This week's News

Lent Meeting

We hope as many people as possible are taking up the offer of joining a Lent Parish House Group.
As well as the local groups, we will be hosting a main group get together *this Saturday (2nd March)* from 10am until 12noon - all invited to come to the parish hall for a chance to join he conversation that is taking place in the home groups.
All are welcome.

Rite of Election

On the first Saturday of Lent, as at the start of every Lent, our diocesan family gathered at the cathedral together with our bishop to celebrate the Rite of Election, where those who are journeying towards becoming part of our Catholic community are presented to Bishop Declan.

Click below to read the write up on the Clifton Diocese Rite of Election.
Congratulations to all the new candidates as they joined together with their family and friends

https://cliftondiocese.com/news/rite-of-election-2024/

A message from the Department of Adult Education and Evangelisation

We are starting a new formation course in Stroud on a Wednesday evening called 'Invited'. These formation sessions are for parishioners who are interested in learning more about their faith and passing it onto others. I would be grateful if you could promote this in your newsletter/noticeboard/website. The details are:

 

Invited - God offers us a radical invitation but what does it mean to say yes? What does it mean to be a Catholic? What do we believe and how do we grow deeper in our Faith? This twelve-week course will enable us to explore a variety of questions relating to Catholic Teaching.  Who is Invited? This is a course for anyone who is interested in learning more about their faith and passing it onto others, so very useful for new and experienced catechists. The course will take place at The Immaculate Conception, Stroud. The Wednesday evening dates are: 17 April, 24 April;  1 May, 15 May, 22 May;  5 June, 12 June, 19 June, 26 June;  3 July, 10 July, 17 July.

 

For the full outline of the course please see here: cliftondiocese.com/news/invited-a-formation-course-in-stroud/. To express your interest please complete the booking form on the diocesan website and send to catechists@cliftondiocese.com or post to the Department of Adult Education & Evangelisation, Alexander House, 160 Pennywell Road, Bristol, BS5 0TX.

 

Cost of Full Course £50 or £6 per session (bacs details are on the booking form). Although it is not necessary to attend every session (they are stand-alone) we hope that the group will grow together as a community. The sessions will be 7pm to 9pm including time for refreshments.

 

Thanks to Deacon Vincent for his Reflections for Third Sunday in Lent Year B

1st Reading from the book of Exodus 20: 1-17.
The ten commandments or “ten words” (Decalogue) are sometimes explained as “a manifesto for a free society”. Don’t get hitched up on their apparent negativity. God is offering us a route map for a loving relationship, we can either attempt to live it out for God’s sake or ignore it and slip into a free for all society where anything goes, which usually signals a selfish view of life pleasing to ourselves and not necessarily pleasing to others. The first three concern how we recognise our God and treat God with the respect deserved by the God who rescued the Israelites from a life of servitude in Egypt. God gave them back their national identity. The other seven concern how we should live as a people who attempt to be Holy as God is Holy. This will enable God to prepare a people to receive His only Son, Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the World, and enable the new creation to continue to live in harmony, and at one with God. In our respect and gratitude to God we attempt to develop a sweetness of spirit towards God and each other. When the seven are ignored in part or in all; disharmony, terrors and wars ensue. Far from being restrictive, when we try to observe these guidelines; happiness and harmony become the fruits.

Psalm 18: 8-11.
A song in glory of the Law (Ten Commandments), singing joyously of the great gift God has given us and its’ fruits. “The command of the Lord is a bright light”, which is a wonderful description of the fruits of God’s Law.

2nd Reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 1: 22-25.
In this selection from Paul’s letter, we are entering at a point where Paul is emphasising that the message he brings is about Christ Crucified, which is anathema to the Jews who can’t comprehend God’s plan in such an act, and absolute madness for Greeks. However, Paul insists with great confidence almost breathtaking audacity that “for those called; Jesus Christ is God’s power and wisdom, for God’s stupidity is wiser than human beings, and God’s weakness is stronger than human beings.” Jesus Christ is irresistible in Paul’s experience, because he is God’s Word. The Spirit of Christ captivated Paul and sent him to the Gentile world to convert firstly his Jewish brethren and then offer the Gentiles God’s reconciliation through the Crucified Jesus Christ. By Jesus’ sacrifice we are purchased for God and into God’s Law.

The Holy Gospel according to John 2: 13-25.

We know the authority for Jesus driving out those doing business in God’s Sanctury, but those who witnessed it did not know, even his disciples were not completely sure that Jesus was God’s Son. However, it is at the Resurrection that they begin to be enlightened and they remember Psalm 69: 9, “Zeal for your house will devour me.” But more importantly they realise that Jesus was talking about His Body, not the building. So right at the creation of the Church they say, “they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus said.” Jesus is already extraordinarily authoritative. There is also an ominous warning, “Many came to faith in his name”. Jesus did not entrust himself to them, for Jesus could read people’s hearts. We might remember that in our dealings with Jesus. He can read our hearts!! We cannot deceive him. We are required to be always perfectly honest with Jesus. Let us not deceive ourselves in the matter of our Faith. It is not about power, but about relationships with Jesus and God, everything else fades into insignificance.

May God open our minds to grow ever closer to Jesus and the Father through the Holy Spirit.

Deacon Vincent

This week's news

Our New AED

We were delighted to welcome Janet Biggin, Chair of Downend and Bromley Heath Parish Council, to our special Mass on Sunday morning, where we blessed our new community AED (defibrillator) and prayed for all who work in emergency and health care.

Janet said "I'm honoured to be invited to attend this Sunday Mass and very proud to be part of the service and witness to the blessing. Our parish council were happy to offer help for the purchase of this AED and the lifesaving asset it will be for our community."

We have also had a 'bleed kit' fitted by Heartsafe during the week so we are able to offer 24/7 access to that emergency medical kit as well to help within our area if ever needed. We are very grateful to them for this free equipment.

Thanks to the team who worked hard to make this happen and to all within our parish community who fundraised and donated to reach our goal, especially Downend and Bromley Heath Parish Council.

Please come along to an awareness session in our parish hall on Sunday 17th March at 10.45am where we will share a training video on how to help in the event of a cardiac arrest and showing in detail how the AED works.

  

Mike Procter RIP

We are so sad to hear of the death of Mike Procter at the weekend. As you'll remember, our parish supported the Gloucestershire cricketer's South African children's charity as one of our parish projects just last year and it was wonderful that Mike was able to visited us and joined in with our Summer event. (see picture)

His Foundation sent the sad news to the charity's supporters and announced online saying that he died in hospital near his home in Durban after relatively routine surgery but suffered a heart attack afterwards. His family were able to join his bedside before he died. Foundation trustees were together only two weeks ago with new sports coaches at a new school
"It was Mike's wish that the Foundation supports this vision after he is gone. The Trustees are committed to making this happen and to do Mike proud."

Please pray for Mike's family, friends, Foundation colleagues and all who are supported by his charitable works.
May He Rest In Peace.

https://mikeprocterfoundationuk.org/

Aid to the Church in Need UK

Steve from Aid to the Church in Need UK came to visit Fr Barnabas this Sunday for Mass and shared with him news of the current projects they are undertaking to support Christians where they are persecuted, oppressed or in pastoral need.

We are planning an appeal for later in the year, but we encourage you to visit their website to see for yourself the work they do to help around the world, and especially at this time, in the Holy Land.

Reflections for Second Sunday in Lent Year B from Deacon Vincent

1^st Reading from the book of Genesis 22: 1-2, 9-13, 15-18.

We have this famous story of the Patriarch Abraham; being tested in the most terrible way by God. God requests Abraham’s only son as a sacrifice. Abraham trusts the Lord so much he does not hesitate to follow the Lord’s instructions. On the third day Abraham spots the place designated for the sacrifice. He sets the altar, lights the fire and draws his knife to strike Isaac, but the Lord sends an Angel to stop him striking the boy. Abraham finds a ram caught by its’ horns in a bush and sacrifices the ram in place of the boy. One can view it as an early example of how God draws his people away from human sacrifice or as many Christians saw a parallel between how God saved Abraham from a sacrifice that God himself would make with Christ, who was God’s only Son. God, having tested Abraham, shows Abraham’s descendants exactly how much he loved us, by making that sacrifice to bring us into God’s kingdom. God has proven exactly what lengths He will go to, to save his creation, in Christ Jesus our Lord. We begin to visualise the full magnitude of sin, when we view the sacrifice required, to negate it.

Psalm 115: 10, 15-19.

A selection from a song of “thanksgiving”, which we can imagine Abraham singing on his return journey from the harrowing test he had undergone. It is a song we might call to mind after any stressful experience.

2^nd Reading from the letter of St. paul to the Romans 8: 31-34.

We have a very small selection from one of Paul’s longest letters, but it is such a joyous message for us it is worth shouting from the rooftops. “If God is on our side, who is against us?” What a wonderful thought to ponder during our Lenten reflections. “Christ Jesus is the one who died …. Was raised…He is the one who is at God’s right hand. He is the one who intercedes for us.” Who can help but be buoyed up by the poetical certainty of Paul’s optimism.

The Holy Gospel according to Mark 9: 2-10.

Jesus takes his most trusted disciples, Peter James and John up to a high mountain privately, on their own. This is a very private revelation for them. Suddenly Jesus is “transfigured” and we glimpse the truth about him. His glory is revealed, but more than this, Moses and Elijah appear and are in conversation with Jesus. We are looking at the Law and the Prophets accepting Jesus, at least, as their equal. Peter is overcome and wants this to go on, so he offers to build three tents for them so they can stay a while. But now we witness the descent of the cloud, and the voice of God is heard. “This is my Son, the beloved. Listen to him.” The disciples are terrified, but when they look up there is only Jesus with them. They receive their instruction to say nothing till Jesus be raised from the dead. They obey the instruction but talk amongst themselves what “Rising from the dead could mean.” This vision can only be understood in the light of Jesus’ death and resurrection. These three disciples will be very important in the post resurrection story. This vision will help them through the traumatic events of “Good Friday”. It is good from time to time to reflect upon Jesus’ glory. He is the light that draws us like moths to the candle. We need to be dazzled by him and then allow his words to sink deep into our souls. Jesus is our guide so let us get as close to him as possible this Lent, lest we lose sight of him in the business of our lives.

May God keep us close to Jesus this Lent. 

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

This coming Wednesday is 'Ash Wednesday', which marks the start of Lent.

There will be a Mass with Fr Barnabas at 9.30am and an Ash Wednesday service with Deacon Mike at 7.30pm, here at St Augustine's.

All are welcome to either service, to start Lent 2024 together.

Look up the details of Ash Wednesday on the Bishop's Conference's website
https://www.cbcew.org.uk/ash-wednesday/

Our friends at St. Nicholas of Tolentino RC Church, Bristol are holding their monthly celebration of Mass for LGBTQ+ Catholics, families, friends and allies next, on Sunday 18th February.

See poster for details.

A Message from SJOG Homes For Ukraine

As an official provider of the government scheme, SJOG Homes for Ukraine acts as a matching, training, and support pathway for guests from Ukraine and hosts in the UK who are willing to provide much-needed support. Our programme operates collaboratively with the esteemed Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN).

At SJOG Homes for Ukraine, we offer a range of services to ensure fulfilling experience for both guests and hosts. These services include matching, training for hosts and guests, transportation assistance, a Welcome Box for Ukrainian guests upon arrival, and support during the placement.

See some useful links below:

https://sjog-homesforukraine.uk/?fbclid=IwAR1thQgi9dSEmwkKyEBtBs0dyecLU55SLROlUyIcwuuOBJtqptv2-YWDnC0

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-a-sponsor-using-recognised-providers-homes-for-ukraine

"You are dust and to dust you shall return"

#AshWednesday

 

PARISH PROJECTS

We are delighted to announce that last year you helped raised a total of £2,285.97 for Friends of the Earth & £2,960.30 for The Mike Procter Foundation. Thanks to Bella and Mike for your work in championing these 2 wonderful charities.
And thank you all so much for your support!

*ANNOUNCEMENT!* 2024’s new Parish Projects will be

Little Sisters of the Poor St Joseph’s Care Home Bristol , which is in urgent need to replace both their help call system for the residents & their broken lift, led by Norbert & Sue Stricker.

And Brandon Trust who provide high-quality, individualised support for children, young people & adults with learning disabilities & autism, led by Tim & Marie Johnston.

Look out for events & fundraising ideas soon or speak to the Stricker's or Johnston's if you would like to help out.

Message from Clifton Diocese:

*Clifton Diocese, Finance and Property Support Officer*

The Clifton Diocese Curia offices are currently looking to recruit a Finance and Property Support Officer to strengthen it's central finance and property functions. The role is a part-time, 2year fixed term contract, to be worked over 25 hours per week and based at Alexander House, Pennywell Road, Bristol.

The successful applicant will need to have a comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office, good communication and organisational skills, to include time management and working on various tasks simultaneiously. Previous administrative experience and a can-do flexible attitude are essential.

For further information please go to the 'Working for us' section of the Clifton Diocese website or contact Simon Hussey, Head of Finance on 0117 902 5591. The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 8th March 2024.

https://cliftondiocese.com/diocese/working-for-us/

Thanks to Deacon Vincent for his Reflections for First Sunday in Lent Year B

1st Reading from the book of Genesis 9: 8-15.
The name means “origin” or “birth” or “coming to be”. It is the name given by its Greek translators; however, it is known in Hebrew by its first word “In the beginning…” This is not a scientific examination of the beginning of the world, but a narrative which indicates that our story begins, as it must end, with God. This passage we have before us today, is about a new beginning after the catastrophe caused by sin. God speaks to Noah and his sons. God is establishing a new Covenant, not just with man, but also with every living creature. The sign of this new covenant? “When you see the clouds gathering in the sky and you look upwards you will see the “Rainbow”, and you will know that I have remembered my covenant with you. It is wonderful to visualise the people of Israel looking at the gathering storms, and being happily reassured that all will be well, because they are dealing with a loving and kindly God, unlike the unpredictable and irascible deities of the surrounding cultures. The repetitions are to emphasise the point that is being made. We might also be reminded of our responsibilities to look after our environment and all the living creatures in it, because they are part of the covenant as well. God is concerned for the welfare of all his creation, so we also must remember to care, as well.

Psalm 24: 4-9.
An appropriate song for the beginning of our Lenten deliberations. It is a song asking God for forgiveness and help. A lovely thought of God teaching us the way and guiding us in the truth. We need to draw close to God so we can hear his teaching and guidance.

2nd Reading from the first letter of St. Peter 3: 18-22.
This letter clearly claims to be written by St. Peter, leader of that first group of Jesus’ companions, but the high standard of Greek used in the letter would suggest that it is written in his name. The letter is a circular addressed to five Churches in modern Turkey. It is a letter to help those who are undergoing some form of persecution. The author suggests we relate our sufferings with Christ’s, who innocent though he was, underwent terrible sufferings for us. Some scholars suggest this letter might be a homily for those about to receive baptism, which would account for the reference to the curative power of water to wash away sin, and fit us for heaven.

The Holy Gospel according to Mark 1: 12-15.

There is a breathless urgency in the first few chapters of Mark’s gospel. In the translation I have before me it reads, “the Spirit hurls him out into the desert.” Jesus is there for forty days, which prefigures our forty days of close examination of our life with Jesus, on the way to the Father. It is comforting to note that the Angels looked after him. We might ask them to assist us in our spiritual desert. Then Jesus burst out at the moment of John’s arrest (The Forerunner). Again, there is an urgency in the proclamation, “The time has come”, there is no time to waste, “the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the Good News.” That message is as stark today as it was then. There is no time to lose we are called to repentance to re-new our lives and embrace Jesus’ teachings and follow him more closely. God is patient with us and allows us yet another lent to turn our lives around.

God give us the grace to “Repent and believe the Good News." Deacon Vincent.

This week's news

A great evening

Thank you to all who joined us for the Getting to Know You evening on Saturday... our "Mixer and Mash" night!
It was so lovely to get to know a bit more about each other, with everyone having a 'people bingo card' to go round and find out who in the room owned the most dogs, who shared a birthday month, who was the oldest in their family, who had recently been horse riding or ice skating etc etc etc (answer to that last one was no one, by the way!😆)

The food was delicious and the Parish Social Committee who organised the event were really pleased with how it all went. Everyone seemed to have a lovely time.

Look out for more of these events in the future.

 

Lent begins next Wednesday, 14 February, and is a time when we’re all called to make a special effort to nourish our spiritual lives.

The traditional pillars of Lent are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and these three paths work together to help us ground ourselves in the love of Christ and share that love with our neighbour.

See the poster, created by the Department for Adult Education and Evangelisation - consider how you might use these pillars to grow closer to Jesus Christ this Lent.

The Department will be sharing reminders and ideas throughout Lent, so if you haven't already joined their page for updates, do so here - The Clifton Evangelist




Prayers of Thanksgiving

On Sunday 18th February, at our 9.30am Mass, we will be praying for all the hard working emergency and health workers in the UK and around the world.

Whether you are in these professions yourself, you have family and friends who are, or if you have every needed help from them, we invite you to come along and join us in prayers of thanks and of protection.

After the Mass, Fr Barnabas will be blessing our new AED (Defibrillator) in the hope that it will be a crucial part in someone's chain of survival in the future, if ever needed.

Then join us after Mass for a cuppa!


Photo by Mat Napo- unsplash.com

Thanks to Deacon Vincent for his Reflections for Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

1st Reading from the book of Leviticus 13: 1-2, 44-46.
Leviticus at first sights might seem arcane and irrelevant, but right at the heart of the book is what scholars call the “Holiness Code”, and this is contained in chapters 17-26. The passage we have today is from the rules for legal purity. The theme that runs throughout the book is, “You are to be holy, because I, the Lord, am holy.” We must remember that at this time “leprosy” was a terrifying and incurable disease. These strictures were introduced to maintain the health of the people by isolating the infected. These practices are still used in some parts of the world even though the disease can be cured. There is a natural fear of this infection, which eats away at the body of the infected person. They used the term “Unclean”; we use the term isolation, we might recall our recent advent of the Pandemic where we were required to wash our hands when we came home from being outside. Those found positive were immediately isolated in hospital and everyone around them were suspect for a limited period of time, watching for any signs of infection. People caring for them were to put on protective clothing and masks. This continued till we found an antidote to the infection. It was no different for our forefathers.

Psalm 31: 1-2, 5, 11.
Here we have a penitential psalm, a cry from the heart for forgiveness and the surety that God always hears a truly penitent heart. God reads our innermost self; he loves us and does not want us ever to despair of forgiveness.

2nd Reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 10: 31-11: 1.
This is most probably the first time the Church had to face the problem of whether to eat food which had been offered to idols. Paul is very considerate in dealing with the issue. Whatever we do, eat or drink, do it for the glory of God. Never do anything that is offensive to anybody, and he lets us realise that means Jews, Greeks or the Church of God. Follow Paul’s practice of trying to be always helpful to everyone, so that they may be saved. Paul, then encourages them to take him as their model but he always returns to the crux of all his motivation, “As I take Christ”. Christ is at the beginning, middle and end of everything Paul does, everything is for Christ, in Christ and through Christ. We might very well follow his example.

The Holy Gospel according to Mark 1: 40-45.

We have been educated by the first reading exactly how deadly leprosy was regarded. Yet here we have Christ being confronted by this legally “Unclean” person begging for Jesus to cure him. The man challenges Jesus, “If you want to”, “You can cure me”. It is an open challenge to Jesus’ charity. In answer we see just how much Jesus wants to make us well, he makes himself ritually unclean by touching the infected person to cure him. Now the man can go amongst the people again and show how he has been made clean, whilst Jesus is forced by the pressure of the crowds to be confined to the wilderness, like a leper driven out from the society. Jesus will willingly take our pain on himself to save us. That is the measure of his love and indeed God’s love for each and every one of us. We are loved so much that Jesus will offer his life in atonement for our sins, so that we can be with the Father. As we approach “Lent” it is worth remembering the lengths that Jesus goes to, for our salvation. All we need to do is respond by loving and serving God.

Let us take full advantage of the opportunities afforded us by this Lent.
Deacon Vincent.