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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.
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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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Parish AGM 2025

Parish AGM - 13th Sept 2025

We are all invited to join the Parish AGM at 10-12noon on Sat 13th Sept in the Parish Hall.
In advance of the meeting, please read the report from the various groups in the parish and forward any questions to the parish office ( bristol.staugustine@cliftondiocese.com ) so they can be looked at by the PPC and Fr Jim/Barnabas.
Please bring a sandwich with you so we can enjoy lunch together after the meeting.
 

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This week's news

Season of Creation

As the Season of Creation starts this weekend we can look forward to events helping to celebrate & pray for our beautiful planet & learn more about how we can care for it, with God at the centre of all things.

This coming weekend we invite you to start sharing your home grown produce with others - we will also hold Harvest Gift processions during the Masses where we invite you to bring up an item to share as part of our fortnightly soup run... (individual wrapped chocolate biscuits, packs of crisps, packs of pocket tissues, tooth paste) or something to keep our Community Kitchen Cupboard stocked... (tins of tomatoes, tuna, ham, beans, or jars of coffee or pasta sauce, packs of kid's snacks or biscuits etc)

Anything you can donate to help with these local food poverty issues will be very much appreciated.

~

“Future generations will never forgive us if we miss the opportunity to protect our common home. We have inherited a garden; we must not leave a desert for our children.”
The joint statement made by Pope Francis, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury.

“Creation cries out in suffering. We acknowledge the urgent call to action, and we acknowledge that we can only respond to it on the basis of faith. The Season of Creation is a source of strength and communion, encouraging us truly ‘to hope and act with creation.’”
Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt,
Lutheran World Federation General Secretary

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This Week's News

As the Season of Creation draws closer, Bishop John Arnold, has called for Catholics in England and Wales to take action to address the environmental crises of our times. This action, he says, needs to take place at every level in society – from the personal to the parish, in politics and in business.
See the full statement at the Catholic Bishops' Conference (England and Wales) website.
What could we do, this Season of Creation, to help the planet and help others?
Look out for events and initiatives during the month, starting with the weekend of 30th/31st August where we invite you to share some spare produce from your garden or allotment at the back of church with other parishioners, or maybe bring something for the Community Kitchen Cupboard or Soup Run, something like a tin of chopped tomatoes, a jar of coffee, a tin of ham or tuna, a pack of cereal bars, a tube of toothpaste, pocket packs of tissues, a roll on deodorant?

#PeaceWithCreation #CareOfOthers


CAFOD
On 14 September, the National Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope will see people cover four different routes, marking England and Wales with the sign of the cross, as outlined in CAFOD's short video.


The Annual Ecumenical Service of Sung Vespers will take place in the grounds of Tintern Abbey on the 14 September 2025 at 3.00pm.
This is an open-air service on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
The speaker this year will be the Rt Revd Brendan Thomas OSB, Abbot of Belmont supported by the monks of Belmont Abbey and the Newport Cathedral Choir.
During the service there will be a reading from the Rule of St Benedict to reflect the monastic tradition and history of the Abbey.

By way of background the ruins of Tintern Abbey are renowned worldwide and date back to 1131 but were mostly rebuilt during the 13th century. They are among the most extensive remains of any Cistercian monastery in the United Kingdom. However, apart from the shells of the buildings themselves, almost nothing survives of what they would have once contained prior to the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century.

In 2006 The Friends of Our Lady of Tintern commissioned a sculptor, Philip Chatfield, to recreate a modern replica of a statue of Our Lady of Tintern based on the original pieces of a 13th Century sculpture which had survived into the 21 century - albeit broken at the waist, headless, and childless. Philip Chatfield completed his commission using medieval techniques and hand tools and through studying the original fragments and comparable pieces in the United Kingdom and Europe and consulting experts in the field. The statue was blessed and dedicated in 2007 in a ceremony conducted jointly by the then Catholic Archbishop of Cardiff, Peter Smith, and by the Rt Revd Dominic Walker, then Bishop of Monmouth. The statue now stands at the entrance to the Lady Chapel in the south aisle of the Priory Church.

Since the Millennium an Annual Ecumenical Service of Sung Vespers has been held in September of each year in honour of Our Lady of Tintern. At present the service cannot be held in the ruins of the Abbey Church because of work to preserve the fabric of the building and so will take place in the Abbey grounds. There will be an opportunity to visit the statue of Our Lady either before or after the service.


Cardinal Vincent Nichols
“Today, and in these days, I weep for the people of Gaza as they face not just a continuation of their immense suffering but an escalation in their hardship and desperation. "


Mission Masses in the Clifton Diocese:
During this Jubilee year of Hope, Missio will be celebrating three Mission Masses in our diocese.

The main diocesan celebration will be Mass with Bishop Bosco at 7pm on Tuesday 16 September at Holy Family Catholic Church, Southsea Road, Patchway, Bristol BS34 5DP.
Each Mass will be followed by a time to share our enthusiasm and experiences of supporting the mission of the Church.

Missio volunteers, Red Box supporters and the wider diocesan community are invited to join Bishop Bosco and Fr Anthony Chantry MHM (National Director of Missio England & Wales), along with Mill Hill Missionaries for this special celebration.

Two further Masses have been organised for September.
Tuesday, 9 September 7pm, St Augustine's, Matson Lane, Matson, Gloucester GL4 6DT.
Thursday, 18 September 7pm, St Catharine’s Catholic Church, Park Road, Frome, Somerset BA11 1EU.

If you’d like any more information or if you could help in any way at one of the Masses, please email redbox@missio.org.uk

To find out more about the work of Missio visit: https://missio.org.uk/

Message from CAFOD in Clifton Diocese: Response in Gaza
Your donations to Gaza since the start of the conflict have been a vital lifeline. Right now, CAFOD's partner, Caritas Jerusalem, is delivering essential medical treatment to displaced people and providing medicines to treat chronic illnesses. We have helped 1,400 households with cash to buy supplies in the last month and we are currently feeding 2,000 people with new stocks of flour and rice. Despite the restrictions on aid coming into Gaza, CAFOD's local partners are working tirelessly to help people. And with your ongoing support, they will do all in their power to keep doing so. You can find out more about how you can make a difference in Gaza at cafod.org.uk. Thank you for backing our work through holding collections for our Family Fast Day appeals and for continuing to pray for peace in the Middle East.
As Cardinal Pizzaballa (Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem) says, “Christ is not absent from Gaza. He is there - crucified in the wounded, buried under rubble, and yet present in every act of mercy, every candle in the darkness, every hand extended to the suffering.”

https://cafod.org.uk/pray/prayer-resources/middle-east-peace-prayer
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This week's news

Thank you
Deacon Mike wishes to share a heartfelt "Thank you" for your prayers, cards and gifts on the occasion of his 25th Anniversary as Deacon.
We had a lovely Mass and celebration on the day.

 


Fr Jim, Fr Barnabas and the Parish Pastoral Council invite us all to join our AGM on Saturday 13th September at 10am in the Parish Hall.

A wonderful write-up from Philip McWilliams, following the Cream Tea afternoon in aid of both our Parish Projects - raising a wonderful £652 in total to be split between the charities.

"We thank everyone for coming along and supporting the Cream Tea afternoon in the Parish Hall on Sunday, Aug 3rd at 3pm.
It included a live link-up with members of the Chhanv Foundation, one of our Parish projects for 2025, who as you know are an India-based charity which works to improve the lives of acid attack survivors. The event was such a success and is worth dwelling on what that means and why it was so.

First off, the hall was full and that generated its own ambience. Secondly, the decor in the hall was sweet, and the tea and scones and cream and jam were delicious.

But the live link-up added something new and unusual, a connection of some kind.

There was a technical connection, of course... a 'Google Meet' run from a laptop, video projected onto a screen for all to see, with automatic voice-to-text rendering for all to read. All very ably set up and managed by Tim Johnston.

70 of us and about 14 of them: Akriti, the charity representative, Ajeet the charity leader, and a dozen survivors of grievous crime linked in from multiple locations. At one location, a little noisier than the others, they were travelling to hospital with a co-worker who had become suddenly unwell.

Akriti managed the Indian end of the line with great confidence and, above all, translated the words of the survivors with clarity and care.

And what words they were... Kajul who talked about how she had finally reached a point in her recovery where she wanted once more to wear bright clothes - only to find that, such was the length and severity of her trauma, she no longer remembered her favourite colour. And Rainu, who announced that after so, so many years of recovery, rehabilitation, resistance and re-integration, not only was she now married but that, just last year, she had had a baby.

Ajeet, the CEO, explained some of the history of the organization and how, before 2014, there was not even a law against acid attack in India. Thanks to the Chhanv Foundation and the bravery of many of its damaged members, however, the Indian Parliament had enacted new legislation, describing it as "the most heinous of all crimes".

And the charity's and the survivors' message to the world was that, in the care shown by a group of people in a faraway place, for another group of people whose beauty shines anew through layers of disfigurement, we are reminded once more of the goodness that lies at the heart of our common humanity.

In some sense, I think nearly everyone in the hall picked up and took away a small slice of that message. Charity is a two-way street and, give as we do, we received something precious on Sunday - from a bunch of ladies in India, under whose burnt skin a glorious message burns yet more brightly.

Lucky us."



Finance and Fabric Committee
The minutes from the latest Finance and Fabric Committee meeting are on the website to view, along with a copy of the 'Premises Maintenance Work' list, which shows all the various items of expenditure being planned for, to keep the church 'running' and for investing into the future. This might be an interesting thing for parishioners to see...?
The Annual Accounts will continue to be posted up at the back of church each January when the Financial Reports are concluded.
You can find this on our website, under the 'Parish Groups and Links' tab, 'Finance and Fabric Committee'.
Or use this link: http://www.staugustinesbristol.co.uk/2011/11/parish-finance-committee.html
If there are any questions, please speak to Fr Jim or a member of the committee.


Reflections for Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C from Deacon Vincent.
1st Reading from the Prophet Jeremiah 38: 4-6, 8-10.

The book of Jeremiah concentrates upon how to cope with disaster. The disaster is the destruction of Jerusalem that the Jews thought was the city of God, now in ruins. The Temple was where God reposed, but that was in ruins, so where was God? Jeremiah is there to inform the people who were despairing of their God, that he was still in charge and would work things out for the nation, when it had re-discovered its’ Faith in God. In this selection Jeremiah has been preaching against the policies of the rulers, and they decided to drop him down a well so he would die and that would stop him ruining the morale of the fighting men. Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian warns the King that Jeremiah will die in the well unless he is lifted out. The King decides to rescue Jeremiah, the implication is that the King had nothing to do with Jeremiah’s persecution. (But one wonders). God gave Jeremiah a task to try and save the people from destruction, but the authorities continued to pursue a policy of alliances that would bring the destruction upon Jerusalem and the Temple; this brought Jeremiah into direct conflict with the rulers, hence he was living very dangerously and courageously for God’s word.
Psalm 40(39): 2-4, 18.
A lovely “Thanksgiving Prayer for help in time of need.” It might have been written because of Jeremiah’s plight. It shows that there is a pattern of those who would oppose God’s way. They will attack the one who dares speak the word of truth and try to shut down God’s voice. We need to learn from the Jeremiah’s of this age and try to discover the Word of God for today before they too are shut down.
2nd Reading from the Letter to the Hebrews 12: 1-4.
A timely warning for us to be on our guard against the wickedness of those opposed to the Word of God. We continue with the theme of discerning God’s word for today and having the courage to follow it even to the point of bringing harm upon ourselves. We are challenged to be courageous in the face of Opposition to the Word of God. Jeremiah and the Prophets all testify to this truth, that those who oppose God will try to silence his Word.
The Holy Gospel according to Luke 12: 49-53.
Jesus is trying to explain that although he has brought “Peace” to those who follow him. There will always be opponents who will try, as the Prophets of old had discovered, to silence that “Word”. It will split families and communities; we need to be ready and steel ourselves to face trials and tribulations for the “Truth”.
May God grace us with discernment and the courage to follow Christ.
Deacon Vincent.
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This week's news

Celebration!
Join us for Mass on Tuesday (29th) at 7.30pm as we celebrate the 25 year anniversary of Deacon Michael's Ordination. You are all welcome to the hall afterwards where will will toast his health and celebrate with thanks for all his years of service to the church and to our community. Congratulations Deacon Mike and Mary!

** Update in advance of our Charity Cream Tea on Sunday 3rd August, from Philip McWilliams, one of the organisers.


"As you know, this year's Parish Project is the Chhanv Foundation, a charity in India that helps with the recovery and rehabilitation of victims of acid attack.
As you may not know, the Parish usually sends the money we raise in quarterly instalments. When the first instalment, of roughly £750 was received, our contact, Akriti, responded with a humbling degree of enthusiasm.
She then said this:
"We would be honoured to organise a video interaction between the acid attack survivors, our Sheroes and the Parish Project community. It would be a meaningful opportunity for the survivors to connect with and personally thank the individuals who are standing with them. We truly believe this interaction will be both inspiring and memorable for everyone involved."

Well, this "video interaction" is going to happen, and it is going to happen at the Cream Tea event on Sunday, 3rd August. Which means, in effect, that at approximately 15:30 that Sunday, we are going to have an online meeting, projected onto the screen in the hall, between a group of acid attack survivors in India and a group of parishioners from St. Augustine's.
They smile at us for caring enough to be willing to help them, we smile at them because... we are so pleased that they are smiling.
As for what we shall say to each other, who knows!
We only expect the online greeting to last about 15 minutes, and I am preparing some questions in advance to help guide the interaction but, if you have any of your own, feel free to contact me, or even just wait for the meeting itself - spontaneity is encouraged!

Clearly, it would be great to have as many as possible there next Sunday to enjoy the cream tea and show our support. There will be tickets on Sale after both Masses this weekend and next. Many thanks, Philip."

You can get your tickets (only £5 pp for a lovely cream tea) from the office or after Mass and enjoy a fantastic afternoon together in the hall in aid of our Parish Projects. There will also be a raffle so look out for tickets!

https://www.chhanv.org/

Would you be interested in helping the parish with grant/funding applications?

We have some hefty building projects to fund over the next few years and, thanks to some amazing charities, companies and community projects, there is funding out there to help, but applying for it takes a bit of time and effort... and we could do with some help! Do you have a bit of 'admin time' you could spare us?

If you would be interested in helping us out, please speak to Bernadette in the parish office or Marek, Chair of our Finance Committee. Thank you!

Contactless

We are hoping to get a 'DONA' Contactless card donation terminal installed for our church in the future, to enable people to make donations to the parish & other charities via their card if they don’t have cash on them.
This is proving more and more popular within churches - the Finance committee have researched the costs involved and believe it would be a useful, and eventually essential, asset to the church as we become an increasingly cashless society.

But... like all things.. it would need some organising to run it successfully. We’d need a small team of both regular Saturday & Sunday Mass goers to help out with the terminal.
Please email the parish office if you are interested in being part of that team.
Thank you.

Church shop
We still have copies of the brilliant 'Jubilee' Year book in our shop - please get your copy to accompany this special year - only £1.50.
There are a few 'Your Faith' books left which have proved really popular for those who have already got their copy - just £5 - it presents the fundamental truths of the Catholic faith in a simple and popular way.
And pick up one of the lovely new Children's Mass Books for your kids to follow along with the Mass (especially useful whilst the usual Sunday Children's Liturgy is taking a summer break). Only £3.
So many really lovely things for you in our church shop ❤️

Did you spot the Social Committee flyer at Mass at the weekend?

Our Social Committee is a small team who try to do big things for the parish! They meet about every 6-8 weeks to plan events, explore new ideas and then find help to run them!

The committee is there to map out parish led, social gatherings to help provide a thriving social life as well as spiritual life for parishioners, plus fundraising opportunities or just a social for the fun of it!
We'd love to know if there is something you would like to see happening in the parish - something new, more of, less of...
...and if you would like to join our merry band!

Please email the office
bristol.staugustine@cliftondiocese.com
or pick up a flyer to fill it in and hand it to one of the committee/parish office.

St Francis Leprosy Guild
We received a message from St Francis Leprosy Guild to help raise awareness of the work they do.
"St Francis Leprosy Guild - working for a world without leprosy
Founded in 1895, St Francis Leprosy Guild (SFLG) is the UK’s only Catholic leprosy charity. Today, with Cardinal Vincent Nichols as our patron, SFLG supports work in 13 countries, caring for people who have been marginalised by leprosy. We aim to detect and diagnose people affected by leprosy as early as possible to stop the transmission of the disease and prevent life-changing disabilities occurring.
The Catholic community can help end leprosy in our lifetime.
Connected by our shared values and faith, with your support we can reach the most vulnerable and stop leprosy for good.
To make a donation or learn more about St Francis Leprosy Guild, please visit our website www.stfrancisleprosy.org or contact us at parishes@stfrancisleprosy.org if you would like to discuss ways of supporting our work."
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This week's news

CANCEL THE DEBT
Some of us Laudato Si Animators went to London to meet others from all over UK, with many other faith and environmental groups, a total of 5000 people.
The large photo is of faith groups with faith leaders and Bishop Arnold is there, with Graham Usher the Anglican Bishop for the Environment and Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg.
Many MPs saw their constituents though not all were available.
We can still write letters to our MPs about restructuring the debt system as well as urging action on the Climate and Nature Bill (CAN) which the Government has promised to give time to put forward.
The day finished with a Mass in Westminster Cathedral with Bishop John Arnold, who spoke powerfully about care for creation, including all our brothers and sisters experiencing climate stress, as essential to our faith.



CREAM TEA

The Parish Project Team invite us all to the hall for a delicious Cream Tea!
On Sunday 3rd August, from 3pm-5.30pm, come along for scones and tea (or coffee!) all in aid of our Parish Funds and our international Project, The Chhanv Foundation!

AND we are delighted that members of their 'Sheroes' café will be joining us via a live link up from India during the afternoon, so we can offer them our hand of friendship and well wishes for the amazing work they do.

Tickets are only £5 pp, available after weekend Masses from Philip and Petra or from the office. There will be a raffle on the day too, so get your tickets for that if you wish to support the projects, if not able to attend the event itself.
Thank you


A Message from Clifton Diocese
* Saint Joseph’s Catholic College, Lay Chaplain Vacancy *
Could you or someone you know have a calling to support the Catholic life and mission of our local secondary school?
Saint Joseph’s Catholic College, Swindon have an exciting vacancy for a Lay Chaplain effective to start from September 2025.
The role is fulltime and during term times only, but we’ll also consider candidates interested in parttime and flexible working options. Please see the Eteach link for the full recruitment pack or contact our HR team for further information at HR@stjosephscollege.net or by phone on (01793) 236053.
We are happy to arrange an informal visit in advance of applications too.
Deadline for applications is Monday 22nd September.
www.eteach.com/job/lay-chaplain-1498725

Also...
*Junior Choir Director, Clifton Diocese*
The Diocese Music department are seeking to expand the team by appointing a full-time, term-time colleague to initiate the National Schools Singing Programme and be committed to both schools and choral music.
The aim is to introduce pupils aged 7 years upwards in schools to formal sung choral music, enabling opportunities to join Diocesan events and contribute to singing of the mass and other liturgies. The role will also include directing the Cathedral Junior Choir, including performances at 9.30am Sunday family mass six times per year, combining with existing musical groups or on their own.

The Director will be based at the Cathedral Church of SS Peter and Paul, Clifton, Bristol and importantly, travel to schools across our large diocese. Reporting to the Director of Schools and Colleges, candidates will require an enhanced DBS check and current UK driving licence with access to a car.

For more information visit Working for us | Clifton Diocese or contact music@cliftondiocese.com.
Closing date for applications : 31st July 2025
https://cliftondiocese.com/diocese/working-for-us/

Daughters of Divine Love

We look forward to inviting the Daughters of Divine Love Philanthropic Development office to our church on the weekend of 2nd & 3rd August to tell us all about the amazing work their international congregation does.
Founded in 1969 in Nigeria they educate, care for, and add value to the lives of the less privileged in society, in North & South America, Africa & Europe. In everything they do, the love of Christ impels them to respond to the cry of the poor and vulnerable with concrete actions. From caring for street children, providing care and education for orphans or single mothers, to running soup kitchens, their work is funded by generous and caring people and organisations.
Visit their website or Facebook page for more information:
https://www.ddlpdo.org/
And if you are not going to be at Mass that weekend, please hand in your donation in advance to the parish office or donate online directly.


St. Nicholas of Tolentino RC Church, Bristol invite us all their monthly celebration of Mass for members of the LGBTQ+ community, their friends, families and allies.
See poster for details.


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This week's news

NEW ALTAR SERVERS
If any children who’ve made their 1st Holy Communion would like to learn to serve on the altar, a practise will take place after this Sunday’s Mass. Come & try it!


THE MASS FOR CHILDREN

We have ordered 15 copies of a new book from CBC called "The Mass for Children".
A lovely updated book to help children understand more about the various part of Holy Mass, as they read along ~ with beautiful illustrations, reflections and prayers for different times.
We are selling these at just £3 each and will happily order more if all 15 are sold.
If you would like a copy please go to the church shop after Sunday Mass or contact the parish office.


DIOCESE OF CLIFTON ~ LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 2025.
If you would like your PETITIONS taken to the Grotto, email them to
lourdes@cliftondiocese.com and they'll be printed for the Bishop to place them there for you.
Your intentions will be offered up at the Torchlight Procession for Our Lady's Intercession.
If you would like to donate towards the 'Lourdes Candle for the Intentions of all in the Diocese of Clifton', go to www.holyfamilypatchway.co.uk and click on the Dona button to donate to the 'Lourdes Fund'.
Fr Eugene, Holy Family Parish, Patchway.

You can watch all daily events live from Lourdes via www.lourdes-france.com/en/lourdesplus/

MEMORIAL BENCH
Thanks to your generous donations, we now have a lovely memorial bench by our Garden of Remembrance.
A big thank you to Joe & Phil who organised and installed it for us.
We now have a reflective place to stop and sit, and remember those we have lost.


Reflections for Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C from Deacon Vincent
1st Reading from the Prophet Isaiah 66: 10-14c.
This passage we have before us is from the “Third Isaiah”, “Trito-Isaiah”, and is probably dated after the return from Exile. He is dealing with the disappointment of those who had returned from Exile at the encouragement of the Second Isaiah and had found that they were poor and harassed by the wealthy residents of Jerusalem. Here Isaiah is trying to encourage those returners to view Jerusalem as their mother to pick themselves up and optimistically re-build their lives. They can be assured of the assistance of God. The theme be joyful and trust in the Lord. A timely message for ourselves in this present age.

Psalm 66(65): 1-7, 16, 20.
This song continues the theme of Isaiah of rejoicing and thanksgiving to God. It is always appropriate for us to rejoice and thank God always for all that the Almighty has done for us.

2nd Reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Galatians 6: 14-18.
Paul uses the phrase “A new creation”, it is an important idea for Paul. He emphasises that in “Christ there is no longer the polarisation of the world in which Paul had grown up, between Jews and non-Jews”. What matters now is the new universe without the old divisions. He aligns himself with the suffering of Christ on the cross, “I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” He uses a remarkable phrase, “the Israel of God.” That is a thought for us to ponder in the coming week.

The Holy Gospel according to Luke 10: 1-12, 17-20.
Luke has a theme in his Gospel and the Acts of Journeying, and this sending out of the seventy-two is a ripple effect of Christ’s teachings being carried to other areas by these disciples. Luke alone gives such prominence to this episode of the mission and the subsequent analysis of their mission. There is this wonderful statement of Jesus, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” There is great joy and confidence, because of their mission. We see here how the early Church was gaining momentum, and the Jewish authorities must obviously have been viewing this development with great concern. Luke certainly views this as a major stride forward of the early Church, under the direct guidance of Jesus. It is a timely reminder for us to realise that Jesus had a plan for spreading the Gospel message and lifestyle. He is greatly concerned about the fact that the disciples should rely upon the people for their sustenance and not be concerned about it. Jesus obviously viewed concerns about their welfare could get in the way of the “Message”. St Francis of Assisi will take this passage literally for his order many centuries later and produced an astounding ripple effect for the Lord’s message. The readings this week give us some tough ideas to ponder as we struggle in a world beset by the accumulation of wealth and comfort.

Lord, continue to guide our mission in today’s environment. Deacon Vincent.



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This week's news

For Peace ~ From Pope Francis RIP
"Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!
We have tried so many times and over so many years to resolve our conflicts by our own powers and by the force of our arms. How many moments of hostility and darkness have we experienced; how much blood has been shed; how many lives have been shattered; how many hopes have been buried… But our efforts have been in vain.
Now, 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!"; "With war everything is lost". Instil in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace.
Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love, you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters. Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace; enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister. Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens who entreat us to turn our weapons of war into implements of peace, our trepidation into confident trust, and our quarrelling into forgiveness.
Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. In this way may peace triumph at last, and may the words "division", "hatred" and "war" be banished from the heart of every man and woman. Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. Renew our hearts and minds, so that the word which always brings us together will be "brother", and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam!"


Taster evening at St Augustine's Parish.

Please share with anyone who you think might be curious....

On Friday 18th July we will have a meeting for anyone who might be interested in the Catholic Church.

This will follow the 7.30pm Mass in the Church and the meeting will be from 8-9pm in the Parish Hall next door.

...... even if you are just being curious, please come along. We'd love to meet you.

Fr Barnabas.


1st HOLY COMMUNION *2026*
If your child is turning 8 (or is older) during school year 2025/26 & would like to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion for the 1st time in 2026, please email the Parish Office by 27th July with their name/DOB, parents names & contact info.

Send your email to:
bristol.staugustine@cliftondiocese.com

We will acknowledge your email and then the forms and details will be sent out to all who have expressed interest at the end of Summer / start of September.
Thank you


LEGO
Here's a thought.... does anyone have any 'old' Lego they no longer need and would be willing to donate to the church for an idea we have for the kids...
Yes, I know Lego is precious and timeless and NO ONE EVER GETS RID OF IT but it's worth a try to ask! hahaha

If you CAN help then;
A) you are wonderful! Thank you
&
B) please contact the parish office or just drop it into the Presbytery when coming to Mass or passing the church.
Thank you.



Office Chairs....

If anyone knows of an office clearing out any 'meeting room style' chairs with arms (preferably wooden and stackable) please let us know as we would love to replace the current chairs we own that aid mobility for certain parish hall groups.

Contact us on here or by email at bristol.staugustine@cliftondiocese.com

Thank you...
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