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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.')

(Started 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 to a few items 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 school holidays.
The Community Kitchen Cupboard is at the end of the entrance area - take a few things 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 would always 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), tinned meat or fish 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.

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This week's news

OUR COMMUNITY KITCHEN CUPBOARD: Update....

This facility is now used many times each day & needs constant restocking. We are so pleased to be able to help those who need it (and use is certainly growing at a very fast rate) & we want to continue to help when we have items to offer and as and when we can get it in to restock.

**We are currently out of tea bags, instant coffee, tinned fish (tuna/sardines), tinned meat (meatballs, beans n sausages, fray bentos pies, tinned veg (sweetcorn, carrots, peas)
& very low on pasta, cereals, tinned fruits, custards, rice/suet puddings.
If you are able to buy 1 thing & leave in the box at the base of the Cupboard for sorting we’d be so grateful.

(If you are able to help join the sorting & restocking team, during the week, please contact the parish office as we'd love to have you as part of the team!)
Thank you all so much.



Wishing all members of our lovely Hong Kong Community, and all who celebrate, a Happy Lunar New Year 2026
恭喜發財
May the Year of the Horse bring you good health, great success, and overflowing happiness

Ash Wednesday Mass was a beautiful, reflective service this morning with nearly 130 attending. Fr Barnabas spoke to us about the season we are now starting. "At the beginning of Lent we are facing towards the cross, so we start Lent with a cross on our forehead as a sign of that journey."
Mass will take place at 7.30pm this evening at St Augustine's, Our Lady of Lourdes and St Paul's. Everyone is welcome to attend to begin the season in prayer.


CAFOD Lent Appeal.
Family Fast Day collection (Sat 28th Feb/Sun 1st March)
This Lent, live out the Gospel call to love your neighbour. By fasting and giving what you save, you join in Christ’s compassion and help another family put food on the table. Your donation can help families around the world grow food in difficult conditions – such as on flood-resistant floating gardens or using solar-powered water pumps in times of drought.
Collect a CAFOD envelope from the back of church from this weekend if you wish CAFOD to claim Gift Aid on your donation, or donate as you leave church in the basket or at the Contactless Donation Station - or to bless others with your support if not at Mass, donate online at cafod.org.uk/envelope or call 0303 303 3030. Text CAFODLENT to 70085 to donate £10.



ROME PILGRIMAGE ~A message from St Joseph's Catholic Church Bristol. "We are exploring the idea of a 7-day pilgrimage to Rome in September 2026 (flying from Bristol – morning flight - on Tuesday 22nd September and returning on Monday 28th September). At this stage, we’re simply gathering the names of those who might be interested to see if it’s viable to progress our plans further. Below is an estimated sliding scale of prices per person, sharing accommodation at a 4* hotel within 30 minutes driving distance from the Vatican including Breakfast and Dinner (prices do not include airfare. We cannot guarantee a price for this element until we confirm the booking as this will be dependent on group size.). Final prices will depend on the number of participants:

Minimum 45 People - £898 + airfare
Minimum 40 People - £958 + airfare
Minimum 35 People - £988 + airfare
Minimum 30 People - £1018 + airfare
If you would like to be kept informed as details develop, please register your interest in joining us as soon as possible by emailing Bristol.stjoseph@cliftondiocese.com. "



VACANCY: St Augustine of Canterbury preschool is looking to a point a Deputy manger and SENCo to join our wonderful preschool. Candidates need to have level 3 in early years education and level 3 SENCo qualifications.
We are also looking for an early years practitioner to join our team.
Any enquiries can be made to Kelly on 0117 956 1166 or email: staugustinesstaff@gmail.com
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This week's News

LENT 2026
There is so much to get involved with over Lent and Holy Week this year, throughout our Parishes in Communion in Downend, Yate, Chipping Sodbury & Kingswood.
From Masses and Services, to reflections and courses, we hope you will find something that speaks to you amongst these many different activities to enhance your spiritual and social life this Lent.
All are Welcome to all events.

Parish Forum
On Saturday 31st Jan parishioners gathered for the St Augustine of Canterbury Church Forum for prayer and discussion on how we can grow in faith and serve others.
There was a shared desire for simple, accessible learning, reaching the missing generations, and more opportunities to use our gifts, alongside a renewed focus on outreach through kindness, personal invitation and understanding local needs.
Key themes of belonging, visibility, communication and shared responsibility emerged, with practical steps planned to help our parish become more welcoming, engaged and outward-looking, trusting that small seeds of faith can grow into lasting change.
More details will be available for you to read from the back of church or on the website soon.
We look forward to seeing you at the next forum in May.

DATE FOR THE DIARY:
Come & join us on Sunday 15th March at 7 (for 7.30 start) for another fun QUIZ NIGHT from Mike Ryan & gang.

Get your teams of 6(ish) ready as tickets go on sale soon at £5 pp.

More info to follow soon!


CAKES FOR PEACE
Please join us on Sunday 22nd February, after morning Mass, in the parish hall.
We will have a Cake Sale in aid of our Parish Project 'BristolAid4Ukraine' as we prepare to pass the 4th anniversary of the start of the conflict.
Please keep the hope of Peace in your prayers
💙💛


'Getting to know you meal'
We had a lovely night on Saturday where members of the parish came along for a 2 course meal and 'got to know' their fellow parishioners. 'People Bingo' was a fun and illuminating game... (who knew it would be so hard to find someone who actually enjoys swimming!) and then their knowledge of Mexico was tested between courses.
With Fabulous Food from Tim's Catering Emporium, it was a really enjoyable night.
Thanks to all who came and supported the social life of the parish.



ASH WEDNESDAY
Next Wednesday (18th) sees the start of our Lent journey for 2026.

There will be an Ash Wednesday Mass in St Augustine's at both 10am and 7.30pm that day, to which everyone is invited.

Come and receive this special blessing to begin our 40 day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as we prepare for the joy of Easter.



WALK WITH ME
We have copies of the thoughtful, reflective and informative 'Walk with Me' booklets now on sale from the church shop.
It is a A6 booklet which contains a brief reflection, either on the scripture reading of the day or on a catechetical theme. The beauty about Walk with Me is the size of the booklet (its an ideal fit for a pocket or handbag), the price, costing only £1.50 and its approach, it is written in a simple and accessible style. We only have 25 copies so get yours asap, ready for the Lenten journey on Ash Wednesday. The younger parishioners won't miss out as we'll be handing out Lent Calendars to them for free in Children's Liturgy during Mass this Sunday.

A message from World Wide Marriage Encounter.

“Embrace your life together in Love” - Invitation to Couples to get away together and join us for a weekend to discover ways to grow deeper in love for a happier marriage and a happier life!
The weekend draws on Marriage Encounters’ 50 years of wisdom and experience, based on scriptural truths, and might just be the gear change you didn't know you needed or thought possible.
Couples welcome whether married or in long term relationships, with faith or no faith.
ME Weekend 27th Feb - 1st Mar - Swindon - Holiday Inn Express West - To find out more or book : Visit our website: wwme.org.uk

A message from CTVC to all our parishioners:
"Come and sing with Songs of Praise! One of the world's longest-running TV programmes invites you to a special event at John Wesley’s New Room in Bristol.
You are warmly invited to a Songs of Praise recording at John Wesley’s New Room, Bristol, conducted by Simon Lole. All are welcome, so please join us!
Sunday 1st March 2026
Doors Open: 12:00
Recording: 13:00 – 17:30
[30-minute break included. Tea, coffee and cake will be provided]
We will be singing:
Love Divine, All Love Excelling (Blaenwern)
And Can It Be (Sagina)
Love’s Redeeming Work Is Done (Savannah)
Ye Servants of God (Laudate Dominum)
O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing (Lyngham)
Christ Whose Glory Fills The Skies (Ratisbon)
Location:
John Wesley's New Room
36 The Horsefair
Bristol BS1 3JE
To book your free tickets, either scan the QR Code or follow this link to be taken to our congregation application form: https://forms.office.com/e/T66UB5nLqx?origin=lprLink
The Songs of Praise Team
https://www.ctvc.co.uk/our-work/songs-of-praise/

Bristol Male Voice Choir
Do you like what you hear and would you like to hear more?...
Pop Saturday 18th April in your diary and watch this space!
More details to follow soon...


Join us for a Lent Course: Faith Formation.
We will meet on Saturdays 7, 14, 21 & 28 March from 10 -12 am in the Parish Hall, to explore aspects of our Christian/Catholic faith.
The theme is the Raising of Lazarus, 'Unbind him'.
Each Saturday is 'stand-alone' so drop in to one or all!
An opportunity to share your thoughts and listen to other opinions.

Week 1 The Raising of Lazarus;
Week 2 Friendship with Jesus;
Week 3 Prayer;
Week 4 Sin: Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, Healing.
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This week's news

Parish 'Getting to know you meal'

** Last chance today ** to get your tickets for the 'Parish Social' on Sat 7th Feb. If you haven't got yours yet, don't dispare! Just call the office or email us to secure your tickets - only £15 pp for a 2 course meal and a chance to get to know even more of your fellow parishioners! (We'll need to know final numbers by tomorrow so we can cater accordingly and to allow for any dietary requirements/allergies etc.)
See you there!



Handel's Messiah
One of our Parishioners is in a Gospel choir - the Renewal Choir - who are performing Handel's Messiah in the Bristol Beacon on the evening of Mother's Day. They thought maybe some of our community might like to go along and be blessed.
See details in the link below.

https://bristolbeacon.org/whats-on/handels-messiah-soulful-celebration/


Date for your diaries -  Diocesan Day on 4th July

Bishop Bosco warmly invites you to join him on 4 July for our Diocesan Day celebration entitled: 'The Joy of Love' at Downside School & Abbey.
We will have Patti Boulaye OBE as our keynote speaker, as well as a children’s & young people’s programme.
Arrivals/refreshments from 10am. A hot lunch will be provided (a lunch box for the children).
Our Diocesan Day Mass will take place in the Abbey Church at 3.30pm, with the day ending around 4.30pm. There will be a maximum of 400 tickets. If you would like to join us for the day, please register via: https://joyoflove.eventbrite.co.uk for your ticket. For the catering/safeguarding requirements, booking through Eventbrite is essential. The closing date for tickets is 24 June unless fully booked beforehand.

https://cliftondiocese.com/news/diocesan-day-2026-joy-of-love-saturday-4-july/

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This weeks news

Get the date in your diary!

On Saturday 7th Feb the Social Committee invite you to another fun evening together, mixing with and getting to know your fellow parishioners.

Only £15 pp for a delicious 'Mexican inspired' 2 course meal (jackets, beans and cheese-non spicy alternatives for those who want it) plus soft and hot drinks available - but you can BYO drinks/alcohol. (Don't forget to let us know about any dietary requirements)

- Get your tickets after weekend Masses or from the parish office from 24th Jan - all profits to the Parish Building & Maintenance Funds.

See you there! Ahí te veo! 🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽


Our Sunday guest...


Last Sunday was the start of Christian Unity Week.

The Ministers/ Priests from the local Denominations visited each others Churches.

Colin from Staple Hill Salvation Army came and introduced himself at the 9.30 Mass. He then joined us for coffee in the hall and met some of the parishioners. We are grateful to their congregation for the good work they do locally and for coming and playing at the Community Carol Event.


Fr Barnabas will do a return visit to the Sally Army for a mid week Service.



Forum

Join us on Saturday 31st Jan at 10am in the parish hall for our Parish Forum - The outcome from the AGM in Sept was to continue talking about the future of our Parish.

The focus will be on Formation/Education & Outreach & have an opportunity to ask questions.

Please come along & support the future direction of the parish. There will be cake for us all share together! We’ll start at 10am finishing at 12noon - You are welcome to bring your own lunch to stay for further social time.


The new parish rota is now out, from 7/8th Feb until 9/10th May.
Posted up at the back of church or view online on the website - go to the Rota post from the home page.
(Holy Week and Easter services will be organised separately)
Thanks to all our wonderful volunteers who help our parish to thrive!


A message from our friends at BristolAid4Ukraine
(We are a drop off point - see the blue crate near to the church shop to place any items in this list by next Thursday please)

"On Friday, 6th February at 6:00 PM, we are planning to hold a workshop to make trench candles, which will be sent to Ukraine.
To make these candles, we urgently need the following materials:
🕯 TIN CANS (e.g. from sweetcorn, tuna or dog/cat food)
• Must be short and wide — the diameter should be the same as or wider than the height
• Thoroughly washed
• Paper labels/wrappers removed
📦 CORRUGATED CARDBOARD
🕯 CANDLE WAX
• Can be used or broken candles
• Unscented only (very important)
🙏 Please help us collect these materials so we can make as many trench candles as possible and help, even in a small way, to keep people in our native Ukraine warm.
Every donation counts. Thank you for your support 🇺🇦💙💛


ELECTRICS!

Our second electronics amnesty resulted in another car's worth of goods taken away, much to our clients' relief to empty their cupboards!

This will earn money for our parish projects so wins all round and the precious metals are being saved and not put into landfill which is such a waste.

Thank you to all who took part.


Vacancy Details:
Part-Time Parish Administrator (Maternity Cover to 31st December 2026)
St. Nicholas of Tolentino RC Church, Bristol are recruiting for a Part-Time (14hrs per week) Parish Administrator to oversee all parish office tasks and support the Parish Priest and Team in the day to day running of the parish. Reporting to the Parish Priest, the successful candidate will have excellent verbal, written and communication skills. They should be organised and pro-active with the ability to work alone and prioritise work demands in an often-busy environment. The Candidate will often be the first point of contact for enquiries from parishioners and members of the local community with varying needs who will visit the office for help and support. An excellent knowledge of Microsoft 365 programmes and computer skills is required. Any experience in a similar role would be desirable. For further information and an application form, please visit the parish website St Nicholas of Tolentino RC Church, Bristol or by email to paula.asquith@cliftondiocese.com. Closing date for Applications: Monday 9th February 2026
https://www.tolentino.org.uk/

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This week's news


"When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh..."


A message from our friends in the Ukrainian Church.
Dear friends!
Please come and enjoy the magic of Xmas and support Ukraine at our theatrical performance "Christmas Night" this Sunday 11th January.
We look forward to welcoming you at 17:00 in St Augustine's Church, Downend.
Come and share in the magic - a night of joy, music, and togetherness.
Because miracles do happen. Especially on Christmas Night.



Encounter Revive Day - Clifton Cathedral , 17th January 2026 – 9.30am to 4 pm.


Begin 2026 in the fire of the Holy Spirit by joining us for a Day of Encounter with guest speaker Ros Powell. Let us start the New Year “awake and alert” 1 Thess 5:6.

This is a day to renew heart, hope and mission.

For more information about the day, email Encounter@cliftondiocese.com
or contact Ann on 07815 751556.

All welcome.


PARISH PROJECT VOTING

It is time for us to choose new Parish Projects to support in 2026.

There have been 2 charities nominated for the International Project so it is time to vote for who you would like the Parish to raise money for this year, to help overseas.

Please complete a voting slip at Mass this weekend and all votes will be counted at the end of the day on Sunday 11th Jan.

Thank you!


Reflections for Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A from Deacon Vincent

1st Reading from the Prophet Isaiah 49: 3, 5-6.

This is a selection from Isaiah’s Second Song of the
Suffering Servant, and it is very significant for the “I will make you a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” God is commissioning the people of Israel to take out his message of salvation to the world and for the early Christians this was embodied in Jesus Christ’s message. In Luke’s Gospel 2: 30-31, Simeon applies this quote to Jesus, and in John’s
Gospel 1: 4-9, Jesus is presented as the “Light of the world.” Isaiah’s verse is again quoted in the Acts of the Apostles !3: 47, in defence of the move to preaching to the Gentiles rather than the Jews. Matthew’s Gospel 28: 19, ends with what Christians call the “great commission, “Make disciples of all nations”. We begin to see how Isaiah’s “Suffering Servant songs were very important in establishing exactly who Christ was for the early Christians. Psalm 40(39): 2, 4, 7-10.
A song of “Thanksgiving” and “Help”. “You delight not in sacrifice and sin offering, but in an open ear.” God is always looking for us to listen to what is asked of us. We always should be guided by the
Commandments and the Beatitudes. If we trust these, then peace and harmony will follow us.

2nd Reading from the beginning of the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 1: 1-3.
In the ancient world as in the modern world, the opening lines of a letter can often be mere formality, but Paul makes the opening of his letters work for him. He is called to be an Apostle through the will of
God. This is not a task he has chosen for himself but one for which he has a divine vocation. Paul is not working alone but with fellow Christians. Jesus is mentioned four times in just this brief opening. It seems that Paul can hardly write a sentence without mentioning his beloved. He reminds the Corinthians that their gifts of holiness are not due to their merit but are gifts from God’s generous action. He reminds the Corinthians that Jesus does not belong just to them but to all who call upon him. He is not their private property. Finally, he wishes “grace and peace” upon them from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. God is Father of All, and the Lord Jesus Christ is inexorably linked to that universality.

The Holy Gospel according to John 1: 29-34.
This is an amazing revelation given to John. He came baptising with water, seeking the one who would bring the Holy Spirit. Now John gives Jesus a title, “Lamb of God”, a sure signal that he would be the
sacrificial lamb to take away our sins. This title appears nowhere else in the New Testament except in the Book of Revelation. We cannot be precisely sure of its’ force, but evidently it found its’ way into the Christian Eucharistic liturgy, evoking the sacrificial “Passover Lamb”, and the scapegoat is suggested
by the idea that this “Lamb”, “takes away the sins of the world.” John then exclaims “This is the Son of God”.  John was thinking aloud and two of his disciples hearing him, will leave him and become followers of Jesus. One of the followers was Andrew the brother of Peter. This is a very important part of the launch of Jesus having followers that would flourish and become the foundations of the Church. It is extraordinary how God makes things work. God’s Will be Done!!

God grace us to always carry out your Will.  Deacon Vincent

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