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.
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 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
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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