COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS
What a wonderful afternoon on Saturday, celebrating all that is good about our parish community. We hope you all enjoyed it?
We had record numbers through the door and a lovely atmosphere with music, games, shopping, Santa and more.
The feedback has been so positive and it looks like a great amount of money has been raised for all the groups and charities represented (info to follow soon).
Thank you SO MUCH to everyone involved with the day, whether you were part of the planning, organised and ran a stall, helped with the setting up and clearing up or if you came along and enjoyed yourself. We thank you all.
See you next year!
We had record numbers through the door and a lovely atmosphere with music, games, shopping, Santa and more.
The feedback has been so positive and it looks like a great amount of money has been raised for all the groups and charities represented (info to follow soon).
Thank you SO MUCH to everyone involved with the day, whether you were part of the planning, organised and ran a stall, helped with the setting up and clearing up or if you came along and enjoyed yourself. We thank you all.
See you next year!
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Please join us in St Augustine's Church on Saturday 30th Nov from 10-12noon.
We will hold a Holy Hour, several Priests will be in Church to hear Confession and then come for a coffee in the hall
~ All in preparation for the Season of Advent.
Everyone welcome to drop in during the morning and stay for as long as you would like.
GIFT SUNDAY
Each December we ask for help for those who are on the streets in our city to give them a gift from our community at Christmas. So, on Sat & Sun 7/8th Dec, we invite you to bring a gift to Mass for the homeless people we will meet on our soup run, if you are able to.
The team would love to make up gift parcels which could include men’s gloves, deodorant, socks, and any large (110g) bars of chocolate. They will put donated gifts together to make up lovely gift bags for the Christmas soup run, (so no need to wrap anything). Thank you in advance for your generosity.
The team would love to make up gift parcels which could include men’s gloves, deodorant, socks, and any large (110g) bars of chocolate. They will put donated gifts together to make up lovely gift bags for the Christmas soup run, (so no need to wrap anything). Thank you in advance for your generosity.
A message from Clifton Diocese:
'Beyond the Threshold' – creating safe spaces for people to find out who we are, what we believe and what we’re like!
A day for all! On Saturday 18 January we will explore the key principles that we need to employ before we embark on any specific programme of catechesis. Our day at St Brendan’s College, Brislington, will start at 10am (9.30am refreshments) and will be led by International Speaker and Author, David Wells as our keynote speaker. In addition, there will be a series of workshops to look at how we apply the principles of creating a safe space, enabling others to know who we are, what we believe and what we are like!
To register for the day please click on the Eventbrite link: https://beyondthethreshold.eventbrite.co.uk
Statement on assisted suicide
Following Fr Barnabas' sermon this weekend, as promised, here is the link to the statement from the Bishop's Conference of England and Wales.
On your own this Christmas?
Marmalade Trust has been highlighted to us to spread the word in case anyone is going to be on their own this Christmas. They are an award-winning charity dedicated to raising awareness of loneliness and empowering people to make connections.
Please contact this charity in case they can offer some friendly support.
SAFEGUARDING SUNDAY
TW: Last weekend was SAFEGUARDING SUNDAY, a day where we can focus on the fact that, as Christians, we try to look out for each other & help keep each other safe - especially those who are vulnerable.
We have our ‘Support Board’ as you leave church with details of support groups & charities should you or someone you know be experiencing anything that needs help or advice.
Also our Diocesan Safeguarding team & contact details are there, should you ever have concerns on someone’s behalf & need an expert to talk to.
I have tagged, here, several amazing charities and groups who operate to give advice and sign post people to get the help they need. See our support board or visit them online to find contact details and information.
We have our ‘Support Board’ as you leave church with details of support groups & charities should you or someone you know be experiencing anything that needs help or advice.
Also our Diocesan Safeguarding team & contact details are there, should you ever have concerns on someone’s behalf & need an expert to talk to.
I have tagged, here, several amazing charities and groups who operate to give advice and sign post people to get the help they need. See our support board or visit them online to find contact details and information.
Hourglass ~ if concerned about an older person. Safer ageing, stopping abuse
The Survivors Trust ~ United against sexual violence & abuse
The Survivors Trust ~ United against sexual violence & abuse
Samaritans ~ there for everyone ~ call 116 123
Campaign Against Living Miserably ~ suicide prevention charity on a mission to help people end their misery, not their lives
Women's Aid ~ National domestic abuse charity
PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide
Childline ~ help for children and young people under 19
Mind ~ mental health charity
CAP - Christians Against Poverty UK ~ helping to provide free debt help.
RESTORED ~ Christian charity working to support survivors of domestic abuse.
One in Four UK ~ supporting people who have survived child sexual abuse
NAPAC - The National Association for People Abused in Childhood
See our website's separate Safeguarding page
Campaign Against Living Miserably ~ suicide prevention charity on a mission to help people end their misery, not their lives
Women's Aid ~ National domestic abuse charity
PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide
Childline ~ help for children and young people under 19
Mind ~ mental health charity
CAP - Christians Against Poverty UK ~ helping to provide free debt help.
RESTORED ~ Christian charity working to support survivors of domestic abuse.
One in Four UK ~ supporting people who have survived child sexual abuse
NAPAC - The National Association for People Abused in Childhood
See our website's separate Safeguarding page
or Visit https://cliftondiocese.com/departments/safeguarding/ to find more information about Clifton Diocese' safeguarding principles and processes and for contact details if you have concerns or someone has disclosed issues to you. They can talk to you and help deal with the situation on your behalf.
Bernadette (Safeguarding rep) or Fr Barnabas are also happy to talk about any concerns to help point you in the right direction to get expert help.
Bernadette (Safeguarding rep) or Fr Barnabas are also happy to talk about any concerns to help point you in the right direction to get expert help.
Thanks to Deacon Vincent for his Reflections for the Feast of Christ the King Year B
1st Reading from the prophet Daniel 7: 13-14.
Daniel has a vision, and he refers to, “one like a son of man.” This term is frequently used in Ezechiel, when God addresses the prophet and Jesus himself uses the phrase often, as a way of avoiding saying “I”. This passage we are reading today, was used by Jesus when he was being examined by the Chief Priest, after his betrayal. (See Mark 14:62 & Matthew 26:64.) He cites this vision after stating that he was the Messiah, the Holy One of God, and subsequently brought about his being condemned to death. As a result, Christians have always looked upon this prophecy of Daniel as actually referring to Jesus receiving his kingdom.
Psalm 92: 1-2, 5.
This song is proclaiming the greatness of God, upon the completion of creation before God rests upon the seventh day. (The Sabbath). God is the Master of the Universe, something we often forget.
2nd Reading from the book of the Apocalypse 1: 5-8.
The word “Apocalypse” is Greek for unveiling, and Revelation is the Latin. It describes what type of document this is. Later we are told it is an unveiling of Jesus Christ, the author is a “John”, but which John we are not told, it is a prophecy which is “the speech of God to human beings, and not necessarily a prediction of the future. We are told Jesus loved us and freed us from our sins by his blood, made us a kingdom, priests for his God and Father. We are assured of the Lordship of God as the Alpha and the Omega, indicating God’s control of the present, past and future. We need to be reminded of this in the confusion of the world in which we reside.
The Holy Gospel according to John 18: 33-37.
We only have before us the conversation between Jesus and Pilate. Who is in charge is not certain. Pilate is dashing between the baying mob outside and the serene countenance of the imprisoned Jesus. Pilate should be dominating things as the representative of this world’s Emperor, but it is Jesus who holds centre stage. “Yes, I am a King, I was born for this, I came into the world for this: to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice”. We see Jesus as the true Messiah, whom the world believes they have conquered, and he will be destroyed; but we know that He has conquered the world and is Risen and is the True King of the Universe to bring all to the Father. This is the person we encounter intimately at the Eucharist. We are truly Blessed to have such a Saviour who wants to engage with us.
We adore you O Christ, King of the Universe.
Deacon Vincent.
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