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.

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.

This week's news

'CKC' UPDATE - 6 months on:
(The cupboard when first stocked)


Hello to our wonderful parishioners and community.
A huge thank you to everyone who has supported St. Augustine’s *Community Kitchen Cupboard* since we launched back in the Summer. Thanks to your generous donations, we have been able to assist many families in our community who are struggling with food insecurity. Your kindness and contributions have made a real difference, and we are so grateful. Thank you.
As many of you may know, the demand for our food cupboard has grown significantly especially as the months have got colder, and we are now in need of additional support to continue helping.
We have families relying on us but are very conscious that times are tough right now so do not want to keep asking for donations, so hope that you may be able to help in other ways..?
**Connecting us with local businesses who might be willing to support through regular or one-off food donations, staff donation collections, or fundraising initiatives.**
**Grant opportunities to help us meet the increasing demand for food and toiletries.**
**Volunteering: If you have any time to spare and would like to volunteer with the cupboard in any capacity, we’d love to hear from you!**
If you know of any businesses or organisations that might be interested in supporting us / would like to help us as a volunteer / or any ideas on how we can stay stocked we’d love to hear from you.
To make contact with the CKC team please email via the parish office or directly at communitykitchencupboard@gmail.com
Your support makes a huge impact, and we’re so thankful for all that you’ve done and continue to do.
Best Wishes,
Kate - on behalf of St. Augustine’s of Canterbury Community Food Cupboard

(If anyone is able to donate some items for the CKC then we are most in need of things like this:
-Tinned meat / fish / pies
-Individual Snacks (such as mini cakes/ fruit biscuits/cereal bars)
-Squash
-UHT milk
-Coffee / Hot Chocolate / tea bags
-Crisps
-Cereal
-Bakes Beans with the little sausages in
-Tinned Soup
-Tinned Fruit
-Jelly
-Rice pudding/Custard
-Cooking sauces/Pasta sauce etc
-Toothpaste
-baby wipes
-Period products
-Shower gel / soap
-Toilet roll)

Deacon John and Gail send their love to everyone in Bristol. (We caught up this week about uninteresting, technical parish website matters.) It was lovely to speak to John and I badgered him for photos of their beautiful part of the world.

"We are both doing well. We miss everyone and would love to catch up with anyone visiting the Lake District. Let us know if you are heading in the direction.
This is me on top of Blencathra - the mountain range is Skiddaw, taken from the field above our house at dawn - and the snowy view was taken from the top of Dodd."

 


Update from Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council

LOCAL CLIMATE AND NATURE ACTION PLAN UPDATE - FREE TREE GIVEAWAY AND COMMUNITY NATURE RESERVE LAUNCH! 

Following our update in the previous edition of the Downend Voice where we talked about the Community Nature Reserve and Free Tree giveaway, as well as other work that has been taking place, your Local Climate and Nature Action Plan (LCNAP) Working Group is excited to announce that we will be holding a special event on Saturday 18th January from 11 – 1 at the Badminton Road Methodist Church.

Downend and Bromley Heath Parish Council is now part of a network of local parish council’s developing Local Climate and Nature Action Plans, and we have drawn inspiration from Emersons Green Town Council and Bradley Stoke Town Council in taking forward the Community Nature Reserve and Free Tree giveaway projects which have proved hugely successful.

So please do come along and support this event. Native trees, shrubs, seeds will be distributed on a first come first served basis. We’ll also be on hand to explain how you can get involved in the Community Nature Reserve Project.

If you would like to find out more about the work of the LCNAP group or would like to be involved please do drop us an email at lcnap@dbhparishcouncil.co.uk


*1st February - St Bernadette’s *
Encounter 2025 is a Diocesan wide programme between Easter and Pentecost. It will empower parishioners to have a better understanding of the Holy Spirt, a closer relationship with God and to be able to explain the reasons for their faith. Many people have said that they find it difficult to explain why they are Catholic or even a Christian. Grandparents are sad that their children and grandchildren no longer attend Mass.
All are welcome to our initial planning event on 1st February 2025 between 9.30 and 1 pm at St Bernadette's, 731 Wells Rd, Bristol, BS14 9HU.
For more information, email pentecost@cliftondiocese.com.


Thank you to Deacon Vincent for your Reflections for Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

1st Reading from the prophet Isaiah 62: 1-5.
We continue reading from the Third Isaiah (Trito-Isaiah), and he is continuing to excite the Exiles to return home to Israel now that they have been set free Cyrus in 538 BC. He proclaims for the Lord, the vindication of Jerusalem and how Jerusalem will once again be re-built and become a place of pilgrimage. Those who return will be full of delight and joy at the wonder of the restoration. This shows how God is desirous for the people to return and follow his covenant with them, God can no longer contain his joy and desire to have them back home again, the celebration and joy will be just like a wedding feast, a very appropriate theme for today’s Gospel.

Psalm 96(95): 1-2, 2b-3, 7-8a, 9-10a.
This is a new song to the lord upon the re-building of the Temple, God’s House, and it just bubbles with joy and praise at the power of the Lord to bring them back home again to worship in God’s Holy Temple.

2nd Reading from the First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians 12: 4-11.
There is obviously tensions within the Church at Corinth concerning the importance of various gifts, some may be more important than others, thus enhancing the bearer of these various gifts. Not so, says Paul, he points out that all these gifts emanate from a single source, The Holy Spirit, which means that it is the Holy Spirit that we should delight in, not the individual that has been endowed with the Holy Spirit’s gift. The individual should always proclaim the Holy Spirit as the source and shun individual praise. This brings unity within the Church and not division caused by individual self-appraising pride. The diverse charisms are gifts, not earnt or deserved but true gifts to be used for the good of the community; gifts freely given by the Spirit of God himself, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Holy Gospel according to John 2: 1-11.
There is an important introduction to this Gospel episode which is omitted and that is, “on the third day” There was a wedding at Cana in Gallilee. This immediately signals to a Christian reader the “Resurrection”. Notice Mary is not named but titled “the mother of Jesus”, and it would appear that she was a principal guest and her Son, Jesus and his disciples it would appear had also been invited because of her. It is Mary who notices that the wine is running low, and it is only an observation, but we see what looks like a rebuff from Jesus, “What is that to you and me?”. Mary does not see as a rebuff and tells the waiters, full of confidence “Whatever he tells you, do it.” Next, we discover that Jesus has produced with little or no effort (something like 180 gallons) of the finest wine, to the astonishment of the head waiter and no doubt the host of the wedding also. The point of this is the sign it produces, the revelation of Jesus’ glory, and the result is that his disciples believed in him, but the same is not said of his mother, presumably she was a believer already; she was after all the instigator of Jesus producing this miracle. We are gradually being introduced to the person of Christ, he obviously respects his mother and has a great deal of respect for the host of the wedding for this miracle saved the host the embarrassment of the party running dry. It just shows how Jesus cared for the little things of life and the people involved in those occasions. Weddings were high lights of small town and village life, and it is comforting to note that those occasions are also important for Jesus, because HE LOVES US.
We thank you Lord for being with us and caring for us.
Deacon Vincent.

This week's news

Deacon Mike is very grateful for the help given at the time and the concern shown since Saturday evening's fall. He says he is fine and doing well and Mike & Mary thank you all.



MORE SOUP IS NEEDED!

Can you make some soup for us to increase the very low stock?
We are running low for the fortnightly soup run so if you can help please let us know so we can put you in touch with Maeve who stores it for us.
Please put it into milk containers & label with type of soup & date made - Not too think/’hearty’ please as can be difficult to pour when out on the soup run. Thank you in advance!


Bereavement support group
For those affected by bereavement, we have started a friendship and support group, meeting monthly for tea, cake & a chat.
The group will next meet on 27th January at 2pm in the parish hall. All welcome to join - no need to register beforehand, please just come along. * Please note this date has been changed for the planned Jan meeting * Usually they will be held on 3rd Monday of the month. *



‘POP & DROP’

~ Highlighting things the Soup Run Team are short of & if you can POP one in your shopping & DROP it to the back of church in their box, it will really help those in need on the streets of Bristol.
This month it’s toothpaste or small packs of tissues.



Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!
Let's start the year with another lovely evening together, getting to know each other a little more, with our 'Mixer & Mash' night! Tickets will be on sale from this weekend so you can buy yours after Masses or contact the parish office for details.
*Please let us know of any dietary requirements when buying your tickets.*
We will need to plan for the catering so get your tickets soon.
See you there!

Reflections for the Baptism of the Lord Year C from Deacon Vincent.

1st Reading from the prophet Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11.
We are reading the opening passage of the Second Isaiah (Deutero-Isaiah). We do not know his name, as a disciple of the First Isaiah, he is happy to write under his teacher’s name. This is about the year 539 BC, when Cyrus, King of Persia had just taken Babylon, with the result that the exiles can return home. However, this was not universally greeted with enthusiasm by the exiles. His writing is to encourage a second Exodus; God wants them to return, they have paid for their iniquity in following other gods. The true Shepherd of Israel is calling them home again. It is a very gentle invitation that God announces. The voice crying n the wilderness was always seen as a vision of John the Baptist by the earliest Christians. We have a beautiful vision of God shepherding his people home, caring for the people not driving them home, but helping them make their way under his strong protection.

Psalm 104(103): 1b-2, 3-4, 24-25, 27-28, 29-30.
A song in praise of God’s creation, it complements our first reading by illustrating that God is control. God is the creator God; all living things owe their existence to his loving them into being. This is why he cares for his people, because God loves them and wants them home to prepare for the arrival of his Son. It concludes with that magnificent phrase; “You send forth your spirit, and they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.” What a wonderful description of God’s creative Spirit.

2nd Reading from the letter of St. Paul to Titus. 2: 11-14, 3: 4-7.
Church leaders need to have a firm control of the patterns of peoples’ behaviour, making sure there are no signs of ungodliness or worldly behaviour. The people should display every indication of being a chosen people steeped in good works. This is not for our justification, but simply a response to the fact that “Jesus gave himself for us in order to ransom us.” This did not happen because of our good works but through God’s loving mercy in sending Jesus amongst us. We have the vision of the washing of baptism and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which enables us to respond positively to God’s prompting.

The Holy Gospel according to Luke 3: 15-16, 21-22.
Luke has John proclaiming that he is not the Christ, but he is among you, and his sandal I am not worthy to untie. John tells us that he is not worthy to even be his servant, then John points out the Jesus will baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire. The fire is the fire burning within his followers to proclaim the Good News, which comes about through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. John’s washing is symbolic of turning away from sin and keeping the commandments. Jesus’ mission will be a complete renewal of heart and soul and lead to a conversion of the world. Then Luke gives us a wonderful vision of Jesus’ anointing by the Holy Spirit and the affirmation of the Father, “You are my Son, the Beloved – with you I am well pleased.” Luke envisages Jesus as the one who unleashes the Holy Spirit upon the world, so that the face of the earth can be renewed. We have been renewed by the Holy Spirit, let us be reborn again with the fire of the Holy Spirit burning bright within us and renew this broken and injured world for God our Father.

May the light of the Holy Spirit renew each one of us.
Deacon Vincent.