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,
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.
Thank you to everyone who attended the recent AGM,
it was great to come together for the first time like this as parish for many
years, there was lots of fruitful discussion about the parish now and going
into the future which was inspiring.
The Parish Pastoral
Council met recently and discussed the themes emerging from discussion and key
themes identified were: transparency (governance including finance and maintenance),
user friendly Faith formation, and outreach (building on the good outreach
which is taking place already).
The PPC felt to support communication in the
parish and moving forward with these areas it would be positive to have regular
parish forums (4 times a year?). Please do contact the PPC for further details
or comments.
Daily Rosary for Peace at St Augustine's. Pope Leo invited Catholics across the globe to unite & pray the Rosary for peace in war-torn lands during October, the month the Church dedicates to the Holy Rosary. “I invite everyone, each day of the coming month, to pray the Rosary for peace—personally, in the family, and in community,” he said. Our Legion of Mary will offer Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & the saying of the Rosary in church, for approx 20 minutes, every day of October, should you wish to pray your rosary with others. This will be at the following times: Mondays at 12noon Tuesdays at 7pm Wednesday at 12noon Thursdays at 9.30am Fridays at 7pm (not 24th Oct due to a funeral) Saturdays at 5.30pm & Sundays at the end of 9.30am Mass.
A reminder that on Sunday 19th October Mike Ryan & Gang are back with another fun evening of Quiz rounds & games, (& jokes!)
Get your tickets after Mass or from the parish office at only £5pp for entry to the Quiz - get your teams of 6(ish) together and bring your own drinks and nibbles on the night.
There will be a raffle, a half time game, teas & coffees, a round of 'Head&Tails', and prizes for the winners (& 'best endeavours')
All money raised goes towards our 2 Parish Projects: The Parish building fund & Sheroes Cafe - Chhanv Foundation
See you there!
CONFIRMATION 2026:
Applications are now open for any students
of secondary school age who wish to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation next
year.
Pick up a form from the back of church or email the parish for a copy & return it to the parish office by end of Oct, so the
2026 course can be planned based on numbers.
School For Synodality UK invites! - the Final Document of the Synod Assembly was wide ranging and inspirational, and it's time to progress to the next steps at grass-roots level as we seek to embed synodality in our everyday Catholic life and culture.
In June 2025, the Vatican released a guiding document called Pathways for the Implementation Phase of the Synod. This highlighted some key areas of focus: such as widening the interest and investment in synodality, finding more effective ways to listen to those on the margins, and reflecting on the rapidly changing nature of parish life. Bishop Bosco is keen for Clifton Diocese to engage fully with the implementation phase, and we are encouraged to join the School for Synodality live on *Saturday 18th October* to explore all this and more, with prayer, small group sharing, testimony, and keynote speaker Bishop Brendan Leahy of the Limerick Diocese in Ireland. As ever, when the School for Synodality community gathers, there will be plenty to challenge and inspire us. Come Holy Spirit!
We'd love a few more volunteers to help make our 'Countdown to Christmas' event as successful as possible
1) anyone fancy helping set up on Friday 14th Nov in the school at 4pm until about 6pm? We'll need a goo few hands to get tables moved and set up, things brought over from the garages etc... 2) anyone free during the day (Sat 15th) to help run a stall? We have 1 stall still to find volunteers for... All offers greatly appreciated and you will get a wonderful reward! ...well, as Fr Franks always says, we run on the 'God Bless You' reward system!
Please contact Bernadette in the office if you have some time to help us out.
Primary School Admissions for 2026-27
If you have a child born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022, then now is the time to apply for a school place for admission from September 2026 onwards. You must complete the application form that is available from the School Admissions team of South Gloucestershire Council. Please visit the school admissions page of the LA website to access their online 2026-27 Reception Intake online application form (or contact them to request a paper form). If your child is Catholic, you should also provide a copy of the baptism certificate to your preferred Catholic school. If your child is of another denomination or faith, please see the school’s admission arrangements for details of the oversubscription criteria and required supporting evidence. Admission arrangements and Supplementary Information Forms are available from our schools’ websites & offices. Please ensure you apply by the closing date of 15 January 2026. If you miss the closing date (and/or forget to provide your preferred Catholic school with a copy of your child’s baptism certificate (if applicable), it may reduce the chances of being offered a place – so please do it as soon as possible!
*St Augustine's Catholic Primary School is holding Open Days starting this week. Contact the school to book a place*
Gifts for the children and soldiers of Ukraine
Please consider supporting 1 or both of the following appeals for gifts.
1) 'Shoe Box for the soldiers' appeal - simple but welcomed gifts you can put inside your shoe box such as:
• Warm socks, gloves, hand warmers, hats in dark colours
• Hygiene items (toothpaste, wipes, lip balm)
• Medical (painkillers, multivitamins, antivirals, plasters, first aid items, antiseptic)
• Treats (chocolate, coffee sachets, nuts, energy bars, cup-a-soups, noodles)
• Power banks, head torches, pocket games such as chess, sudoku
• Add a short note or Christmas card — these messages of support often mean the most.
Please avoid - Liquids, alcohol, sharp items, or perishable is foods.
Please wrap the box and lid separately, secure with string/elastic bands and label it for the soldiers - drop off at St Augustine's Church or Presbytery before the deadline of 10th November.
2) We are also offering to be a drop off point if you would like to wrap up a new gift for a child and label it so it can be handed out in Ukraine. Good ideas for gifts would be toys which do not need batteries (unless also able to supply them too), soft toys, edible treats with a long enough date, puzzles etc. Please steer clear of books in English as would limit who can enjoy them and anything related to guns or warfare. Wrap your present and label it so it can handed out - labels such as: "Young girl 5-10", "Teenage boy", "Any child 0-3"... label for the gift you are able to buy. Please add an extra note to it saying what type of gift it is, which can be removed in Ukraine, just to help with any legalities of border crossings. Drop these to the presbytery before 10th November and they can go off in the November run to Ukraine in time for Christmas.
These gifts can make a real difference — a reminder that kindness travels across borders. Many thanks to you all
Encounter - Clifton Cathedral, Saturday 18h October, 9.30am - 1pm Come and join us for another Encounter of God’s love and mercy. The Parish Mass is at 9.30 followed by Adoration and Confessions. We will start at 10.30 and be finished by 1pm. There will be a time of praise and of listening to the Lord as well as each other. Apostle Room, Cathedral Church of Ss Peter & Paul, Clifton Park, Bristol, BS8 3BX. All welcome. For more information email pentecost@cliftondiocese.com.
Every year the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) is celebrated on the last Sunday of September but this year, to coincide with the Jubilee of Migrants, the day was celebrated over the weekend of 4 and 5 October. The theme is Migrants, missionaries of hope, emphasising the resilience and faith of migrants and refugees in the face of hardship. Lead Bishop for Migrants and Refugees, Bishop Paul McAleenan, offers this message - see full message using this link.
"Everyone loves their country, including those who are forced to leave their homeland. As we move through the streets of our towns and cities today, we see a proliferation of flags and insignia flying from lamp posts. For many, these represent love of country and patriotism. Yet, unfortunately, such displays are also often associated with sentiments opposed to immigration and migrants. Love of country is honourable and so is love of neighbour. In speeches, demonstrations and rallies, which have taken place in recent months and weeks, those two virtues – love of country and love of neighbour – have not come together. "Who is my neighbour?”, Jesus was asked. In answer, Jesus gave the Parable of the Good Samaritan – my neighbour is anyone in need. May Mary, Solace of Migrants pray for you and for all who travel in hope of a better life."
Join in on the local churches pilgrimage on Saturday 27th September at 10am at United Reform Church Church (by St James, Mangotsfield), or meet up with us at 11am at St Augustine’s.
The pilgrimage ends at the The Salvation Army Staple Hill at 12.30 for a cuppa & bring items for a shared lunch.
'Wine & cheese'
Please join us in the parish hall from 7pm on Saturday 4th October for a 'Wine & cheese' celebration as the Season of Creation ends.
Let us know if you are coming and we'll get a free ticket to you (or leave it for you on the door) so we can cater accordingly. Get your ticket after Mass or email the parish office.
Oh, and for those who have said they won't come as they don't drink wine, it isn't mandatory, there will be non alcoholic drinks and cuppas too!
Let's celebrate the wonderful parish community we have!
See you there.
Jubilee Pilgrimage 2025
The national 'Pilgrimage Of Hope' joined and finished its four streams of nearly 200 miles each from Leeds, Norwich, London and Cardiff at the weekend. 22 people did the whole with some 200 joining for part, some from Clifton. A 13cm figurine of St Peter was carried by the pilgrims throughout the journey. It finished at St Barnabas Catholic Cathedral in Nottingham. Bishop Patrick walked part of the way and blessed the pilgrims with a solemn Mass and a blessing from the Pope.
School open days
Come and visit our wonderful, caring, Primary School at one of their upcoming open days. Maybe, share this post/info with local families you know as our school may not have been included on local LA lists and is sometimes overlooked for options.
It is very much worth a visit to see the community spirit and caring values that are throughout the school. You do not need to be of Catholic faith or any faith to attend.
Call for details and to book a place / visit their website for more information about the school.
It's time to QUIZ! ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Mike Ryan & Gang are back with another fun evening of Quiz rounds, games, & probably a joke or 2! Get your tickets after Mass or from the parish office at only £5pp for entry to the Quiz - get your teams of 6(ish) together and bring your own drinks and nibbles on the night. There will be a raffle, a half time game, teas & coffees, a round of 'Head&Tails', and prizes for the winners (& 'best endeavours') All money raised goes towards our 2 Parish Projects: The Parish building fund & Sheroes Cafe-Chhanv Foundation See you there!
Vacancy
On behalf of Dr Daniel Doyle, the Newman Catholic Trust is recruiting a Finance Manager (4 days per week). This is more than a finance role – it is a chance to bring professional expertise into a mission-driven environment where every decision supports children’s flourishing.
You will be part of a growing Trust with a strong proven track record, working flexibly and dynamically alongside committed colleagues. As Finance Manager, you will help shape clear systems, support Principals with confident decision-making, and steward resources so that our schools can focus on what matters most: forming lives and building communities of hope. This is a role for a finance professional who combines technical skill with service, able to give leaders clarity and confidence as our family of schools grows. 4 days per week (29 hours) Salary: £30,652-33,014 Location: Bristol (hybrid working across schools) Closing date: 20th October 20205 Apply here: https://mynewterm.com/jobs/17561/EDV-2025-CNCET-13863
St Augustine's holds a monthly, informal, friendship & support group. The group will next meet on 20th October at 2pm in the Parish Hall, for tea, cake & a chat.
Please join us in the parish hall from 7pm on Saturday 4th October for a 'Wine & cheese' celebration as the Season of Creation ends.
Let us know if you are coming and we'll get a free ticket to you (or leave it for you on the door) so we can cater accordingly. Get your ticket after Mass or email the parish office.
Oh, and for those who have said they won't come as they don't drink wine, it isn't mandatory, there will be non alcoholic drinks and cuppas too!
Let's celebrate the wonderful parish community we have!
See you there.
See poster for information for St. Nicholas of Tolentino RC Church, Bristol monthly Mass for LGBTQ+ Catholics, friends, family and allies.
Vacancy - sharing the details from St Peter’s R.C. High School & Sixth Form Centre school, in Tuffley, Glos, who require an excellent and committed Chaplain. St Peter’s is a mixed 11–18 school with 1500 pupils on roll. The Sixth Form consists of 330 students with KS5 students showing real leadership and progressing to a wide range of destinations, including prestigious universities and sought-after apprenticeships. We pride ourselves on our pastoral care and have invested in our Student Support Services who provide additional support for students with, for example, mental health issues and therefore frequently liaise with external agencies. The Catholic life at St Peter’s, including the pupils’ contribution to it, is a huge strength of this outward looking, family orientated and inclusive school. Students embrace the many rich opportunities provided for all to grow in faith and secure a deep understanding of the importance of faith in their lives. Details can be found here: https://www.eteach.com/job/chaplain-1502649
Diocesan Annual Formation Day Our Annual Formation Day will take place on 11 October at St. Brendan’s College, Brislington, with Mgr John Armitage as our keynote speaker. He will be reflecting on the theme of ‘Being an Evangelist Today: the tools required to be a joyful witness of Jesus’.
In addition, there will be several workshop options for people to attend. Choose a workshop for the morning and another workshop for the afternoon when booking your tickets.
The Workshop options are: Make Level Paths: Catechesis for People with Additional Needs - Sr Carino Hodder OP Act Justly: Formation for Mission - Raymond Friel Catechesis of the Good Shepherd - Melinda Whitehead Youth Ministry – engaging young people in catechesis - Nohil D’Souza Diaconate – Formation for service - Deacon Steve Boughton Helping Parents to help their children grow in faith - Sr Lucy Cahil OP Accompanying Couples to live their Vocation to Marriage when Life is a Struggle - James & Sharon Westby, Retrouvaille Co-ordinators England and Wales Engaging Parents in Catechesis for Baptism -Debbie Hartstone
Safeguarding - Survivor engagement and support in England and Wales
The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency’s (CSSA) is completing a thematic inspection on survivor engagement and support in England and Wales. Clifton Diocese have been selected to participate in this inspection. The CSSA have done a Public Call for Information which was shared on the Diocese Newsletter and Diocese website. However the CSSA are now asking every diocese to share a new survey inviting everyone engaged with the Catholic Church, including Clergy, Religious (Consecrated Life), Parish Safeguarding Representatives, Employees, Volunteers and Parishioners to contribute their experiences. The aim of this survey is to better understand how the Catholic Church engages with Survivors.
This process is being conducted with transparency, respect, and in a survivor-centred way. Your cooperation will help ensure we hear from as many voices as possible, enabling us to identify good practice and areas for improvement across the Church.
Reflections for Twenty-Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C from Deacon Vincent.
1st Reading from the Prophet Amos 8: 4-7. Amos worked in the Northern Kingdom of Israel about 760 BC. It was a time of material prosperity among the upper classes. Amos has a strong sense of his calling by God and fiercely challenges the wealthy. He was probably an independent farmer of sheep and of sycamore trees. His imagery that he uses is predominantly rural, like Christ. This passage illustrates his fearsome attacks on the greed of the business community who are impatient that the feasts and sabbath don’t take up too much time so they can get on with making money. This is an appropriate reminder for today where the pursuit of wealth has reduced the Sabbath Day of rest to a normal working day. Amos is very astute at pinpointing the way the business class are cheating the poor. God will not put up with it. God has an option for the poor, God’s word and work comes first; it must never be overshadowed by the pursuit of wealth or leisure.
Psalm 113(112): 1-2, 4-8. A song proclaiming how God looks after those in need. It is declaring God’s option for the poor.
2nd Reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to Timothy 2: 1-8. This seems to come from the heart of Paul, particularly referencing his mission and “I am speaking the truth; I am not lying.” He references the “Saviour God”, and the understanding of salvation as “the recognition of the truth” There is one mediator between God and humanity, the man Jesus Christ. We conclude with Paul’s invitation for us to pray!!
The Holy Gospel according to Luke 16: 1-13. One gets the feeling that Luke must have had people in his congregation who were very wealthy the way he selects Jesus talking about wealth and the way it should be used. In the first part we encounter a steward who has been syphoning off the Master’s wealth to endow himself. When he is caught, he goes to the master’s debtors and reduces the amount they owe so that he will have friends when he is out of work, who will either help him out or employ him. Jesus praises the astuteness of the steward in looking after his future. Note he does not praise his dishonesty, just his astuteness. Now we discover what Jesus is trying to illustrate. Use money to help others and be of assist, so that should the money run out, they will remember our kindness and come to our assistance. Money is not to be used for exploitation but mutual assist. Money must never come before the worship of God or of God’s Holy Word. If we become obsessed by selfishness then we will find too long a homily or Mass a nuisance, or that singing makes Mass longer. Can we not just give one day a week, at least, to praying and thanking God for his unwavering kindness in purchasing us at the expense of his Divine Son, Jesus Christ. It is worth pondering during this week whether we are truly aware of God’s Divine Mercy in calling us his brothers and sisters.
God enlighten us to always “Thank You” for our Redemption. Deacon Vincent.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
With so many lovely events coming up over the next few months, our Parish Social Committee wanted to share their calendar with us. Pop the dates in your diaries and there will be more details of each event as they get closer. *Just come along to the local 'Churches Together' walk on Saturday 27th (meeting at 10am at URC Mangotsfield) *You can already get your FREE ticket to the 'Cheese n Wine' evening on 4th October, from the office or after Masses. *Plus tickets for the fun Quiz Night on 19th Oct go on sale from this weekend.
We invite you all to be part of our lovely community at any/all events!
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.
On this sunny day where we celebrate the Birthday of our Blessed Mother Mary, Fr Frank celebrated a special Mass for us with a Holy Hour beforehand and cake and a cuppa in the Narthex afterwards.
Thank you to the Legion of Mary for organising a lovely event.
Taster evening at St Augustine's Parish.
Please share with anyone who you think might be curious.... On Friday 19th September 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 do come along. We'd love to meet you.
Fr Barnabas.
THANK YOU!
A massive, public & heartfelt THANK YOU to the team at Sainsbury's in Emersons Green whose warehouse has donated a great big supply of damaged packaging goods for our Soup Run and Community Kitchen Cupboard to make use of. We will sort through and get these items out to people who need it over the next few weeks. Just amazing! Thank you Sainsburys!!!!! (& thanks to John Jordan and Kate Brewer for being so helpful in making this happen today!)
Creation Stations
Thank you to Ursula and Sandra for producing these wonderful hanging Stations of the Cross for the Season of Creation which look really beautiful in the Church. Please come and have a look at them when you are next here and maybe spend some time in prayer and reflection for our amazing planet whilst walking around.
Applications are open for both Confirmation and 1st Holy Communion for 2026. If you have already expressed interest in your child (current year 3 or above) receiving their 1st Holy Communion next year we have emailed the pack out to you today. Paper copies of the form and programme details are also at the back of church to pick up. Closing date for 1st Holy Communion application forms is 21st September, ready for an October start. *****Confirmation will take place at St Paul's in Yate next July and the course is currently being planned, so please pick up an application form from the back of church to complete with your child (of secondary school age) and return it to the parish office.
A Season of Creation update from Bella
"5 of us from Clifton Diocese joined a dozen others from other parts of England including a Muslim member of the London interfaith group, for the annual Laudato Si Retreat for Animators, which takes place at the Laudato Si Centre at Wardley Hall, the seat of the Bishop of Salford responsible for care of creation, John Arnold. This was during the Season of Creation and in the Jubilee year. Many of us started with a visit and prayer at the Schoenstatt Shrine in Kiersley, a designated Jubilee shrine, and a walking pilgrimage to Wardley Hall where we were greeted by Emily, Emma Gardner and Bishop John. We had a creation Rosary in the woodland before hearing more of the work of the Centre in raising awareness of creation and fostering a deep spirituality and well being, in spite of being in earshot of the never ending traffic on the motorways nearby and the airline flight path. Next day we gathered for a really powerful celebration of the Via Creationis in the stunning mature woodland and concluded with a Mass of Creation said by Monsignor Paul. We went home inspired to develop the work of spreading understanding of Laudato Si and the international Laudato Si Movement and the care of our common home, urgently incumbent on all of us and especially those of faith."
