This week's news

As we travel together through Lent, see the dates and details of the events, services and Masses still to come.

Day of Prayer for Peace

Tomorrow we are being encouraged to pray for peace for the people of the Holy Land.

Visit the Bishops' Conference website for lots of details about this day of prayer, with resources and prayers, including this one from Pope Francis
“Let us pray with one heart and one soul – Lord come to our aid, grant us peace, teach us peace, guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts and give us the courage to say: Never again war.’ Lord Hear Us.
May the weapons be stopped: they will never lead to peace, and may the conflict not widen! Enough! Enough, brothers! In Gaza, let the wounded be rescued immediately, let civilians be protected, let far more humanitarian aid be allowed to reach that stricken population. May the hostages be freed, including the elderly and children. Every human being, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, of any people or religion, every human being is sacred, is precious in the eyes of God and has the right to live in peace. Let us not lose hope: let us pray and work tirelessly so that the sense of humanity may prevail over hardness of heart.”
Amen.

CAFOD

Don't forget, during Lent our intrepid walkers, Bella and Joyce, are trying to walk 200km, raising money for CAFOD.

If you are able to donate whilst they pound the pavements, completing over 4 marathons, then please use this link.

Calling all the ladies in our local St Augustine's Community!

Our own PTFA have organised a lovely Wine and Cheese night for a post-Mother's Day treat!
Get Friday 15th March in your diary and tell your friends to join you to enjoy an evening together with pampering, shopping and wine & cheese!
Fabiola will be selling tickets after both Masses this weekend or contact the office and we will put you in touch.
Just £10 gets you entry to the night in the school with 2 free drinks and a cheese platter buffet! As well as that, the profits go towards the school. It's a win:win situation!
Why would you go to the Mother's Day night?...
..."because you're worth it"!

Mass at St Nick's

See poster for details of the monthly LGBTQ+ Mass at St. Nicholas of Tolentino RC Church, Bristol on Sunday 17th March.

Thanks Deacon Vincent for your Reflections for Fourth Sunday in Lent Year B
1st Reading from the second book of Chronicles 36: 14-16, 19-23.
The two books of Chronicles were just one volume in Hebrew. They belong in some way with Ezra and Nehemia, though scholars are divided about whether they all come from the same author. They trace the history of the People of God down to about fourth century BC. It is a bit of a puzzle as the Greek translator called it “Paralipomena” or “things left out”, which makes one think that the translator wondered why it had been written at all considering the areas were already covered in Samuel and Kings. Jerome called it a “Chronicle of all sacred history”, hence its’ current title. The Hebrew title is “The words of the days2, which translates to “Annals”, however, scholars are waking up to the fact that it is a very interesting composition. This section is dealing with the reason for the disaster of the Babylonian ransacking of the sanctuary of the Lord and the destruction of Jerusalem followed by the deportation of the people into Exile. The lesson for us is that God tied to warn the people that their misbehaviour would have consequences, but they ignored them, so that in the end, God could not stop their terrible and traumatic disaster. God is always trying to save us from our folly, we need to read the times and listen for God and his messengers, but not just listen as to heed God’s warnings and adjust our behaviour and attitude.

Psalm 136: 1-6.
This song continues the theme of the first reading as we witness the heart break of the Exiles, as they mourn the loss of their homeland. Any exile can equate with these sentiments it is a very evocative song.

2nd Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians 2: 4-10.
We are invited to be astonished at the generosity of God, and to feel the impact on our lives. We need to concentrate upon the main precepts of Pauline belief. One) God raised Jesus from the dead; Two) The Resurrection has a clear impact on the lives of Christians: Three) This is not because Christians have deserved this privilege, but because of God’s loving generosity. It is wonderful to consider ourselves as his great works of art. God is the potter, we are the clay.

The Holy Gospel according to John 3: 14-21.
This is the first example of what is called “Johannine irony”, This happens when Jesus is talking to someone who completely fails to understand him, while the reader understands perfectly well. This reveals the two stages on which this Gospel operates. If you belong “up there”, you understand Jesus, if you belong “down there”, you do not. Hence Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night, signifying that he is “down there”. Hence, he only listens to the words, and is unable to comprehend the deeper meaning that Jesus is driving at. It is worth remembering that Nicodemus is a member of those whom Jesus did not trust himself to, as we read in last weeks extract, of this Gospel. For those of us who are post resurrection Christians it is obvious that Jesus, when talking of how he must be lifted up as Moses lifted the serpent in the desert, he was of course referring to his crucifixion. But have we pondered the real meaning of Moses lifting the serpent, it was to cure those who had been attacked and bitten by a serpent and save their lives. Jesus having been lifted up for us, is to be our life saver and bring us to full life in the Spirit. We need to ask ourselves if that is what is happening in our lives at the present. During this coming week of Lent it might be worth us examining our response to Jesus great sacrifice, and trying to make really more effective.

God bless our endeavours to straighten out our lives.
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.

CHAP

Did you know there is a Community History and Arts Project (CHAP) in Downend and Emersons Green?

"CHAP aims to create a coherent identity for Downend (we include Emersons Green in this), built around interesting or significant places, people and events from the past, and to share this with the local community through arts, publications, music and events.
Our goal is to build a sense of belonging and commitment to Downend, an understanding of its character, residents, businesses and visitors, and to enhance social cohesion between people of all ages and backgrounds through enjoyable and inclusive activities."

See their website for all the information
https://www.downendchap.org/

Update from our local Parish Council:
The Annual Assembly will take place on 18th April, 7.30pm at Badminton Road Methodist Church
All our welcome to join the meeting.

https://www.dbhparishcouncil.uk/your-council/meetings/annual-assembly/annual-assembly/annual-assembly-2