On Sunday, 26 July 2026, the St Martin’s community celebrated the Feast of St Anne and St Joachim, the parents of the Virgin Mary and traditionally honoured by the Church as the grandparents of Jesus.
Organised by the Rose of Faith spirituality group, the celebration brought together members of the parish community, families, friends and visitors for an afternoon marked by faith, music and fellowship.
The festivities began with a procession around the streets surrounding the church, taking the prayer and joy of the St Martin’s community beyond the church walls. The procession then returned to St Martin’s for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
The Mass was presided over by Fr Saulo de Barros, Priest in Charge of St Martin’s, with the sermon preached by Fr John King, from Holy Trinity parish, a friend and brother in ministry to our community. The Eucharist was very well attended and offered an opportunity to reflect on the witness of St Anne and St Joachim, particularly the importance of family, the passing on of faith from one generation to another, and the valuable place of older people in the life of the Church and wider society.
Music also played a special part in the festivities, with the participation of singers from São Tomé and Príncipe, adding to the joyful atmosphere and reflecting the cultural diversity that is such an important part of life at St Martin’s.
After Mass, the celebrations continued with a lively community gathering, with music, food, friendship and plenty of opportunity to spend time together. It was a joyful occasion that strengthened relationships and celebrated the richness of the different cultures represented within the community.
The Feast of St Anne and St Joachim was another expression of the life of St Martin’s: a community brought together by faith, open to diversity and committed to building relationships of care, friendship and communion.