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The place where our Parish Community is alive with news, information, and updates!
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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.
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What a Wonderful Day!

We are all delighted following another wonderful 'Community Catch Up' for our local area. Saturday was a day of sunshine, threatening clouds and the odd rain shower so the decision to host mainly inside was a wise one.

The unpredictable weather didn't stop over 300 people coming out to join us! Thanks to all who supported us and to the huge team involved in the planning, set up, running of stalls and clear up operation after! Hard work but SO very worth it!

Mr Hilliam and Fr Barnabas were good sports in the stocks, thanks to the Governors for organising - we've included some action shots of them being pelted! hahaha.
Richard's Steam Traction Engine was such a beautiful part of the day and the joy on the faces of the kids was just wonderful!

Thanks to Bristol Ice Hockey Academy for running the excellent 'beat the goalie' game, Sav's Super Whippy for the delicious ice creams, St Augustines preschool for the lovely toddler craft and 'tattoo' area, our School's PTFA for running the huge Tombola stall, our Girl Guides and Hong Kong Community for the brilliant games room, the local PCSO's for coming along to meet us all and let the kids turn on the police car lights and sirens! Our Community Cafe and Not So Young Club for welcoming us at the entrance, organising the pig racing and providing us all with cakes and cuppas, the 'Men in Sheds' for the BBQ, our many traders for offering such an amazing array of things to buy and the many parish volunteers who made everything else happen! (Thank you to those who had your arms twisted! haha)

Big thanks also goes to our Sponsor, April's Flower Patch, who came along to brighten up the place with her beautiful flowers, and thanks to the school for letting us take over the place!

We will be working out all the final bits and bobs of stall collections, other donations, expenses and more over the next week or so and will let you know how much each group will have made as soon as we can.
Roll on next year!




  
























  








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Current Parish Rotas

Please click on the link for the Parish Duties Rota you would like to view (as a pdf)
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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.
   
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This week's News

Statement from Bishop Bosco MacDonald on the Air India Crash

It is with great sorrow that I learned of the devastating crash involving Air India flight AI218 earlier today. The loss of life, the fear and anguish experienced by survivors, and the uncertainty facing families who still await news of their loved ones weigh heavily on us all.


In a special way, my heart and prayers go out to the families in our own diocese who have been affected. The news that three members of the Gloucester community - Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa, and their daughter Sara - are believed to have been on board brings this global tragedy very close to home. I join the Gloucester Muslim Society in their grief and in offering our deepest condolences to all who mourn.

In this moment of pain, we turn to the God who is close to the broken-hearted. Whether in Gloucester or elsewhere, every life lost or forever changed by this tragedy matters to God - and to us. May the families of all the victims be comforted with compassion, surrounded by solidarity, and upheld in prayer by people of every faith and goodwill.

I ask the Catholic communities across the Diocese of Clifton to pray this weekend for all those who have died, those who are injured, and for the many families - especially in Gloucester - left in shock and sorrow. May the light of Christ shine in this time of darkness.

+Bosco
Rt Rev Bosco MacDonald
Bishop of Clifton

BINGO!
Well done to Mar Salinas-Ruiz and Fabiola & Russell Doano for putting on a brilliant Bingo night, for a great cause, in the parish hall over the weekend!

Here is a message from Mar "On Saturday, 7th June we had a wonderful Bingo Night in the St. Augustine’s Church Hall when people from the community came together to raise money for Jesuit Refugee Service UK.
We shouted ‘House!’, tried our luck in the Raffle and spent an evening full of fun and laughter with friends. But for me it had a very special importance because, with the help of all these lovely people, I was finally crossing my finishing line.
Let me explain …
In the middle of 2024, I was suffering from anxiety, struggling to cope after my dad had passed away. To try and help myself I decided to get back in to running. In the company of my dog (who is way faster than me), and friends, I found that the physical exertion and the camaraderie helped hugely, giving me the head space to process my grief. The distances we ran grew longer and longer …and so the idea of entering the London Marathon was born. Looking back, it was both ambitious and mad but when Jesuit Refugee Services offered me a place in return for fund raising £2000, I jumped at the chance of having a focus and to feel that I was doing something worthwhile.
Fast forward through those cold, wet, muddy days of training when the thought of a warm shower and a cup of tea was the only thing that kept me going, to a hot Sunday, 27th April at the start of the London Marathon. The city was incredible, the energy from the crowds magical and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. However, even with the medal round my neck I hadn’t quite finished because I also needed to reach my fundraising target.
That’s where the lovely Faby Doano came in to help me organise the Bingo Night. With the kindness of the people at St. Augustine’s who allowed us to use the Hall, and the enthusiasm and generosity of everyone who came, the evening was a great success. Having invested £120 in prizes their support enabled us to recoup that and raise a further £376.20! More Importantly, they got me over that finish line of £2000 with more to add, for the Jesuit Refugees Services.
I am extremely grateful and humbled. When we come together to support each other something special is created. Thank you.
Mar"

Huge congratulations to you Mar, for such an amazing endeavour for such a worthwhile charity. We bet that your 1st cup of tea after the marathon was DELICIOUS!
To find out about the work of the Jesuit Refugee Service UK, visit their website at https://www.jrsuk.net/


Not SO Young Club
What a super time the Not SO Young Club had last week on their annual holiday.
The trip to Thoresby Hall included days out to Sherwood Forest, Chatsworth House and Lincoln. They also called in to the Workhouse (but they didn't leave anyone there!)
A fun time was had by all.


Pastoral Ministry Information Sessions around the Diocese.
We are now actively seeking to recruit for the next Pastoral Ministry Formation course which begins in the Autumn 2025. The course is ideal for ANY parishioner who seeks to develop their capacity to serve the parish in anyway which they believe the Lord is calling them. If you are a catechist – this course is for you. If you are a minister in any form – this course if for you. If you are not involved in any way – but would like to be – this course if for you! Interested? – then please do come to one of our information evenings which will be taking place around the Diocese in June/July. Here you will hear in more detail about what is being offered, time commitment involved, interview process and costs including the role of parishes to support those who are successful in obtaining a place.
Dates and venues for information sessions are below. Each session starts at 7pm, if you would like to attend a session just email adult.education@cliftondiocese.com to let us know you will be attending. If you are unable to attend the evening closest to you, please feel free to attend another one.
Wednesday 25 June: English Martyrs, Chard
Monday 30 June: Apostle Room, Cathedral, Clifton
Wednesday 2 July: Immaculate Conception, Stroud
Thursday 3 July: St Francis, Nailsea
Monday 7 July: Our Lady, Burnham-on-Sea
Tuesday 8 July: St Joseph, Tewkesbury
Wednesday 9 July: Christ the King, Thornbury
Thursday 10 July: Our Lady, Cheddar
Monday 14 July: St Mary, Bath
https://cliftondiocese.com/news/pastoral-ministry-information-sessions-around-the-diocese/


St Augustine's Community Catch up!

Only 3 days until our annual, Summer Community Catch Up, sponsored by the brilliant April's Flower Patch who'll you be able to meet on the day, with her beautiful flowers! 🌸
💚Here's what you need to know..... 💚
*The event starts at 11am and closes at 3 so we hope you'll be able to join us and have some lunch, a cuppa or bevvy (or both) and hang around to spend time with the local community and try out the games, stalls, shopping and betting on the 'Pig' racing! 💙
*Please bring some cash with you as most of the stalls will be operating with cash - we will have some card readers on some of the stalls (signal permitting!) 💰
*Weather... hmmm... The event WILL BE ON, COME RAIN OR SHINE! Now, I know you have all been praying for good weather so we will make a decision on Thursday night as to how suitable the field will be (wet/mud levels, wind levels for the tents and inflatables and the possibility of thunderstorms being thrown into the mix at the moment!) BUT, we know that we can still have a brilliant event inside (as proved last year) so please come along regardless ☀️
*We look forward to seeing you and hope you'll have a great time enjoying a brilliant community fundraiser for our school, pre-school, Girl Guides and Parish
Huge Thanks and well done to the brilliant children in our Primary School who have designed posters for our Community Catch Up on Saturday 14th June (11am until 3pm on the playing fields) sponsored by April's Flower Patch.
Here are more of the fabulous poster designs.
Today we thank Aaliah-Rose, Aiden, Audery, Bennett, Caitlyn, Chloe, Jack, Jacob, Lucas, Michael, Milly, Oliver, Ronnie, Rubianna & Taylor, from Year 4.
We LOVE them! Thanks to you all... more class designs to follow over the next few days...... and look out for a prize coming your way soon, kids!








Act Now, Change Forever - CAFOD
The mass lobby of Parliament on Wednesday 9 July will be a unique opportunity to speak to our MPs about ending the global debt crisis.
54 countries are facing a devastating debt crisis, many spending five times as much on repaying foreign debts as on hospitals and education. The global financial system pushes low-income countries into borrowing money at extortionate interest rates, keeping them in a vicious cycle that make it impossible to clear the debt. The consequences of this are that families forego medical care, children lose access to quality education, and small farmers face the devastating impacts of climate change without support. We need to create better systems, cancel unfair debts, and implement fairer laws. Pope Francis declared 2025 a Jubilee year, which in the Church is historically a time for cancelling debt and restoring equality. As we mourn Pope Francis, we honour his words. In a special message about the Jubilee year, he said:
"Another heartfelt appeal that I would make in light of the coming Jubilee is directed to the more affluent nations. I ask that they acknowledge the gravity of so many of their past decisions and determine to forgive the debts of countries that will never be able to repay them. More than a question of generosity, this is a matter of justice.”

Join us, and sign the global Church petition. Help us to reach our target
Please consider signing it, and consider attending a lobby of Parliament on July 9th.
https://action.cafod.org.uk/page/161357/petition/1


Reflections for the Most Holy Trinity Year C from Deacon Vincent.

1st Reading the Book of Proverbs 8:22-31.
This poem about Wisdom has greatly influenced Christian thinking about how to talk about the relationship of Jesus to God. It establishes that Christ was with the Father during creation, it describes him like a Master Craftsman, assisting with the Designer, God our Father. It illustrates the joy that the Father and Son shared in the creation especially in the creation of mankind. God is the creator designer, who thinks into being Wisdom (the Son), and then the pair delight in creating the world and all that is in it. A beautiful thumbnail sketch for us to ponder over. Jesus and the Father delight in each others’ company.

Psalm 8: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9.
We continue to sing of the wonders of God’s creation, it emphasises the joy of creation and its’ intrinsic goodness. This wonder should lead us to remember to respect the world and all its’ resources for they are the product of God’s created thought. We aronly stewards of God’s creation and that puts a huge responsibility upon us to ensure its’ continued wellbeing.


2nd Reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans 5: 1-5.
Paul is dealing with God’s unbelievable generosity in Christ. Paul is trying to offer grounds for hope. The grounds for hope are reasoned as “Peace”, this gift from God is for free, we do not deserve it. This peace has been given to us through the gift of the Holy Spirit which has been poured into us. This gift has been given to us through the merits of Christ’s death and resurrection. The wonder of the gift is that it has been endowed not through our merits but whilst we were still in sin. The Spirit makes us whole and clean and invigorated to proclaim the Good \news of the kingdom.

The Holy Gospel according to John 16: 12-15.
This is a small selection from Jesus’ last discourse with his disciples. It follows a passage declaring that the world as a force opposed to Jesus. Here he promises the Holy Spirit (The Paraclete) who will help the disciples to remain in contact with the Father, and, in bearing witness to Jesus, will enable to disciple to do just that. This Holy Spirit is the enabler until the Son comes again in Glory at the time specified by the Father. This is the golden age of the Trinity working together for the conversion of the world. The Trinity is the product of God’s abiding love for us ensuring we are never left alone but always wrapped in the Father’s love through the wonder of the Son, who glories in the company of the Father, and that Joy, sends out the Holy Spirit upon us all. The Spirit is the Joy of Father and Son filling us with their love.

May we always be filled with the joy and wonder of the Trinity.
Deacon Vincent

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