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.