Christmas Mass Times

      
   Christmas Services 2014 within our Parishes in Communion
 
Family Christmas Vigil Masses on Wed 24th December:
           4.00pm -Our Lady of Lourdes                 6.00pm - St Paul’s               6.00pm-St Augustine’s

 
     Carols followed by “Midnight Mass”
          9.00pm-St Augustine’s                 11.30pm - St Paul’s                        11.30pm - Our Lady of Lourdes

 
    Mass of Christmas Day
       9.00am - St Lawrence                 9.00am- Our Lady of Lourdes      11.00am – St Paul’s
      10.30am -St Augustine’s

 

St Nicholas Fayre


What another successful Christmas Community Event this year!
Our Annual Christmas Bazaar was held on Sat 6th December and was a bumper turn out for the community. We had many rooms within the school packed with stalls and games and amazing amounts of food to eat!
This year was Themed as “St Nicholas Fayre” and when Santa opened the Fayre by ringing his bell then we welcomed in over 400 visitors during the afternoon!
Various Parish Groups such as the Catholic Women’s League,  Toddler Group, Pre-school, Scouts & Guides & Youth Club ran the stalls, we had several outside companies with stalls for Christmas Shopping & 3 charity stalls with items on sale and games to play to raise money for The Great Western Air Ambulance, “Let the Children Live” and HCPT Pilgrimage Trust as well as many individual Parishioners helping out to give a fantastic array of things to do.
A great day together to help raise funds for the Parish. At last count it looks to have raised over £1,800! Thank you to everyone involved for the hard work and support.
Merry Christmas.

I'd like to stay but I really 'moustache'!!

This Movember, I've committed my upper lip to help change the face of men's health by growing a moustache, and now I need your support at http://uk.movember.com/mospace/6677145
The Movember Foundation is the leading global organisation committed to changing the face of men’s health.
I'm passionate about this cause because too many men are dying unnecessarily from prostate cancer. Each year, 40,000 men in the UK alone are diagnosed with prostate cancer. 
The Movember Foundation is working tirelessly every day with an urgent goal in mind: accelerating breakthroughs in prostate cancer research that will benefit patients and their families. Movember is achieving this by the formation of the largest, global alliance of prostate cancer researchers and clinical specialists, who are tackling the toughest prostate cancer challenges.
I need your support to fund this important work. Together, we can create a world where no man dies of prostate cancer.
You can donate by:
- Donating online at http://uk.movember.com/mospace/6677145
- Writing a cheque to 'Movember Europe', referencing my registration ID: 6677145 and mailing it to:  Movember Europe, PO Box 3, Diss, IP98 1HH
You can learn more about the important work and impact Movember is having at: http://uk.movember.com/programs
There's a lot riding on this moustache, thank you for your support!
Mo Bro Deacon John Scanlon

Our School in the news!

Clifton Diocese has placed a large story about our wonderful Primary School children on their website, singing the praises of the football team and the team involved in the regional Lego Club Competition.

Good Luck to both teams!

Click here to see the whole story!

We Will Remember Them

Armistice Day was remembered with respect within our Parish and School this November.


On Remembrance Sunday a full Church observed a 2 minute silence and after Mass all Uniformed Units and parishioners laid Poppies within our Garden of Remembrance.

At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day the staff and children in St Augustine's School also observed the 2 minute silence together and then laid handmade poppies outside of the school to create a beautiful display of remembrance for all to see.

Happy Birthday Fr Frank!


Our own, dear, Fr Frank enjoyed a day of being spoilt on his Birthday.
Congratulations to him on being 71 years young!
We think he is just MARS-vellous!

Charity Quiz Night


Join Mike Ryan and Gang for a fun Quiz Night with plenty of jokes, japes and jocularity on Sunday 16th November in the Parish Hall at 7pm.

Tickets are on sale after Mass and from the Parish office at only £2.50 per person (Teams of 6). BYO drinks and nibbles.

There will also be a raffle and games to play on the night and all this is to raise money for the Scouts and Guides World Jamboree Fun for 2015.

Doo Dah Day!

Members of our own Catholic Women's League joined together with other Clifton Branch Members to sing 'Camptown Races' alongside the Cardiff Branch at the National Conference in Warwick University last week.
Deacon John Scanlon filmed the fun during the 2 day conference.
Link below if you wish to enjoy their musical efforts!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtXkpcP0Fyc&feature=youtu.be

40 Years of Scouting & Guiding at St Augustine's. Congratulations!


September marked the 40th anniversary of the setup of the St Augustine’s Scout group.
The Guide company had come into being a couple of years prior to that & so over the weekend of 13-14 September we celebrated 40 years of Scouting & Guiding at St Augustine’s.
On the Saturday in perfect weather conditions, a coachload of our beavers, cubs, scouts, guides & leaders set off very early for a daytrip to Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour. Brownsea Island is a nature reserve owned by the National Trust but is also a very special place for scouts & guides as it is where Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the scout movement, held the first scout camp in 1907.
Following that camp, the Scout Movement grew steadily in size soon to be followed in 1910 by the creation of the Guide Movement by his sister Agnes Baden Powell. Since then both movements have expanded worldwide so that by today there are now scouts & guides in 224 countries making it the largest youth movement in the world.
When we got to Brownsea, we split up into our units to explore & enjoy ourselves on this peaceful island. We all met up again at lunchtime at The Scout Stone which is a monument that commemorates that first camp & had our picnic lunch together. Then it was off exploring again until it was time to catch the ferry back to Poole Quay but not before the ferry first took us on a cruise around Poole Harbour which was most enjoyable in the warm sunshine.
The treats were not over yet however. Tanya, our cub leader, had booked in advance with the local Fish & Chip shop & very soon after getting back off the ferry everybody was tucking into either fish & chips or sausage & chips whilst sat on the wall on Poole Quay. Then it was time to get back onto our coach to come home. A truly wonderful day had been had by all.
 
 
 

 

Not so Young - out and about again!

The members of our intrepid Not-So-Young Club enjoyed their Autumn outing to the Cotswolds, in glorious sunshine on Wednesday 10th September. They had a lovely day visiting Bourton-on-the-Water followed by a short visit to Broadway.

Sizzling South America!

On Saturday 2nd August the Parish Community, young and old (ages 6-93 to be precise!) got together to raise money for our International Parish Project “Let the Children Live”.
We had planned an evening of all things ‘South America’, as the charity is based in Colombia to help the street children leave their lives of poverty and danger.

As the World Cup had just come to an end as we were planning the night, it seemed only right to celebrate the ‘beautiful game’ by holding our own St Augustine’s World Cup Tournament!
Over 70 people came to play table football against a South American backdrop of music, food and wines from around the continent. Teams were picked, games were played, goals were scored and disputed, penalties were called for and eventually Germany were the World cup winners holding their trophy aloft! (Fancy them winning twice!) Not a bitten shoulder or groin strain in sight, thank goodness!
Seeing burly teenagers playing against our more delicate, seasoned parishioners – and both putting up an equal fight - was a sight to behold!

We also had quiz rounds, guess the South American Country competitions, a football sing-a-long complete with our own Carmen Miranda (Sue Mulrenan in a fruit adorned hat!), a raffle and even an auction of fantastic sporting prizes; an official Ronnie O’Sullivan Jacket donated by Father Frank from his last trip to the Snooker Finals and a signed, authenticated Manchester United Shirt donated by the club as organised by our kind parishioners Julie and Vernon who have links with the team.

With donations from people who weren’t able to make the event, together we raised an amazing £874 for the charity which we know will go a long, long way to help the children of South America lead better lives. Deacon Peter said “I yi,yi,yi,yi,yi, yi Thank you veeeery much for your kind generosity!“ Thank you to everyone involved and to all who supported it.

'Not so Young' Summer Outing

Our intrepid 'Not so Youngsters' enjoyed a wonderful summer's outing with a visit to Longstock Park Water gardens in Hampshire.  
 
This world famous water park is owned by the Waitrose Organisation and seldom open to the public, but the club were able to enjoy the splendour, beauty, peace and tranquility for a few hours, following days of rain and showers the sun shone, enhancing the garden colours, a truly memorable occasion.
  
The pretty Hampshire town of Stockbridge, just a short distance away was added, providing a selection of restaurants and cafes for lunches.  
 
A pleasant drive over Salisbury Plain, passing Stonehenge on route home completed a delightful day.



 

Goodbye and Goodluck!

Monday 21st July saw the whole School attending a Mass to wish Goodbye and Good Luck to those moving onto to new Schools in September.
The children from Year 6 all took part in the Mass which had a reflective theme on their time at our Primary School.
Fr Frank spoke about the importance of learning and remembering God in the choices ahead of them and after the Mass Mr Clements had a beautiful parting gift of a compass to help show them the way in life with a beautiful prayer by Cardinal Newman for them to reflect on.
We also said goodbye to some pupils who are returning to their home countries over the summer, to Miss Kirby who is leaving to have her baby, to the teachers who have been with us for some months now on a temporary basis and lastly, to Mr Godwin who is leaving for a new post after many years of wonderful work here in St Augustine's. He will be greatly missed by the children, teachers and parents alike.




Being presented with their gift




Thank you Mr Godwin!



Happy 'Special' Brithday Simon!

Our fantastic 'behind the scene' office junior, Simon Doyle, reached a milestone Birthday a few weeks ago and was ambushed on his arrival to the Parish Office with banners, cards, presents and a cake!





Happy Birthday Simon and thank you for all the work you do to help the smooth running of the Parish.


The Circus is coming!

We are only a few days away from our amazing Summer Event!

This year "Happy's Circus" is coming to set up it's big top on our own School field to delight the 600 of us who have bought tickets for this, our annual fundraiser for the Parish, The School and the Uniformed Organisations (Scouts & Guides etc)

Fingers crossed that the weather will be kind so we can enjoy a sunny evening on the field before the show starts and during the interval,
and then we can sit back and enjoy the fun and laughter of the Randelle Clowns and the whole troop!

With bar, BBQ, a few fun stalls, facepainting etc it promises to be a fantastic night!

(Please remember to bring your tickets with you and park safely with consideration for our neighbours as it will be a busy night!)

Young in York!

Our 'Not so Youngsters' have safely returned from a happy holiday in Yorkshire.
Excursions included a memorable visit to York, The Dales, Harrogate, Emmerdale country and the City of Leeds.  June 2014


"Teas for Bees"


On Sunday 8th June the ladies from our Catholic Women's League hosted an afternoon tea at St John Fisher Church to raise £500 to help support CAFOD in their work abroad..
David Brinn from CAFOD was there to witness our Community coming together and enjoying the sun shine.. and then enjoying the downpour of rain.. and then enjoying the sun again! The changing weather did nothing to dampen the fun of the afternoon.
It was lovely to have Bishop Declan with us for the afternoon to see our own Maureen Merryfield being presented with a certificate and Romero cross for her years of service to CAFOD. Congratulations and Thank You Maureen!
Steve Webb, local MP also joined us for the event and Fr Michael, from the Russian Orthodox Church who also use St John Fisher Church at weekends, stayed behind for a cream tea.
Thank you to everyone who supported the event in any way.





CONGRATULATIONS

Our Parish Community congratulates and welcomes Janey Quigley and Philip Mann who were received into Full Communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil supported by their sponsors.
Janey and Philip participated with the R.C.I.A. (Roman Catholic's In Action) group in preparing for this wonderful occasion in their lives.

This was the write up from the Diocesan Website just before Easter:

On the First Saturday of Lent, 8th March, our Diocesan family gathered at the cathedral to celebrate the Rite of Election, in which those who are journeying towards becoming part of our Catholic community are presented to Bishop Declan. Here family and friends, sponsors and godparents, joined with those preparing for Baptism (Catechumens) and those preparing to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church (Candidates) as they came to this stage of their journey towards reception of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. Altogether, there were 27 Catechumens and 47 Candidates from all parts of the Clifton Diocese, including Janey Quigley and Philip Mann from St Augustine’s. Janey and Phil will receive Confirmation and Holy Communion at our Easter Vigil.
In his homily Bishop Declan spoke of what we had heard in the gospel: Jesus noticed Levi and called him. He went on to ask if we had noticed a change in the lives of those he was now calling, in a deepening of prayer, a sense of joy in the Word and an openness to the presence of God in their lives. The same change should also be reflected in the lives each one of us as the grace of the season of Lent helps us to draw closer to God.

Please keep all the Catechumens and Candidates in your prayers, along with their sponsors and godparents, as they, and we, continue our Lenten journey to Easter.


GOD'S PLACE IN INDIA



God's place in India.....
Not just my words but said more than once by visitors from St
Augustine's to Haven Home in India. What makes it so special? The
answer must be the children who live there. With no television or
computers they enjoy the simple things in life. I guess this is what
makes them so happy. To be called Dad by 120 children is special.

The villages the children come from, prior to joining Haven Home are
very basic. Many without a bore well, just stagnant water (this is why
nearly all the children have malaria.)

They are sad leaving any relatives they have, but soon join with the
rest of the children enjoying swings and slides for the first time; or
having a bat and ball to play cricket, yes girls and boys. A school
with a teacher, even a desk to sit down to work. Fields that are
green, not brown, due to irrigation. A doctor, something new to them,
with a medical centre. A bed that is off the ground with mesh at the
windows so they are not bitten alive in the rainy season

There are no house parents, just one family run it. Everyone helps
each other. The older children look after the young. If someone has a
temperature they go to a nominated older boy who will either give them
medicine or refer them to the doctor.

When we opened the St Augustines School, Kerry Barber a parishioner at
St Augustine's, came to Haven Home. One morning before school the boys
were in the fields irrigating new mango trees, grown so that the
fruit can go into the childrens curry. Kerry turned round and said to
us 'This must be the nearest thing to heaven on earth'

As an aside the children have three rice meals a day. A sort of
yoghurt with breakfast, vegetarian curry for lunch and tea with
hardboiled eggs three times a week and chicken biryani as a treat
occasionally.

People from St Augustine's and other parishes, who go out every year
are so fortunate. Yes we have upsets, such a a child falling sick with
TB or pneumonia, but who else has 120 gandchildren?

We started going by accident... no, that's not true. It was God's will
that took us there. Thank you God for all at Haven Home, and for
giving us the opportunity to see your special place.

Martyn Poole

Lenten Lunch 2014

On Friday 4th April we held another successful Lenten Lunch in the Parish Hall bringing together many members of our community to share a meal together, donate to CAFOD and this week, as Rev David Brinn from CAFOD was with us to share his thoughts and knowledge of the charity, we held a 'bring a buy' sale to try to raise even more cash!
Our own Frank Murphy, pictured here with David, is going to hold a 24 hour fast on Good Friday to raise more much needed money for the work CAFOD do. We wish him well on this challenge.




Catholic Women's League - National Coffee Mornings

On the weekend of 1st & 2nd March 2014, there was a National Coffee Morning, with all sections of the CWL across the country inviting people to come along so they can promote the work of the Catholic Women's League. Our ladies did us proud with a fantastic cake and bake sale to raise money for their chosen charities. £132 was raised over the weekend and we got to see displays of the work and fun they have and to see what makes them tick! We were lucky enough to have a visit from Local Councillor Janet Biggin who was visiting our Church with Marguirita from Nicuragua, who is a fairtrade coffee grower, who is over for Fairtrade Fortnight. A lovely community celebration!







"Oh What a (QUIZ) Night!"


Well done to the winners who came
all the way from Westbury-on-Trym!
On Sunday night the hall was full of eager quiz-goers from our Parishes in Communion and beyond who got together to battle it out and raise money for a brilliant cause; The H.C.P.T. Pilgrimage Trust who take disadvantaged and disabled children to Lourdes each Easter.
It was a fantastic turnout for such a miserably wet night and over the course of the evening with ticket sales, a raffle, donations for teas and coffees and the now obligatory and tense 'heads and tails game' we raised together £529! A wonderful amount of money to go towards the cost of taking a child to Lourdes.
Mike Ryan and the gang put on a great night and huge thanks go to them for their hard work and also to everyone who came along and enjoyed the night.


Our Quiz Master!
















A full house!