Congratulations!

We congratulate our own Deacon Michael Belt on the occasion of his 20 year anniversary of ordination yesterday. (Here he is receiving a safe, socially distant, pretend handshake from Fr Frank!)
We send Thanks to God for his long service to St Augustine's community.
"O God, who have taught the ministers of your Church to seek not to be served but to serve their brothers and sisters, grant, we pray, that this your servant, whom you graciously chose for the office of Deacon, may be effective in action, gentle in ministry, and constant in prayer. Amen"
Apart, yet together. #ChurchAtHome

Newsletters

Here are our Newsletter and both types of bulletin sheets for this coming week.We also now have access to the 'Look' and 'Ichthus' sheets for you to print off for your kids and older kids to enjoy. Please remember to continue booking your place at Mass to help with the preparation and organisation. Thank you.
Apart, yet together. #churchathome





 

#AreYouOK?

Bristol City Council has launched this #AreYouOK? initiative.

Home isn’t safe for everyone. If you’re experiencing domestic abuse or think someone else might be, local Boots UK, Superdrug, and Morrisons pharmacies offer a safe space to access help. Ask to use the consultation room.


Archbishop Moses M Costa RIP

Sharing these lovely photos of our dear friend Bishop Moses.The first pictures are from his last visit to us in 2009 and then from the Mass we held in celebration of his ordination to the position of Archbishop in 2017. If you have any photos from any of his visits we would love to see them. May he rest in peace.
 

 
 
 


 

Thanks for the new cartoon Fr James!

St Augustine's reached 'capacity' for the first time on Saturday night. Thank you so much to our stewards, Philip & Cathy Hinchey, who helped to make everything run smoothly by finding suitable & safe space for the individuals, couples, and families who came, plus making additional space available in the Narthex when both downstairs and upstairs was full. (Unlike the cartoon, no one was turned away! 😆)
Please continue to book your place using the Eventbright link so we know the likelihood of reaching capacity. Thank you all so much for following the steward's instructions on arrival so we can successfully use the space available and for your patience with the new way of worshiping. It is wonderful to see so many of you attending Masses throughout the week.
CLICK HERE for the eventbright link
Apart, yet together. #churchathome

Gospel of the Day (Matthew 13,36-43)

Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." He said in reply, "He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. Just as weeds are collected and burned (up) with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear."

Apart, yet together. #ChurchAtHome

Bella's lockdown reflections...

Thank you to Bella Harding for, again, sharing her lockdown reflections with us.
In it, Bella highlights the work of CAFOD who is working hard to help those around the world who need it the most. CAFOD started an online 'light a candle' service shortly after Churches closed in March - please visit the site - it is a lovely way to make a donation and to remember someone in prayer. CLICK HERE to go to CAFOD's website
"Hello! I hope you are all well, and able to do a little more with the easing of restrictions.
Once again there have been loads going on, so many people are planning for the new normal and to meet the abnormal needs of the moment. CAFOD website has an online petition to the Government about the plight of the poorest in the world, and the care of the environment as well as a 'virtual candle' site where those of us that are missing lighting a candle can do so online for some person or intention we want to remember. Prayer is just as (if not more) important at this time.
There is also a very amusing video on the recent Cafod powerpoint, about the 'Summer of Hope', where if all that we are missing, holidays and festivals, concerts and meals, has actually saved us money, we can donate and have double the fun. I know I have spent much less on petrol in the last few months and travel in general, and food. Not everyone is in that lucky situation, but as the rich people who were begging the government to tax them more, (really there were some recently doing just that!!) those of us that have more are able to give more for the greater need.
I have also so enjoyed really using what I have, instead of throwing stuff away and going to buy more, and this is one of the most potent sources of our personal carbon emissions. We can all use this time to wonder why we used to do all that we did, and perhaps reach a new and more peaceful way of living. May we all be inspired to live more simply and to love our neighbour and our planet more.
I wish you all the happiness possible in these weirdest of times and look forward to meeting, safely, in the flesh, soon. Bella."
Apart, yet together. #ChurchatHome

Something lovely for this weekend.....

Our Parish Community congratulates 2 of our own 'school mums' for putting together what looks to be a wonderful event happening this coming weekend.BSpoke16 art trail brings local artists and creatives 'together' but instead of holding an art fair in 1 place, we will be able to walk or drive around the local area and view all their works safely outside of their homes.
CLICK HERE to go to the special map...What a lovely idea to bring our community together with a positive event to enjoy and which may help to support those self-employed creatives who will have struggled over these past few months.Here is what they had to say:"In 2014 we (Catherine Williams and Karen Davies) put our creative heads together and developed BSpoke16. Being good friends and sharing our love of art and crafts we recognised the need for an art fair to introduce local communities to the artists, craftspeople and designers who live and work in the area.“Karen, established Mustard Cuts as her brand name for her beautifully intricate paper cuts, prints and cards. Catherine initially trained as a printmaker although in recent years created paintings alongside the etchings inspired by seascapes, landscapes and cityscapes.”With a number of successful art fairs under our belts, we have been busy during lockdown creating new art and products, with little opportunity to sell due to normal venues being closed under the trading restrictions. The idea of the outside arts trail is to platform the new work of local makers and provide an opportunity for the public to engage with artists and respond to their creativity during this period through encouragement, feedback and sales."Good luck to everyone - we hope lots of you will be able to go out and enjoy the event in the nice weather that is due!Apart, yet together. #ChurchAtHome

Pope Francis asks for help from the young, for the old.




Pope Francis asked young people Sunday to reach out to the elderly, especially those in nursing homes, to send a message of encouragement amid the loneliness of the coronavirus pandemic. 
“In the memory of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus, I would like to invite young people to make a gesture of tenderness towards the elderly, especially the most lonely ones in homes and residences, those who have not seen their loved ones for many months,” Pope Francis said after the Angelus prayer on July 26. 
“Dear young people, each of these elderly people are your grandparents. Do not leave them alone. … They are your roots,” the pope added. Pope Francis suggested that young people can use the “inventiveness of love” to “send a hug” to an elderly person in their community by making a phone or video call, sending a card, or making a visit when safety measures allow.  The Roman Catholic Church commemorates Sts. Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Virgin Mary, on July 26. They have been a part of the Church’s liturgical calendar for many centuries. The pope said that their memorial is an opportunity to give grandparents “a big round of applause.” Connection with one’s roots is important, he said, quoting the Argentine poet Francisco Luis Bernárdez, who wrote: “The blossom of a tree comes from what it has underground.” Reflecting on Sunday’s Gospel, Pope Francis said that Jesus “proposes to involve us in the building of the Kingdom of Heaven.” He pointed to the example of the merchant who finds the pearl of great price and the person who finds treasure buried in a field in Jesus’ parables in the Gospel of Matthew. “Both the man and the merchant in these two parables sell everything they have, thus renouncing their material security,” he said. “From this it can be understood that the building of the Kingdom requires not only the grace of God, but also the active willingness of humanity.” “Everything is done by grace, everything! We need only have the willingness to receive it, not to resist grace: grace does everything, but it takes my responsibility, my willingness,” he said. Today people’s lives can become “mediocre and dull” when a person is content with “attractive but fleeting things” and does not go in search of real treasure, the pope said. “The Kingdom of Heaven is the opposite of the superfluous things that the world offers, the opposite of a dull life: it is a treasure that renews life every day and leads it to extend towards wider horizons. Indeed, those who have found this treasure have a creative and inquisitive heart, which does not repeat but rather invents, tracing, and setting out on new paths which lead us to love God, to love others, and to truly love ourselves,” Pope Francis said. “We are called upon to assume the attitude of these two Gospel figures, so that we too may become healthily restless seekers of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is a matter of abandoning the heavy burden of our worldly sureties that prevent us from searching and building up the Kingdom: the covetousness for possession, the thirst for profit and power, and thinking only of ourselves,” he said. One sign that a person is on the path to the Kingdom of Heaven is “creativity,” the pope explained. “Creativity is what …  gives life,” he said, “And it gives, and gives, and gives... It always looks for many other ways to give life.” “Jesus, who is the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value, cannot but inspire joy, all the joy of the world: the joy of discovering a meaning in life, the joy of committing oneself to the adventure of holiness,” Pope Francis said. 
After his Angelus prayer, Pope Francis said that he was praying that a new ceasefire agreement concerning the Donbass region “will finally be put into practice.” There have been more than 20 ceasefires declared since 2014 in the ongoing conflict between Russian-backed separatist forces and the Ukrainian military which has killed more than 10,000 people. “While I thank you for this sign of goodwill aimed at restoring the much desired peace in that tormented region, I pray that what has been agreed will finally be put into practice, also through an effective process of disarmament and mine removal. This is the only way to build trust and to lay the foundations for the much needed and long awaited reconciliation by the population,” the pope said.

@Catholic News Agency
Apart, yet together.  #ChurchAtHome

Latest update from Peter Taylor.

"Dear Supporters - thank you so much for another record breaking week! I am so grateful!! You have managed to raise an astonishing £870 for the School's 50 year celebration, and for some little extras next year. Well done and thank you!!! And another 29 miles nearer the 100 mile goal!"Well done Peter - your Parish is behind you - Keep Going!
CLICK HERE to donate and to see all Peter's updates so far...Apart, yet together. #ChurchAtHome

Latest Newsletter


Here are the Parish Newsletter and Bulletin sheets for this coming weekend.Don't forget to 'book your place' at Mass using the Eventbright link (CLICK HERE) as it helps us plan for any possible capacity being reached (no need to print/bring tickets)Apart, yet together. #ChurchAtHome

How we can help with this Global Crisis...

We have a new reflection from our parishioner, Bella Harding which will follow soon.

For now, Bella has highlighted the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal on behalf of the developing countries at threat of or struggling with Coronavirus. These have fragile health care systems, no support for unemployment due to lockdown, and reduced income from remittances from workers abroad. Please respond to this if you are at all able as the need is huge and every little helps.
The DEC said: "The DEC is launching an urgent appeal to help people fleeing conflict in countries like Yemen and Syria as they face the deadly new threat of coronavirus. Please donate and share this fundraiser."
CLICK HERE to go directly to the DEC's website for all the information and a place to make a donation.
Apart, yet together. #ChurchAtHome

Our wonderful preschool!

We are so lucky to have such a caring, loving, affordable, independent preschool in our parish. Please share & spread the word so any families who are looking for places from September can get in touch.Read more from them in these posts, below.Apart, yet together. #ChurchAtHome
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🥳👧🏼👦🏻 WE NOW HAVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF SPACES FOR CHILDREN JOINING IN SEPTEMBER! PLEASE ENQUIRE NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT! 👦🏻👧🏼🥳🙇🏻 🌈ST. AUGUSTINE’S PRE-SCHOOL, DOWNEND 🌈🙇🏻‍♀️Welcome! We are a local, independent pre-school based in Downend, catering for 2-4 year olds 😊The Pre-School benefits from a team of friendly and dedicated staff who the children love dearly, and is run by a management committee of parents - meaning the children’s best interests are really at the centre of everything this pre-school does. Rated GOOD by Ofsted, the pre-school is totally committed to ensuring the little ones are ready for ‘big school’, and that they thrive in a happy and fun-filled environment, developing in areas such as communication, language and social development, as well as building up the core skills needed for that next step into compulsory education. 🏫 the children benefit from lots of outdoor time 🌳🍂🌺 🌼 with sandpit, climbing equipment and lots of outdoor toys and ventures, as well as benefitting from building strong friendships and bonds with the other children and staff in the small key groups.And in amongst all that, we cram in lots of fun involving the grown ups too! 🤗 including events such as sports day, nativity, fundraising events and Mothers/Fathers Day celebrations. It’s not just the kids who get to have the fun! With places available immediately, please get in touch on 0117 956 1166 or email staff@staugustinespreschool.co.uk
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Just a few pics of our wonderful pre-school! 👧🏼👦🏻🌈We are lucky to have:🎨 a lovely craft area which always has paint, sticking and dough available!🏠 a versatile home area which, on occasions, is turned into a shop 🛍café ☕️ hospital 🏥 and other settings! 💻 ICT equipment including Remote control toys 🚗 iPads and much more!📚 a comfy book area where we can share our favourite stories!📊 a maths area, where we can support and develop the mathematicians of tomorrow!✍🏻 a writing area for those budding authors!
🌍 a small world area for exploring 🔍
🌳 🍁 🍃 the most incredible outside area which includes climbing equipment and slide, a covered sand pit, water play area 💦 a popular mud kitchen, an outdoor market shop, a reading area, blackboard, and well-stocked shed filled with fun-filled activities such as trikes, scooters, den building equipment and much more!The children have access to the outside area for most of the session whatever the weather ☀️ 🌧 so wellies and waterproof suits are always available!And keep your eyes peeled for some changes in the near future...what would YOU like to see added to our lovely pre-school?
We hope to see you soon! 👋🏻