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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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Pope Leo XIV

A Message from Bishop Bosco on the Election of Pope Leo XIV


Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

With great joy and renewed hope, we welcome the election of Pope Leo XIV, the new Bishop of Rome and successor of St Peter. His election is a gift to the whole Church, and I invite everyone in the Diocese of Clifton to keep him in our hearts and prayers in these first days of his ministry.

In his first words to the world, Pope Leo XIV greeted us with the timeless blessing: “Peace be with you all.” He reminded us that this was the first greeting of the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who gave His life for the flock of God. He expressed his desire for this peace to enter our hearts, reach our families, and extend to all people, everywhere on earth.

By choosing the name Leo, our new Holy Father aligns himself with a towering figure in our tradition: Pope St Leo the Great, the first pope in history to be honoured with the title “the Great.” He earned it not through power or prestige, but through his holiness, wisdom, and tireless defence of the faith during times of crisis. He reminded Christians not just who we are, but whose we are: “No one, however weak, is denied a share in the victory of the cross. No one is beyond the help of the prayer of Christ.”

That same call echoes in our own time. Pope Leo XIV takes up his role as shepherd of the universal Church at a moment when the world is yearning for unity, meaning, and mercy. We pray that, like his namesake, he will lead with courage, clarity, and deep pastoral love.

Here in the Diocese of Clifton, as we continue to listen, renew, and go out in mission, we offer Pope Leo our loyalty and affection. May he know that the people of this diocese are with him, walking together in faith and in friendship with Christ.

O Holy Spirit, strengthen our new Pope, guide him in wisdom and peace, and bless the Church he now leads.

Oremus pro Pontifice nostro Leone – let us pray for Pope Leo.

Rt Rev Bosco MacDonald, Bishop of Clifton
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Rest in Peace

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Current Parish Rotas

Please click on the link for the Parish Duties Rota you would like to view (as a pdf)
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Community Kitchen Cupboard (The 'C.K.C.')

NEW FOOD BANK INITIATIVE, together with school & pre-school, our ‘Community Kitchen Cupboard’ is now up & running! (The 'C.K.C.')

July 2024

This informal, free service is for anyone in our community who might be struggling or just needs a bit of extra help ~ please, just come & help yourselves from the shelves.

As you can see from the video, come on into the entrance of the church which is open each day (even if the door is shut, please try it, as it is usually unlocked from approx. 8.45am-4pm, or later on days where there is evening Mass) including during the summer holidays.
The Community Kitchen Cupboard is at the end of the entrance area - take a bag and take what you need for you / your family.

Also, if anyone is in a position to donate tinned & packet items for the CKC please leave items in the box at the bottom of the cupboard for our team to sort out and label.

We have loads of pasta and tins of beans, pulses & soups etc at the moments but would love some more toilet rolls, tea, coffee, lunchbox snacks such as individual biscuits or dried fruit boxes etc, jars of pasta sauce, tinned or packet desserts (rice pudding / custard etc) and sanitary items.
*Keep an eye out for updates on this in the weekly Newsletter*

We hope this will be a useful initiative for our community and we would welcome any helpful feedback and offers to join the team of people checking and re-stocking on a rota basis each day.

“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Congratulations to Milly from Willow class for designing the winning logo for The CKC - the new Community Kitchen Cupboard!
... I think it says everything about what the initiative stands for - to surround people with love ❤️ Well done Milly.
Look out for the new sign at the back of church soon.
   
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This Week's News

School Governors

You may be aware that there is a considerable shortage of Foundation Governors across the Diocese, to help lead our schools. Bishop Bosco is so concerned about this situation, that he has written a special letter and produced a promotional video, both making an urgent appeal for volunteers to become new Foundation Governors.

Please take a moment to watch Bishop Bosco's message and see his letter to all churches.




Mental Health Awareness Week is underway and we are pleased to share this post from Mind who offer support to those who may need it.


Plus, this prayer was shared by Redemptorist Publications who rightly stated that we are all "worthy of happiness and peace of mind".

Loving God, we pray for those struggling with mental health, seeking your healing touch and guidance. Grant them strength, clarity, and peace. Surround them with compassion and understanding, and help us to be a source of support and hope.

Amen


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This week's news

 *CORRECTION*
Due to an error by the usually PERFECT secretary (!) the Newsletter was published with incorrect information.
Please note that this week's Morning prayer on Thursday and Friday evening Mass are both at their usual times of 10am and 7.30pm.
Apologies for the confusion.
(I'll say 10 Hail Mary's for my sins - although as dear Deacon Peter used to always reply... "..but I only know one!")
Easter Vigil Celebrations
Here we are at this year's Easter vigil which took place at St Paul's in Yate. 7 adults and 1 teenager were baptised and confirmed.
With the photos you can see the Mass beginning with the lighting of the Easter Fire. It was a great occasion with people from all 4 of our churches, the furthest having come from Kingswood.
St Paul's community served us so well with refreshments following the lovely service.
Then in the morning, 4 children, belonging to those families who were received the night before, were then baptised on Easter Sunday. With much thanks to all who assisted in any way with the celebrations.
Fr Barnabas.












 





'No Mow May'
has begun and the daisies are out in force in our church grounds already.

We'll keep an eye on what else comes up over the next few week
s and try to spot any visiting bugs who are enjoying the long grass and plants in our grounds.

Visit Plantlife: saving wild plants for information behind why 'No Mow May' can be an brilliant thing to do to help our local climate.










SEND Together evening
*** See poster for an event taking place in our primary school, which all local families are invited to attend. *** This is the new date following a postponement from last time. New date - Monday 2nd June from 6-8pm in the school.
Tickets from Eventbright:



Thank you to Deacon Vincent for his Reflections for the Fourth Sunday of Easter Year C.

1st Reading from the Acts of the Apostles 13: 14, 43b-52.
This is the first example of the pattern of Paul’s Ministry in the Acts. The Gospel is preached firstly to the Synagogue, and meets initially with success, but later is rejected, and they then turn towards the Gentiles who are thirsting for the Gospel. Paul and his helpers expect persecution and rejoice in it. “Joy” and “the Holy Spirit” belong very close together in Luke’s writings. The reference to “a light for the Gentiles” is a quote from the Prophet Isaiah 49: 6. But we might also recall Simeon using the same phrase as he held the child Jesus in the Temple. We hope one day for reconciliation with our elder brothers in the Faith.

Psalm 100(99): 1-3, 5.
A beautiful song of “Thanksgiving”. It contains seven reasons to praise God, but the one of main interest to us today is that “We are his people, the sheep of his flock.” God is our Good Shepherd, and we truly blessed to be part of his flock.

2nd Reading from the Book of Revelation 7: 9, 13a, 14b-17.
We are looking at the Christian Community of every tribe and nation, and we are shocked to realise that they have had their robes washed in the blood of the Lamb (Christ), but we know that blood is not a good bleacher, so Christ has turned the world upside down. Then see how “the Lamb shepherds them and guides them to running streams of living water.” In the hot and arid area of the Middle East running streams really are living waters, but we are realising that this is a spiritual vision of the power of the Lamb who was sacrificed for us. Christ really is our life in the Spirit. His sacrifice has set us free to follow him to safe pastures. The Lamb is now the beloved Shepherd.


The Holy Gospel according to John 10: 27-30.
There is a desperation in the religious leaders to have Jesus declare that he is the Messiah and to then prove it. Jesus says, “if I tell you, you will not believe me.” Then Jesus moves into this selection we have before us today. “My sheep listen to my voice.” In the Middle East the sheep listen for the voice of their own shepherd. When he calls his own sheep respond and follow him because they know and trust he will lead them to good pasture with plenty of water. They will know that Jesus is at one with the Father. Because the leaders do not recognise Jesus as their shepherd they do not listen to his voice and therefore want to stone him for blasphemy. Jesus clearly states, “I and the Father are one.” Jesus also affirms that we belong to him and that no one can snatch us away. Jesus gives us eternal life, and we will never perish. This is a wonderful affirming section of the Gospel. We continually refuse to believe that Jesus has already “Saved Us”; all that is required is our effort to follow the Gospel life as illustrated by Jesus himself. How wonderful to be one of his sheep.

May we always be graced to listen for his voice and respond accordingly.
Deacon Vincent.

We have been offered the details of the 'Affordable Counselling' team who are based in the Yate and Bristol area and offer supportive service online (and in person, on request), locally and across the UK.

"Life’s path can sometimes be bumpy. If you’re feeling anxious, low, struggling with relationships, or facing life changes, we’re here to work alongside you. Our Counsellors offer a gentle, accepting space for you to share your story.
As you'll probably be aware, skilled, qualified and supervised counsellors are in short supply and the cost of living is making it harder for people to access therapy.
Affordable Counselling was established locally years ago to ensure that as many people as possible benefit from quality, reasonably-priced counselling.
Our Qualified Counsellors hope to offer you a comforting space, and sessions that you can afford."

https://affordablecounselling.uk/



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