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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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Lent & Easter Calendar - 2025

 


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This Week's News

Displays for the planet

During Lent we have several beautiful displays at the back of church and in the Parish Hall for you to see and interact with.
You can read about the work of CAFOD, see how we can help our planet and prepare for this Jubilee year, test your carbon footprint and see how the shrink it.
Please take a moment to look through the displays.


 

ATTENTION! To all who are involved in the SOUP RUN... (and those who aren't, but might be interested!)

The current rota expires on 19/04/25. Please contact Philip via the parish office to let him know if you would like to come off the rota, or perhaps join it for the first time - otherwise he'll assume you are happy to continue.
The new rota will be for two years and includes jobs such as; making up rolls, heating soup, making cakes etc (approx every 6-8 weeks) plus, the team who organise the boxes ready for the run will always welcome more volunteers to help out in the garage.

Please make contact if interested in finding out about the run.

Thank you to the amazing team of people who work together to help the people on the streets of our city.

"We pray for those who have suffered without a place to call home, where systems have failed them and daily needs have gone unmet. Provide a safe place that provides belonging and structure. Provide food care and warmth. We pray that you look upon and meet their needs. Amen"

PARISH PROJECT 2025
1 of the projects this year is for our own parish funds, specifically to help towards the £2,675 stonemason’s bill to repair & clean up the 12 leaking windows along the front of the church. These beautiful windows have done a superb job of keeping the rain out for 60 years but now need some tender loving care to keep them working and watertight for another 60!

Look out for lots of fun fundraisers this year for both parish projects, plus, there is now a donations box at the back of church for the window fund, for anyone who can’t attend the fundraising events but would still like to contribute.
Thanks to Myra & Petra for spearheading the project!

A message from Bella

Joyce and I are doing the Big Lent Walk for the second and third years. Joyce loves walking in the country spotting birds. I do walks to and from Church although my first three miles were on my pilgrimage vigil in London. I'm taking part in The Big Lent Walk by walking to and from Church 52 times during Lent, please sponsor me!
Your donations can change lives. Every £1 raised through the Big Lent Walk will help fight poverty globally in countries like Afghanistan, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan.

Please support us if you can by donating via this link or see us at the cake sale for CAFOD on Sunday 13tth April after Mass.

https://walk.cafod.org.uk/fundraising/joyce-and-bellas-big-lent-walk


Diocesan Lent Retreat Day

Just a reminder, on Saturday 5 April at St Bernadette’s Catholic Secondary School, Whitchurch, Bristol, Clifton Diocese have organised a Lent Retreat day to reflect upon and experience Reconciliation as the Sacrament of Hope.

The speakers will be Fr Brendan Callaghan SJ former Novice Master of the United Noviceship of the British, Irish, Flemish and Dutch Jesuit Provinces and former Master of Campion Hall. When responding to the invitation to speak Fr. Brendan wrote ‘It is a sacrament which I find intensely consoling to celebrate’. He is particularly delighted to return to Bristol where he celebrated the Sacrament for the first time at St. Mary on the Quay.

We also have Margaret & Barry Mizen whose son Jimmy was brutally murdered the day after his 16th birthday. Margaret and Barry have refused to give into hate and have worked tirelessly since Jimmy’s death to promote peace and reconciliation, particularly among young people. http://mizenfoundation.org/

The day will provide the opportunity for conversation and reflection on the two presentations. The day will finish with a Service of Reconciliation and the opportunity for individual confession with Bishop Bosco and priests from around the Diocese. Refreshments from 9.30am, welcome and opening prayer will be at 10am. Our day will end by 3.30pm.

For parishioners to register for the day, they can click on to this Eventbrite link: https://embracingthemercyofgod.eventbrite.co.uk All are welcome!

https://cliftondiocese.com/news/embracing-the-loving-mercy-of-god/


Thank you for preaching at our Masses last weekend, Deacon Vincent, and for your weekly reflections.
Second Sunday of Lent Year C
1st Reading from the Book of Genesis 15: 5-12, 17-18.
Abram has just rescued his brother Lot from the King of Sodom. The King of Sodom offers Abram token gifts, but Abram has refused anything from him. God has just informed Abram for him not to be afraid as God has shielded him, but Abram now old has no offspring and is very unhappy. Now we begin our passage for today, whereby God promises Abram offspring from his own body and descendants, as many as the stars in the heavens. Abram believes God’s promise and then God makes a Covenant with Abram, giving this land to his offspring. St. Paul makes a lot of the fact that God makes a Covenant with Abram before he was circumcised, so in fact whilst he was a Gentile. God, in fact, makes no distinction between Jew and Gentile. Righteousness is determined by one’s faith in the one true God. As a result of Faith, we become children of the Father, and members of his Covenant.

Psalm 27 (26): 1, 7-8b, 8c-9c, 13-14.
This song is encouraging us to trust confidently in God, it has a wonderful summing up, “Be stout-hearted, and wait for the Lord.” It reflects the confidence of Abram in our God.

2nd Reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians 3: 17- 4:1.
Paul is never shy about using himself as an example. Since his experience on the road to Damascus, his life has been completely transformed and made a huge difference. He is confident about the kind of behaviour that is appropriate for Christians and that which is not. We do not belong to this world, our world is in heaven, waiting for the Lord Jesus Christ to transform our humble bodies into his glorious body. Paul is confidently enthusiastic about following the Lord as closely as possible. We are encouraged to be as enthusiastic as himself in concentrating solely on the Lord, and the Lord’s wishes for us.

The Holy Gospel according to Luke 9: 28b – 36.
Here, Luke presents us with Jesus at prayer, accompanied by Peter, James and John. Jesus’ facial appearance is altered and his clothes become dazzlingly white. Jesus is seen talking with two men, who we are told are Moses and Elijah, symbolising the Law and the Prophets. They are surrounded in light and talking about Jesus’ departure. This departure or exodus could be his death, but we are not told, it will, however, happen at Jerusalem (This Gospel is always looking forward to Jerusalem). Peter wants this spectacle to carry on, so suggests tents for those in conversation, that this wonderful experience would continue. The cloud envelopes them, and the disciples are afraid; a voice is heard “This is my Son, the Chosen One; listen to him!”. Jesus is now found alone. The disciples are stunned but tell no one about what they had witnessed. They have just experienced the wonder of heavenly experience, something we might contemplate as we journey through Lent. We, also, are destined for heaven to experience such wonderful spectacles. God is very close as we can see from these readings, God is within touching distance of us all if we but have faith and really believe.
Lord, stay very close to us throughout this Lent and always.
Deacon Vincent.
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This week's news

Congratulations to our new catechumens
On Sunday, the parish congratulated Bowdy (Martin), Hayley (Angela), Yuki (Emma), Kent (Michael), Henry, Kate and Anita with blessings as they journey to Reception into the Catholic Church at Easter.
The next stage in that journey takes place on Saturday, where they will be presented to Bishop Bosco at the Cathedral in the Rite of Election ceremony.
St Augustine's community welcomes and congratulates you all.

在剛過去的主日，本堂區為慕道者 Bowdy (Martin), Hayley (Angela), Yuki (Emma), Kent (Michael), Henry, Kate 及 Anita 舉行了派遣禮，祈願他們能好好準備，在復活期間進入天主教的大家庭。

在下一階段，他們將在這個星期六前往主教座堂，參與由Bosco主教主持的甄選禮。

St Augustine 堂區教友恭喜及歡迎你們！





Jubilee Celebration of Hope


We are pleased to share details of the Diocesan Jubilee Celebration of Hope on Saturday 19 July at Downside School & Abbey.

Bishop Bosco warmly invites you to join him on 19 July for our Diocesan Jubilee Celebration of Hope at Downside School & Abbey. 
In addition to three keynote speakers, prayer, and reflections we will be offering an exciting and joyful programme for our children & young people. Arrivals/refreshments from 10am. In addition, a free hot lunch will be provided (a lunch box is provided for children under 11). 
Our Jubilee Celebration of Mass will take place in the Abbey Church at 3pm. 
There will be a maximum of 300 tickets. If you would like to join us for the day, booking through Eventbrite is essential. Please register via this link https://jubileedayofhope.eventbrite.co.uk for your ticket. For the catering, a printed/mobile ticket from Eventbrite is required. 
If you have difficulty accessing Eventbrite, please contact us at adult.education@cliftondiocese.com and we will help you with this. 
The closing date for tickets is 7 July.

Details for the day can be found on the Diocesan website: Jubilee Celebration of Hope | Clifton Diocese

LGBTQ+ Mass
All are welcome to join St. Nicholas of Tolentino RC Church, Bristol for their monthly Mass for Catholic members of the LGBTQ+ community, their friends, families and allies.
See poster for details.



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This week's news

As the Holy Father remains in hospital, we keep him close in prayer.

Almighty and Eternal God,
you are the everlasting health of
those who believe in you.
Hear our prayers for your sick servant Francis
for whom we implore the aid of your tender mercy,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Lady of Lourdes, Health of the Sick, pray for him.






NEW LENT FAITH FORMATION over 4 Saturday mornings.

Join us from 10am-12noon on 15th, 22nd & 29th March + 5th April in the parish hall.
Based on specific chapters in the publication “Your Faith”, but not exclusively, books will be provided for the morning.
We will work as a group supporting one another in asking questions and sharing experiences, although there is no expectation to speak in the group.
All are welcome to come along to one or all of the sessions.



Lenten Soup Lunches
Our sister Church, St Lawrence in Chipping Sodbury, are hosting Lenten Soup Lunches for our Parishes in Communion.

Each Friday in Lent, you can go along for a charity lunch, raising money to support several worthwhile causes.

Starting on 7th March, the lunches will be from 12.30 until 2pm in their parish hall on Chipping Sodbury High Street.

Mill Hill Novena

From 10-18 March the Mill Hill Missionaries are running their annual Novena Masses in Maidenhead. These Masses are all available to watch on zoom so everyone can take part - see their website for details of how you can join or for how to purchase their Novena prayer booklet.
https://millhillmissionaries.com/novena/


Defibrillator statistics

Have a look at the amazing stats, just released, from https://thecircuit.uk/ who register the network of defibrillators around the country, including ours at St Augustine's.
Fantastic to see so many life saving devices around the country.

Thanks, as ever, to Deacon Vincent
for his Reflections for Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
1st Reading from the First Book of Samuel 26: 2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23.
After David had killed the Philistine Champion, Goliath, his fame spread and Saul became fearful that David would take his crown, so Saul set about killing David. Saul had pursued David with 3,000 men and that night they all fall into a deep sleep. This enables David to creep in unnoticed into Saul’s camp and he has Saul at his mercy, but will not strike God’s anointed King, instead he takes his Spear and Bowl that was at Saul’s head and when he is far enough away he shouts waking the camp, and tells Saul that he could have killed him if he wished, but he is no threat to Saul. This is a wonderful picture of the mercy of David combined with the difficulties of leadership. Despite David’s illustration of his respect for Saul, the King will still pursue David because he is eaten out with jealousy and fear. We have before us two different ways of dealing with opponents; God’s way clearly illustrated by David and man’s way illustrated by Saul. Today we are still struggling to follow God’s way of merciful forgiveness, as illustrated by David.


Psalm 103(102): 1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13.
This psalm sings about the mercy of God and shows us exactly how David had followed God’s way in our first reading. God is merciful, “slow to anger, rich in mercy”, “as far as the east is from the west he removes our transgressions.” It is this wonderful mercy of God that we are challenged to follow.
2nd Reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 15: 45-47.
Paul presents us with a vision of the Adam’s failure against Jesus, the Second Adam’s triumph. Adam’s failure led to death the Second Adam’s success leads us to life everlasting. As in Adam all mankind dies, so in Christ’s resurrection all mankind lives, because the second Adam is a life-giving spirit. Paul’s concentration is on the merits of the Resurrection of Christ for all of us. Through his acceptance of death, he has been raised to the heights and as his followers, so, we too are taken with him, as an offering to God.
The Holy Gospel according to Luke 6: 27-38.
Our Gospel today appears to be totally idealistic and unobtainable, yet we have seen by our first reading that David shows just this type of behaviour to Saul who is trying to kill him. We also see that the opposite eats out Saul’s heart and leads to his own destruction. God loves us unconditionally. Jesus says in one point, “See how your Father lets the sun shine on the good as well as the bad.” The love Jesus is talking about is that type of love that wishes the person “No Harm”. We are not required to like, or fall in love with our enemies, just not wish them harm. Thomas More says, “I wish none harm,” at his trial. This Gospel wish for us is not impossible, it is challenging certainly and causes us a lot of soul searching, but God is not asking the impossible of us, only to act as God acts with us. Jesus will give us the great prayer, “The Our Father”, and it contains within it, this same theme of, “love others as we wish to be loved”. The measure we give will be the measure we receive, but the measure God gives is full to overflowing.
Let us then, change the world by really trying to live as God wants us, full of love and respect for everyone.
God give us the courage to love without barriers.
Deacon Vincent.
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This week's news

Tuesday 11th February ~ Congratulations to our sister Church on their Feast Day
Grant us, O merciful God, protection in our weakness,
that we, who keep the Memorial of the Immaculate
Mother of God,
may, with the help of her intercession,
rise up from our iniquities.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

Happy 'Special' Birthday

Wishing our dear Deacon Mike a very Happy Birthday on this special day.

(Are we allowed to say what 'round' number you are today?)

Much love to you and Mary from all of us in the parish, and we hope you have a lovely celebration with your family.



St Bakhita's Day
“Human trafficking is a crime against humanity. We must unite our efforts to free victims and stop this crime.” Pope Francis.
This weekend was St Bakhita's day. Saturday was the feast of St Bakhita, where Catholics are encouraged to pray for all those affected by the crimes of modern slavery and human trafficking, and the people that work to eradicate this crime.
Go to the Bishop's Conference website for lots more information.
https://www.cbcew.org.uk/bakhita-day
A prayer for all to say~
O God, who led Saint Josephine Bakhita from abject slavery
to the dignity of being your daughter and a bride of Christ,
grant, we pray, that by her example
we may show constant love for the Lord Jesus crucified,
remaining steadfast in charity
and prompt to show compassion.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
If you suspect human trafficking but are unsure whether to act, remember that reporting your concerns can make a critical difference. Look for signs of exploitation, such as individuals appearing fearful, isolated, or controlled by others.
Call the police at 999, or Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111 to report the crime anonymously.



St Nicholas' Church
Please see the poster from our friends at St. Nicholas of Tolentino RC Church, Bristol for their monthly celebration of Mass for Catholic members of the LGBTQ+ community, their friends and families.
All are welcome.

The Clifton Evangelist produce a Newsletter from the Department of Adult Education and Evangelisation each quarter.
Here is the link to their online page where you can see this latest, and past, newsletters giving the details of future events, opportunities for formation and other items which might be of interest.
https://cliftondiocese.com/clifton-evangelist/
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This week's news

恭喜發財
We were delighted to wish a Happy Lunar New Year to the members of our Hong Kong community on Sunday after Mass, with Red cake and fortune cookies.
Bryan did the honour of cutting the cake for us.




Cancer Research UK
One of our long serving Altar Servers, Alex Mann, is currently training to run this year's Bath Half Marathon and is doing it to raise money for Cancer Research UK - he will be at the back of Church, after both Masses, on the weekend of 1st and 2nd March if you would like to support him with a donation.
Or, if you won't be at Mass but would still like to donate, please use this link to his charity page.
Well done Alex!

Here's what Alex had to say....

"Hi. I am Alex Mann and I am fundraising for cancer research UK in full support of their mission to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer. By donating to this page you will help fund ground-breaking research, provide support to patients and their families, and contribute to the fight against cancer. Every pound donated can make a real difference in improving cancer treatments and ultimately saving lives. Thank you!"



National Marriage Week 2025
"As we mark National Marriage Week 2025 next week, we think about the huge importance of marriage in our lives and society. In a world that can be confusing and divided, hope shines brightly especially in this Jubilee Year. And the hope of marriage is that it becomes a source of stability and happiness, showing us the endless love that God has for all of us."
Lead Bishop for Marriage and Family Life, our own Bishop Bosco MacDonald, calls Marriage a source of stability and happiness, showing us the endless love that God has for all of us.

Use this link to see Bishop Bosco's full message -
https://www.cbcew.org.uk/bishops-message-for-marriage-week

Here is a simple prayer of thanksgiving for the vocation to marriage:

Lord, we pray in thanksgiving for the vocation to marriage
and for each couple that you join together to make a family.
We ask that every marriage brings each couple closer to you and to holiness.
We pray for those who are struggling in their marriage,
that they can make it through this tough time
and find hope and consolation in You.
We pray that this Jubilee year can be a year of hope for marriages,
with your gentle guiding hand through each
action, decision, discussion and event.
We make this prayer through Christ, your Son, our Lord.
Amen.

Go to the Bishop's Conference site for all the Marriage Week resources and messages:
Marriage Week - Catholic Bishops' Conference


Pull up a chair - It's time to share. #TimeToTalkDay
At St Augustine's, we have several opportunities for parishioners and local people to join in with social events and get togethers...
Weekly, from coffees after morning Mass on a Sunday, to the Friday Community cafe from 1.30-3pm, as well as events during the year to come together and have some fun - if you would like some company and a chance to chat with others, please come along - you'd be very welcome.
It is always good to talk.... please don't be alone
* If you, or someone you know is suffering with depression or the effects of loneliness, please consider contacting one of the many wonderful groups and charities who can help, such as;
Mind / We Are Hourglass / Samaritans / PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide / The Silver Line from Age UK

CCS Adoption
A lovely thank you message received this week from CCS Adoption following the generous crib offerings and donations made at the start of January.
"Thank you so much for your donation of £233.81 collected as the result of your crib offerings. We are so grateful to your parish for supporting us in this way.
We continue to be incredibly grateful to all the churches that choose to support our endeavours to find safe and loving adoptive homes for vulnerable children in care. We rely on fundraising to enable us to provide the robust and in-depth training and guidance our adopters need to be resilient and able to understand and respond to the trauma that their children will undoubtedly have experienced in their young lives. Please pass on our sincere thanks to your generous parishioners.
On behalf of all of the families, staff and Trustees at CCS Adoption thank you once again for your kindness.
Many thanks, Jason Tinley, Finance Manager
www.ccsadoption.org

Quiz Night
Do you fancy a fun night out, in the Parish Hall, where you can bring your own drinks & nibbles, it is only £5 per person to join in and you can test out your 'general' knowledge?
Well! You've come to the right place!
Mike Ryan and gang bring you another Parish Quiz Night on Sunday 2nd March with quiz rounds, fun games and a raffle.
All in aid of our 2025 Parish Projects.
For tickets, contact the office or buy them after weekend Masses.
See you there!


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This week's news

Happy Lunar New Year to everyone, especially to the many members of our Hong Kong community, here at St Augustine's.
恭喜發財


Happy Birthday to dear Fr Barnabas and to our wonderful housekeeper, Narj, who both celebrate their birthdays this week.
We enjoyed a staff 'cake and a cuppa' in the kitchen today to wish them both well.
 

Embracing the Loving Mercy of God

Embracing the Loving Mercy of God – on 5th April we have a Lent Retreat day to reflect upon and experience Reconciliation as the Sacrament of Hope.
Speakers:
Fr. Brendan Callaghan SJ former Novice Master of the United Noviceship of the British, Irish, Flemish and Dutch Jesuit Provinces and former Master of Campion Hall. When responding to the invitation to speak Fr. Brendan wrote ‘It is a sacrament which I find intensely consoling to celebrate’. He is particularly delighted to return to Bristol where he celebrated the Sacrament for the first time at St. Mary on the Quay.
Margaret and Barry Mizen whose son Jimmy was brutally murdered the day after his sixteenth birthday. Margaret and Barry have refused to give into hate and have worked tirelessly since Jimmy’s death to promote peace and reconciliation, particularly among young people. http://mizenfoundation.org/

The day will provide the opportunity for conversation and reflection on the two presentations. The day will finish with a Service of Reconciliation and the opportunity for individual confession with Bishop Bosco and priests from around the Diocese.

Venue: St. Bernadette’s Catholic Secondary School, Whitchurch, Bristol.
Refreshments from 9.30am, welcome and opening prayer will be at 10am. Please bring a packed lunch. Our day will end by 3.30pm.

To register for the day, please click on the Eventbrite link: https://embracingthemercyofgod.eventbrite.co.uk
All are welcome!

This year's Flame 2025 event at Wembley is on Sat 15th March.

"Unstoppable: Fan the Flame of Hope" The UK's largest Catholic Youth Gathering. With Bear Grylls as one of the many guest speakers and musicians.

See the website for all the details and please let Fr Barnabas or contact the office if interested in going so we can confirm numbers and link in to a local group who are attending, for booking tickets.

*Flame is open to everyone aged school Year 9 (usually 14 years old) through to University age. Typically there are large numbers of Year 10s, 11s and Sixth Formers, as well as University students.

*Flame is a Catholic event but of course the day is open to those of all faiths and none – the content has a strong Catholic ethos, and some explicitly Catholic moments of prayer such as Adoration, but one of the aims of the day is especially to help those who may not be engaged with faith to be open to a new vision of what a young, vibrant, active and inclusive Church can look like. The speakers are briefed to pitch their content in a way which is accessible to those who may not attend Mass regularly, or at all – in lots of ways this is an ideal event for those “on the edges.” Feedback from group leaders in previous years has shown us that a day at Flame Congress can raise a lot of questions about faith, and fresh insights, which can be the beginning of a wonderful journey back in the school or parish.

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This week's news

Parish Projects 2024 - Thank you!

We are delighted to announce the totals of the funds raised during 2024 in our wonderful parish for our 2024 Parish Projects!

You helped raise an amazing £3,000 for Brandon Trust and £2,394.97 for St Joseph's Home in Cotham.

Well done to Tim & Marie, Sue & Norbert, the project leaders, & thanks to you all for generously supporting the many events. From Cream Teas to Gospel Choirs, Quiz Nights to Human Fruit Machines, Cake sales to Plant sales, there was something for everyone!

Tim & Marie who ran the project for Brandon Trust said “Thank you to everyone who has supported our fundraising over the last year for Brandon Trust. It has been great to come together as a community to support this local charity. The money raised will make such a difference to local people in South Glos attending the Play Link holiday scheme for children with additional needs. It means they can take the children on trips and provide different activities. Not only does it make a difference for the staff and children attending but also the families who have a short break knowing their children are safe having fun and accessing experiences they may not otherwise enjoy. Thank you!”

A message from the Little Sisters of St Joseph’s Home: “Dear friends and supporters of St Joseph’s Home, We want to extend our deepest gratitude for your incredible generosity and kindness. Your contribution means the world to us and the residents of Saint Joseph's Home. With your support, we can continue to make a meaningful impact within our community, especially in assisting the elderly and those at a disadvantage. Your generous donation will go a long way in helping us achieve our current goals, including funding two new lifts and much-needed renovations within the home. Though your gift is substantial, it makes a significant difference in our efforts to create a better living environment for our residents. God bless you all for your generosity and unwavering support. With heartfelt thanks.”


PARISH PROJECTS 2025....
If you were at Mass last weekend you'll have heard that the overseas charity for this year's parish project is the Chhanv Foundation.

Nominated by Philip McWilliams, this is an Indian charity which campaigns to prevent acid attacks, raise awareness, if not outrage, at the level of the problem and, above all, to help in the rehabilitation of the survivors of acid attacks.

During a visit to India last year, Philip & Renuka were moved to silence by a visit to a cafe in Agra called "Sheroes" run entirely by women whose faces and upper bodies were disfigured as a result of attacks with acid. The cafe is one of several run by the Chhanv Foundation.
The charity was set up initially to campaign for a law against such cruelty and, since 2013, to raise awareness of the problem as well as assisting with the rehabilitation of the victims of such attacks.
Philip is delighted that The Chhanv Foundation has been selected as this year's Parish Project.

After Sunday Mass Philip showed this short film, from the BBC, about the work of the Foundation at their 'Sheroes' Cafes. If you missed it, please watch it here:

Look out for events during the year to help raise money for their cause.

Lenten Liturgies of Reconciliation


Bishop Bosco is to celebrate Liturgies of Reconciliation during the Season of Lent at five venues across the diocese. These venues are:

Thursday 13 March: Immaculate Conception, Stroud
Thursday 20 March: St Peter, Swindon
Thursday 27 March: St Gregory the Great, Cheltenham
Thursday 3 April: St George, Taunton
Thursday 10 April: St Francis, Nailsea
with each Liturgy starting at 7pm.
Building upon the beautiful gatherings during Lent he is inviting our diocesan community to gather with him in celebration of God’s merciful love as part of our Lenten journey. There will be priests available at each venue to celebrate sacramental reconciliation. You will be most welcome at any of the venues.




Thanks to Deacon Vincent for his Reflections for Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

1st Reading from the Book of Nehemiah 8: 2-4a, 5-6, 8-10.
The Book of Nehemiah belongs with the Book of Esra, they have the air of reports made by two people who have been sent by the Persian authorities and provide us with the only evidence that we have of the circumstances of the community that returned to Jerusalem from the Exile. Zerubbabel built the Temple, Ezra the priest acted as the scribe and emphasised the teaching of the Law, and Nehemiah rebuilds the walls of Jerusalem, having been appointed governor of Judah by the Persian administration. For Nehemiah this was not just a political act, it also had a significant religious and spiritual dimension. Nehemiah was not a priest but a layman, one totally committed to putting God at the Centre of everything. All the people assembled in front of the Water Gate and Ezra the scribe is asked to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which had been commanded by God for Israel. Ezra and the Levites who taught the people read the Law and the people are moved to tears. Nehemia asks the people to regard this day with joy at having the Law of God back at the centre of their lives again, and all give thanks. They had all gradually become contaminated by the Babylonian thinking and behaviour whilst they were in Exile, but now they were cleansed and renewed. It is a beautiful image of a people renewed by God.
Psalm 19(18): 8-9, 10-15.
This song glorifies the Lord who is revealed in Creation and in the Law. It compliments our first reading and explains the emotional response of the people to having the Law read and explained to them. Law of God is a gift, not a restrictive instruction. It guides in the right path to God.
2nd Reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 12: 12-30.
There have been problems in the Corinthian Church with people who were thinking that the gift of tongues was the most important gift to have, so Paul uses the beautiful image of the body to illustrate that all members of the body need to function properly for the body to be healthy. Different parts of the body are no good without the other parts. The same for the Church all the different parts are essential for the health of that Community, one element is not more important than another. Note how Paul mentions apostles and prophets first and last of all the gifts is the speaking in tongues, which had been the cause of the problem in the Community. It is a gentle rebuttal of their incorrect stance. Diversity and unity are essential for the health of the Community.
The Holy Gospel according to Luke 1: 1-4, 4: 14-21.
The opening address of Luke’s Gospel might be addressed to an important person or to a general description of anybody who might be interested, “Theophilus” means “Lover of God.” Then we have Luke’s ripple effect “a report went out through the whole district”, an oral extension of Luke’s travelling theme. Luke sets the scene for the synagogue reading from Isaiah on the Sabbath. Luke’s Gospel is of the poor and oppressed and it is emphasised by the selected reading from Isaiah. Luke’s hushed response of the people of Nazareth is captured, and then we have the shortest homily on record from Jesus, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing. Today is significant as it appears at the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, in the Zacchaeus story, and the thief on the cross who recognised Jesus.
God give us the grace to recognise Jesus talking to us.
Deacon Vincent.
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