at Crematoria or at the graveside - where other local restriction may apply.
 
Worship in Care Homes and Hospital Visits
Worship in care homes led by parish volunteers is suspended as this would usually see a group of up to 10 church volunteers entering places of care and increasing the risk of spreading the virus.
Hospital visits by the Parish Priest or parish volunteers are suspended. Please, contact the Hospital Chaplaincy Team or hospital staff to arrange Pastoral Care on-site. The Luton and Dunstable University Hospital Chaplaincy team can be reached by calling 01582497370, or via email chaplaincy@ldh.nhs.uk
 
Visits, Home Communions, and Ministry to the Dying
Home visits by the Parish Priest or a designated lay minister are available on appointment. Please, contact the Parish Office on 01582867246 if you wish to request or discuss a visit.
 
As time progresses, these directives may be altered in accordance with advice from the Diocese of St Albans, HM Government, and Church of England guidelines.
Thank you for your co-operation.
 
Updated 5 May 2021
Created 18 March 2020

All Saints’ Parish Church suffered a break-in on Saturday 22 August at about 10:55pm. The incident was caught on the church’s CCTV cameras. The footage shows a single white male in his 20s or 30s forcing two collection boxes and spending about 20 minutes in the building looking for money or valuables. The man gained access to the church by forcing a protection grill and breaking the lower section of a stained-glass window in the sanctuary (north-easternmost window). Another protection grill was also damaged in a failed attempt to gain entry to another part of the church.

Collection boxes are emptied regularly, and we can safely assume the man made away with very little cash. However, the damage done the sanctuary window is great, and it will be rather costly to put right.

If you wish to donate to All Saints’ please follow this link: https://www.allsaintshr.co.uk/giving.html

The incident has been recorded and investigated by Bedfordshire Police, Crime Number 40/45800/20