Rachel Bowen RIP

We are saddened to share the news with the wider parish community that Mrs Bowen, a teacher from our school, has died following a very recent cancer diagnosis.

We offer our condolences to Rachel Bowen's family and friends and to the whole school community who will be affected by her passing.
Please remember them all in your prayers.

May She Rest In Peace.


Please see the message below from the School's staff and governors that was issued only 8 days ago - if you wish to support the GoFundMe page to help the family, the link is attached.

"Dear Parents and St Augustine's Community,
Many of you will know Mrs Bowen, or your children have been taught by her. The children, staff and parents were saddened to hear about Mrs Bowen's cancer diagnosis. We would like to raise money for Mrs Bowen and her family to help at this most challenging time.
As a school community we aim to organise events and show Mrs Bowen how much we care. You are invited to donate whatever you wish.
With many thanks,
The staff and governors of St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Primary School.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/mrs-bowen-and-her-family?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer

This week's news

Happy 70th Birthday, Fr Barnabas!

It was lovely to be able to wish a very Happy 70th Birthday to Fr Barnabas on Sunday.

We prayed, with thanks, for Fr Barnabas and all clergy during Mass and then we all enjoyed cake in the hall after, and it was a really nice atmosphere to see so many people there to wish him well... or, as he said, maybe some were just there for the cake!

The choir led us all in singing Happy Birthday at the end of Mass too. A really lovely celebration.
What will we do for his 80th?!




LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 2024: 23rd to 30th August.

The Clifton Diocese Pilgrimage to Lourdes is taking place with pilgrims coming from all over the Diocese to embark on this journey.

Details can be found on the Diocese website or by contacting lourdes@cliftondiocese.com /0117 902 5590 for info.

Please be aware the deadline for deposits is 31st March 2024, with payment is full by 31st May 2024.


Use this link for info:
https://cliftondiocese.com/pilgrimage/lourdes/





Please see the following vacancy for Head of Theology at St Bernadette Catholic Secondary School

"Would you like to be part of a forward-thinking, supportive school community where your professional development is a priority? Governors of this outstanding 11-16 Catholic school are seeking to appoint for September 2024 , a practising Catholic who is a dynamic and inspirational Head of Theology and PSHE to lead an ‘outstanding’ RE Faculty (Section 48 inspection October 202).
To discuss the post or to arrange a school visit, please contact Mr Daniel Leiblich, Deputy Headteacher, on 0117 3772050 or email recruitment@stberns.bristol.sch.uk.
Application packs are available on the school website www.stberns.bristol.sch.uk

Thanks to Deacon Vincent for his Reflections for Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B

1st Reading from the book of Job 7: 1-4, 6-7.
The book of Job resembles many other works of Wisdom literature from Mesopotamia and Egypt as it wrestles with the problem of innocent suffering. It goes much beyond this, however in that it teaches us that it is permissible to argue with God, and that God’s loving wisdom is a mystery far beyond anything we can imagine. The book concentrates on how Job once prosperous and an excellent servant of God, is challenged to maintain his faith in God when things go radically wrong. His so-called friends believe he must have offended God for this disaster and they plaque him to own up or discover what it is that has brought this awful situation about. This passage we have before us today is Job’s first response to their accusations. He is at an all-time low ebb and very depressed. We can feel his pain with him and ponder why does God allow this to happen to a just man? We need to read the book to discover whether the writer gives us a clue as to why ill times befall good people. Maybe there is not an answer, maybe it is a condition of the Fall? Is this what Jesus came to help us understand the true nature of suffering? There are many questions for us to ponder this week.

Psalm 146: 1-6.
This song tries to give us hope that God always heals the broken hearted, we need to trust God’s wisdom, and trust in the Lord through thick and thin.

2nd Reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 9: 16-19, 22-23.
Paul is still dealing with the question that Christians are free, although they do not quite see it against their previous way of life. He is explaining that Christian’s freedom is not being able to do what we like. No, we are restrained by the Law of God, and by consideration for others. He is explaining that his task of preaching was laid upon him by God, it was not something he sought. So, although he is a free man he has made himself slave of all to be able to reach out to them. He makes himself all things to all men in order to save them. It is a very difficult point that Paul is trying to make to a people that have lived in the freedom of licentious behaviour without restraint or consideration for others or the consequences of their actions. This is the same thorny treatise we are having to tease out today.


The Holy Gospel according to Mark 1: 29-39.
Here we might have a clue about human suffering, and God’s attitude to it. Jesus goes to Peter’s house and finds Peter’s mother-in-law is ill with a fever. Jesu immediately heals her. Our human condition is vulnerable to illness and infection, it is not a punishment from God. Jesus actions throughout his ministry shows that God wants us to be well and does not punish us with sickness. Whenever God can, there is healing or God is enlightening us to be able to find cures. Jesus went through terrible suffering at the hands of men to set us free and enable us to lift ourselves above human greed and avarice. Jesus, also, shows us the need to be alone with God and pray, enter into conversation with God, to keep us well in mind and body. It is in the stillness that we can access God and be accessed by God. That way we discover what God wants us to do for Him. If Jesus needed those moments to clarify his path, then surely we need it so much more, if we are to find our true vocation in life.

God give us the grace to listen for your voice in this noisy world. Deacon Vincent.

This week's news

Mixer & Mash night

Who fancies a "Getting To Know You" evening catching up with fellow parishioners and finding out more about any new parishioners?
Well, on Saturday 3rd February you can do just that at our Parish 'Mixer & Mash' night!

Good old, hearty, sausage and mash will be on the menu and for your ticket price of just £15 per person you'll get a 2 course meal, after dinner coffee & mints, table activities, glasses for your BYO drinks and a lovely night out.

Contact the parish office for your ticket or buy them after Masses this weekend and next.

Dietary requirements will be happily catered for - please let us know on purchasing.
See you there!


Irish Night

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish are hosting an Irish Night on 2nd March in aid of Parish Funds.
At just £20 pp you will have a free drink and buffet as well as Irish dancing and fun!

Contact Sharon Kitchen direct on 07789036649 for tickets.


A date for your diary:

During Lent Bishop Declan is to celebrate Liturgies of Reconciliation at five venues across the diocese.


Our nearest, and in our Pastoral Area, is Holy Family, Patchway on Wednesday 6th March at 7pm.

Building upon the beautiful gatherings during Lent he is, once again, inviting our diocesan community to gather with him in celebration of God's merciful love as part of our Lenten journey. There will be priests available at each venue to celebrate sacramental reconciliation.

You will be most welcome at any of the venues - see the poster for details




With World Leprosy Day on Sunday 28th January 2024, we are pleased to highlight again the charity Lepra who are celebrating their Centenary year with special events, such as a Mass for World Leprosy Day at Westminster Cathedral with our own Bishop Declan. All are welcome to the London Mass on Friday - see details and a link below.

In their message to us recently, Lepra confirmed that "over 3 million people are living with undiagnosed leprosy, which if not treated early enough may result in life-changing physical and mental health issues that can destroy people’s lives. Leprosy, although curable is sadly surrounded by myths and discrimination, which often prevent people from coming forward to seek treatment. At Lepra, working across India and Bangladesh, we aim to change the negative that surrounds the disease of leprosy and are committed to making sure that people affected by leprosy have the chance to live with dignity and their disease be of little adverse consequence to their lives. I hope this short film link is of interest. With your help, we can beat leprosy - YouTube"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpyKbz8-a6A

More information and details of how you can support Lepra can be found on their website at https://link.edgepilot.com/s/45b0f418/qOkZgdqdFkiPv-J07jz7PQ?u=http://www.lepra.org.uk/

Here are Deacon Vincent's Reflections for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

1st Reading from the book of Deuteronomy 18: 15-20.
This book is possibly the most influential in the Old Testament and comprises a second reading of the Law just before the people of Israel enters the Promised Land. It is ostensibly delivered by Moses himself. This passage was inevitably applied to Jesus, see John’s Gospel 1: 21, 25. Mark also raises the question in his Gospel 8: 28, where Jesus enquires what people are saying of him and Peter declares him to be the Messiah, the one promised by God when he revealed this promise to Moses. After this the people of Israel longed and yearned for this Messiah. We know and follow Jesus; we need to be worthy of our calling.

Psalm 94: 1-2, 6-9.
This song is an invitation to praise the Lord but concludes a little edgily recalling the peoples’ failings. It just shows how aware the psalmists were of their failings and the need to be vigilant in not getting above ourselves.

2nd Reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 7: 32-35.
This is a continuation of the letter of Paul’s that we read last week. It needs to be viewed in the light that the Church expected Jesus’ second coming to be imminent, and Paul is endeavouring to focus their minds on preparing for that event. It is a piece of common sense to limit one’s distractions from the physical to the spiritual arena. Paul was well aware of the Corinthians reputation for sexual misbehaviour, so Paul saw an opportunity to distract them to a higher level.

The Holy Gospel according to Mark 1: 21-28.
For the first time we see Jesus doing what is an important theme for Mark, namely, Jesus’ teaching. Jesus’ teaching has an immediate effect. The people are amazed, and we will see this recurring time and again in Mark’s Gospel, and especially with his disciples. Notice Mark’s use of the word “Authority”, which we will come across many times in this Gospel. Here is mentioned also the Scribes, who will form part of Jesus’ opposition. In just a few short sentences Mark is setting out the format for this Gospel. Jesus teaches with authority, the people recognise him, in contrast to the Scribes. Jesus casts out evil spirits and his reputation gathers momentum. We are about to embark on a roller coaster journey with Jesus’ few short years. Let’s hope we are amazed and inspired like his first disciples.


God bless our endeavours in the coming year. 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.

This week's news

Peace Sunday

Peace Sunday 2024 was Sunday 14 January and the theme chosen by Pope Francis is ‘Artificial Intelligence and Peace’. Pax Christi have produced a series of resources to mark the day.
Use this link for more information: 


Mixer & Mash night

Who fancies an evening together, getting to know or catching up with fellow parishioners?
Well, on Saturday 3rd February you can do just that at our Parish 'Mixer & Mash' night!

Good old, hearty, sausage and mash will be on the menu and for your ticket price of just £15 per person you'll get a 2 course meal, after dinner coffee & mints, table activities, glasses for your BYO drinks and a lovely night out.

Contact the parish office for your ticket or buy them after Masses this weekend and next.

Dietary requirements will be happily catered for - please let us know on purchasing.
See you there!


Kingship of Christ: Responding to the Cry of the Earth online formation session
Lumen Gentium teaches that all the baptised participate in Christ’s kingly office. 

We can grow comfortable with calling Christ the King, and we think of it as a cosmic abstraction. But what is Christ’s kingship in a more concrete sense? And how are we called to live that reality in our daily lives?


The Department of Adult Education and Evangelisation is offering an online formation session which links the Kingship of Christ with caring for our common home. Webinar: Wednesday 24 January, 7.30-8.45pm.
 


Vacancies

Clifton Diocese are currently looking for a Principle Surveyor for the Diocese and a College Chaplain for St Brendan's College.
Visit the 'working for us' page of their website for detail.


St. Nicholas of Tolentino RC Church, Bristol hosts their monthly celebration of Mass for members of the LGBTQI+ community, their family, friends and allies, on 21st January.
All are welcome.

Our friends from the Ukrainian Church are holding their Nativity and Carols here this Sunday at 3.30pm. All are welcome!

Thank you Deacon Vincent, for your Reflections for Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

1st Reading from the prophet Jonah 3: 1-5, 1
The theme for this reading is that Jonah was not at all pleased to be given this task by the Lord, so he ran away to sea, was thrown overboard by the sailors, swallowed by a large fish. Cries out to the Lord for deliverance, is cast upon the shore and so here we have Jonah, at last going to Nineveh, as the Lord had commanded. Jonah has no particular interest in Nineveh he is there purely t the Lord’s request. He goes to the centre of the city and proclaims that the Lord will destroy the city unless they return to the Lord. The people of Nineveh heed the warning proclaim fasts and set about returning to the covenant. As a result, the Lord is merciful and does not destroy the city. The lesson for us, is to heed the warnings that are presented to us by the Lord’s spokespeople and return to the Gospel life with greater sincerity.

Psalm 24: 4-9.
This song continues our theme of forgiveness and asking for the Lord’s assistance. There is that lovely phrase, “In your love remember me.” His law is not just for the learned and wealthy, it is for the lowly and the poor as well. We all are loved and are his cherished children. He wants us all to find our way to the Kingdom of the Lord.

2nd Reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 7: 29-31.
This passage reveals the sense of urgency of the early Church as it expected the Saviour’s return to be imminent, hence Paul’s encouragement for the people to forget their cultural licentiousness and prepare to meet the Lord in the very near future. Paul is not saying that marriage or sexual relationships within marriage were wrong, he was purely emphasising that there were more important issues to attend to in preparing to meet the Lord.


The Holy Gospel according to Mark 1: 14-20.
We are at the very beginnings of Jesus’ mission “The time has come, and the Kingdom of God is close at hand, repent and believe the Good News.” We need to heed the call for us to turn again to God’s covenant of right living with true conviction, rejoicing at God’s patience with us. We witness the call of the first disciples to assist him in his mission. Simon and Andrew are the first to respond. Jesus uses their trade to encourage them to fish for men rather than fish, then similarly Jesus calls two other fishermen, James and John, and notice how Mark shows the urgency of the call by the way they leave their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and follow Jesus. These first disciples were amazing in their trust of Jesus, they left everything for the Gospel. It puts our poor efforts into true perspective, so each year let us grow ever closer to the lord and glorify God by our lives.

May God grant us the grace of perseverance in the Gospel life. Deacon Vincent.


This Week's News

Mixer & Mash night

If you'd like to enjoy a meal together and get to know your fellow parishioners, please get your ticket after Mass from the Parish Social Committee.

Sausage and Mash, pudding, coffee and chat! All for just £15 pp.

Bring your own drinks for an inexpensive night out.

Saturday 3rd Feb - limited numbers - so if you can't get your ticket this weekend or next, email the office and we will reserve one for you. (Vg & GF options available, please specify when you buy your tickets)

Any money left over from covering the costs will go to the Parish funds. See you there!



Retrouvaille England and Wales


“If you want to uncover or reawaken the love, trust & commitment that brought you together & work through difficult times in your marriage visit www.retrouvaille.org.uk for our 2024 program.

Commencing with a Virtual weekend on 8-11 Feb ‘24 or a face-to-face weekend in Welwyn Garden City on 14-16 June 2024”



Celebrating Uganda


Please see the post from our neighbours at Badminton Road Methodist Church for a day celebrating Uganda and her neighbours on Sat 27th January to which we are all invited.
They are also asking for donations towards a new roof for a church in Uganda plus any unwanted tools (carpentry, mechanics, plumbing or sewing machines/threads/materials etc - but not gardening) If you can help please contact the church direct.

Thanks, Deacon Vincent, for your reflections for Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

1st Reading from the first book of Samuel 3:3-10,19.
The text we have today is recording Samuel’s first personal encounter with God. Samuel does not recognise God’s voice and thinks it is Eli calling him. After several visits to Eli in answer to the call, Eli recognises that the voice is the Lord’s. “Speak Lord, your servant is listening”, is the instruction Eli gives to Samuel, and so begins a lifelong intimate relationship between Samuel and God. We might dwell on this text and ask ourselves how many times God has called out to us and we have not recognised his voice. It might have been in one of the Sunday readings or a homily where God was reaching out to us. We need to pray earnestly and explore our spirituality with a good confessor. Then like Samuel we might begin to recognise God’s voice and embark on an intimate relationship with God ourselves.

Psalm 39: 2, 4, 7-10.
This song is following our theme of listening for the Lord. It combines listening and adhering to the word of God, and thanksgiving and giving glory for his great mercy. A beautiful son to dwell upon and let it sink into the depths of our being.

2nd Reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 6: 13-15,17-20.
Paul is speaking very strongly against the misuse of sexuality. The reason is that what we do affects others and those around us. W must act responsibly to protect the community from scandal and scandalous behaviour. We are Temples of the Holy Spirit, and our bodies should behave accordingly. The Holy Spirit is with us and part of us, so let us put ourselves in second place always when it comes to satisfying our desires. Let us conduct ourselves with the true freedom of being children of God and pay attention to his covenant.

The Holy Gospel according to John 1: 35-42.
John recognises Jesus through the revelation of the Spirit. He studies Jesus very hard, then says, “Look, there is the Lamb of God.” Our theme of listening and acting we follow the two disciples as they follow Jesus. When Jesus becomes aware of the he inquires what they want? They want to know where he lives, in other words they want to encounter him at a deeper level, so, they spend the rest of the day with him. One of the disciples is Andrew the brother of Simon Peter. He tells Peter that, “We have found the Messiah”. Simon Peter goes to see what this is all about and Jesus, addresses him and says, “Simon, son of John; you are to be called “Cephas” -meaning Rock.” It is all about hearing the word of the Sprit and responding to it. We are members of a family and community and the nations of the world; we rely upon good and open and truthful communication. Let us be discerning people like Andrew and Simon Peter, who explore the truth, and respond to it positively. John is the instigator in providing Jesus with his first two disciples. When we find the precious gift of God’s friendship it is important for us to respond positively to that and share the Good news. Let us follow Jesus as people of PEACE


God be patient with us as we learn how to become real disciples of the LORD.
Deacon Vincent

Happy New Year

We wish you every blessing throughout this blessed season.

Thank you for being faithful and generous in your response to the gospel message.
We wish you all health and prosperity in the year to come.

God Bless You.
Fr Jim & Fr Barnabas.



Bishop Declan Lang

Please see the video message from Bishop Declan as he reads his Pastoral Message for the feast of the Holy Family.


Lepra

We are pleased to highlight the charity Lepra who are celebrating their Centenary year with special events, such as a Mass for World Leprosy Day at Westminster Cathedral with our own Bishop Declan. All are welcome to the London Mass on 26th January - see details and a link .

In their message to us recently, Lepra confirmed that "over 3 million people are living with undiagnosed leprosy, which if not treated early enough may result in life-changing physical and mental health issues that can destroy people’s lives. Leprosy, although curable is sadly surrounded by myths and discrimination, which often prevent people from coming forward to seek treatment. At Lepra, working across India and Bangladesh, we aim to change the negative that surrounds the disease of leprosy and are committed to making sure that people affected by leprosy have the chance to live with dignity and their disease be of little adverse consequence to their lives. I hope this short film link is of interest. With your help, we can beat leprosy - YouTube"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpyKbz8-a6A
More information and details of how you can support Lepra can be found on their website at https://link.edgepilot.com/s/45b0f418/qOkZgdqdFkiPv-J07jz7PQ?u=http://www.lepra.org.uk/


Thank you to Deacon Vincent for your Reflections for the Epiphany of the Lord Years A,B,C.

1st Reading from the prophet Isaiah 60: 1-6.
This text is extolling the great things to come to the new people back from Babylonian exile, who would be looking at the shabby and poverty encrusted Jerusalem they had returned to. This is the third Isaiah trying to lift their spirits and encourage them to start the re-building of the city. Matthew, the most Jewish of the Gospel writers immediately draws upon the gifts from this text, brought by the wise men from the East, but we draw upon the camels from this text, in association with the story of those wise men, for Matthew does not mention camels in his Gospel passage. We unconsciously absorb these writings as we trawl through scripture, and it quietly soaks into our hearts and is recalled as we encounter the echoes contained within the Gospel writings. This is the beauty of scripture study, as we perceive the way God enlightens our minds and hearts to his wonders through the writings of the prophets and the scribes.

Psalm 71: 1-2, 7-8, 10-13.
This song is thought to have been composed for Solomon’s coronation, a similar version is quoted in 1 Kings 1: 39-40, and the King is reminded of his solemn duty to protect the poor and needy in distress. This song sits very well for the feast we are celebrating today.

2nd Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians 3: 2-3, 5-6.
At first sight this text does not seem to have anything to do with the readings for this feast, but it is deeply involved; for this “Epiphany” is God’s revelation to the Gentiles of the arrival of the “Saviour”. God enlightens the wise men through their expertise to realise something remarkable is happening, and they are led by enlightenment to Jerusalem, where they are told of the prophecy of the Saviour. They go to find, whilst the learned and scribes of Israel remain in Jerusalem. What Paul is revealing to the Ephesians is fulfilled in the Gospel of Matthew, which we are reading today. Paul has been selected especially by God to spread the message of salvation for the Gentiles; salvation is for all, not just a select group.

The Holy Gospel according to Matthew 2: 1-12.
The “Magi”, (astrologers from the East), come to Jerusalem and enquire where they can find the infant King of the Jews? There is already a King in Jerusalem, namely Herod, so the readers know that trouble is brewing for this newborn King of the Jews. In my translation Herod “gathers” all the chief priests and scribes of the people. Gathered in Greek, sounds very like “synagogued”, so it is thought Matthew was taking a side swipe at the establishment’s lack of understanding and resistance to the will of God. Herod wants to know for a different reason from the Magi, who give the correct response in a desire to worship the newborn King, but Herod wants to destroy him. The chief priests and scribes certainly know the answer. “Bethlehem in Judaea”, but hey show no inclination to join the Magi and go and worship the newborn, instead they remain in Jerusalem, obsessed with the status quo, and making sure they are not sidelined, so they find themselves resisting what they know from God’s scriptures, and await to see who will come out on top. The Gentiles go to give their gifts of Gold and Frankincense, as per scripture with an addition of myrrh, a perfume used at funeral rites, reminding us of the inevitability that the authorities will try and maintain the status quo by Jesus’ death. The Magi duly pay Jesus’ homage to the amazement of Mary & Joseph. The Magi are then warned in a dream not to return to Herod and so they leave Israel by a different route. This will annoy Herod with devastating consequences for Bethlehem. Matthew is illustrating how the Gentiles respond to God’s revelation whilst the priests and scribes, the religious leaders of Israel, ignore this revelation to hang on to what they have, and close their minds to God’s invitation.
May we always be open to God’s invitation to come and pay homage to Jesus. Deacon Vincent.