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The place where our Parish Community is alive with news, information, and updates!
(See also our Facebook page)

Scroll down to see all our latest news posts (& click 'older posts' at the bottom of the page to look back over the previous news.)

CHURCH OPENING TIMES: 
We are open for private prayer during the week 
(from about 8.30-4pm on days where there is no evening Mass)

and open for public Masses on;
Saturday at 6pm
Sunday at 9.30am
Tuesday at 7.30pm
Thursday at 10am
Friday at 7.30pm - but please check the week's Newsletter (Newsletter with Mass Times tab above) in case of changes.

PARISH OFFICE: Please note that the Parish Office is open a few days per week so emails will be checked periodically. In the event of an urgent query, please call the presbytery on 0117 9833939 and leave a message. 

Fr Barnabas Page - Resident Assistant Priest at St Augustine's Church
Fr Jim Williams - Priest in Charge 

Our Parishes in Communion for Mission covers us here in Downend, 
St John Fisher in Frenchay, 
St Lawrence in Chipping Sodbury with St Paul's in Yate, 
and Our Lady of Lourdes in Kingswood  


and we are part of the St Edmund of Abingdon Pastoral Area of Clifton Diocese, led by Fr Eugene Campbell of Holy Family Parish, Patchway.

Current Parish Rotas

Please click on the link for the Parish Duties Rota you would like to view (as a pdf)

Community Kitchen Cupboard (The 'C.K.C.')

NEW FOOD BANK INITIATIVE, together with school & pre-school, our ‘Community Kitchen Cupboard’ is now up & running! (The 'C.K.C.')

July 2024

This informal, free service is for anyone in our community who might be struggling or just needs a bit of extra help ~ please, just come & help yourselves from the shelves.


As you can see from the video, come on into the entrance of the church which is open each day (even if the door is shut, please try it, as it is usually unlocked from approx. 8.45am-4pm, or later on days where there is evening Mass) including during the summer holidays.
The Community Kitchen Cupboard is at the end of the entrance area - take a bag and take what you need for you / your family.

Also, if anyone is in a position to donate tinned & packet items for the CKC please leave items in the box at the bottom of the cupboard for our team to sort out and label.

We have loads of pasta and tins of beans, pulses & soups etc at the moments but would love some more toilet rolls, tea, coffee, lunchbox snacks such as individual biscuits or dried fruit boxes etc, jars of pasta sauce, tinned or packet desserts (rice pudding / custard etc) and sanitary items.
*Keep an eye out for updates on this in the weekly Newsletter*

We hope this will be a useful initiative for our community and we would welcome any helpful feedback and offers to join the team of people checking and re-stocking on a rota basis each day.

“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Congratulations to Milly from Willow class for designing the winning logo for The CKC - the new Community Kitchen Cupboard!
... I think it says everything about what the initiative stands for - to surround people with love ❤️ Well done Milly.
Look out for the new sign at the back of church soon.

Here are the 3 runners up in the school's Logo/Poster Design competition for the new 'Community Kitchen Cupboard' initiative.

Congratulations to Bethany, Enzo and Jack who designed these amazing pictures. The school children brilliantly demonstrated the purpose of the C.K.C. - to offer love, support and practical help to those who might need it.





This Week's News

A message from our Primary School:

In memory of our beloved teacher, Mrs Bowen, we invite you to help us create a beautiful Remembrance Garden on 9th November at 10am in St Augustine's School courtyard.

Please bring tools and be ready to dig... those unable to dig are most welcome to help supply the diggers with tea/coffee and biscuits (refreshments supplied).

For more information please pop into school & ask for Mrs Dow or Mrs Hodges or email esther.dow@staugustinesprimary.org.uk.

Mrs McCann, school governor, can also be found on the playground most days.
Thank you for your support.






We are delighted to launch this year's COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS EVENT!

On Saturday 16th November our annual community afternoon is back!

Join us from 12noon-3pm in the school for festive fun
~ come & have lunch, enjoy mulled wine, Irish coffees & delicious cakes,
~ get some Christmas shopping done at our amazing stalls, (more info on who is joining us, very soon!)
~ play fun games & ‘try your luck’ on the bottle stall & tombola,
~ have your face painted, decorate biscuits or try some crafts,
~ listen to some talented musicians,
~ have something mended at Bella’s ‘stitch it’ stall
~ & more.
There’ll even be an early visit from the big guy in red! (We've booked him before he gets too busy!)
Invite your friends and family and come along for a lovely afternoon, celebrating our wonderful community together, all whilst raising money for our School/PTFA, our Pre-school, our Parish and the Guiding units and other charities ❤️

(If you would like to help with the event please contact the office.
If you can donate a bottle or new gift for the tombola stalls please bring items to the presbytery. We’d also love donations of cakes on the day (please label ingredients))


We'd love to highlight some of the local traders who will be there for your Christmas Shopping delights on the day.
Today, please check out Daisydebs Glass Gifts whose handmade stained glass gifts are made with love, and it shows! They are really beautiful!

We are so pleased to have Karen from Mustard Cuts with us again for her amazing cards, pictures and gifts - hand made / bespoke / individual / designed from her clever mind! Always so much to see on her stall. (Her beautiful wooden tree decorations are very much worth a visit!)
So delighted to be welcoming back 2 stalls raising money for great causes - our local 'Men in Sheds' group will be selling fantastic wooden items they have made, and the Polish Scouting Association always have beautifully crafted items which make great Christmas gifts!


The lovely MJG Customs are back, selling their brilliant personalised gifts and we will be able to stock up on all things 'Pickled' with Rogers fruit and veg stall! Please come and show your support and 'Buy Local'!
 

S48 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS INSPECTION REPORT.
We are all very pleased with the report, which is ‘good’ overall with elements of ‘outstanding’. Sincere thanks go to Bella & Fr Barnabas for their time during the inspection & to the wider parish for their ongoing support of the school. It really is appreciated by all of us.
Mark Hilliam–Head Teacher

See the full report on their website here:
https://www.staugustinedownend.org.uk/catholic-life/section-48-catholic-school-inspection

So... how many of you know that we have a shop at the back of church...?
Some of you? ..... Not many of you? Well, that might be because we have not been able to devote much time to it over the past few years.
However, thanks to some lovely new volunteers (thank you to Simon and Anne and thanks in advance to Oliver and Wendy) we have been able to start a reorganisation over the last few months.

We are now delighted to 're-Launch' the shop which will be open for both weekend Masses.
There is more work to do on organising the stock and 2nd hand items/books in there and we will assess how much stock is sold as to when/whether we start buying in new stock again. (Feedback is welcomed on the shop's future.)
Please give the shop a visit this weekend before or after Mass and see if there is anything to catch your eye.
New stock is priced individually and you can make a donation for any 2nd hand items. Cash can go into the secure box in the Narthex (under Our Lady's statue) and the bank details are up in the shop if you wish to pay by bank transfer.

* There is no Christmas stock on sale yet as we have that for the Countdown to Christmas event - the Prayer group will be running a Christmas stall for us * Anything not sold will then go into the shop *




Reflections for Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

1st Reading from the book of Deuteronomy 6: 2-6. Deuteronomy is known in Hebrew as “Debarim”, which simply means “Words”. Most of us know it as “Deuteronomy”, which means a “a second lawgiving”, or a “repeated law”. It offers a vision of how Israelite society ought to be. Israel was supposed to be the People of God, caring particularly for widows, orphans and immigrants, as a sign of God’s undying love for Israel and guidance of them. It can be read as a sermon delivered by Moses to the people before they entered the promised land. It might have been written early or late it is not certain which. Our reading today is part of the “Shema”, a prayer that is supposed to be ingrained in every Jewish heart, and indeed in ours as brothers and sisters of Jesus, by adoption. We are summoned to love God with all our hearts, and souls and with all our strength, it is to be our prime motivation for our lives in God. Deuteronomy encourages us to love God with a cheerful heart for when we are at one with God, we are at one with each other and God’s creation. It is to be a joyous experience all our lives.
Psalm 17: 2-4, 47, 51. This is supposed to be a song composed by the Lord’s servant David after defeating his enemies and being delivered from the hand of Saul. It is a song of total trust and love of God who had protected his “Anointed One”.

2nd Reading from the letter to the Hebrews 7: 23-28. We continue with our study of this letter to the Hebrews, and the theme is declaring the radical superiority of Jesus’ priesthood, because Jesus has risen from the dead and is a priest forever, living forever to intercede for all who come to God through him. Because he is not subject to death he does not need to be replaced. He is a priest for ever! We are truly blessed to have such a saviour interceding for us because he understands us and lived with us and died for us. He became the Sacrificial Lamb and took all our sins upon himself, to purchase us for God his Father.
The Holy Gospel according to Mark 12: 28-34.
At first sight this appears to be an entrapment for Jesus, but remarkably it turns out to be a meeting of like minds. “What is the most important commandment?” the scribe asks. Jesus responds from the Old Testament reading we had today, which every prayerful Jew says three times a day, “The Shema”. Then Jesus adds a second, “You must love your neighbour as yourself”. Jesus concludes that there is no greater commandment than these. The scribe replies in my translation as, “Beautifully spoken, Teacher.” He agrees wholeheartedly with Jesus’ response. Jesus, seeing that the scribe replied thoughtfully, exclaims, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” Not all the priests and scribes of Israel disagreed with Jesus, there were many who followed him. Jesus’ knowledge of the scriptures enabled him to respond in their own words which was their mental furniture This is what annoyed the leaders and encouraged them to rid themselves of him. It is important for us to not only listen to his words, but to put them into action. Notice in his answer, that because we will love God with our everything, it will enable us to love our neighbour as ourselves for God’s sake. The action of loving God encourages us to mitigate the sufferings of our neighbours. Our faith always leads to action, it is not a passive experience.
God grace us to love you with our hearts, souls and strength and our neighbour as ourselves for your sake. Deacon Vincent.

This Week's News

We are delighted to launch this year's COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS EVENT!

On Saturday 16th November our annual community afternoon is back!

Join us from 12noon-3pm in the school for festive fun
~ come & have lunch, enjoy mulled wine, Irish coffees & delicious cakes,
~ get some Christmas shopping done at our amazing stalls, (more info on who is joining us, very soon!)
~ play fun games & ‘try your luck’ on the bottle stall & tombola,
~ have your face painted, decorate biscuits or try some crafts,
~ listen to some talented musicians,
~ have something mended at Bella’s ‘stitch it’ stall
~ & more.
There’ll even be an early visit from the big guy in red! (We've booked him before he gets too busy!)
Invite your friends and family and come along for a lovely afternoon, celebrating our wonderful community together, all whilst raising money for our School/PTFA, our Pre-school, our Parish and the Guiding units and other charities ❤️

(If you would like to help with the event please contact the office.
If you can donate a bottle or new gift for the tombola stalls please bring items to the presbytery. We’d also love donations of cakes on the day (please label ingredients))


We'd love to highlight some of the local traders who will be there for your Christmas Shopping delights on the day.
Today, please check out Daisydebs Glass Gifts whose handmade stained glass gifts are made with love, and it shows! They are really beautiful!

We are so pleased to have Karen from Mustard Cuts with us again for her amazing cards, pictures and gifts - hand made / bespoke / individual / designed from her clever mind! Always so much to see on her stall. (Her beautiful wooden tree decorations are very much worth a visit!)
So delighted to be welcoming back 2 stalls raising money for great causes - our local 'Men in Sheds' group will be selling fantastic wooden items they have made, and the Polish Scouting Association always have beautifully crafted items which make great Christmas gifts!



Clifton Diocese Trustees:  there is a current vacancy to join the BoardSuitable applicants should have in depth knowledge and experience of education within the UK and knowledge of the Catholic sector would be advantageous. The commitment is to attend one 3-hour meeting approximately seven times per year on a Wednesday from 9.30 am in Bristol, along with membership of two education related committees which would meet six times per year. Time to prepare for the various meetings is also required. It is usual for a Trustee to give somewhere in the region of 6 hours per month plus travelling time. If you would like to be considered for a position, please send your details to Alessia Dini, St Ambrose, North Rd, Leigh Woods, Bristol BS8 3PW or by email to Alessia.Dini@cliftondiocese.com by 29th November.

Vacancy within Clifton diocese
Clergy Welfare Officer: Part-time – 15 hours per week
The Curia team is recruiting a new position to support and assist priests who are approaching retirement and those already in retirement, or on sick leave. The role will provide advice, practical assistance, and support on a wide range of issues including health, finances and housing.
The successful applicant will have a full understanding of the Catholic religion and the role of priests, including empathy with their spiritual and pastoral needs, and experience of working in a healthcare setting or with social services.
The role is mainly based in the Curia Offices in Bristol with travel within the Diocese as required.
For further information please see the Diocesan website: www.cliftondiocese.com/diocese/working-for-us/
Closing date for receipt of applications: 22 November 2024



This week's news

Creation display

Last Sunday there was a gathering of the Jesus Caritas Lay Fraternity of Charles de Foucauld, who helped create the amazing display for our Season of Creation Mass.
Some amazing pictures were painted by Shahid using recycled materials, showing the beauty of the world, and really enhanced the display. Then after, we were able to replace them with lovely pictures painted by our Girl Guiding units so it looked even more colourful!
Thank you to the Flower Group and Bella who helped make such a beautiful focus for the end of the Season of Creation.








We are delighted to launch this year's COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS EVENT!

On Saturday 16th November our annual community afternoon is back!

Join us from 12noon-3pm in the school for festive fun
~ come & have lunch, enjoy mulled wine, Irish coffees & delicious cakes,
~ get some Christmas shopping done at our amazing stalls, (more info on who is joining us, very soon!)
~ play fun games & ‘try your luck’ on the bottle stall & tombola,
~ have your face painted, decorate biscuits or try some crafts,
~ listen to some talented musicians,
~ have something mended at Bella’s ‘stitch it’ stall
~ & more.
There’ll even be an early visit from the big guy in red! (We've booked him before he gets too busy!)
Invite your friends and family and come along for a lovely afternoon, celebrating our wonderful community together, all whilst raising money for our School/PTFA, our Pre-school, our Parish and the Guiding units and other charities ❤️

(If you would like to help with the event please contact the office.
If you can donate a bottle or new gift for the tombola stalls please bring items to the presbytery. We’d also love donations of cakes on the day (please label ingredients))


We'd love to highlight some of the local traders who will be there for your Christmas Shopping delights on the day.
Today, please check out Daisydebs Glass Gifts whose handmade stained glass gifts are made with love, and it shows! They are really beautiful!

We are so pleased to have Karen from Mustard Cuts with us again for her amazing cards, pictures and gifts - hand made / bespoke / individual / designed from her clever mind! Always so much to see on her stall. (Her beautiful wooden tree decorations are very much worth a visit!)


Better Housing Better Health is a longstanding, not for profit service working to reduce fuel poverty, ensuring warm, safe homes.
Run by the National Energy Foundation it has recently opened in South Gloucestershire working to help residents living in or at risk of living in fuel poverty to access advice and support.
Visit their website or call them to get impartial expert advice to help improve the energy efficiency of your home, save money and improve comfort.
They have recently reopened their Emergency Fuel Voucher Scheme, which means they can now issue vouchers worth £49 to anyone on a prepayment meter with any supplier. There are no eligibility requirements and to qualify for an Emergency Fuel Voucher, a resident only needs to be low on credit on their prepayment meter.
https://www.bhbh.org.uk/

Thanks to Deacon Vincent for your Reflections for Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

1st Reading from the book of Wisdom 7: 7-11. What kind of God does the book of Wisdom paint for us? Chapters (1-5) commences with exhortations to kings and rulers of the earth. Chapters 6-10, implies that it is written by King Solomon, because he is viewed as an ideal king, whilst chapters 11-19 are addressed to God. It illustrates a profound acquaintance with biblical texts but is also acquainted with Greek philosophical traditions. It was most probably written for Greek speaking Jews living in Alexandria in Egypt, to re-assure them that their religious traditions were quite as good as this dynamic Greek culture. Our text today is taken from Solomon’s implied input. Solomon is saying that having prayed for Wisdom it was given to him and he treasured that gift above all earthly riches and acclaim. In the company of Wisdom all good things come to him, because it is in tune with God and God’s law. It is reckoned to have been written about 100-50 BC, so is quite a late edition to scripture. In studying this book, we become aware that it is the first Old Testament book to proclaim a belief in personal immortality. Wisdom insists that despite appearances, virtue is rewarded, and that God is indeed in charge of the world. It is something we need to remind ourselves about, particularly in these troubled times.

Psalm 89: 12-17. An implied prayer of Moses expounding the shortness of life, and a heartfelt cry to God, “Give us Joy to balance our affliction”. And that beautiful phrase, “Let the favour of the Lord be upon us.” It is a lovely song to accompany the joy and hope of the first reading.

2nd Reading from the letter to the Hebrews 4: 12-13. This is not a comfortable read, as we learn how the double-edged sword cuts one way on the way in and another way when coming out. It is an attempt to show how the Word of God examines our inmost thoughts and desires by imagining the way a creature being prepared for sacrifice has its’ complete body exposed for examination. It is not a very comfortable image for us to contemplate, nothing is hidden from God, God knows us inside out. We rely upon God’s mercy to receive us.

The Holy Gospel according to Mark 10: 17-30.
Jesus is confronted by an over-zealous person who is seeking the certitude of gaining heaven. The first thing Jesus says is a rebuttal of the man’s gratuitous greeting, “Good Master”. Jesus immediately puts him off balance with, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.” Jesus then goes on with a typical rabbinical reply of keeping the Commandments. The young man replies that he has kept these all his life but feels something is missing. Jesus looked “steadily at him and loved him.” This is a wonderful picture of Jesus’ compassion; we hope he looks at us in the same way when we meet him. “There is one thing you lack” says Jesus. “Go and sell everything you own, give all your money away and come follow me.” Jesus is offering the young man the opportunity to be revered for ever in the hearts of future Christians and obtain with certitude the kingdom of heaven. The young man is very rich and enjoys all the prestige that his wealth gives him now and he cannot give that up for possible renown in the future. Jesus further shocks the disciples by saying how difficult it is for rich people to enter the kingdom of God. At that time Jewish thought was that riches were a blessing for being good. Jesus teaches that riches tie you down. Who can be saved then? They ask. “For men it is impossible, but not for God.” Jesus goes on to say whatever a person gives up for the sake of the Gospel will be re-paid 100 times over and achieve eternal life. This is a very important lesson from Jesus and one we need to contemplate at some length and see how it fits with us.


God grant us the grace of self-sacrifice for the Gospel.
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. *