This Week's News

St. Nicholas of Tolentino RC Church, Bristol are holding their monthly Mass for LGBTQ+ Catholics, family, friends and allies.



With Sea Sunday approaching (9th July) we are pleased to highlight the work of Stella Maris (formerly known as Apostleship of the Sea) who we will be holding a retiring collection for, that weekend. Protecting our oceans and those who work on it.
Click here to visit their website for more information or to donate if not able to do so at church.

Reflections for Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A ~ from Deacon Vincent
1st Reading from the Second Book of Kings 4: 8-11, 14-16.
This is a very simple story of a great lady who lived at Shumen noticed that Elisha passed by quite frequently. She recognises that he is a holy ma of God, so invites him to dine with her and her husband. Elisha is so comfortable with them and well fed that every time he passed by he called in to dine with them. The lady is so pleased to have him calling that she asks her husband to build a little room on their roof so that Elisha might stay over night with them. So, it is done, and Elisha is so pleased that he asks his servant how can he repay them for their kindness? The servant has noticed that the lady has no son and that her husband is old. Elisha immediately asks for her to sent to him. “Next year you will hold a son in your arms.” This is a great act of kindness for it means she will now have a support when her husband is too old to assist her. This does come about and there are more exciting times for the couple with the child and Elisha in the future. This is the prophets reward for her assistance to him, simply because he is a man of God. God’s generosity is boundless for those who assist his workers.

Psalm 88: 2-3, 16-19.
This is a psalm of thanksgiving by David for God’s covenant with him declaring that his offspring shall be established for ever and that his throne would be built up from generation to generation. Again we are looking at God’s generosity to his friend.

2nd Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans 6: 3-4, 8-11.
Last week Paul was contrasting Jesus with Adam, this section is enabling Paul to contrast our plight with what God has done for us in Christ, moving us from death to life in Christ. He links the Romans’ experience of their own baptism to this contrast between (from death to life); He then, goes on to assert the absolute centrality for Jesus, and for all Christians, of the Resurrection (from death to life). The whole story for Paul, is one movement from one power (sin-death) into another power (life-resurrection). Paul is expressing in another way the contrast between how Adam’s failure brought death, whilst Jesus’ obedience brought life. Through Christ’s great sacrifice and his Resurrection, we have been re-born to eternal life with Him. We should always be grateful, and never cease to Thank Him.

The Holy Gospel according to Matthew 10: 37-42.
Jesus has been addressing the disciples on the difficulties discipleship. It is a formidable exhortation before they go out into world on behalf of Christ. The disciple has to be single minded; everything pales into insignificance compared to the task before them. Nothing must get in the way of proclaiming the Good News. He is obviously mindful of the lady who assisted Elisha with food and accommodation simply because he was a man of God. So, it will be with those who welcome his disciples. Anyone welcoming them, will, in fact, be welcoming Jesus himself and they will receive their reward in abundance, simply by recognising that they are holy people and sent by God through Jesus Christ. Blessings will be heaped upon those who assist with the spreading of the Good News. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, it is amongst us.

May God continue to Bless us all in spreading the Gospel.
Deacon Vincent.

This week's news

Quiz Night

Come and join a fun quiz night from 'Mike Ryan & the gang' on Sunday 2nd July, 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

All in aid of our Parish Project for Friends of the Earth.

Tickets are now on sale after Mass, or from the office at just £5 per person.

It's a 'BYO' drinks & nibbles night so get your teams of 6 (ish) together, buy your tickets, and stock up on cheesy biscuits!
There will also be a raffle & games on the night.

Always a fun time had by all.



1ST HOLY COMMUNION FOR 2024 


~ if your child will be 8 years old in the school year 2023/24 or older & would like to join the course starting in Sept/Oct 2023 please take an application form from the back of church or email bristol.staugustine@cliftondiocese.com.

The new course will run monthly from the Autumn through to the Sacramental Mass in July 2024.

Please bring completed applications back to the parish office by 27th August, ready to plan the new sessions / work out how many catechists are needed etc.
Many thanks.


Deacon Vincent has shared with us, as always, his reflections for Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A - Thank you Vincent!

1st Reading from the Prophet Jeremiah 20: 10-13.
This book is a study in how to cope with disaster. The prophet Jeremiah is the thread which holds the book together, covering: Jeremiah’s call, Israel’s infidelity, seen as adultery, The Suffering Prophet, God’s covenant has been broken, the fall of Jerusalem, Oracles against the nations, The way back home, Baruch (Jeremiah’s secretary) Life of Jeremiah. The passage we have today is from the “Suffering Prophet” section. Jeremiah is struggling with how everybody has turned against him, and he is obviously suffering depression. It is interesting for us to note how God’s favourites, those he has chosen as his mouthpiece, are not preserved from doubts and disappointments, the amazing thing about it is that Jeremiah never loses the belief that the Lord will preserve him, and he will witness the downfall of his opponents. It is his sheer resilience that should encourage us. The message God had asked Jeremiah to proclaim was not wanted by the people, and they come to hate him and turn against him. It takes great courage to stand up against the popular trend of society. We see in Jeremiah just what strains and temptations stalk those who proclaim the way of the Lord.

Psalm 68: 8, 10-14, 17, 33-35.
This is a song from the heart, a cry for help. It fits snuggly with the passage from Jeremiah and could appear to have been written by him. So, we see again the trials the beloved of the Lord will have to face.

2nd Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans 5: 12-15.
Paul is not just contrasting the powers of sin – guilt – death, against obedience – righteousness – life which to Paul is the all-important resurrection. Paul is not just contrasting Adam and Christ but emphasises how the gift of Christ far outweighs the plight we found ourselves in as descendants of Adam. He can hardly contain himself as he delves into God’s overwhelming generosity that reverses the catastrophe but gives a whole lot more to us. We are witnessing Paul’s sheer excitement as he himself realises just what God has done for us. It is a wonderful letter full of hope.

The Holy Gospel according to Matthew 10: 26-33.
The disciples are left in no doubt about the enormity of the task that is before them, however there is that lovely image of the price of two sparrows and how not one falls to the ground without God knowing. We are encouraged by the emphasis of how precious we are to God, so we should not be afraid. We need not worry about those who attack the body, rather those who can lead us astray or tempt us to leave the Way. We are challenged to convey the simple message of both John the Baptist and Jesus, “The kingdom of heaven has drawn near.” Our encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist means that the Kingdom is at hand. May God inspire our belief in his presence amongst us, and enable us to preach it every day, and if necessary, use words.

God bless our lives to illustrate his Presence amongst us. Deacon Vincent

This Week's News

ONLY 5 DAY TO GO! 
Are you bringing your little ones with you?

Well... run by our amazing Preschool staff and committee we will have a Fun Scavenger Hunt game - follow the clues around the field to find the hidden treasure - suitable for all the kids (and grown ups!) 

Plus, a Toddler play zone for the under 5's, 
AND you can come and decorate your own 'Gingerbread Daddy' for Father's Day 
AND shop at the Handmade craft stall.
See you there!



Corpus Christi
On the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Le Poidevin and Wells families created this beautiful, natural mosaic which was proudly displayed in the church for all to see.
 
Thanks to them all for such a lovely picture for this important feast day.

It is a tradition in many places around the world for such a display to be made as a collective enterprise involving many families. I wonder who might be interested in being involved next year?
 


Thanks to Deacon Vincent for his reflections for the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

1st Reading from the book of Exodus 19: 3-6.
The book of Exodus records how God frees God’s people from oppression in Egypt in the first fifteen chapters and then how they are turned into God’s sometimes obedient people as they travel through the desert, with Moses caught between the two factions. This section takes place just after Moses is advised by his father-in-law to select people to act on his behalf in the disputes between the Israelites, which up until now had only been handled by Moses and he was being inundated, so people were selected to handle the varying degrees of complaints. They arrive at Mount Sinai, and Moses goes up to meet God on the mountain. God tells Moses that if the people recognise and remember how God carried them out of the land of oppression and keep his covenant with him; his dream is for them to be a holy nation, a royal priesthood for Him, the one and only True God. When Moses relates to the Elders what God has said, the people unanimously agree to do everything that God commands and they agree to listen.

Psalm 99: 1-3, 5.
A brief song of “Thanksgiving”, with reasons to praise God. It is a song to lift our spirits and renew our trust in God.

2nd Reading from the letter of St. paul to the Romans 5: 6-11.
This section of Paul’s letter to the Romans is emphasising God’s unbelievable generosity in Christ. Paul is offering the Romans grounds for hope. His reasoning is that we have peace with God, which is given freely. Difficulties of various kinds do not interfere with this peace. God’s gift in Christ is given to the undeserving and to top it all Jesus’ resurrection was not just for his generous death, but also the conquest of death. God is offering everything to us because of Christ; God is so pleased with Jesus, that we who believe and follow him have those wonderful benefits. We are all truly Blessed.

The Holy Gospel according to Matthew 9: 36 - 10: 8.
As with the Sermon on the Mount, so also with this second of the great speeches that Matthew threads throughout his Gospel, he takes great care in setting the scene, but this time gives special attention to the crowd and how they appear to be just like sheep without a shepherd not knowing where to go for sustenance. Jesus shows his compassion for them, using a peasant metaphor, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.” So, the scene is set for Jesus to call his special friends, the Apostles, all twelve of them. Matthew lists them in priority, With Simon Peter first and Judas Iscariot (the betrayer), last. Jesus commissions them with some of his powers over demons and sickness and sends them out to alleviate some of the need, reminding them that they received their gifts without charge, so use them without charge. Jesus sets the example for us, where there is a need, we cannot just sit idly by, waiting for somebody else to attend to it, we have to deal with the issue in a practical and compassionate manner. There is the challenge for us to follow in Jesus’ footsteps and attend to the harvest.
May God enlighten us to see the need and respond for his sake. Deacon Vincent.




Clifton Diocese bring you an evening with Sycamore on 5 July at 7pm. 

Sycamore offers informal courses about the Christian faith and its relevance for life today. It gives people the space to meet other people, share ideas, explore beliefs, and think about questions that really matter.
During this session, the Sycamore team will help us to understand better how we can run groups in our parishes using the high-quality video material that they have created.
We encourage anyone interested in using the material for sacramental preparation, RCIA and general faith exploration groups to join us. They can sign up using the Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/652663232297 for this online Zoom session.

Come along to our 'Community Catch-up' on Saturday 17th June!

 


This week's news

 
THE COUNTDOWN IS ON! 

Only 12 days until our Community Catch-Up! 
Join us for a wonderful time together, with so much to eat, drink, see, and do... including shopping in our "Traders Tent"!

We are so pleased to have Floral Frog with us for summer floral loveliness, Aga's amazing gifts for all occasions, Hannah personalised presents for loved ones, and Roger's fruit, veg and pickles! Also in the tent, our own Bella with the UK Parish Project stall for Friends of the Earth with donated plants, seedlings and produce, plus this year, we will also have a 'Parish Pre-loved' stall with all the 'lost/left' things for people to help themselves to, for a kind donation of money, of course!

Looking forward to seeing you all there!

And don't forget to bring cash as most stalls will only be able to take real money! (I know! Tricker these days isn't it!)


Community Cafe - taking a break

The wonderful volunteer team who run our Community Cafe are now taking a well-earned break over the summer weeks, whilst demand for the cafe is low. So, there will be no Friday cafe until September.

Thank you to all who have helped make our weekly cafe SUCH a success since it opened in January and thanks to all who came and supported it - the feedback from those who have attended has been overwhelmingly positive.

Plans are now in place for its reopening.

St Augustine's Parish community sends the warmest love and best wishes to Alice and George who were married last week - what an honour to celebrate their wedding at our church.
It was a beautiful service led by Deacon Michael Belt, and Alice and George were delighted with the day.
Congratulations to you both!
   

Community Action Day!
This Saturday (10th June) our Primary school is holding a day to help to enhance and improve the outdoor area.
Everyone is invited down to spare what time they can to reconnect with the school, strengthen our ties as a wider community, start work on a new forest school area and have a cuppa together!
If you have some free time to offer, please pop to the Primary school anytime between 9am and 3pm.


Thanks to Downend Baptist Church for this lovely online post. 
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"On Saturday 3rd June we joined up with St Augustine’s as part of ‘Churches Together’ and went out into Downend to offer prayer. We are delighted to announce that we are planning to make this a regular event and hope to involve other local churches who would be interested."
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We are very grateful to them for their hospitality and we look forward to continuing the venture together. 
With many thanks, Fr Barnabas.
PS - just out of interest, try looking up the Times article online, 'Vicar refuses to resign'! 😆


St. Nicholas of Tolentino RC Church, Bristol host their next monthly celebration of the Eucharist for the LGBTQ+ community on Sunday 18th June - see poster for details.