WELCOME TO THE WEBSITE

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 latest news posts (& click 'older posts' at the bottom of the page to look back over the previous news.)

CHURCH REOPENING: 

We reopened on Saturday 6th March for public Masses.

Please remember to book a place at Mass by clicking this Eventbright link - this link will also confirm, on the front page, all the details of what we are doing to keep you safe and what you must do before attending and during Mass. 

* Please read the details carefully before booking your place at your chosen Mass. 

* There is no Sunday Obligation so please attend the Mass each week that best suits you. Thank you.

If you are continuing to shield or cannot return to Mass quite yet, you can visit the Church Services website to watch Mass from our Cathedral each day at 9.30am.

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 9833939. 

DONATIONS: If you would like to make a donation to St Augustine's Church please do so below. Thank you for all your support.

​ ​ ​ ​

​

Latest News

"Dare to Dream"

Eastertide resources from Clifton Diocese for us all to share.

See the 1st update here or go to the Clifton Diocese website to view the whole program with videos etc....

 

Cardinal Vincent Nichol's homily from Easter Sunday can be heard on the Diocese of Westminster website.

CLICK HERE to go to the page

Pop Francis' latest tweet

Prayers for Indonesia &East Timor.

Please pray for all those around the world, especially right now in Indonesia and East Timor, who are suffering and dying as a result of flooding or extreme weather.

Happy Easter

 Spring... Hope... Easter!

Sending the love and joy of the risen Christ to you all this Easter.

Latest News

Holy Week and Easter

As at today (Mon 29th March) all places have already been booked for the services on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday.

If you have not yet booked your place for Easter Mass you are invited to attend during Easter week/the Octave of Easter as all Masses that week are Solemnities and count as your Easter Obligation *

God bless you all. Canon Frank.

A message from Bella Harding:

This is a really good talk by Lord Deben about how looking after the planet is our duty as Catholics - absolutely fascinating and very humane and sensible. Well worth watching to the end, (only an hour)

Stewarding help needed:

We need a new second steward to help every OTHER week on a Saturday night.

If you regularly attend Mass on a Saturday night and can help by; arriving a little earlier, helping to remind people to sanitise hands on arrival and stewarding to seats/ for communion during the Mass and then helping to sanitise afterwards for 15/20 minutes, please let us know asap.

Thank you to all our brilliant volunteers who are helping to keep our church open.

St Patrick's Church

Parishioners in St Patricks Catholic Church Redfield are already gearing up for their centenary celebrations with a new video describing the church and parish. St Patrick’s Church was founded in 1923 by Canon William Dillon with a congregation of only a dozen. Canon Dillon founded St Patrick's school in 1933.

Since then, the congregation numbers have grown to 650 adults and children from more than 40 countries who worship in a beautiful new church built almost 26 years ago by Rev Canon Gregory Grant.

He said: “We feel our congregation is still growing as hundreds of people from all over the world tune in to our daily Mass. With our centenary approaching, we felt the time was right to launch a video to describe our beautiful church and parish.”

Don’t forget Holy Land and Middle East Christians over Easter, says Bishop Declan
Ahead of Holy Week, Bishop Declan Lang, chair of the Bishops’ International Affairs department, has issued a reminder that the Christians living in the lands of Christ should be held in prayer.
Starved of pilgrim visitors to the Holy sites, and facing the daily realities of conflict and occupation, the Christians, as Pope Francis puts it, are suffering “the economic inequalities and regional tensions that threaten the stability of these lands.”
Bishop Declan is asking Christians to reaffirm their commitment to justice and peace in Middle East.
He also calls on our leaders to “increase their support for peacebuilding, humanitarian relief, and the protection of human dignity, while forsaking narrow political or economic interests, including the sale of arms which only fuel conflict.”
Read the full statement here.

Thank you to Deacon Vincent for your reflections on Palm or Passion Sunday Year B

Palm Sunday 2021 - Westminster Cathedral

1st Gospel from St. Mark 11: 1-10.

At last, we have the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and we join with those who welcome the Messiah, holding our palms high in greeting of the “One who comes in the name of Lord. Hosanna in the Highest.”

The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark 14: 1-15, 47.

Suddenly with the imminence of the Passover, we are rushing towards the end, which we have seen coming for some time now. We have the high priests and the scribes planning to commit legal murder, and then joyfully finding a willing accomplice in Judas, one of Jesus’ inner circle. In the midst of all this, we hear of this woman who generously anoints Jesus with very expensive oil, contrasting with the treacherous acts of the high priests and Judas, as well as the small-minded guests at Simon the Leper’s house. This Mark’s way of guiding as to how to read the passion story. Jesus informs us that this is not the whole story, for the lady has anointed him for his burial. We, come now, to the greatest and most joyous meal of the Jewish year, the Passover meal. His disciples had forgotten to arrange everything, but Jesus was one step ahead of them. No sooner than we start the meal, then Jesus informs them and us that someone, who is sharing the table with him, is about to betray him, a most heinous offence in the Near Eastern code of hospitality. The mood does not lift as Jesus takes the bread and wine and says “This is my Body …. This, is my blood, the blood of the covenant, which is to be poured out for many.” Whatever else it means it sounds like death. After the meal they leave the city and enter a very sombre period, Jesus tells them that they will all desert him this very night; and it is where Jesus confronts his coming passion. He takes his special friends with him and all he asks of them is “Stay awake”, whilst he prays to the Father. Mark allows us to hear Jesus’ intimate prayer to his Father. However, his close friends can’t keep their eyes open. After this, something has happened, because Jesus has complete possession of himself again; his friends will all desert him, one will make a vain attempt to save him, but he also runs away, as Jesus is left alone to confront the mob, who are being led by his friend Judas, who identifies Jesus to the mob by a kiss. We come face to face with this terrible betrayal, and how it must have hurt Jesus. Whilst Jesus stands firm and erect Judas fades out of history into the darkness. Jesus is hauled before the Sanhedrin, who are intent upon Jesus’ death. Finally, the High priest asks the question, which has been lurking beneath the surface all the way through the Gospel. “Are you the Christ the Son of the Blessed One? Jesus’ unequivocal answer and his death sentence. “I Am.” This is the quote of God himself when questioned about his name. Peter denies Jesus three times, as foretold by Jesus and goes off in a terrible state; and is healed by his tears of sorrow. The Sanhedrin take Jesus to Pilate so that he can be executed. Pilate tries to wriggle free from the situation, and we have to two sons of God, Barabbas, a name which means son of God, and Jesus who is the Son of God, and like the two goats of old, one is saved the other cast out to die in the wilderness carrying all the sins of the people away with him; so Barabbas is saved, a common criminal, and Jesus will die on our behalf the shameful death of the Cross carrying all our sins on his back. Pilate, having failed to quell the disturbance orders Jesus scourged and crucified. The soldiers hearing that Jesus was declared a king, decided to play the cruel game of kings, which was a very painful mock coronation after a vicious scouring. Simon is conscripted to help carry the cross for Jesus, as they did not want him dying on the way. Something must have happened on the way for he and his sons are known by Mark’s community. Finally, the lonely death of Jesus, and the division of his clothing, just as the suffering servant of Isaiah. Amazingly Joseph of Arimathaea asks Pilate for the body, and it is granted. They bury him in a tomb, hewn from the rock, rolled a stone over the front and left sorrowfully. Jesus our loving saviour, Thank You, for your redeeming act.

God Bless. Deacon Vincent.

Magnificat

The Catholic Herald is pleased to let us all know that the digital Holy Week issue of the Magnificat is available, free, at the following link:

CLICK HERE FOR A FREE ONLINE HOLY WEEK EDITION

Holy Places

A reminder that we will have a basket as you enter Church on Good Friday for the annual collection for "Holy Places", supporting the work of the Franciscans of the Custody of the Holy Land who have the unique responsibility of maintaining the Holy Places and preserving the Christian presence in the Holy Land.

See the Vatican news site for the latest information

We will also have a basket over Easter Weekend and Octave of Easter for the traditional offering for our parish priests.

Latest News

Easter Offerings

With Easter approaching, several people have inquired about the traditional Easter Offering to the Parish priests.

We will not make donation envelopes available this year at the back of Church as we are still trying to keep any items that require people to pick things up or have them handed out to a minimum for added safety (ie newsletters / Mass sheets etc).

If you are attending Mass at any time over Lent / Easter and wish to give an Easter offering to our Priests please pop your donation into an envelope of your own and place it in the basket as you enter Church, or pop it through the letterbox of the presbytery.

Fr Frank recognises how generous the people of St Augustine's Parish have been to him over this past difficult year and he thanks you all for your care, support and generosity through this time.

Latest News

Day of Reflection

National Day of Reflection - Tuesday 23rd March

Don't forget, we will open the Church from 11am-12.30 for private reflection tomorrow for the National Day of Reflection (Tues 23rd March) to mark the anniversary of the UK's first Covid lockdown & to remember those who have died in the pandemic. You are invited to come in for silent prayer with the Blessed Sacrament between those times or to join together for the minute’s silence & the saying of the Angelus at noon. We will also observe the minute's silence at the end of our usual Mass that evening, coinciding with the national doorstep vigil at 8pm.

Tree of Hope

What an amazing response we have already had to the TREE OF HOPE outside of St Augustine's Church!

There have been so many ribbons tied to the tree over the weekend with a chance to pause and remember loved ones, to reflect on the past year, and to pray for HOPE for the future...

You are more than welcome to bring a ribbon with you to tie onto the tree at any time to suit you or, if you are attending Mass, we will leave white ribbons in a basket to take with you when you arrive and tie onto the TREE OF HOPE as you leave.

Thank you to Deacon Vincent for your Reflections for 5th Sunday in Lent

1st Reading from Jeremiah 31: 31-34.

Jeremiah is taking a message from the Lord to the people. The Lord wants to make a new covenant with the people, not one written down, but one born of love. He wants us to carry his commandments in our hearts so that we automatically do what is right, because we know what the Lord wants of us. Jesus would sum the covenant up as Love God with all you have, and love your neighbour, as yourself, for God’s sake. This is the covenant that Jesus would bring. You will find references to this new covenant in (1 Corinthians 11:25, Luke 22:20 & Mark 14:24, as well as Hebrews 8). This is a strategic point of uniting the Old Testament and New Testament thought. It is an important point for us to ponder at this point in our preparations for Easter. Write God’s Word in our hearts; and come alive with the Spirit.

Psalm 50: 3-4, 12-15.

This penitential psalm continues the theme of Jeremiah, whereby it requests a new heart, a pur heart, and a steadfast spirit. There is a request that God blot out our offenses, as he promised to do in the first reading from Jeremiah “I will forgive their iniquity and never call their sin to mind.” It is a truly beautiful psalm to ponder coming towards Holy Week.

2nd Reading from the letter to the Hebrews 5: 7-9.

Hebrews here is considering Christ as High Priest. Jesus is invited by God to the high priestly task; Jesus painfully gave obedience to God, and so became the source of eternal salvation. This book, although not the easiest, is worth working through as it opens up a view of Jesus as the real thing.

The Holy Gospel according to John 12: 20-30.

Now, Jesus realises the final crisis has arrived, with some Greeks, most probably Greek-speaking Jews, and they approach the two Apostles with Greek names for a meeting with Jesus, and immediately Jesus realises that the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. In the parable of the seed falling to the ground, we realise that death is stalking Jesus. We discover that his disciples must also go his Way, but God is still in control. This is the closest John will get to the Agony in the Garden, but God affirms Jesus, and finally Jesus gives a clear indicator of the type of death he must undergo. “And when I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all men to myself.” By his death we are saved, and are drawn more closely to him, so that in our turn, we also will draw all men to Jesus. That is our task; and it is worth pondering this notion over the coming weeks.

God Bless you all & keep safe.

Deacon Vincent

Act of Worship for the 5th Sunday of Lent

Thank you to Martin Le Poidevin for sharing his musical talents with us once again.

Latest News

Weekly Prayer Group

Did you know that there is a Prayer Group within St Augustine's that have continued to meet online over the

past year, each Monday evening, 8-9pm, via Zoom?

Bella Harding from the group said "All are welcome to join us. We start with a little time of prayer and praise, followed by a short talk, and then 'intercessions'."

Would you like to join in with their gatherings and help to pray for the intentions that are passed their way?

When discussing the practical details of running the group over Zoom Bella said "We try to leave social chat to another social meeting, and we keep whatever is said confidential."

If you would like to join them for company, prayer and praise, regularly or occasionally, please email Bella: isabellahf@hotmail.com

** PLUS, if you have something or someone you would like the Prayer Group to pray for, please email the details to Bella or to us at the Parish Office and we will pass them on.

TREE OF HOPE

In solidarity with the wonderful idea by Christ Church Downend, we are also creating a TREE OF HOPE this Lent and Easter outside of St Augustine's Church

- a chance to pause and remember loved ones, to reflect on the past year, and to pray for HOPE for the future...

When the Church is open for Mass, we will leave white ribbons in a basket to take with you and tie onto the TREE OF HOPE.

Or, if you are unable to come at Mass times to collect a ribbon, you are more than welcome to bring a ribbon with you to tie onto the tree as we would not want anyone who wishes to take part to miss out. Everyone is welcome.

National Day of Reflection –Tues 23rd March

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is backing charity Marie Curie's plan for a minute's silence and a national doorstep vigil to form part of a day of reflection to mark the anniversary of the UK's first Covid lockdown & to remember those who have died in the pandemic. There will be a minute's silence at 12:00 GMT with people encouraged to light up their doorsteps that night at 8pm.

* * We will open the Church so people can come in for silent prayer with the Blessed Sacrament from 11am-12.30 for private reflection at any of those times or to join together for the minute’s silence & the saying of the Angelus at noon.

We will also observe the minute's silence at the end of our usual Mass that evening, coinciding with the national doorstep vigil at 8pm.

Apart, yet together. #ChurchAtHome