Please see the video of our Bishop, Declan, reading his Pastoral Letter, as he talks about the beginning of a 'new year' and a time of change in our Diocese.
The letter was read out at all Masses this weekend.
The letter was read out at all Masses this weekend.
Peace Walk
On Sunday 20th August more than two dozen of us, old and young and from almost every continent, set off, with Fr Barnabas' blessing, to walk from St Augustine’s Church to St John Fisher Church in Frenchay.
The route was well chosen by Alwyn and we stopped four times to say prayers from Pax Christi and Laudato Si, and to sing a little! The weather was lovely and we had absorbing conversations as we went.
We were joined by Fr Jim and greeted warmly by the Fr Michael and the Orthodox community who were celebrating the Transfiguration, which involved offering us blessed bread and apples, as well as providing tea and cakes, and praying with us, including a wonderful sung blessing, which Fr Barnabas completed with a solemn blessing of our own.
Dave, one of the participants, said: “On this lovely walk lead by Fr Barnabas, we enjoyed a touch of nature with beautiful surroundings. Nothing could be better to thank God by praying together for His Peace at the several stops in the walk.
We were welcome by Fr Jim at the finishing point with angelic hymns of the Orthodox community. In the blessings of both Priests of Catholic and Orthodox Church, we realise that the Faith of God is common to us regardless of all the differences. Let God’s Peace reigns in our hearts!
I had a good chance to talk with one Orthodox community member, and realised that Mother Mary as Theotokos (Mother of God) are vital in shining our Faith.
Mother Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us!”
Do go to visit the Orthodox community at St John Fisher Church as they were so pleased to show us the beautiful icons in the church and to thank us for the use of the space, as they come from long distances to be together.
Bella.
The route was well chosen by Alwyn and we stopped four times to say prayers from Pax Christi and Laudato Si, and to sing a little! The weather was lovely and we had absorbing conversations as we went.
We were joined by Fr Jim and greeted warmly by the Fr Michael and the Orthodox community who were celebrating the Transfiguration, which involved offering us blessed bread and apples, as well as providing tea and cakes, and praying with us, including a wonderful sung blessing, which Fr Barnabas completed with a solemn blessing of our own.
Dave, one of the participants, said: “On this lovely walk lead by Fr Barnabas, we enjoyed a touch of nature with beautiful surroundings. Nothing could be better to thank God by praying together for His Peace at the several stops in the walk.
We were welcome by Fr Jim at the finishing point with angelic hymns of the Orthodox community. In the blessings of both Priests of Catholic and Orthodox Church, we realise that the Faith of God is common to us regardless of all the differences. Let God’s Peace reigns in our hearts!
I had a good chance to talk with one Orthodox community member, and realised that Mother Mary as Theotokos (Mother of God) are vital in shining our Faith.
Mother Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us!”
Do go to visit the Orthodox community at St John Fisher Church as they were so pleased to show us the beautiful icons in the church and to thank us for the use of the space, as they come from long distances to be together.
Bella.
Vacancy
St Brendan's Sixth Form College is currently recruiting for a Head of Catholic Education and Community. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced teacher who wants to make a significant contribution both to the delivery of the Religious Education curriculum and also to the wider college in building a sense of community for our students and staff.
Full details of the role here.
Full details of the role here.
Clifton Diocese Trustees:
The Diocese is currently looking for individuals to join the Board of the Trustees to enhance the skills of the Board in specific areas as a result of current vacancies.
Suitable applicants should have in depth knowledge and experience of either property or contracts as a lawyer, or finance as a qualified accountant.
The commitment is to one 3 hour meeting approximately eight times per year on a Wednesday from 9.30 am in Bristol, along with membership of at least one sub-committee which would meet six times per year. Time to prepare for the various meetings is also required. It is usual for a Trustee to give somewhere in the region of 6 hours per month plus travelling time.
If you would like to be considered for a position, please send your details to Alessia Dini, St Ambrose, North Rd, Leigh Woods, Bristol BS8 3PW or by email to Alessia.Dini@cliftondiocese.com by 29th September.
The Diocese is currently looking for individuals to join the Board of the Trustees to enhance the skills of the Board in specific areas as a result of current vacancies.
Suitable applicants should have in depth knowledge and experience of either property or contracts as a lawyer, or finance as a qualified accountant.
The commitment is to one 3 hour meeting approximately eight times per year on a Wednesday from 9.30 am in Bristol, along with membership of at least one sub-committee which would meet six times per year. Time to prepare for the various meetings is also required. It is usual for a Trustee to give somewhere in the region of 6 hours per month plus travelling time.
If you would like to be considered for a position, please send your details to Alessia Dini, St Ambrose, North Rd, Leigh Woods, Bristol BS8 3PW or by email to Alessia.Dini@cliftondiocese.com by 29th September.
Pilgrimage not Planes: A Protest Faith Walk to Bristol Airport ~ Christian Climate Action, Bristol
10.30 am gather on College Green, Bristol
11.00 am set off on walk to Long Ashton (2.5 miles)
12.30 picnic lunch (bring your own) at All Saints Church, Long Ashton
1.30 pm set off on walk to Bristol Airport (6 miles)
4.30 pm arrival at Airport, to participate in a ‘sacred action’ continuing the long standing campaign against airport expansion.
11.00 am set off on walk to Long Ashton (2.5 miles)
12.30 picnic lunch (bring your own) at All Saints Church, Long Ashton
1.30 pm set off on walk to Bristol Airport (6 miles)
4.30 pm arrival at Airport, to participate in a ‘sacred action’ continuing the long standing campaign against airport expansion.
Suggested return journey by bus, the A1 Bristol Airport Flyer. Tickets £9 for a single journey. Alternatively, you could get a friend to collect you by car, maybe meeting at nearby St Katherine's Church, Felton, Bristol BS40 9UR.
Please book your place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/.../pilgrimage-for-the...
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/.../pilgrimage-for-the...
The ancient practice of pilgrimage, honoured by many of the world’s great faiths, has a renewed focus in this age of climate and ecological emergency. Walking together with intention, mindfulness and prayer proclaims a different pace and place in relationship to the earth; and with each other. We become fellow travellers, learning again to ‘tread lightly’ on the earth. Pilgrimage invites a renewal of body, mind, spirit and community, while offering a visible sign of a different way of living and travelling.
We invite people of all faiths and none to join CCA members as we walk together to Bristol Airport on Saturday September 9th. Setting off from Bristol Cathedral, stopping for lunch at All Saints Church, Long Ashton, and arriving at the airport together to participate in a ‘sacred action’ continuing the long standing campaign against airport expansion. We will gather on College Green from 10.30am and start our walk at 11am; we should reach All Saints Long Ashton (2.5 miles) by 12.30pm for lunch and will continue walking at about 1.30pm aiming to reach the airport by 4.30pm. You are welcome to join us at Long Ashton for the 6 mile walk from there to the airport.
The walk will include times for prayer, discussion, mindful silence, singing, and attending to the landscapes and places along the way
As the Season of Creation begins please have a look at the events to come and take inspiration from the displays and decorations in the church and hall.
Please come and take a look and let's make this Season of Creation a real celebration of Rivers of Justice & Peace flowing everywhere....
Thank you to Deacon Vincent for his Reflections for Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
1st Reading from the Prophet Jeremiah 20: 7-9.
The setting for the prophet Jeremiah is 605-582 BC, the rise of Babylonian Empire and demise of Assyria and Egypt. Babylonia had defeated the Assyrians and Egyptians at the battle of Carchemish in 605BC. Nebuchadnezzar had left King Jehoiachin to rule on his behalf but there was a sizeable faction in the ruling classes that still supported Assyria and Egypt. There was a rebellion and King Jehoiachin was taken off into captivity and replaced by Zedekiah there was another rebellion and the city, Temple, and social structure This did not go down well with the rulers or the people and here we have Jeremiah complaining bitterly to God about the of Jerusalem was destroyed, Gedaliah Zedekiah’s replacement was assassinated, and the destruction of the Holy City was completed. Jeremiah is called by God to inform the Jews that although they had been unwise and foolish in not heeding his words, God was still there for them despite their disasters. Many were losing faith in God and his covenant which seemed to be in tatters. Jeremiah is a reluctant prophet for his mission draws scorn because he is informing them of the disasters that were pending unless they listened to the word of God or was telling them that their disaster was the result of their own disobedience. Here we have Jeremiah telling God in no uncertain terms how he is feeling, but we have this beautiful ending where despite all the difficulties and hardships he cannot resist God’s command to speak on God’s behalf. We might ponder this situation Jeremiah is describing and maybe relate it to some of our own experiences. Then we might ask ourselves, do we respond as Jeremiah or clam up for a quiet life? We need to devour God’s word and his wishes for us and respond positively to that Word.
Psalm 62: 2-6, 8-9.
This is titled a psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judea. Despite all the hardships we hide in the shadow of God’s wings. A lovely vision of how God hovers over us to protect us. When all seems lost, God is hovering over us to protect us. We need to reach out to God more confidently when we are in a bad place.
2nd Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans 12: 1-2.
Paul is invoking us to live the Gospel life fully and without restraint. This will automatically call for sacrificing our being one of the crowd and choosing to behave as Christ not as the popular culture would have us adopt. We are called to live a simple life, giving due honour and glory to God and loving our neighbours as ourselves for God’s sake, and constantly thanking him for calling us to be his brother and sister. It will mean sacrifice, and this can either be wailed against or quietly endured for Christ’s sake.
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew 16: 21-27.
Just as Peter got it spectacularly right in last week’s reading of Matthew, so now he gets it spectacularly wrong. “Get behind me Satan”, this is devastating language for the Rock on which the church will be built. The Church prevails not due to its’ personnel but God’s fidelity. The Church can get things completely wrong as Peter does here, and so the Church must learn in every generation to follow Jesus’ way. The only way to follow is to deny our selfish ways and take up our cross and follow Jesus. There are no easy options, but the joy that Jesus brings, and the consolation are far greater than anything we can imagine. Jesus is our guide, and we need to stay as close as possible to him to avoid slipping away.
May God bless all our endeavours to follow Jesus more closely. Deacon Vincent
1st Reading from the Prophet Jeremiah 20: 7-9.
The setting for the prophet Jeremiah is 605-582 BC, the rise of Babylonian Empire and demise of Assyria and Egypt. Babylonia had defeated the Assyrians and Egyptians at the battle of Carchemish in 605BC. Nebuchadnezzar had left King Jehoiachin to rule on his behalf but there was a sizeable faction in the ruling classes that still supported Assyria and Egypt. There was a rebellion and King Jehoiachin was taken off into captivity and replaced by Zedekiah there was another rebellion and the city, Temple, and social structure This did not go down well with the rulers or the people and here we have Jeremiah complaining bitterly to God about the of Jerusalem was destroyed, Gedaliah Zedekiah’s replacement was assassinated, and the destruction of the Holy City was completed. Jeremiah is called by God to inform the Jews that although they had been unwise and foolish in not heeding his words, God was still there for them despite their disasters. Many were losing faith in God and his covenant which seemed to be in tatters. Jeremiah is a reluctant prophet for his mission draws scorn because he is informing them of the disasters that were pending unless they listened to the word of God or was telling them that their disaster was the result of their own disobedience. Here we have Jeremiah telling God in no uncertain terms how he is feeling, but we have this beautiful ending where despite all the difficulties and hardships he cannot resist God’s command to speak on God’s behalf. We might ponder this situation Jeremiah is describing and maybe relate it to some of our own experiences. Then we might ask ourselves, do we respond as Jeremiah or clam up for a quiet life? We need to devour God’s word and his wishes for us and respond positively to that Word.
Psalm 62: 2-6, 8-9.
This is titled a psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judea. Despite all the hardships we hide in the shadow of God’s wings. A lovely vision of how God hovers over us to protect us. When all seems lost, God is hovering over us to protect us. We need to reach out to God more confidently when we are in a bad place.
2nd Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans 12: 1-2.
Paul is invoking us to live the Gospel life fully and without restraint. This will automatically call for sacrificing our being one of the crowd and choosing to behave as Christ not as the popular culture would have us adopt. We are called to live a simple life, giving due honour and glory to God and loving our neighbours as ourselves for God’s sake, and constantly thanking him for calling us to be his brother and sister. It will mean sacrifice, and this can either be wailed against or quietly endured for Christ’s sake.
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew 16: 21-27.
Just as Peter got it spectacularly right in last week’s reading of Matthew, so now he gets it spectacularly wrong. “Get behind me Satan”, this is devastating language for the Rock on which the church will be built. The Church prevails not due to its’ personnel but God’s fidelity. The Church can get things completely wrong as Peter does here, and so the Church must learn in every generation to follow Jesus’ way. The only way to follow is to deny our selfish ways and take up our cross and follow Jesus. There are no easy options, but the joy that Jesus brings, and the consolation are far greater than anything we can imagine. Jesus is our guide, and we need to stay as close as possible to him to avoid slipping away.
May God bless all our endeavours to follow Jesus more closely. Deacon Vincent
