"That they may all be one..."

Since the Week of Prayer for the Unity of Christians, January 2005, the clergy and members of the congregations of St Edmund's Parish Church and St Dominic's Roman Catholic Church, Howdale Road, have been meeting each month to share in celebrating Midday Prayer together.

Inspired by the vision of Fr Paul Couturier, 'Apostle of Unity' (1881-1953), we pray for 'the unity of Christians "that they may all be one" ... according to Christ's will, according to his means",

Over these years, this prayer initiative has become a much-valued part of our life of prayer and ecumenical fellowship, bringing St Edmund's and St Dominic's closer together in friendship and the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

What?

With the Offices of Morning Prayer (Lauds) & Readings, Evening Prayer (Vespers) and Night Prayer (Compline), Midday Prayer is part of the Divine Office – the daily round of prayer punctuating and hallowing the day. 

When and Where?

We meet monthly - not always on the same day, in order to offer an opportunity to a wide number of people to participate during the course of the year.

The 'venue' alternates between St Edmund's and St Dominic's.

The Office of Midday Prayer is at 12 noon, and lasts about 15-20 minutes.

For 2008 onwards, the St Edmund's Eucharist will be at 11.15am on Ecumenical Midday Prayer days, in order to make it easier for people to be able to participate in the both the Eucharist (at St Edmund's) and Midday Prayer (at St Edmund's or St Dominic's).

Summary of Times

11.15am St Edmund's Eucharist
12 noon Ecumenical Midday Prayer (alternating between St Edmund's and St Dominic's)

Dates and Venues

EDIT - Please note that - with effect from September 2008 - Ecumenical Midday Prayer will normally be celebrated on the First Friday of the Month, in order to regularise the pattern.

Thursday 24th January - at St Edmund's
St. Francis de Sales, Priest and Doctor of the Church, Memorial
and in the Week of Prayer for the Unity of Christians

Friday 22nd February - at St Dominic's
Chair of St Peter, Apostle, Feast

Thursday 27th March - at St Edmund's
Within the Octave of Easter

Wednesday 23rd April - at St Dominic's
St. George, Martyr, Solemnity
Principal Patron Saint of England

Thursday 22nd May - at St Edmund's
Feria

Monday 23rd June - at St Dominic's
St. Etheldreda of Ely, Abbess, Memorial
Principal Patron of the Diocese of Ely and Patron of the RC Diocese of East Anglia

Thursday 17th July - at St Edmund's
Feria

Friday 8th August - at St. Dominic's
St Dominic, Priest and Founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), Feast
Patron St. Dominic’s

Friday 5th September - at St Edmund's
Feria

Friday 3rd October - at St Dominic's
Feria

Friday 7th November - at St Edmund's
Feria

Friday 5th December - at St Dominic's
Feria of Advent