Our New Ministers of Holy Communion

On the weekend of Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th November we were all delighted to welcome 6 new Ministers of Holy Communion into our Parish team.

Fr Frank welcomed and appointed Eilis Higgins, Martyn Poole and Josh Shuttleworth during the Saturday evening Mass and Andrea Martin, Mike Norris and Angela Serle (Pictured) during the Sunday Morning Mass to this important role within our Community.

The Bishop also sent his best wishes and a certificate to each of the new Ministers.

Count down to the Christmas Bazaar!

We are getting very close to the Annual Christmas Bazaar here at St Augustine's which will be on Sat 1st December in the School.

It is yet another event where all our Parish Groups come together for a real community feel event, with everything from visits to the Big Man Himself in Santa's Grotto, lots of games to play, stalls to browse, through to treats, refreshments and fun!

The fun starts from 1.30pm and EVERYONE is welcome to come along.

Thank you to all who have donated items towards the Bazaar which will help to make it a successful event.

See you there!

'Catholic Women's League' News

It has been a busy October for the members of the St Augustine's Section of the CWL. Firstly, Jean Coombs and Kate Doyle travelled to Coventry for CWL National Conference.

On 20th October section members travelled to Frome for the Autumn Branch meeting. Speakers on the day were David Brinn, Clifton Diocese Manager for CAFOD and our Branch Chaplain, Deacon John Scanlon. David Brinn showed the ladies a very interesting video about the work of CAFOD and Deacon John's talk was about the forthcoming Year of Faith and looked at the 'Lumen Gentium'.
On 23rd October Jean Coombs in her capacity as CWL Branch Chair was invited to cut the ribbon to open the new CAFOD offices at St Bonaventure's. Helping her in this task was AnnMarie Sparrow, President of the UCM in Clifton. With us also on the day was the Lord Mayor of Bristol Councillor Peter Main.
Finally on Saturday 27th October, St Augustine's section was asked along to the CAFOD open day. CAFOD and St Augustine's section are both 50 years old this year and David Brinn thought it would be good if the section could cut the cake along with Bishop Declan.





2nd Vatican Council - R.C.I.A.

This term's series of RCIA (Roman Catholics in Action) talks and get togethers are now underway. Last Thursday's meeting gave us another interesting talk concentrating on the Second Vatican Council documents and what they means for us as Catholics today.

Another account of the talks are outlined in Deacon John's latest blog page

Click here to go to the page and see what was discussed

Everyone is welcome to come along to one, some or all of the meetings which are each Thursday at 7.30 in the Parish Hall. Contact Deacon Michael for more information

Year of Faith - Second Vatican Council

The series of RCIA (Roman Catholics in Action) talks and get togethers began last Thursday, this term concentrating on the Second Vatican Council documents and what they means for us as Catholics today.

Deacon Michael led last week's first meeting and an excellent account of the talks are outlined in Deacon John's blog page

Click here to go to the page and see what was discussed

Everyone is welcome to come along to one, some or all of the meetings which are each Thursday at 7.30 in the Parish Hall. Contact Deacon Michael for more information

Murder Mystery Night...

Saturday 29th September will see the unthinkable happen in the Parish Hall.... we will need your help to solve the 'Champagne Murder Mystery'and find out 'who-dunnit'!

A delicious 3 course meal will be served with a bar and raffle available on the night all whilst the drama unfolds before your eyes!

Always an enjoyable night. Contact Deacon Peter to arrange to collect your reserved tickets asap as there is a waiting list.

'Not So Young' Club Outing!

Our intrepid crew from the Not So Young Club set sail on 4th September on the annual outing, this year taking place in Plymouth.

The day out of a coach trip and harbour cruise was, so we are told, a fantastic outing, filled with lots of laughs, wonderful scenery and the best fish and chips on the coast!

Have a look through the images scrolling below to see the evidence of their great day out. Ahoy!


Catholic Women's League ~ National Pilgrimage

On Wednesday 11th July 2012 Catholic Women’s League (CWL) members from Clifton Diocese travelled to Oxford for their National Pilgrimage. Over 400 members from all over England and Wales gathered at the church of St. Aloysius within the Oxford Oratory to hear Mass celebrated by the Rt. Rev Peter Doyle, Bishop of Northampton and CWL Ecclesiastical Adviser.

We were there to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Margaret Fletcher who founded the League in 1906. Margaret was born in1862 in Oxford. She died in 1943 and is buried in Begbroke Priory, Kidlington, just outside of Oxford. 

We were welcomed to the Oratory by the V Rev. Daniel Seward, Parish Priest and Provost at St. Aloysius. He told us that an old lady from the parish can remember Margaret Fletcher, who worshipped at St. Aloysius. Margaret was known to parishioners as Catty. Not as you may think due to a spiteful nature but because she kept about 14 cats at home. 

After Mass Margaret Richards, our National President, invited ladies and guests to take the short walk to Oxford town hall where afternoon tea was served.

If you are interested in joining the CWL or in any aspect of our work then please go to our website of www.catholicwomensleague.org 
Jean Coombs ~ Clifton Branch President




Also, why not read about CWL Chaplain~ Deacon John Scanlon's thoughts on the day, on his blog...

Click here to go straight to Deacon John's page...

'Let's Celebrate Britain' Summer Event 2012

What a fantastic time we all had on Saturday 30th June at our Summer Event!
As you will see from the photos, the weather was not as kind as it could have been - we dodged showers, some heavier than others. However, the sun did keep popping out to dry us a little!
Well done to everyone involved with the Event - you all worked SO hard!
.. and a huge thank you to all who came and supported the day - especially those who arrive during our 25 minute downpour! Now THAT is dedication!
We will wait to see whether our hilarious Guiness World Record attempt was successful - we had a fun time trying though! Standing in a field, in the rain, waving flags and singing God Save The Queen - could we have got any more British than that? I don't think so!

Welcome to our NEW website!!!

Thank you for searching out our new website!! 
.. our last website had to close down for financial reasons so we now have a lovely, new version thanks to the talents of a certain fresh-faced new Deacon! (Thank you!)

As you can see, this is the Home page where we will post information about up & coming events or any news from the Parishes in Communion. Just scroll down to see what has been going on....

On the left hand side, just as with our old website on the home page, you can click quickly to see the Mass times for the coming week and to see the current Saturday and Sunday Rota's.


The tabs running along the top can take you to see all the Newsletters from around the Parishes, you can read minutes of various Committee Meetings, you can see a calendar of event taking place, look through the Gallery of photos, see information about our many Parish groups and even check the map to see where we are! (in case you forget!)

We hope you like our new site... don't forget to update your 'favourites' to find us easily each time!

Pre-school Summer Party!


A normal day's fun
in the Pre-school outdoor area

Paint and play!
The Pre-school are holding an end of year Summer Party on Friday 13th July.

On the School field there will be a BBQ, a bar, fun and games and entertainment all from 5pm for a fun family evening.

All money raised from the night will be going towards the 'Rebuilding fund' to get a replacement building for the Pre-school.



 Please come along, bring family and friends for a great night and help them raise as much money as possible! Tickets are on sale from Pre-school or contact the Parish office.
The Party promises to be 'sizzling' !

CWL Charity Meal

The Catholic Women's League are hosting another wonderful Charity evening of good food and good company!

It will be on Saturday 21st July in the Parish Hall from 7.30pm and this year all the money raised will go to the Kambia Appeal, our international Parish Project for 2012.

Tickets are just £7 per person for a 2 course meal of home made quiches, postatoes, salads and a super selection of puddings! Vegetarians fully catered for! (Bring your own drinks along)

There will be a speaker from the Charity as well as a raffle and a sing-a-long! Tickets will be on sale after all Masses very soon or contact the CWL for more information.

The Kambia Appeal... read more at http://www.kambia.org.uk/

Glastonbury Pilgrimage 2012

8th  July is this year's 'Glastonbury Pilgrimage' – coaches have now been organised to take the Parishes together to the pilgrimage. Bishop Declan will be saying Mass and it is expected, once again, to be a wonderful day!

“LET’S CELEBRATE BRITAIN!”

Our Summer Event this year will be on Saturday 30th June celebrating all things British in this Jubilee/Olympic year!

This year's event will have a 'Great British Bake Off' competition, a kids scarecrow making competition, family silly sports day races (It’s a knockout style!) plus British Historical Reinactors complete with firing canons! Swing boats, bouncy castles, Pre-school play area, face painting, Punch and Judy, Tombola stalls,
a 2nd hand book stall, a delicious B-B-Q, a bar, the Governors Café for tea, coffee, cakes or cream teas, CWL’s Home Produce Shop and many, many more things to see and do!

PLUS, our Grand Finale this year will be an attempt to break a Guinness World Record for singing Patriotic songs in relay!!
So, bring your family and friends as we need to try to get 300 people all singing Rule Britannia and waving flags in the field!

The event is on the school field (with wet weather contingency!) from 1-4pm on Saturday 30th June. Entrance fee just £1 per adult and 50p per child.

Any donations of prizes, 2nd hand children’s books, home made produce or cakes for the café would be MUCH appreciated!

See you all there and God save the Queen!

CWL Branch AGM for 2012

Some of our 'Catholic Women' enjoying a beautiful day of sunshine and friendship!

27 May 2012

Last Saturday, the CWL branch held their annual general meeting with Mass celebrated by Bishop Declan at Clifton Cathedral.
During the AGM, our Deacon, Deacon John Scanlon, was made Branch Chaplain.
Jean Coombs from our Parish is now Branch President. Congratulations to both of them!
Deacon John is made Branch Chaplain. Congratulations!

Mission Week is here - New Awakenings

Our Mission week starts this weekend with special services throughout the week.
Check your Mission leaflet for all the dates/times. There are lists in the Narthex to sign up for the evening social to check on numbers coming and to save duplication of food items.

It would be wonderful for as many of us as possible to attend as many services as possible throughout this week, with an opportunity to visit the other Parishes within our Communion.Two services here at St Augustine’s that are worth highlighting are on:
  • Thurs 24th - a 7am early morning Mass followed by breakfast in the hall. 
  • Friday 25th - a special service at 8pm followed by a social gathering with shared supper in the school hall.
Please pray for the success and support of this special week.
See running progress at Deacon John's Mission Blog!!!!

ADMINISTRATION

Thank you for reading the all of our news posts.
The posts from now on are all for admin purposes to be published in different areas of our website.

Counselling - Visiting

GENERAL COUNSELLING 
Some services are available through the Parish. If you feel you have a need for counselling, please contact Fr Barnabas.

PRISON VISITORS 
The aim of this service is to fulfil the gospel message ‘I was in prison and you visited me.’
Ashfield Prison is situated in Pucklechurch. A team of parishioners currently assists Fr Barnabas in the work undertaken with offenders, joining the men for Mass on Tuesdays in the prison chapel.

HOSPITAL VISITING
If you or a family member are in hospital and require an urgent visit from a Priest, please ask the Ward Manager to contact the Priest on call using the hospital 'pager' system. There is a rota in place to cover all the Bristol hospitals 24 hours a day. They will not automatically do this for you... only on request.

Journey in Faith - Roman Catholics In Action!


It is vital that we hand on the Faith to our children and to our friends. Growth is necessary and we live to evangelise, plus we have various tools to hand on the Faith…

It is good to prepare for Holy Mass by praying through the Scriptural readings in the Lectionary - this helps our understanding and also helps to dispel distractions when we come to Mass - so we meet to share together the Sunday readings. There is a friendly atmosphere where questions are encouraged, and people’s views can be aired and discussed. It aims to assist in the ongoing formation of existing Catholics, teaching them more about their faith, and helping them to build a closer relationship with God.

In the past ,the sessions included talks, with each of a team of different speakers contributing each term. After the talk, there is a break for refreshments, followed by an informal discussion over aspects of the talk.

If you know of anyone who would like to know more about the Catholic Church, please let Deacon Michael & Fr Barnabas know. Individual preparation can be given to suit the enquirer's needs.