This week, St Albans Cathedral welcomed Fr John Deehan as its new Roman Catholic Chaplain.

Fr John conducted his first Friday Mass in the Cathedral, marking the beginning of his ministry among us. The Dean, the Very Reverend Jo Kelly-Moore, expressed her delight at his arrival:

“Our ecumenical partnerships are a vital part of our Cathedral life and witness. It was a joy to see the Friday congregation offer such a warm welcome to Fr John. We look forward to his ministry among us in the years to come.” - Dean Jo

The Friday Mass congregation, together with members of the Cathedral’s lay worship leadership team, gathered to greet Fr John and offer prayers for his work here. His appointment reflects the Cathedral’s deep commitment to fostering Christian unity, building bridges across traditions, and serving the wider community in collaboration with our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters.

Fr John with some of the lay worship leaders who support the Friday mass

We pray for Fr John as he begins his ministry, and for the fruits of friendship and shared witness that will grow in the years ahead.

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Find out more

The Cathedral is enriched by a wide range of ecumenical services, each led by our ecumenical chaplains and open to all. You can discover more about these regular opportunities for shared worship — including Roman Catholic Mass every Friday — by visiting:

Ecumenical Services at St Albans Cathedral