This Parish website and our Facebook page will continue to be updated as regularly as possible to keep our Parish Community alive with news, information, scripture readings and updates from Fr Frank! Scroll down this page to see all our news (& click 'older posts' at the bottom of the page to look back over the previous news.) MASSES RESUMING:CLICK HERE for the latest link to book a place for Mass, now that services have resumed. Please read the details on this booking site as to what to expect when returning to Mass. (No need to print or bring tickets with you - we are just using this site to keep an eye on the numbers in case we are reaching capacity) PARISH OFFICE:Please note that the Parish Office is only open a few days per week due to staff furlough. Emails will be checked periodically. In the event of an urgent query, please call Fr Frank at the presbytery on 0117 983393. DONATIONS:If you would like to make a donation to St Augustine's Church please do so below. Thank you for all your support.
We will now return to posting the weekly newsletter into the 'Newsletter' section of this website, rather than onto this latest news, hompage.
Click the tab for 'Newsletters' and you will see a link to view all the colour front page sheets (with the readings info and commentary) and then dated, weekly updates to show the inside 'Newsletter' information with Mass times, updates etc.
Preschool Vacancies Our lovely, friendly Preschool is currently recruiting! This is a great opportunity for new employment in the area. So if you know anyone who is looking for work please pass this on to them or share this post so they can spread the word widely and get the best candidates for the job.
See individual post information below.
🔹Preschool Manager
🔸Administrator
🔹Cleaner
🔸Relief Assistant
Pope Francis on Twitter:
Novena for the Planet
The Catholic Bishop's Conference of England and Wales have published CAFOD's new Novena to St Francis ~ Nine brief reflections asking St Francis of Assisi to pray for us and our world, based on his beautiful Canticle of the Sun.
We would love to share those together with you over the next week... here are the first and second reflections...
Memories from the Parish
Thank you to Mary Daly for sharing this great photo of Bishop Moses. How lovely to see Vera's smiling face again too. (She was never happier than when she was looking after 'her Priests'.)
We love to see photos from the past from our parish events, special Masses etc... Feel free to send them to us if you have a treasured photo to share...
CAFOD's Family Fast Event this Autumn is raising awareness of how the world needs help, more than ever, due to the effects of COVID.
"This Harvest, we are launching a series of online events around Family Fast Day from 8-11 October so that we can come together and bring hope and help to those who are most in need. This is a Harvest like no other as many families face chronic food shortages, malnutrition and poverty as the result of coronavirus. With your support, we can help people all over the world rebuild their lives."
Visit the CAFOD website (CAFOD.org.uk) for online events, prayer resources to use and share and to make a donation if you are able to.
Watch their short video to show how they are trying to help around the world...
World Day of Migrants and Refugees.
On Sunday 27 September the Catholic Church celebrates the World Day of Migrants and Refugees.
For the theme of his message this year, Pope Francis chose “Like Jesus Christ, Forced to Flee”, calling us to see the face of God in migrants and refugees. He also made a special appeal for the world's 45.7 million internally displaced people.
Watch a zoom conversation lead by Bishop Paul McAleenan...
As the season of Creationtide continues, this Friday sees an online 'Climate Strike' day of action and awareness...
If you would like to show your solidarity with those who care for the planet's future, feel free to follow this link for all the information.
~
"On Friday, September 25th participate in the #ClimateStrike! How to do it? Follow these steps; Download this poster, print it and write your message, take a picture with it and publish it on social media with the hashtags #SeasonOfCreation#ClimateAction#ClimateStrike"
The Feast of St Matthew ~ 21st September O God, who with untold mercy were pleased to choose as an Apostle Saint Matthew, the tax collector, grant that, sustained by his example and intercession, we may merit to hold firm in following you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Apart, yet together. #ChurchAtHome
'Saying Goodbye' ~ Baby Loss Support
Following St Augustine's involvement with the Mariposa Trust's 'Saying Goodbye' services last year we are happy to promote the details of their upcoming services both online, and in the South West area.
Please visit their Facebook page or website for all the details of venues, to book tickets to an event and for more information on how they can help anyone going through the pain of baby loss.
We stand in loving support with all bereaved parents who have lost babies at any stage or age. May their souls rest in peace.
" 'Saying Goodbye', (part of the Mariposa Trust) are coming back to several venues in October with a Baby loss support remembrance and support service (part of a Nationwide chain of events). Due to Covid-19 this is not a traditional service but we are happy to be able to bring a service to bereaved parents in your area.
The Mariposa Trust’s core objective is to support people who have lost babies at any stage of pregnancy, at birth, or in infancy. It was founded in 2012, by Zoe and Andy Clark-Coates, who saw a critical lack of support for people like them, who had gone through baby loss. With over 258,000 babies being lost yearly in the UK alone, the charity needed to be able to offer not only a comprehensive package of befriending and support but also national baby loss remembrance services (called Saying Goodbye Services), for people to join together and remember the children they had lost. 5 years on over 120 services have taken place at Cathedrals and Minsters across the UK, US, and France, and 2020 will see services across England, Wales, and Scotland, Covid-19 permitting."
~
10 Years a Saint for John Henry Newman
10 years ago, in Birmingham, Pope Benedict presided over the beatification of Cardinal Newman.
“To live is to change, and to change often is to become more perfect.” Cardinal H Newman
Creationtide 2020
CAFOD ~ We continue to pray for all those around the world, who are struggling due to the coronavirus pandemic. Let us foster respect and solidarity with others, especially those who are weak and poor, as we rebuild our world.
To mark the tenth anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the UK, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has shared his memories of the historic four-day visit.
The Apostolic Journey took place from 16 to 19 September 2010.
“There are many highlights that stand out in my mind. One was the drive down the great road approaching Buckingham Palace – The Mall – decorated on either side with papal flags and Union Jacks. Packed with people on both sides.
"It was a sight I thought I would never see. A warm, rapturous welcome to the Pope of Rome in this country, which has, for the last 400 years, struggled with its understanding of its relationship to the Catholic Church.”
How many of us were able to see the Pope while he was here?
Our Diocese 'put a coach on' to see Pope Benedict in Birmingham - a wet day, an early start but a fantastic event to be at! We would love you to share your memories of the visit with us...
Bulletins for this coming weekend:
The Global Catholic Climate Movement:
"Would you like to take care of the environment but don't know how to start? On the occasion of the #SeasonOfCreation we are sharing with you 10 saints whose passion and love for God's creation can motivate you to take action for our common home.
Which Saint would you ask for his or her intercession and advice?"
Thank you to Bella for another lovely Reflection. "Hello again, hoping all are well and safe despite the fears of an increase in the virus we are in God's hands and he knows what he is doing.
I invite you to really thank God for the beauty of the world, and for all the good that is being achieved, all the kindness and neighbourliness, and for our sincere repentance for all the less good things we have discovered and have been tolerating. There is so much that is positive going on in this Season of Creation.I enclose lots of things to read and think about, and some ideas of what we can do. This is a real Kairos moment or moment of opportunity.
The Bishops of England and Wales issued this important statement for the Season of Creation:
The Pope has also been using his weekly Wednesday audiences, at first socially restricted to the Vatican Library but streamed worldwide, to teach us about healing the world in this time of Coronavirus. It is a series that begins on 2nd August and continues even now. The theme of the Pope's development of Laudato Si is Jubilee, and he is about to bring out another Encyclical, Tutti Fratelli, which in Italian means all are brothers and sisters, which means all life on earth. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/papal-audience.html
Read Pope Francis' messages delivered during his Papal Audiences. Vatican News: the official news source of the Holy See.
www.vaticannews.va
These are very exciting times, but we are only just in time if we react right now, as David Attenborough told us, with many other notable experts in his film this week, Extinction The Facts.
With a million species at risk of extinction, David Attenborough explores how this crisis of biodiversity has consequences for us all, including putting us at greater risk of pandemic diseases ...
www.bbc.co.uk
This is a profoundly moving, positive, hopeful and motivating analysis of the things happening in our world, and how we can stop it getting worse. I was in tears from start to finish. It deals effectively with many of the arguments about what we can and must do.
Parliament is also going to debate importantly the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill which you can read about here:
This Saturday is a day for Beach Clean up. Since we cannot meet socially, I invite you to do your bit by doing a little litter picking in the area of your choice, while thanking God for the beauty of our world which is ravaged by our lack of care.
I also invite you to make a special effort to say a grace before you eat or drink anything since all is a gift from God.
I hope you get much enjoyment and inspiration from some of these websites and videos, and I wish you all the happiness of the Season of Creation. Don't forget to share your surplus garden or allotment produce at the church in celebration of the Harvest.
Today marks the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. Dating back to the 12th century, this feast date is dedicated to the spiritual martyrdom of Mary, her compassion, and the sufferings of her Divine Son, Jesus.
Radio Bristol shared this amazing photo today, taken by a viewer, of the stunning sunrise in our lovely city.
Please help spread the word about our wonderful Primary School to anyone with children of school age. The open days start soon to look round the brilliant facilities - appointments needed. Call the school to register.
In this season of Creationtide, remember to pray for the recovery of the planet and for those whose lives are made difficult by economic or environmental pressures.
What else can we do to help?
Another idea is to donate an item to our local foodbank... see the poster below for details of what is needed and where to drop your donation.
Office space available in Bishopston, Bristol, close to the Gloucester Road! A great alternative to working from home: Offices for one person up to a small team. We have the perfect space for you! Get in touch for info" CLICK HERE to go to their website
Our Parishioner, Clare Davis, who is a trainer for mental health first aid in the workplace, has set up a "Mental Health Chats" channel on youtube. It features discussions with experts, information, and tips on healthy wellbeing. (Find it here to watch and subscribe)
*Be aware that this post includes the topic of suicide*
We are sharing this discussion she posted from August, in which she chats to another of our parishioners, Sue Mulrenan, an emergency ambulance care assistant, about the subject of suicide and what we could do if ever faced with the prospect of someone who is contemplating taking their own life. As our parish project this year is 'Grassroots', the suicide prevention charity, and following the widespread success of suicide prevention day, we are keen to promote groups and services that offer assistance with healthy wellbeing wherever we can.
The government's new 'Rule of 6' comes into force from today for social, private gatherings. This does not affect Mass as places of worship are organised, risk assessed, COVID safe locations.
Please remember to 'book' your place at your chosen Mass (using the link in our 'Welcome to our website' post) to enable us to capture numbers, to help with stewarding safely and also for the track and trace system.
For up to date information about the government's rules, please visit their website or facebook page at 'Gov.UK'
CREATIONTIDE
As we continue through this season of 'Creationtide', let's continue to think of what we can do to help our beautiful world.... Today's challenge from the recent Saints and Sinners game section:
SHOPPING – 'stuff ' is a big part of individual carbon footprints
o Do you use ecofriendly and refillable cleaning products?
o Do you avoid the FAANGs where possible? (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix and Google)
o Do you sew on a button or other simple repairs?
o Do you buy classic clothes that will last?
o Do you buy stuff you don’t really need?
o Do you use all the things you own to their fullest extent?
o Do you repurpose and refurbish rather than throw away or even recycle?
o Do you have zero waste?
o Do you replace electronics with the newest model?
o Do you make presents and other creative activities?
o Do you give away nice things you have as presents?
Pope Francis' latest twitter reflection:
"
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross: Feast Day
"O God, who willed that your Only Begotten Son
should undergo the Cross to save the human race,
grant, we pray,
that we, who have known his mystery on earth,
may merit the grace of his redemption in heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."
SUICIDE PREVENTION
Following the recent suicide prevention and awareness campaigns, if any of the discussions or adverts have affected you in any way, or if you ever need to talk, remember that there are many places to get help.
