Click here to see all about his fundraising efforts
We are handing out leaflets all about the incredible journey this weekend with details of how you can help with daily prayers and donations.
Good luck Fr Matt!
Fr Matt... "On yer bike!"
Click here to see all about his fundraising efforts
We are handing out leaflets all about the incredible journey this weekend with details of how you can help with daily prayers and donations.
Good luck Fr Matt!
St Augustine's OLYMPIC CARNIVAL!!!
This year's Community Summer Event is on Saturday 2nd July from 1-4pm on the School field where we will be bringing a touch of the Rio fun and excitement to Downend!We will be starting the event with a torch relay for all those who turn up in fancy dress, having an Olym-PIGS race, listening to our school kid's brass band play
and then holding our own 'Mini Olympics' throughout the day with winners announced at our closing ceremony!
We will have our usual, popular bar, BBQ, Tea rooms, Tombola, fun, music and games
but watch out for a few surprises!!!
Everyone is welcome to come along for what looks to be a fantastic community event to raise money for our Church, our School and our uniformed Units.
********
If you can help on the day, if you can donate a new prize (or a box of chocs, bottle of drink) for the Tombola or if you can make cakes for us to sell in the tea room then please contact the Parish Office.
Many thanks!
Sponsored Walk for ABCD
On Saturday 30th April, James Belt, Liz James (and Benji dog,) Maureen Merrifield, Janet Stephens, Mike Stephens and Julia Lee walked 14 miles from St Augustine's Church to Bath Abbey in aid of our International Parish Project ABCD.
Deacon Peter and Deacon Michael gave us a blessing and several warm hearted parishioners waved us off from St Augustine's Church at 11am. Thank you so much to all parishioners for all your support.
We arrived at Bath Abbey during late afternoon.
Our estimated Total raised between the six of us is well over £1,000!
God bless you all.
Maureen Merrifield
Recycling across Continents!
The children of St Augustine's Catholic Primary School in Downend have been wearing their brand new school uniform with pride since September but the question was asked... what do we do with the old blue uniform?
Well, as luck would have it, at that same time Downend resident, Martyn Poole was planning to buy sweatshirts to take to Haven Home, an orphanage in India that he, his family and friends visit once a year and have supported through St Augustine's Parish and School for over 10 years.
Haven Home had a school built and named after St Augustine's back in 2010 following a massive fundraising year and many local groups, communities and individuals have supported Haven Home through Martyn ever since. Martyn said "The children are receiving an education in a safe, clean environment meaning that although they well never be rich it will keep them out of poverty and improve their lives no end. The children were so delighted and proud of their new uniform which will help them while they experience cold mornings and evening in Winter. Although it is very warm for us visitors at this time of year, the children are shivering, waiting for the sun to rise to warm them up."
The school, PTFA and parents of St Augustine's in Downend collected over 100 of the old blue items meaning every child had a jumpers or cardigan to wear. Plus, the people of Downend have donated more money this winter so that the girls can have matching leggings to complete the winter uniform.
Mr Moore, Deputy Head of St Augustine's School said "We are delighted to have this opportunity to help our sister school once again and for our children to learn directly about giving and sharing, especially as it is in keeping with our school values of Service, Responsibility and Respect."
Fun Quiz Night
After the Christmas and New Year fun has finished, Mike Ryan and the gang are back with another Quiz night!
This night will be in aid of the rebuilding fund for our sister church, Our Lady of Lourdes, following their recent issues with the heating system flooding, so all proceeds will go to that account.
So, get a team of up to 6 together, come and buy a ticket at just £2.50 per person, bring your own drinks and nibbles and see you on Sunday 7th February - 7.30pm start. There will be music, games and a raffle into the bargain!
See you there!
This night will be in aid of the rebuilding fund for our sister church, Our Lady of Lourdes, following their recent issues with the heating system flooding, so all proceeds will go to that account.
So, get a team of up to 6 together, come and buy a ticket at just £2.50 per person, bring your own drinks and nibbles and see you on Sunday 7th February - 7.30pm start. There will be music, games and a raffle into the bargain!
See you there!
Christmas 2015 within our Parishes in Communion
Here are all the Mass times over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for our Parishes.
Family Christmas Vigil Masses on Thursday 24th December:
4.00pm-Our Lady of Lourdes
6.00pm-St Paul’s 6.00pm-St
Augustine’s
Carols followed by “Midnight Mass”
9.00pm-St Augustine’s
11.30pm-St
Paul’s
Mass of Christmas Day
9.00am-St Lawrence 9.00am-Our Lady of Lourdes 10.30am - St
Augustine’s 11.00am–St Paul’s
Fr
Frank, Fr Jim & the Deacons of the Parishes would like to take this
opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas & a Blessed New Year
50 years celebrated in 1 fantastic evening!
The community of St Augustine of Canterbury celebrated in
style in Downend on Wed 30th September with a wonderful Mass of
Thanksgiving, led by Bishop Declan together with 15 other priests and many
Deacons, all in front of invited local dignitaries and a packed congregation of
parishioners, old and new.
Before the Mass began we enjoyed songs and hymns sung
beautifully by St Augustine’s Primary School choir who were led by the Head
teacher, Julian Clements.
The offertory procession was taken up by a selection of
parishioners who were here 50 years ago when the Church community began as well
as representatives from our most recent Confirmation and 1st Holy
Communion programmes showing the bright future of our Church.
All our music groups were involved in the liturgy during the evening, 15 of our altar servers were delighted to serve at the special Mass and a large team of people worked hard to make the whole evening a great success.
All our music groups were involved in the liturgy during the evening, 15 of our altar servers were delighted to serve at the special Mass and a large team of people worked hard to make the whole evening a great success.
During his homily, Bishop Declan spoke about the fact that
we are not just celebrating 50 years of the church building being complete, but
more than that, this marks 50 years of building a thriving Church Community. He
presented Fr Frank with a beautiful Papal Blessing, given to the priest and
people of St Augustine’s on this wonderful occasion.
Each family was given a commemorative booklet after Mass (Fr
Frank joked that it wasn’t given out on arrival in case people read it instead
of paying attention to Bishop Declan’s homily)! The booklet gives lots detail
about the history of the Parish with many memories and photographs from those
early days and events throughout the 50 years. The forward from Fr Frank talks
of ‘community’ being a beautiful title as it symbolises unity and togetherness
and that, in marking this special occasion, we are giving thanks to God for the
many blessings He has bestowed on our community and we are looking forward to
the future with confidence.
The celebrations continued after Mass in the school hall
with speeches, cutting of a wonderful cake depicting a 3D icing sugar model of
the church in 1965, groaning tables of food, glorious food and lots of catching
up between friends old and new.
Here’s to the next 50 years!
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