This week's News

“SPRINGS IN THE WILDERNESS” ~ OUR ADVENT SERVICE.

St Paul’s Church in Yate.
Let's join together with our Parishes in Communion on Thursday 7th December in St Paul's at 7.30pm at for an Advent service.

All are welcome.

Coming soon.....

The fabulous photobooth gang have nearly finished working on the brilliant pictures taken at the 'Countdown to Christmas' event - so look out for your photo in your email inbox in the next week.

Please feel free to share your own pic on our Facebook page if you would like to - we'd all love to see them! 

Here is a message from Bart, the Community Participation Officer for CAFOD in Bristol.
"I write to you today as we watch with hope and apprehension the unfolding crisis in the Holy Land.
Let me first of all reassure you that, though heavily restricted, humanitarian aid is reaching people worst hit in Gaza through CAFOD’s partners who live and work in the region. Thank you, so much, to all those of you have donated or fundraised so far to resource this aid.
However, with great sadness I must report to you more deaths of staff and volunteers in our partner organisations. Please do pray for their families and colleagues as you pray for the conflict to end. Their colleagues continue to risk their lives daily, to provide life-saving help to others in great need.
As the conflict enters its ninth week, we are now also asking all parishes to do what they can to support our Israeli-Palestinian Crisis Appeal.
We also invite your parish to join us in calling for a lasting peace by writing to the Foreign Secretary. Thank you to the over 6,500 supporters and volunteers who already have. (See Link)
We join with the Bishops Conference in praying that:
‘as we approach the Holy Season of Advent…Christ the Prince of Peace will guide all devastated by this conflict into the ways of truth, reconciliation, and respectful co-existence.’
We are acutely conscious of this busy season of Advent and Christmas in your communities, a season when we go in our minds and our hearts to Bethlehem and Judea; and so we hope you and your parish will find our Advent and Christmas parish resources useful.
Together we can dare to hope for peace in the Holy Land this Advent.
Thank you, as always, for your prayers and support.
In Christ, Bart"

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star - Shafts of Light, Shafts of Hope in Advent.

Advent is a time of light, of waiting and hope, of light and joy. Join us as we reflect on these great themes with music, art, and scripture. See it as a mini retreat to give some focus to this busy time of present buying, food shopping, baking and wrapping of gifts.

The mini retreat will be run by The Clifton Evangelist Diocesan team twice online, just click on your chosen session link below:
Thursday 14th December 7-8pm: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/bef05e7a-38d9-4349-8c6c-39c0d79dda93@f10b8f13-604e-4fa2-9e12-04a7fad22e94

Repeated on,
Tuesday 19th December 3-4pm: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/e1cc27ee-0fba-403e-a6a4-86c34a930b1a@f10b8f13-604e-4fa2-9e12-04a7fad22e94

Vacancy at Clifton Diocese - Safeguarding Officer.
Part-time – 21 hours per week (Wednesday to Friday)
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Clifton is committed to safeguarding and this vacancy provides an opportunity for a skilled and experienced professional to join the Safeguarding team at Alexander House, Pennywell Road, Bristol.

The Safeguarding Officer role supports the ongoing development of safeguarding across the Diocese and the management of cases. The successful applicant will need to have comprehensive knowledge and experience of safeguarding legislation, policy procedure and best practice guidance and come from a background of either Social Work, Policing, Health or Probation.

For further information about this role please visit www.cliftondiocese.com/Diocese/working-for-us or contact Janice Pearson or Tracey Holford, Clifton Diocese on 0117 954 0993. The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 5th January 2024 with the intention of interviewing on Thursday 18th January 2024.

Thank you to Deacon Vincent for your Reflections for the Feast of Christ the King Year A.

1st Reading from the prophet Ezekiel 14: 11-12, 15-17.

Ezekiel was in the first set of exiles to Babylon, he was a priest like Isaiah and Jeremiah, He had a very powerful call from God as he describes at the beginning of the book. He uses a wide range of literary forms. Ezekiel’s calling by God, is to proclaim God’s message not only for those in exile but also for those still in Judah. Ezekiel uses symbolic actions to illustrate the message God has given him. He is a very strange but fascinating character. Our extract that we have today is proclaiming that Israel will rise again. God has eloquently described to Ezekiel how he is to be viewed by the people. God is a good shepherd who looks after the weak as well as the healthy. God knows those who are his sheep, and those who pretend, he also knows those who are the rams and goats. God knows all his sheep!! Sometimes our life in this society is very much like being in exile, Ezekiel’s messages from God can be of great assistance to us today, especially the encouragement to persevere, hope and trust in the Lord.

Psalm 22: 1-3, 5-6.
This beautiful poem continues our theme of the Good Shepherd. God is our good shepherd, he is always seeking our welfare and guarding us against the evil one, feeding us and filling us with his goodness. This psalm never fails to lift our hope and trust in God, especially when we are feeling low.

2nd Reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 15: 20-26, 28.
In this extract Paul runs a parallel between Adam and Christ. Adam brought death into the world; Christ is God’s answer to death. This death will gradually be eliminated in the universe, but in their proper order; Christ first, then Christians and finally the whole of creation, as it is restored to its’ proper order as God had designed it. Paul has given Jesus a very high status, calling him Lord, and clearly has some understanding of Christ’s equivalence to God. However, Paul now moderates his thoughts by accounting how Christ will then hand everything over to the Most High God, and Paul emphasises that the Son is also subject to God. We see how the community was still teasing out its’ early Credo. Maybe we are still exploring that relationship today.

The Holy Gospel according to Matthew 25: 31-46.
This passage portrays Christ as the Judge enthroned as King in all his glory, surrounded by his angels. Jesus gives us a vision of a shepherd king dividing the sheep from the goats. The sheep will be admitted to God’s kingdom because they treated Christ charitably, when he appeared in the form of one of the least of his brothers and sisters, whereas the goats will be cast out because when Christ appeared as one of the least, they sent them packing without any assistance. Both sets will be astounded and inquire as to when this all happened. Jesus tells us that he is in each every one of us, rich or poor alike and when any of us need assistance we are expected to provide loving care. We are judged by how we behave to each other. This is another illustration of Jesus answer to the scribe who asked which is the greatest commandment in the Law. Jesus’ response was and still is today, “Love God with all your heart and soul, this is the greatest and the second is similar to the first, Love your neighbour as yourself.” That is the challenge to all of us throughout our lives, without exception. It is a challenging end to our ecclesiastical year and is Matthew’s final word before he relates the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

God give us the insight to see you in the disadvantaged of this world. Deacon Vincent

THANK YOU!

What can we say..... just a wonderful feeling to see SO MANY people (411 to be exact!) coming to our "Countdown to Christmas" event on Saturday afternoon.

The feedback has been really positive with many saying how nice it was to get together as a community, with plenty of things to do for the kids and us grown ups! And with the lovely live music being played by so many people, Santa opening the event and being a busy man for the whole afternoon, mulled wine and Irish coffees flowing like never before and people enjoying lunch together, it really was a true, festive, community event of which we can all be very proud.

Thank you to ALL involved, and there were many. We can't thank you enough. Here's to next year!

Enjoy the photos.

This week's News

Parish Project for 2024

If, like Bella and Mike, you would like to ‘champion’ a charity next year & raise money & awareness through the parish, please outline details about the charity and why it is important to you and email/send a letter to Fr Barnabas by 8th Dec.

Then, if there are more than 2 nominated we will have a parish vote!

As we are nearing the end of 2023 we wish to publicly thank Bella and Mike for all the hard work they have put in to raise awareness of the 2 charities - The Mike Procter Foundation and Friends of the Earth.

When the final events have taken place we will be delighted to announce the amounts raised for both charities over the year and look back on all the lovely things done in their name.

Advent 2023

As Advent is getting near, please take a look at all the Masses, Services and events happening up to and including Christmas during this new season of the Church.
Plus, a little message from Fr Barnabas.

Local Food Bank

During Advent, as we prepare for the Season of Joy and Goodwill, we think of those who are struggling. Would you like to support the local food bank? We will put out a box at the back of church & we will get these things to the local food bank for you if you wish to drop off any items whilst at church.
This is a very generous parish and we acknowledge and thank you all for what you do for the wider community, be it supporting the Soup Run, the Parish projects, the 2nd collections at Mass and the special events and fundraising we put on.
Please see the list of what the food bank needs (and doesn't need) below and help if you can. Thank you.

New Pastoral Areas

Please see the leaflet from Fr Eugene Campbell about our new Pastoral Area.

“I would very much like to start a process of listening going across our Pastoral Area in order to move forward in hope. I would like us to gather and share thoughts and visions for the future on how we can collaborate more closely and move forward the mission of the Church.

These meetings will eventually move around the Pastoral Area but to start with, I invite you to come to Holy Family, Patchway, BS34 5DP on Saturday 2nd December from 10am to 12pm. Refreshments will be provided.

I do hope parishioners from all parishes of our Pastoral Area will come along. As Bishop Declan reminds us, “If we are inward looking we will die, but if we are outward looking, we will be challenged but we will live and know that we are faithful to the Gospel.”

God Bless, Fr Eugene Campbell VF

This week's News

Please use this link to read the statement from Rt Rev Declan Lang, Bishop of Clifton Diocese about the ongoing war and violence in the Holy Land

Remembrance Weekend 2023

"At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

we will remember them."

 

 

Countdown to Christmas Community Event:

Saturday 18th November free (from 12noon to 3pm), come and start your 'Countdown to Christmas' together.

Come and have some lunch, some delicious refreshments, a bit of fun and a dose of 'festive feelgood'!

Excellent Christmas Shopping opportunities, from Body Shop to beautiful jewellery, from healing crystals to hand made cards, from Christmas wreaths to Roger's pickles - there will be something for everyone!

Our School, Preschool, Girl guiding and parish groups are all involved and hoping to bring us all together and raise funds for the future - we'd love to see you all there.

And don't forget that we have secured the services of "The Big Guy in Red" again this year!

**** As we don't have snazzy 'card readers' for lots of the stalls, please remember to bring some good, old fashioned cash with you so you can enjoy all the food, fun and festivities!

Looking forward to seeing you all!

***ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE*** Don't forget that our neighbours, who are raising money for the Wallace & Gromit's Grand Appeal, will have their big switch on this Saturday 18th November.
If you are planning to come to Mass by car that evening you'll need to approach the church by the bungalow/Lytchet drive side (as the other side closest to the hill/Downend Sports Centre will be busy with families etc and partially closed off for a while). Please take care when driving up and parking etc.
We are all invited to come along from 5pm to enjoy the build up!
We wish them well with their fundraising efforts for such a good cause and we'll be able to enjoy the lights every time we visit or drive past the church each evening from that date.

New Clifton Diocese Pastoral Areas:
On Saturday 7 October, over 200 delegates from the parishes of Clifton Diocese gathered with Bishop Declan at St Bernadette’s School in Bristol for a day of formation and to explore how our 9 new Pastoral Areas can collaborate and support one another.
David Wells gave two talks, providing formation for the spiritual listening conversations which followed to explore the questions of how we should be when we come together, and what benefits the new pastoral areas offer to parishes. Canon Colin Mason concluded the event by gathering the fruits that the different spiritual conversation groups fed back to the whole delegation.

Click here to see the booklet showing feedback:
https://cliftondiocese.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Diocesan-Day-Feedback-booklet.pdf

Click here to see videos of the talks:
https://cliftondiocese.com/news/diocesan-new-pastoral-areas/

And click here to see the full list of the new areas:
https://cliftondiocese.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Deaneries-List-2023-V2.pdf

Thanks to Deacon Vincent for his Reflections for Thirty-Third Sunday I Ordinary Time Year A

1st Reading from the book of Proverbs 31: 10-13, 19-20, 30-31.
Proverbs is an unusual work, it is a collection of instructions for the young, expressed in all sorts of different ways. Assembled over several centuries it established its final format about 6th or 5th centuries BC. It includes comparisons and analogies, as well as parables. It can, on the face of it, appear contradictory, but uses these opposed meanings to emphasise something of the complexities of life. This passage selected for us to read today is part of the conclusion of Proverbs with a description of the “Valiant Woman”, in Greek “valiant “, meaning the opposite to those who are idle. She has some of the virtues of “Wisdom”, which we read from last week. It illustrates the virtues to be looked for in the ideal wife. It encourages a young man to seek out such a woman, to assist his life’s journey in following the Gospel life.

Psalm 127: 1-5.

This psalm echoes our first reading, as we discover how God blesses our work and our family. We should always remember the great gifts the Lord disposes upon those endeavouring to follow his teachings. May we all look forward to a finally happy and peaceful world.

2nd Reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians 5: 1-6.
Paul clearly believes that Jesus will return, but he emphasises that life must go on until that day. We should not trouble ourselves with speculating upon the date and time of the event, what we need to do is concentrate upon living the Gospel life, as Jesus illustrated it to us. We need to love God and serve him with great humility, caring for God’s creation, and loving our neighbours as ourselves. If we live such lives then we need not worry about when the Lord will come, as we will be ready to receive Jesus with due honour and glory and holy joy.

The Holy Gospel according to Matthew 25: 14-30.
We continue reading Matthew’s account of Jesus’ instructions and expectations of his disciples. It is discomforting for us to realise that Jesus does have expectations of his disciples. Jesus expects us to thrive on what gifts he disposes upon us according to our abilities. We have the Holy Spirit to call upon for assist, so we must use the talents to advance the Kingdom of Heaven, here on earth, till Jesus comes again. Being a follower of Jesus, requires much more than just having our blessings for our self-comfort. It requires us to share our good news with our neighbour. St. Francis always used to say to his followers, “Preach the Gospel daily to the world, and if necessary, use words.” All that is required is for us to be genuinely following the gospel life, full of joy, compassion and genuine concern for the welfare of our neighbour. Making our Christian communities places of joyful love and care, where everybody is welcome. Communities of vibrant, dynamic livers of the Gospel.

May God inspire us to love and serve our neighbour in the footsteps of Jesus. Deacon Vincent.

*I fully acknowledge the assist given me by Nicholas King’s Study Bible in this and all my reflections. For his insight into the books and writings of the Holy Bible. He has been my inspiration and insight into the wonders of Holy Scripture. *

Countdown to Christmas!

It's back! 🎄

Keep Saturday 18th November free (from 12noon to 3pm) to come and start your 'Countdown to Christmas' together.

Come and have some lunch, some delicious refreshments, a bit of fun and a dose of 'festive feelgood'!
Excellent Christmas Shopping opportunities, from Body Shop to beautiful jewellery, from healing crystals to hand made cards, from Christmas wreaths to Roger's pickles - there will be something for everyone!

We will highlight the lovely local traders over the next few weeks, plus more information on what will be there and how you can help!

Our School, Preschool, Girl guiding and parish groups are all involved and hoping to bring us all together and raise funds for the future - we'd love to see you all there.

This week's news

PARISH MEETING

Please come along and join Fr Barnabas on Saturday (11th Nov) from 10.15-1pm, in the hall, to get together for some prayer & some discussions on our faith and what sort of Parish we want to be, going forward.
You are free to leave when the meeting ends at 1pm or bring a sandwich with you so we can share lunchtime together after, if you’d like to.

Countdown to Christmas - The real countdown is on!

* Only 11 days to go until our annual Christmas event for the whole community to enjoy. *
Please come along - bring your friends - and enjoy a lovely festive afternoon together - with many charities being supported such as our local 'Med in Sheds', the Polish Scouting Association, Friends of the Earth & The Mike Proctor Foundation - as well being supported by our Primary School, Preschool, Parish Groups and Girl Guiding unit.
A true community event!
Looking forward to seeing you there.

Our Soup Run Team:

One of the key elements contributing to the success of the parish Soup Run is the work done by the 'Garage Team' - keeping the garage stocked, liaising with the Parish Office when items run low and, above all, preparing for the next Soup Run after the previous one has completed, every fortnight.

Mary Roberts, whose contribution to the Soup Run has, over the years, been incalculable, will soon retire from the post and would gladly help train any replacement.

If you are interested in taking on this role, please contact the Parish Office. Rates of pay are... heavenly!

A MORNING FOR OUR READERS
I invite all our Church Readers to join together as a group for discussions & maybe we’ll improve our reading by sharing tips and best practice.
Please come to the church on Sat 25th Nov from 10.15 - 1pm.
Fr Barnabas.

Finance Office Support
The Finance department based in Alexander House, Bristol, are looking to recruit a team administrator to strengthen its central Finance Office function.
The role is part-time, 12hours across three days. Attention to detail, flexible can-do attitude, and the ability to be well organised are important. Experience in a similar role and knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel would be highly beneficial.
For further details please go to https://cliftondiocese.com/diocese/working-for-us/
where you will find the Job Description and application form.
All applications to be sent to Simon Hussey, Head of Finance by 24th November 2023, simon.hussey@cliftondiocese.com

St Nick's Mass

St. Nicholas of Tolentino RC Church, Bristol are hosting their monthly celebration of Mass for members of the LGBTQI+ community, friends, family and allies.
All are welcome

An update from our local CAFOD in Clifton Diocese Officer:
Warm greetings.
We have all been shocked and saddened by the devastating conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. CAFOD’s local partners in Gaza and southern Israel are now actively responding and providing urgent humanitarian aid to those in need.
· We have sent £100,000 to our local partner, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) who are already supporting 10,000 families with cash vouchers. Families are using these to purchase essentials like food and water as well as mattresses and bedding from wholesale suppliers in Gaza.
· We have committed £50,000 to our local partner, Culture and Free Thought Association, who are sheltering 300 people in their centres in Gaza and are supporting them with cash assistance, food, water and offering counselling to those dealing with losing their loved ones, their homes and their livelihoods.
· We have released £10,000 to our local partner Sadaka Reut, working in southern Israel with local emergency support groups providing psychological support, basic humanitarian assistance and building emotional resilience.
Sadly, staff and volunteers in our partner organisations have already lost their lives and tragically news has reached us this morning that more local staff in Gaza have been killed.
*They tell us that your support and your prayers of solidarity for those putting their lives at risk to help during this crisis are needed now more than ever.*

If you can help CAFOD with a donation, please use this link.
Thank you
https://cafod.org.uk/news/emergencies-news/israeli-palestinian-crisis-how-you-can-help

Prayer for peace:

God of peace, bearer of hope, we seek your help for the peoples of the Middle East. 

Quiet the clamour of war and guide us towards peace. 

Where there is hatred and division sow seeds of calm and openness. 

Where there is destruction help us to rebuild. 

Where children are crying bring an end to tears. 

Shelter your peoples and protect them. Guide them and keep them from harm. 

Show us how to break down the barriers of history and fear and breathe whispers of hope. 

Amen.  

Linda Jones / CAFOD

Thanks to Deacon Vincent for his Reflections for Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

1st Reading from the book of Wisdom 6: 12-16.
Wisdom is the first book of the Old Testament to proclaim a belief in personal immortality. It also proclaims that despite all appearances, virtue is rewarded and that God is indeed in charge of the world. The great Jewish Wisdom tradition has at its heart the understanding that “reason” is God given and that if we follow our reason, with all humility, then we shall come to God, who always rewards the good and punishes the wicked. This passage we have today is a hymn to Wisdom. It contains a personification of Wisdom in the feminine gender. She wants to be found and reaches out to those who are seeking her. She does not hide away and make it difficult to engage with her. She goes out to meet those who are worthy and genuinely seeking her. It is very comforting and consoling to know that we are being sought out, so that we can find God, by following Wisdom.

Psalm 62: 2-8.
A song longing for God. It imagines us in a dry arid desert seeking God, how the soul thirsts for God. St. Augustine at some time in the future expressed, “Our souls do not find rest until it rests in the Lord.” The song expresses how God has totally absorbed us into himself. Our whole life whether awake or sleeping is watched over by God.

2nd Reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians 4: 13-18.
At the heart of Paul’s preaching is his faith in the Resurrection. It appears that Paul was expecting an imminent coming of Jesus. Paul knits together symbols from Jewish speculation about the end time with those who will be alive when Christ comes again. There will be no preference for the living over the dead, so there is no need for pious friction, just remember what God has done in Jesus. We need to trust in the Jesus of the Gospels, who has been glorified by the Father. If we stay close to Jesus, then the Father will do the same for us. We should comfort ourselves with such thoughts.

The Holy Gospel according to Matthew 25: 1-13.
This story about the wise and foolish virgins is meant to make us laugh. It is more about being prepared than staying awake. We need to be prepared for the end-time rather than being constantly on edge. Have everything to hand for when the Lord comes to meet us. The majority of us will have that encounter at our own personal end-time when Jesus calls us home. The parable is not to alarm but to wake us up to the reality of our encounter with the Lord at some time in the future. The best way to avoid fear and panic, is to be prepared.

May God bless us with the grace of being prepared when he calls us home.
Deacon Vincent