The statue is being transported to the London so that the Holy Father is able to be in touch with the people of Wales whilst he is visiting the United Kingdom. Why is the statue coming to Clifton? As the statue leaves Menevia and Wales, she crosses the bridge into the diocese of Clifton. It seemed most fitting that we should welcome the statue on its historic journey to London to be present at  the Holy Father’s Mass in Westminster Cathedral.

The last time a statue of Our Lady of the Taper was taken to London was in the 1530′s when Thomas Cromwell ‘carted’ the statue off to Chelsea where it was to burned duirng the Reformation.

This event in our Cathedral is a wonderful opportunity for us to gather as the people of Clifton, holding the Holy Father and his visit to our country in our prayers. The evening will begin with the celebration of Evening Prayer for the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. The evening’s liturgy will draw together people from across our diocese praying for that one intention. The liturgy will begin at 7.00pm and we are all encouraged to go along and be there with our own Bishop and with Bishop Tom Burns, the Bishop of Menevia.

It will a great gathering and a wonderful start to the Papal Visit. Please do go along and represent our parish. This is a terrific way of taking part in the Papal Visit – a chance to entrust the Holy Father, our country, our diocese and our people into the tender love and compassion of the Mother of God.

The Cathedral will remain open until 10.00pm so there is a real opportunity for people to come and go as they wish, taking part in the devotion and prayer that will make up this exciting evening.

THIS SUNDAY: Today we contemplate a great truth about our life: you can’t take it with you. The old phrase “There are no pockets in a shroud” is what we confront today, in the preaching of both Ecclesiastes and the Lord Jesus. What Jesus makes us think about, however, is not just this truth, but the consequences of it: if we are not to build up treasure here on earth, what are we to do? The answer is simple: by our way of living we “make ourselves rich in the sight of God”!

PARISH BAZAAR: Our Bazaar takes place, this year, on Saturday 9th October. You might like to think about what you might be able to let one of the stalls have. Gordon needs empty jars and sugar for his jams and preserves; Dave & Dolly need anything in a bottle for their bottle stall; Kim and the Children’s Liturgy Group ask all our bakers and cake makers to think about the cake stall; Carmel, Delphine and FrC’s mum are looking for those unwanted gifts or new items you can give to the Gift Stall, Caroline and Sue are looking for your bric-a-brac; and Emma and Judy are looking for toys galore. We also need plants and cuttings as well as anything else you might think is useful for the bazaar. Do think about what you can give and start bring your contributions in. The box is already in the narthex for your gifts. Draw Tickets are still available from the basket in the Narthex – the more you can take and sell, the better. £2000 worth of tickets are to be sold. £1 per book – £5’s worth in an envelope. Please pop money and counterfoils (placed in a sealed envelope) through presbytery door or in collection basket as it goes round.

CONFIRMATION PREPARATION: Confirmation prep begins soon after the summer break. There are five sessions in the autumn: September 8, October 6, November 10, December 8, and January 12. The Bishop will be with us on Thursday 27 January. Each of the sessions will begin at 6.00pm. Information will be sent out to those who registered over the next week or so.

PAPAL VISIT – SEPTEMBER 2010: All the names of those who wanted to make use of the allocated Pilgrim Passes available to our parish have now been sent into the papal visit coordinator. Those of you who have put your names down will be hearing from the Papal Visit coordinators directly. Details of each event can be found on the notice board in the narthex for you to have a look at. Rhiannon Lampard, Sarah Craig and Paige Wise are representing us at the gathering of young people with the Holy Father at the Prayer Vigil in Hyde Park. Our two schools have also been invited to send some students to take part in a schools’ event with the Holy Father – our primary school is sending three of its pupils along with Mrs Bennett to take part in the Papal Big Assembly St Mary’s University, Twickenham. Do look at the website set up for the papal visit: www.thepapalvisit.org.uk as well as cliftondiocese.com

OUR LADY OF THE TAPER: The Holy Father, as you know, is not visiting Wales on this trip and has invited the Welsh contingent to be present at the Mass in Westminster Cathedral. The statue of our Lady of Cardigan is being taken to the Cathedral in London for the Papal Mass. As she leaves Wales she crosses into our own diocese and Bishop Burns of Menevia has given permission for us to welcome her into our own cathedral the eve of the Pope’s arrival. This is a great honour for our diocese and a significant gesture as the last time the statue was taken on its journey to London was in the 1530’s during the Reformation and the statue taken by Thomas Cromwell to Chelsea to be burned. This statue, crafted in the late twentieth century, is allowing the Holy Father to keep in touch with the people of Wales. The Prayer Vigil begins on Wednesday 15 September at 7.00pm and it would be good if as many of you as can took part in that evening. It is a real opportunity for us to take part in the papal visit, uniting ourselves in prayer with the Holy father the night before he arrives on this island. Please make a note in your diaries. Full details will be given out over the next week or so. The Taper (candle) Our Lady holds in her right hand reminds us of the light of Christ coming to set us free from our darkness. We ask our blessed Lady to journey with us towards her Son.

THE DIARY OF GOD: John Huntriss is leading a course spread over eight weeks during the autumn on the scriptures taking us gently through the story of God and his love for his people and enabling us to deepen our understanding of the Word of God. Full details and application forms for the course (which is taking place here at St Bernadette’s) can be found in the narthex. The eight week’s course (beginning 29 September) costs £24. It is a most valuable course and well worthwhile signing up for. Do pick up one of the forms and if you want to know more, have a word with FrC. You can hand your form into FrC or send it onto the Adult Education Office. Poster on the notice board.

ROOTED IN CHRIST: The Diocesan Department for Adult Education and Evangelisation is hosting a course which begins 12th October enabling us to deepen our understanding of faith. The course runs through until July of 2011 and flows gently through our creed and what it is we hold dear as a Christian people. The course is aimed at those who simply want to know more and to grow in confidence in the faith they possess whilst having the opportunity to ask questions. The sessions are not deeply academic nor overwhelmingly theological but they allow those who take part to familiarise themselves with what we believe and so root ourselves more firmly in Christ who calls us to follow him. The talks take place at Holy Family, Patchway, (7.30pm – 9.00pm) and the full details of the course as well as application form are available from the narthex. You don’t have to attend each session – you can dip in and out as suits you. It’s well worth going along to so pick up a form and sign up!

CATECHISTS CERTIFICATE COURSE: The New Year may seem so far away at the moment but forward planning is not such a bad thing. The second catechists’ course begins in January 2011 (taking place at Alexander House, Pennywell Road) and seeks to form and equip those who hand on faith to others with the skills and resources they need in their ministry. Our parishes rely on catechists in so many ways. If you think this course may be something that might appeal to you, have a word with FrC. There are forms on the notice board next to the poster. You will need a supporting signature on your application. Do consider taking this ministry on. It is a most important ministry in parish life seeking to hand on and build up faith in others.

CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME to Lily Olivia Vince and Dawson Shepperd who were baptised here last weekend. We keep them in our prayers.

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION meet with FrC on September 2 at 7.00pm in the Church.

WE WELCOME Father Laszlo Kasza from Romania who is studying in Rome and is here in the Diocese on supply for the month of August.  If you see him, do make him welcome. he will be with us until the 14 August.

If you are in Year 8 or above and have yet to be confirmed you may like to get in touch with Fr Christopher. Preparation will begin in September 2010.

What do you need to put yourself forward? You need to have been baptised and made your First Communion (although if you have yet to do this, its needn’t be an obstacle at this stage). You will need to have a willingness to preparing and a desire to find out more. You will need to give time to think about your life of faith and the place of Christ at the centre of your lives… and time to think about how Christ is calling you to live and love. You will also need to get in touch with Fr Christopher as soon as possible just to register your interest in the preparation programme.

Send him an email (christopherwhitehead@hotmail.com) giving your name and contact details. He will be in touch with you, then, to let you have the information you need.

Candidates will meet together on Tuesday 20th July for an initial get together.  Do come along and find out more. There’s no committment at this stage so you can come along just to see what might lie ahead.

St Bernadette’s Presbytery

731 Wells Road

Whitchurch

BRISTOL

BS14 9HU

(01275) 833699

Petitions Adoration Contrition Thanksgiving

Okay so it was a trick, but at least it may help you to remember! Whilst Adoration (praising God) and Contrition (asking for God’s forgiveness) are an essential part of a Christian’s prayer life, this part of our website is really for the first and the last of these prayer types – Petitions (asking for God’s help) and Thanksgiving (showing our gratitude to God).

If you or someone you know is in need of help, guidance or love, who better to turn to than God. If you haven’t tried it, now is your chance. Most of us pray already. Some of us find it easy to pray every day, others may find it harder and only pray occasionally, particularly in times of crisis, but being able to ask for God’s help and love, either for ourselves, our families or friends in times of need, the souls of those we have lost or even complete strangers whose plight we have heard of, can be of great comfort to all concerned. But wouldn’t it be even better if others could join in those prayers with you?

Well thankfully now they can! If you would like to record a Prayer on our Prayer Wall then please feel free to do so. Simply write your prayer in the text box following the instructions provided and this will soon appear on our Prayer Wall for others to read with you and for you. You can choose to record the prayer with or without your full name, it really doesn’t matter and no one will be concerned to judge your writing skills, spelling or grammar. The only important thing is that you share your prayer with us and we will then in turn join you in your prayer by reading it on our own screens. Simple isn’t it?  All we ask in return is that you look at some of the other prayers on the Prayer Wall to share in those prayers in the same way. Feel free to direct your prayers through Our Lady or the Saints, if you wish them to intercede on your behalf. And don’t forget to write prayers of Thanksgiving for the blessings you and others receive. We know it’s just as important to say thank you, but it often gets overlooked.

Visit the Prayer Wall regularly, it costs nothing and we certainly need each others prayers. Let me start it off for you – God Bless you.  Now it’s your turn – Dare to Prayer!

Do keep them in your prayers over this next six months:

Samuel Cadell, Malachy Walsh – Langford, Kian Blake, James Farrell, Kate Shortman, Matthew Reynolds, Ellena Trickey, Amy Carmichael, Ellis Gould, Taylor Kabuye, Bonitta Nakitto, Kelvin Kalungi, Alfie Condon, Ciaran Jones, Niall McGirr, Yasmin McDonald, Jade Osborne, Charley O’Toole, Oskar Kleszcz, Jacob Hynes, Michal Komada, Finlay O’Regan, Leah Holland, Rico Russo, Luca Mercato, Carlo Mercato, Jessica James, Jack Phillips, Lauren Sanders, Isobel Heard, Oliver Murphy, and Benedict McGovern.

However, if each family in our congregation made a pledge to buy one Traidcraft product each month, we would be making an even bigger difference.

The quarterly catalogues show the lovely variety of foodstuffs and many beautiful and unusual things which would be suitable as presents for every member of your family and friends and would save that dreaded shopping expedition to town.  Most of them are very reasonably priced, however, those that seem a little more expensive work out cheaper in the end because you don’t have to use your valuable time journing to town and paying parking/bus fares.

We could always do with more volunteers to ‘man the stall’ and are trying to get a rota drawn up. As from the beginning of December Marie Forrester will be taking over the co-ordinating and ordering of stock.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me for the last couple of years – I hope Fairtrade will continue to flourish in this parish.

Enid Dimambro

St Bernadette’s is hosting a Quiz Night with a Fish & Chip Supper on Saturday, 5th December beginning at 7.30pm. This is a parish social event and we hope to raise a little money for our Outreach Projects. Our resident quiz master, Gordon Hodgson, will be hosting the quiz with those tough questions to get those little grey cells working overtime.

The evening is open to all the family. Tickets for adults cost £10 (which will include drinks). Our social events are great fun and a wonderful way of bringing people together whilst reaching out to those less fortunate than ourselves. If you want a place or two for the evening, you can always contact the presbytery asking for your names to be added to the ‘guest list’. We look forward to seeing you there!

THIS SUNDAY: Every time we complete the cycle of the liturgical year, there is a seamless blending into the new year: so, just as this week we hear of the King who is to come, next week, we begin a New Year and the Season of Advent by more medita¬tion on the end of time, and the One who is to come again, as he once came among us. This feast affirms that Christ is King, that he is Judge, that he is Ruler of the kings of the earth. By his own words we know that this is true, as he stands before Pilate and says, “Yes, I am a king.” But his kingship is different: it is not of the same kind as earthly kings, whose empires fade and pass away. His kingship is eternal, and holy until the end of time. Through his love for us, we share in this sovereignty – this holiness – as priests and kings who “serve his God and Father”. We end our year in simple, awe filled praise of the One who is, who was, and who is to come   the Almighty. Alleluia! Amen!                                                                                   courtesy of www.salfordliturgy.org

THIS SUNDAY there will be the retiring collection for the Youth Service.

A WARM WELCOME to the children from the Reception Class of our Primary School who come accompanied by their parents and family for this Feast day. They have nearly completed their first two terms at school and they come to celebrate the end of this liturgical year with us. We welcome them to Mass this Sunday and encourage them as part of our Parish Family. Do remember that there are refreshments in the Hall afterwards.

200 CLUB GRAND DRAW:  The November Grand Draw will take place during the Fish & Chip Supper and Quiz Night taking place on 5th December (albeit a little delayed) beginning at 7.30pm in the Hall. Do put the dates in your diaries and keep it free. This is an evening for all the family – so the more, the merrier. Renewal notices are being sent out. Please do consider renewing your 200 Club membership. Your contribution and membership is much appreciated and valued. Sign up for the F&C supper on the list in the narthex. £10 a head with reduction for the youngsters… and this price does include your drinks! October £25 winner: Paul Hodgson – congratulations.

FIRST COMMUNION 2010: Those parents with children in present year 3 with children due to make their First Communion next June are invited along to a get together on Tuesday 8th December at 6.30pm in the Church. This will be an information and registration meeting, so please do come along if this involves one of your children. This year the children from both St Gerard’s and St Bernadette’s will be prepared together whilst each parish still celebrating First Communion next summer. It is important that your child is represented at that meeting as the programme begins early on in January.

ADVENT 2009: Do think about how you will be marking Advent as a family this year. Advent calendars are available from the Repository.

VESPERS will be celebrated THIS Sunday, the Feast of Christ the King (22nd Nov) and on the First Sunday of Advent (29th November) at 4.00pm. Do come along if you can.

ADVENT CATECHESIS: As we did in the season of Lent, there will an hour’s catechesis on each of the Advent Sunday’s readings beginning THIS Wednesday, 25th November. The Catechesis will take place in the hall following the 7.00pm Mass. This is a wonderful way of growing in our familiarity with the scriptures as well as preparing to hear the Word of God on the Sunday. All are welcome – please do come along.  (25 Nov; 2 Dec; 9 Dec; 16 Dec; 23 Dec)

ADVENT CONFESSIONS: As well as the usual opportunities on a Saturday, there will be a chance on Tuesday 22nd December from 7.00pm until 8.00pm to make use of the sacrament of Reconciliation. There will be a number of priests available to hear confessions… and a chance to make room for the Lord who comes to dwell in us as we journey towards Christmas. There will also be two priests to hear confessions on Saturday 19th December at 10.45am onwards and 5.00pm onwards. Do make this great Sacrament a real part of your preparations.

FAMILY CRIB SERVICE: One again, as part of our preparation for Christmas and our journeying through Advent, our children and families are invited to come together on Sunday 20th December. Children are encouraged to come as one of the nativity characters. The Crib Service begins at 3.30pm with refreshments afterwards in the hall. Children & families are invited to bring along their gifts for the homeless as last year. More details next week.

WALK WITH ME: The little Advent reflect books are available from the table in the Narthex. They cost £1 and will offer you a reflection for the days of Advent and Christmas – a simple guide to accompany you through this lovely season of preparation and hope.

SECONDARY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS: Reminder to parents of children transferring to secondary school in September 2010. Those applicants who have not yet returned forms will shortly receive the school’s ‘faith commitment’ forms to complete if they wish.  Please note the deadline for their return: Monday 30 November 2009 (Form 1, Copy of Baptism / Holy Communion Certificate, Form 2 (if applicable). Please do not miss this deadline”

CAFOD ADVENT GATHERING: Bishop Declan is leading the Advent CAFOD service on Friday 4th December at St Teresa’s, Filton, starting at 7.30pm. Details on the notice board.

DIOCESAN DIRECTORIES & LITURGICAL YEAR BOOK are still available from the narthex.

CALLED TO BE A PEOPLE OF HOPE – PARISH CONSULTATION DOCUMENT: if you want to see the draft consultation document and how it affects us as a Parish community and our deanery, log onto the Diocesan website and see:

www.cliftondiocese.com/assets/files/pdf/2009/october/DraftReport28Oct2009.pdf

There are copies of the consultation document in the narthex for you to have a look at.

OUR PRAYERS AND SYMPATHY are extended to the family of Carmel Swarbrick who died last weekend. Carmel’s funeral will take place here on Wednesday at 11.00am before burial at Whitchurch Cemetery. May she rest in peace.

NEXT SUNDAY: There will also be the annual retiring collection for the poor parishes of our Diocese.

AMPLIUS CHRISTMAS CONCERT: Friday, December 4th at the secondary school – 7.30pm. All welcome.

A few years ago we decided to try and address this by having a few more social events so that we have time to get to know one another and have fun along the way. We have had several very successful events such as Ceilidhs ( a kind of Barn dance), quiz nights, italian evenings, Malaysian evenings, barbecues and dinner dances. Some events are held in the Church hall, others at outside venues.

Everyone is always welcome to come and join in the fun, make new friends and really feel part of the parish. We are always open to suggestions for events and both for throwing ideas in and organising something. We are all looking forward to Uncle Gordon’s excellent quiz night on 5th December- do come along for a Mr Crispy supper to feed your brain while you work out the answers!