​The 376th Lion Sermon will be given at a Choral Evensong, sung by Lloyd's Choir, starting at 6pm. All are welcome.

The preacher will be Professor Vincent Rougeau, who is the 33rd President of the College of the Holy Cross, a leading Jesuit liberal arts college in Worcester, MA. He is the college's first lay and first Black president. Before assuming the position, Rougeau served as the dean of Boston College Law School from 2011 to 2021 and was the president of the Association of American Law Schools. He is a popular and widely respected expert in legal education and Catholic social thought.

We will be welcoming President Rougeau to speak about contemporary challenges for civil liberties in higher education in the US, and why this matters for all of us as we consider the exercise of power in public life.

Professor Rougeau is the first leader of a Catholic institution to give the Lion Sermon since it was founded by Sir John Gayer—who was himself imprisoned for his religious and political views and activities.

A high point of the London Citizens year is the Call to Prayer and Action in Living Wage Week. This ecumenical service brings together churches across the London Citizens alliance with friends and allies including from the Living Wage Foundation to celebrate and to pray for the continued success of this important campaigning work.

The service includes sung worship led by the Gospel Choir of the Catholic parish of St Anthony Forest Gate, with testimony and stories from grassroots campaign leaders and a call to action from ecumenical church leaders.

The service is followed by refreshments and a chance to meet others from across London and beyond.

Today is the Feast of St Katharine of Alexandria - our patron and the saint after whom this church is named.

Every year we hand out Wagon Wheel biscuits to passing workers to celebrate this day, and invite people to come to our Christmas Carols next week! The church is open for prayer and reflection - and we celebrate Holy Communion at 8:30am!

Who was St Katharine?
When persecution of the church began under the emperor Maxentius in the fourth century, Katharine went to the emperor and rebuked him for his cruelty. The emperor summoned 50 of the best pagan philosophers and orators to dispute with her, hoping that they would refute her pro-Christian arguments, but Catherine won the debate. Several of her adversaries, conquered by her eloquence, declared themselves Christians and were at once put to death.

Katharine ended up being killed for her unwillingness to reject her Christian faith - with a wagon wheel famously being used as a method of torture and execution.

Join us at St Katharine Cree for a joyful lunchtime carol service for all our friends and local workers featuring traditional favourites—with a signature SKC twist! Expect a warm, festive atmosphere, mince pies, and a special musical contribution from the wonderful Lloyds Choir.

Whether you're popping in on your lunch break or staying for the full hour, we'd love to see you there.