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."
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.
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.
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
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. *
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.
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. *
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