Scroll down to see all our latest news posts (& click 'older posts' at the bottom of the page to look back over the previous news.) CHURCH OPENING TIMES:
We are open for private prayer during the week
(from about 8.30-4pm on days where there is no evening Mass)
and open for public Masses on;
Saturday at 6pm
Sunday at 9.30am
Tuesday at 7.30pm
Thursday at 10am
Friday at 7.30pm - but please check the week's Newsletter (Newsletter with Mass Times tab above) in case of changes.
PARISH OFFICE:Please note that the Parish Office is open a few days per week so emails will be checked periodically. In the event of an urgent query, please call the presbytery on 0117 9833939 and leave a message.
Fr Barnabas Page - Resident Assistant Priest at St Augustine's Church
Fr Jim Williams - Priest in Charge
Our Parishes in Communion for Mission covers us here in Downend,
St John Fisher in Frenchay,
St Lawrence in Chipping Sodbury with St Paul's in Yate,
NEW FOOD BANK INITIATIVE, together with school & pre-school, our ‘Community Kitchen Cupboard’ is now up & running! (The 'C.K.C.')
July 2024
This informal, free service is for anyone in our community who might be struggling or just needs a bit of extra help ~ please, just come & help yourselves from the shelves. As you can see from the video, come on into the entrance of the church which is open each day (even if the door is shut, please try it, as it is usually unlocked from approx. 8.45am-4pm, or later on days where there is evening Mass) including during the summer holidays. The Community Kitchen Cupboard is at the end of the entrance area - take a bag and take what you need for you / your family.
Also, if anyone is in a position to donate tinned & packet items for the CKC please leave items in the box at the bottom of the cupboard for our team to sort out and label.
We have loads of pasta and tins of beans, pulses & soups etc at the moments but would love some more toilet rolls, tea, coffee, lunchbox snacks such as individual biscuits or dried fruit boxes etc, jars of pasta sauce, tinned or packet desserts (rice pudding / custard etc) and sanitary items.
*Keep an eye out for updates on this in the weekly Newsletter*
We hope this will be a useful initiative for our community and we would welcome any helpful feedback and offers to join the team of people checking and re-stocking on a rota basis each day.
“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
Congratulations to Milly from Willow class for designing the winning logo for The CKC - the new Community Kitchen Cupboard! ... I think it says everything about what the initiative stands for - to surround people with love ❤️ Well done Milly. Look out for the new sign at the back of church soon.
Please share with anyone who you think might be curious.... On Friday 17th October we will have a meeting for anyone who might be interested in the Catholic Church. This will follow the 7.30pm Mass in the Church and the meeting will be from 8-9pm in the Parish Hall next door. ...... even if you are just being curious, please do come along. We'd love to meet you.
Fr Barnabas.
Daily Rosary for Peace at St Augustine's.
Pope Leo invited Catholics across the globe
to unite & pray the Rosary for peace in war-torn lands during October, the month the Church dedicates to the Holy Rosary. “I invite everyone, each day of the coming month, to pray the Rosary for peace—personally, in the family, and in community,” he said. Our Legion of Mary will offer Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & the saying of the Rosary in church, for approx 20 minutes, every day of October, should you wish to pray your rosary with others. This will be at the following times: Mondays at 12noon Tuesdays at 7pm Wednesday at 12noon Thursdays at 9.30am Fridays at 7pm (not 24th Oct due to a funeral) Saturdays at 5.30pm & Sundays at the end of 9.30am Mass.
Applications are now open for any students of secondary school age who wish to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation next year.
Pick up a form from the back of church or email the parish for a copy & return it to the parish office by end of Oct, so the 2026 course can be planned based on numbers.
Volunteers needed...
We'd love a few more volunteers to help make our 'Countdown to Christmas' event as successful as possible
1) anyone fancy helping set up on Friday 14th Nov in the school at 4pm until about 6pm? We'll need a goo few hands to get tables moved and set up, things brought over from the garages etc... 2) anyone free during the day (Sat 15th) to help run a stall? We have 1 stall still to find volunteers for... All offers greatly appreciated and you will get a wonderful reward! ...well, as Fr Franks always says, we run on the 'God Bless You' reward system!
Please contact Bernadette in the office if you have some time to help us out.
Primary School Admissions for 2026-27
If you have a child born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022, then now is the time to apply for a school place for admission from September 2026 onwards. You must complete the application form that is available from the School Admissions team of South Gloucestershire Council. Please visit the school admissions page of the LA website to access their online 2026-27 Reception Intake online application form (or contact them to request a paper form). If your child is Catholic, you should also provide a copy of the baptism certificate to your preferred Catholic school. If your child is of another denomination or faith, please see the school’s admission arrangements for details of the oversubscription criteria and required supporting evidence. Admission arrangements and Supplementary Information Forms are available from our schools’ websites & offices. Please ensure you apply by the closing date of 15 January 2026. If you miss the closing date (and/or forget to provide your preferred Catholic school with a copy of your child’s baptism certificate (if applicable), it may reduce the chances of being offered a place – so please do it as soon as possible!
*St Augustine's Catholic Primary School is holding Open Days starting this week. Contact the school to book a place*
Gifts for the children and soldiers of Ukraine
Please consider supporting 1 or both of the following appeals for gifts.
1) 'Shoe Box for the soldiers' appeal - simple but welcomed gifts you can put inside your shoe box such as:
• Warm socks, gloves, hand warmers, hats in dark colours
• Hygiene items (toothpaste, wipes, lip balm)
• Medical (painkillers, multivitamins, antivirals, plasters, first aid items, antiseptic)
• Treats (chocolate, coffee sachets, nuts, energy bars, cup-a-soups, noodles)
• Power banks, head torches, pocket games such as chess, sudoku
• Add a short note or Christmas card — these messages of support often mean the most.
Please avoid - Liquids, alcohol, sharp items, or perishable is foods.
Please wrap the box and lid separately, secure with string/elastic bands and label it for the soldiers - drop off at St Augustine's Church or Presbytery before the deadline of 10th November.
2) We are also offering to be a drop off point if you would like to wrap up a new gift for a child and label it so it can be handed out in Ukraine. Good ideas for gifts would be toys which do not need batteries (unless also able to supply them too), soft toys, edible treats with a long enough date, puzzles etc. Please steer clear of books in English as would limit who can enjoy them and anything related to guns or warfare. Wrap your present and label it so it can handed out - labels such as: "Young girl 5-10", "Teenage boy", "Any child 0-3"... label for the gift you are able to buy. Please add an extra note to it saying what type of gift it is, which can be removed in Ukraine, just to help with any legalities of border crossings. Drop these to the presbytery before 10th November and they can go off in the November run to Ukraine in time for Christmas.
These gifts can make a real difference — a reminder that kindness travels across borders. Many thanks to you all
"What Climate Crisis?"
Please come along on for films and discussions on the climate crisis and what we can do to help bring about hope and change..... Saturdays from 10am until 12noon in the hall, on 25th October, 1st & 8th November.
Neurodiversity and our Faith experience
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales and Birmingham Newman University are conducting research into Neurodiversity and our Faith experience. We want to hear from you. In this Participatory Research we want to: a) Understand what helps neurodivergent Catholics in England and Wales. b) What gets in the way for neurodivergent Catholics in England and Wales. Your insights can help us to become more inclusive and responsive.
Please consider completing these online surveys. They are anonymous. They are short (10-20 minutes).
If you are: 1. Catholic (practising or not). You are Neurodivergent. You are 18+ years old. You live in England or Wales there is a link in the page below
2. A Caregiver of a Neurodivergent Catholic. A caregiver (parent or other) of a Catholic care recipient (who is either practising or not). Your care recipient is neurodivergent (2+ years old). Your care recipient lives in England or Wales there is a separate link in the page below for your thoughts.
As the annual Baby Loss Awareness Week begins, we remember all those tiny lives lost. We pray that they are held in Jesus' loving embrace and that we, as a community, put our arms around all those suffering the pain of baby and child loss.
Archbishop John Sherrington, Lead Bishop for Life Issues, and Bishop Bosco MacDonald, Lead Bishop for Marriage and Family Life, have released a statement to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week that runs from 9-15 October.
"Baby Loss Awareness Week is a national initiative of remembrance taking place from 9-15 October. It is an opportunity to pause and acknowledge the deep sorrow suffered by parents who have experienced the loss of a baby. Each of these losses involves the death of a small child and the parents need our compassion and support through their bereavement. Many women and parents carry this painful loss silently. It is difficult to talk about, and the Church has also found this difficult. We invite parents to mark baby loss in meaningful ways: through prayer, memorials or liturgical remembrance and mass. These acts help affirm the dignity and innocence of the child and support you in your journey of grief and healing. We encourage parishes to invite parents to pray in front of the Most Blessed Sacrament or light a candle for their children at any time. “You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139)."
In this special message our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, invites you to take part in World Mission Sunday on 19 October.
We will hold a retiring collection at both Masses. There are red envelopes available to fill in if you wish to Gift Aid your donation.
In the video, Pope Leo is urging every Catholic and every parish across the globe to unite in prayer and practical support for missionaries who work alongside communities in need in the most remote and troubled parts of our world.
In recalling his missionary experience in Peru, Pope Leo says: ‘When I served as a missionary priest and then bishop in Peru, I saw first-hand how the faith, the prayer and the generosity shown on World Mission Sunday can transform entire communities’.
The Pope explains how your prayers and support on World Mission Sunday are vital in spreading the Gospel and in supporting the Church’s outreach and mission in very practical ways. Your support, coordinated by Missio, helps build churches, chapels and schools and supports missionaries as they enable people to experience God’s compassion and love through their care and the witness of their lives.
Visit missio.org.uk/wms now, and see how you can join us for World Mission Sunday
Calling all budding artists! (well.... actually, calling anyone who ISN'T a budding artist too!)
We invite you to come along for a new fundraising event for our Parish Projects. On Sun 2nd November 7pm-10pm in the parish hall, Catherine, a brilliant local artist, will be helping us to paint our own piece of art to take home, in a fun & friendly atmosphere! For just £15pp, you'll enjoy drinks & nibbles & be given all the art materials you'll need to create your masterpiece! (I have been asked the question and, no, it isn't a "Life Drawing class"! 😉 ) Tickets for the 50 places are now on sale after weekend Masses or contact the parish office. All in aid of our 2 Projects, for Parish building funds and Chhanv Foundation
Clifton Diocese in partnership with ‘Light of Truth’ are offering Essential Training for Catechists. Parishioners can join on Saturdays, 6th, 13th & 20th December, online, from 9am to 12 noon for a short course of 3 sessions, to discover the essential nature and principles of catechesis, the sources of catechesis, and the best ways to prepare and deliver our catechesis. This course is open to everyone involved or interested in any kind of catechesis for adults, young people or children. Anyone interested can sign up for the series by clicking on the Zoom link below. More information on other courses & sessions run by the Sisters can be found on the following link: https://www.lightoftruth.uk/join
Thank you to everyone who attended the recent AGM,
it was great to come together for the first time like this as parish for many
years, there was lots of fruitful discussion about the parish now and going
into the future which was inspiring.
The Parish Pastoral
Council met recently and discussed the themes emerging from discussion and key
themes identified were: transparency (governance including finance and maintenance),
user friendly Faith formation, and outreach (building on the good outreach
which is taking place already).
The PPC felt to support communication in the
parish and moving forward with these areas it would be positive to have regular
parish forums (4 times a year?). Please do contact the PPC for further details
or comments.
Daily Rosary for Peace at St Augustine's. Pope Leo invited Catholics across the globe to unite & pray the Rosary for peace in war-torn lands during October, the month the Church dedicates to the Holy Rosary. “I invite everyone, each day of the coming month, to pray the Rosary for peace—personally, in the family, and in community,” he said. Our Legion of Mary will offer Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & the saying of the Rosary in church, for approx 20 minutes, every day of October, should you wish to pray your rosary with others. This will be at the following times: Mondays at 12noon Tuesdays at 7pm Wednesday at 12noon Thursdays at 9.30am Fridays at 7pm (not 24th Oct due to a funeral) Saturdays at 5.30pm & Sundays at the end of 9.30am Mass.
A reminder that on Sunday 19th October Mike Ryan & Gang are back with another fun evening of Quiz rounds & games, (& jokes!)
Get your tickets after Mass or from the parish office at only £5pp for entry to the Quiz - get your teams of 6(ish) together and bring your own drinks and nibbles on the night.
There will be a raffle, a half time game, teas & coffees, a round of 'Head&Tails', and prizes for the winners (& 'best endeavours')
All money raised goes towards our 2 Parish Projects: The Parish building fund & Sheroes Cafe - Chhanv Foundation
See you there!
CONFIRMATION 2026:
Applications are now open for any students
of secondary school age who wish to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation next
year.
Pick up a form from the back of church or email the parish for a copy & return it to the parish office by end of Oct, so the
2026 course can be planned based on numbers.
School For Synodality UK invites! - the Final Document of the Synod Assembly was wide ranging and inspirational, and it's time to progress to the next steps at grass-roots level as we seek to embed synodality in our everyday Catholic life and culture.
In June 2025, the Vatican released a guiding document called Pathways for the Implementation Phase of the Synod. This highlighted some key areas of focus: such as widening the interest and investment in synodality, finding more effective ways to listen to those on the margins, and reflecting on the rapidly changing nature of parish life. Bishop Bosco is keen for Clifton Diocese to engage fully with the implementation phase, and we are encouraged to join the School for Synodality live on *Saturday 18th October* to explore all this and more, with prayer, small group sharing, testimony, and keynote speaker Bishop Brendan Leahy of the Limerick Diocese in Ireland. As ever, when the School for Synodality community gathers, there will be plenty to challenge and inspire us. Come Holy Spirit!
We'd love a few more volunteers to help make our 'Countdown to Christmas' event as successful as possible
1) anyone fancy helping set up on Friday 14th Nov in the school at 4pm until about 6pm? We'll need a goo few hands to get tables moved and set up, things brought over from the garages etc... 2) anyone free during the day (Sat 15th) to help run a stall? We have 1 stall still to find volunteers for... All offers greatly appreciated and you will get a wonderful reward! ...well, as Fr Franks always says, we run on the 'God Bless You' reward system!
Please contact Bernadette in the office if you have some time to help us out.
Primary School Admissions for 2026-27
If you have a child born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022, then now is the time to apply for a school place for admission from September 2026 onwards. You must complete the application form that is available from the School Admissions team of South Gloucestershire Council. Please visit the school admissions page of the LA website to access their online 2026-27 Reception Intake online application form (or contact them to request a paper form). If your child is Catholic, you should also provide a copy of the baptism certificate to your preferred Catholic school. If your child is of another denomination or faith, please see the school’s admission arrangements for details of the oversubscription criteria and required supporting evidence. Admission arrangements and Supplementary Information Forms are available from our schools’ websites & offices. Please ensure you apply by the closing date of 15 January 2026. If you miss the closing date (and/or forget to provide your preferred Catholic school with a copy of your child’s baptism certificate (if applicable), it may reduce the chances of being offered a place – so please do it as soon as possible!
*St Augustine's Catholic Primary School is holding Open Days starting this week. Contact the school to book a place*
Gifts for the children and soldiers of Ukraine
Please consider supporting 1 or both of the following appeals for gifts.
1) 'Shoe Box for the soldiers' appeal - simple but welcomed gifts you can put inside your shoe box such as:
• Warm socks, gloves, hand warmers, hats in dark colours
• Hygiene items (toothpaste, wipes, lip balm)
• Medical (painkillers, multivitamins, antivirals, plasters, first aid items, antiseptic)
• Treats (chocolate, coffee sachets, nuts, energy bars, cup-a-soups, noodles)
• Power banks, head torches, pocket games such as chess, sudoku
• Add a short note or Christmas card — these messages of support often mean the most.
Please avoid - Liquids, alcohol, sharp items, or perishable is foods.
Please wrap the box and lid separately, secure with string/elastic bands and label it for the soldiers - drop off at St Augustine's Church or Presbytery before the deadline of 10th November.
2) We are also offering to be a drop off point if you would like to wrap up a new gift for a child and label it so it can be handed out in Ukraine. Good ideas for gifts would be toys which do not need batteries (unless also able to supply them too), soft toys, edible treats with a long enough date, puzzles etc. Please steer clear of books in English as would limit who can enjoy them and anything related to guns or warfare. Wrap your present and label it so it can handed out - labels such as: "Young girl 5-10", "Teenage boy", "Any child 0-3"... label for the gift you are able to buy. Please add an extra note to it saying what type of gift it is, which can be removed in Ukraine, just to help with any legalities of border crossings. Drop these to the presbytery before 10th November and they can go off in the November run to Ukraine in time for Christmas.
These gifts can make a real difference — a reminder that kindness travels across borders. Many thanks to you all
Encounter - Clifton Cathedral, Saturday 18h October, 9.30am - 1pm Come and join us for another Encounter of God’s love and mercy. The Parish Mass is at 9.30 followed by Adoration and Confessions. We will start at 10.30 and be finished by 1pm. There will be a time of praise and of listening to the Lord as well as each other. Apostle Room, Cathedral Church of Ss Peter & Paul, Clifton Park, Bristol, BS8 3BX. All welcome. For more information email pentecost@cliftondiocese.com.
Every year the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) is celebrated on the last Sunday of September but this year, to coincide with the Jubilee of Migrants, the day was celebrated over the weekend of 4 and 5 October. The theme is Migrants, missionaries of hope, emphasising the resilience and faith of migrants and refugees in the face of hardship. Lead Bishop for Migrants and Refugees, Bishop Paul McAleenan, offers this message - see full message using this link.
"Everyone loves their country, including those who are forced to leave their homeland. As we move through the streets of our towns and cities today, we see a proliferation of flags and insignia flying from lamp posts. For many, these represent love of country and patriotism. Yet, unfortunately, such displays are also often associated with sentiments opposed to immigration and migrants. Love of country is honourable and so is love of neighbour. In speeches, demonstrations and rallies, which have taken place in recent months and weeks, those two virtues – love of country and love of neighbour – have not come together. "Who is my neighbour?”, Jesus was asked. In answer, Jesus gave the Parable of the Good Samaritan – my neighbour is anyone in need. May Mary, Solace of Migrants pray for you and for all who travel in hope of a better life."
Please come along on for films and discussions on the climate crisis and what we can do to help bring about hope and change..... Saturdays from 10am until 12noon in the hall, on 25th October, 1st & 8th November.
Season of Creation celebration! On Saturday 4th October, the Feast of St Francis, we brought our month of honouring Creation to a close with a Wine & Cheese evening. This followed our Saturday evening Mass and was open to all without charge! We are grateful to those who decorated the Altar for the Mass and those who prepared the hall for the social. Some (how many?) of us enjoyed the evening which included a quiz on Creation. Blessings on all who took part and our Altar will now look somewhat bare without the very creative displays!
Neurodiversity and our Faith experience
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales and Birmingham Newman University are conducting research into Neurodiversity and our Faith experience. We want to hear from you. In this Participatory Research we want to: a) Understand what helps neurodivergent Catholics in England and Wales. b) What gets in the way for neurodivergent Catholics in England and Wales. Your insights can help us to become more inclusive and responsive.
Please consider completing these online surveys. They are anonymous. They are short (10-20 minutes).
If you are: 1. Catholic (practising or not). You are Neurodivergent. You are 18+ years old. You live in England or Wales there is a link in the page below
2. A Caregiver of a Neurodivergent Catholic. A caregiver (parent or other) of a Catholic care recipient (who is either practising or not). Your care recipient is neurodivergent (2+ years old). Your care recipient lives in England or Wales there is a separate link in the page below for your thoughts.
As the annual Baby Loss Awareness Week begins, we remember all those tiny lives lost. We pray that they are held in Jesus' loving embrace and that we, as a community, put our arms around all those suffering the pain of baby and child loss. Please feel free to visit our church for a moment of quiet reflection or prayer, or to light a candle. Please reach out for support if you are suffering - there are many support groups and charities available to you. Baby Loss Awareness UK The Lullaby Trust Sands - baby loss charity Gentle Footprints Tommy's Miscarriage Association Life
Archbishop John Sherrington, Lead Bishop for Life Issues, and Bishop Bosco MacDonald, Lead Bishop for Marriage and Family Life, have released a statement to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week that runs from 9-15 October.
"Baby Loss Awareness Week is a national initiative of remembrance taking place from 9-15 October. It is an opportunity to pause and acknowledge the deep sorrow suffered by parents who have experienced the loss of a baby. Each of these losses involves the death of a small child and the parents need our compassion and support through their bereavement. Many women and parents carry this painful loss silently. It is difficult to talk about, and the Church has also found this difficult. We invite parents to mark baby loss in meaningful ways: through prayer, memorials or liturgical remembrance and mass. These acts help affirm the dignity and innocence of the child and support you in your journey of grief and healing. We encourage parishes to invite parents to pray in front of the Most Blessed Sacrament or light a candle for their children at any time. “You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139)."
