stbernadettewhitchurch.org » CAFOD

First Sunday of Lent

Fr. Christopher — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 08:19:41 +0000

26 February 2012 – First Sunday of Lent

THIS SUNDAY: We begin our Lenten journey at the decisive moment of the flood, when God establishes his first Covenant with man, in the person of Noah. Noah was saved from the waters, while we (as Saint Peter points out) are saved by the waters of Baptism. This is the Covenant we live in, thanks to Christ, who came to establish this “new and eternal Covenant in his blood”. He is the only one who can do this, because he is without sin, despite “having been tempted in every way that we are”.

FIRST COMMUNION 2012: The preparation sessions for our youngsters continue this coming week -Wednesday, 29 February – at 11.00am in school. The children will still have their books in school already, but if they haven’t, parents are asked to make sure you send them in, please. We welcome the children to 10.30am Mass on Sunday 11 March as they are presented with a copy of the scriptures, reminding them of Christ’s presence to us in his Word – a Word that grow attentive to each and every time we celebrate the Eucharist.

WOMENS WORLD DAY OF PRAYER: This year, the Day of Prayer takes place on Friday 2 March beginning at 11.00am in Christchurch, Petherton Road. Please do go along and support this annual day which, this year, has been put together by the women of Malaysia. A light lunch served afterwards.

PARISH LITURGY GROUP: This gathering will look at ensuring that each of our ministers is formed and supported, as well as providing a real opportunity to reflect upon what we do as a community of prayer. The meeting aims, also, at allowing each of those coordinators to communicate with one another and facilitate a planning of what takes place here when it comes to our prayer. They meet on Tuesday 6 March at 7.00pm.

THE SEASON OF LENT ~ a season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving so that we might be re-moulded, renewed, re-imagined, refreshed and re-fashioned to become more like Christ.

CAFOD FAST DAY: This year, the CAFOD fast day takes place on Friday 2 March. Envelopes are attached to this week’s newsletter in readiness for the collection which will take place on Saturday 3/Sunday 4 March (Second Sunday of Lent). This year’s collection is focused upon giving clean water to communities. There is a government price match – for every £1 we raise for CAFOD, the government will match it with another £1. Please do make use of your envelope and please give as generously as you can.

LENTEN SOUP LUNCHES: Lent got off to a good, nourishing start this last Friday. The second of our parish soup lunches takes place on Palm Sunday – 1 April – from 12noon onwards. A great way to tap into that Lenten fasting as well as reaching our in love to those less fortunate than ourselves. Details of the ecumenical lunches in the local churches are on the notice board.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS: Each Sunday of Lent, beginning this Sunday – 26 February – at 4.00pm, there will be the celebration of the Stations of the Cross followed by Benediction. This prayerful journey to the Cross draws us deeper into the mystery of Christ’s love for us. If you can make this a real part of your Lenten prayer, please do come along. We’ll use a different set of reflections for each of the weeks.

SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER: Just for the Season of Lent, there will be Morning Prayer in the Church on Sundays beginning at 9.45am. If you want to make this part of your Lenten Prayer, then please come along. The Liturgy of the Hours is a beautiful celebration of the psalms sung to simple tones and enables us to pray, not only for the Church, but with and on behalf of the Church, too. We’ll begin Morning Prayer this Sunday on 26 February. This is only for the six Sundays of Lent… so come and see!

FRIDAY HOLY HOUR: On each of the Fridays of Lent, the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for an hour of prayer after the morning Mass (so from 10.00am until 11.00am) just to allow those who want to, to either stay on or to allow folk to just pop in for a moment of prayer. The Church will be open, so do make use of this little opportunity to deepen our relation with the Lord.

WALK WITH ME: These beautiful little books of Lenten reflections are available from the Narthex. They cost £1 and will take you through each day of the six weeks of Lent. Pick up your copy whilst they are there. The money can be popped in with the newspaper money.

TAIZE MUSIC AND PRAYER: At the start of our journey of Holy Week this year, there will be an evening of Taize prayer in the Church. This beautiful and simple evening of reflection will draw our attention towards the cross. In song and prayer, reflecting upon the scriptures and drawing upon the spirituality of Taize, we come to the Lord. Monday 2 April at 7.30pm. Do come along – there will also be opportunities for confession that evening, too.

BORN FOR THIS: A powerful musical recounting the story of Easter is being performed in our Cathedral by talented young people from our diocese. Taking place on Saturday 3 March in the Cathedral, this wonderful musical presentation begins at 7.30pm… and all are welcome. Entry is free. An ideal opportunity to celebrate the Season of Lent and look forward to the wonder of Easter. Do go along and support our young people, our secondary schools, and our Diocesan Youth Service. Poster in the narthex for more info.

VATICAN II COURSE: Keep 20 March free in your diaries – Clifton Cathedral, 7.30pm. Details next week. Professor Paul Murray from Durham University will be with us to talk about the Council’s ecumenical outreach and its impact on what we are called to be, as Church, today. All are welcome – a fantastic series so far!

Seventh Sunday of the Year

Fr. Christopher — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:31:05 +0000

19 February 2012 – Seventh Sunday of the Year

THIS SUNDAY: There are many “themes” running through the Gospel today—faith, perseverance, healing—which seem dramatic to us. But the theme highlighted by our first reading is that of the power of Jesus to forgive sins—something that would perhaps have been more remarkable in his own time. Saint Mark is clearly revealing to us something important about Jesus of Nazareth—something which shocks and surprises the scribes listening to Jesus. Such an immediate forgiveness of sins was, to them, new and disturbing. Perhaps we need to ask ourselves if we take forgiveness for granted sometimes: when the paralytic, after all the struggles and efforts of his family and friends, heard Jesus say, “Your sins are forgiven”, was he disappointed or delighted?

FIRST COMMUNION 2012: The preparation sessions for our youngsters start up again this coming week -Wednesday, 22 February – at 11.00am in school. The children will still have their books in school already, but if they haven’t, parents are asked to make sure you send them in, please. We welcome the children to 10.30am Mass on Sunday 11 March as they are presented with a copy of the scriptures, reminding them of Christ’s presence to us in his Word – a Word that grow attentive to each and every time we celebrate the Eucharist.

BATH HALF MARATHON: Maria Murphy is planning to run this year’s half marathon to raise funds for the Society for Mucopolysaccharide Diseases (MPS), diseases that causes progressive physical disability as well as severe degenerative mental deterioration in children. Maria has put a sponsor form on the notice board in the narthex, so if you would care to sponsor her, please sign up! The half marathon takes place on 11 March… so there’s time to give her your support.

THE SEASON OF LENT ~ a season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving so that we might be re-moulded, renewed, re-imagined, refreshed and re-fashioned to become more like Christ.

CAFOD FAST DAY: This year, the CAFOD fast day takes place on Friday 2 March. Envelopes will be attached to next week’s newsletter in readiness for the start of Lent and the Lenten collection will take place on Saturday 3/Sunday 4 March (Second Sunday of Lent). This year’s collection is focused upon giving clean water to communities. There is a government price match – for every £1 we raise for CAFOD, the government will match it with another £1. Look out for your envelope and please give as generously as you can.

ASH WEDNESDAY: The Season of Lent begins on Wednesday 22 February. Two Masses in Church – 9.30am and 7.00pm. There will also be a Liturgy of the Word with the distribution of Ashes in our primary school. It’s not a Holyday of Obligation, but it is an important start to this season on renewal, growth, and preparation.

LENTEN SOUP LUNCHES: These two wonderfully nourishing yet simple soup lunches that mark the start and the end of Lent in our parish will take place on Friday 24 February at 12noon onwards (…that’s this coming Friday), and also on Palm Sunday – 1 April – from 12noon onwards. A great way to tap into that Lenten fasting as well as reaching our in love to those less fortunate than ourselves. Details of the ecumenical lunches will appear in the newsletter next week. Just sign up in the narthex for this coming Friday’s.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS: Each Sunday of Lent, beginning 26 February at 4.00pm, there will be the celebration of the Stations of the Cross followed by Benediction. This prayerful journey to the Cross draws us deeper into the mystery of Christ’s love for us. If you can make this a real part of your Lenten prayer, please do come along. We’ll use a different set of reflections for each of the weeks.

SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER: Just for the Season of Lent, there will be Morning Prayer in the Church on Sundays beginning at 9.45am. If you want to make this part of your Lenten Prayer, then please come along. The Liturgy of the Hours is a beautiful celebration of the psalms sung to simple tones and enables us to pray, not only for the Church, but with and on behalf of the Church, too. We’ll begin Morning Prayer next Sundays on 26 February. This is only for the six Sundays of Lent… so come and see!

WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER taking place on Friday 2 March. This year the service for the local Christian Churches is being held at Christchurch, Petherton Road at 11.00am and the theme prepared by the women of Malaysia is for Justice to Prevail throughtout the World. Following the service a light lunch will be offered. Please do go along and join them as well as representing St B’s.

Twenty Ninth Sunday of the Year

Fr. Christopher — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:16:25 +0000

16 October 2011 – Twenty Ninth Sunday of the Year

THIS SUNDAY: Everyone on this earth belongs to God. All are made in his image. Therefore it is right that all men and women, ‘from the rising to the setting of the sun’, should know the God to whom they belong. The only desire of our God is that all should know and love him, and find in him the fulfilment that they seek. Even a pagan king like Cyrus is used to further this knowledge of God – just as Jesus uses Caesar’s head to make the point again: all belong to God, and the mission of all who acknowledge that belonging is to help others to find it. This is exactly what we see Paul, Silvanus and Timothy doing, as they write to the people of Thessalonica. to whom they carried the Good News of Jesus Christ.

NEW TRANSLATION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL: Keep using the Mass cards that are available. It is good to hear our community growing in its familiarity with the new texts. We persevere… together.

FIFTY YEARS ON – VATICAN II: Starting on Tuesday 18 October (this Tuesday), our diocese is hosting a series of seven talks/lectures inviting us to re-engage with the teachings and the documents of the Second Vatican Council which began October 1962. Bishop Declan opens the series looking at one of the beautiful documents of the Council – Dei verbum. The talks take place at the Cathedral and start at 7.30pm. They are well worth going along to and give us an honest reflection of how we are called to be church in the contemporary world. Have a look at the Adult Education and Evangelisation newsletter on the narthex notice board. There is also a poster on the board giving full details of dates and the details of our most competent speakers. If you want to read ahead of the Bishop’s opening talk, have a look at cliftondiocese.com or you may find some copies of the Vatican II texts and study guides in the narthex.

ST BRENDAN’S SIXTH FORM COLLEGE: Do have a look at the information poster in the narthex -15 October, 19 October and 20 October. Contact details for the college are on the poster.

CAFOD HARVEST FAST DAY: A big thank you for your kindness to CAFOD over last weekend. The retiring collection raised over £450 with more coming in during this last week. The First Friday soup lunch raised £130. The concert given most generously by the Community Choir raised £426, so we can happily send over £1000 to CAFOD from last weekend’s fundraising efforts. That comes down to your kindness, your generosity, and your commitment to reach out to those less fortunate than ourselves.

THE MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY: Do make something of this month dedicated to the Holy Rosary. It may be that you take up the challenge of a decade a day during this month, maybe praying for vocations. Each weekday Mass will end with a decade, bringing our parish to the intercession of our Blessed Lady.

FIRST COMMUNION 2012 – PARENTS MEETING: Once again, we begin to think about preparation for First Communion. Parents of children in Year 3 of primary school who are considering putting their children forward for preparation beginning in January are invited to meet with Fr Christopher in the Church on Thursday 3 November at 7.00pm. This will be a short meeting outlining the programme for both children and, this year, for parents as well. The application forms as well as complete list of dates for the preparation programme will be available on that evening. If you need to get in touch with FrC before then, please do give him a call. The preparation for First Confession will take place during Advent (December) and then First Communion preparation will begin in January. It is so important that children are ‘registered’ for this year’s programme at that November meeting.

FEAST OF ALL SAINTS: Tuesday 1 November is a holyday of obligation. There will be two Masses that day – 10.00am with our children in school, and then 7.30pm in the evening in Church. The Wednesday, 2 November is the commemoration of All Souls. There will be two Masses that day, also: 9.30am and 7.00pm. It’s not a holyday of obligation, but it is an important celebration nevertheless. There will be a Blessing of graves on All Souls’ Day at Whitchurch cemetery at 2.00pm. If you have loved ones buried there, do join FrC for that short blessing. The list of Masses for the month of November can be found on the notice board. If you want to allocate a Mass for a particular intention then please print the name of the intention on the sheet – one intention per Mass, only, please. If you would kindly pop the name on an envelope and give it to FrC that would help enormously. Keep an eye on the newsletter for the intention during the week… just in case there are changes to the time of Mass.

MASS OF WELCOME: As last year, we will welcome the children who have started at the primary school along with their families on Sunday 6 November at 10.30am. It’s an important celebration to enable us to foster those necessary links with our parish school.

FIRST FRIDAY SOUP LUNCH: Our first Friday soup lunches started well. The next takes place on Friday 4 November. There will be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after the morning Mass until midday. A hearty, simple soup lunch will be served in the hall from 12.15pm. All are welcome and your offerings go to support those in need both at home and overseas.

FRED WILLIAMS RIP: Our prayers are offered for Fred whose funeral Mass will be celebrated here on Monday afternoon at 2.30pm before cremation at South Bristol at 3.30pm. We pray that God will be good to Fred and bring him safely home. We remember Ron, all Fred’s family, and his friends in our prayers at this time.

LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR: The Little Sisters are with us again on Saturday 5/Sunday 6 November making an appeal for their most valuable work at St Joseph’s. More details later. Also, you might like to make note of the Bingo night on Saturday 26 November (7.30pm) to raise money for the Little Sisters. Bingo and supper for £5. More details next week.

Twenty Eighth Sunday of the Year

Fr. Christopher — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 21:30:36 +0000

9 October 2011 – Twenty Eighth Sunday of the Year

THIS SUNDAY: The Church’s year is drawing to a close: in a few weeks we will be thinking very clearly about the end of time – but here we have a preview. The parable of the banquet is a link between the Gospels of recent weeks (which have as their theme: ‘Just who is going to be saved?’) and the looking forward to the end times which will follow. The big danger is complacency: we are baptised, we go to Church, we’ve got our invites to the wedding. But when the big day comes, will we be ready for it? Or will our thoughts be on the other things of life? Jesus speaks of himself as the Bridegroom, and today points out to the chosen people that they are in danger of missing the celebration. Our faith is that the Bridegroom will come again; let us be careful that the same parable is not addressed to us.

WELCOME to Mass this coming Saturday morning (15 October), those in formation for the permanent diaconate in our diocese. They will be here for one of their formation days, and will join us for Mass and Morning Prayer this coming Saturday. We keep them, of course, in our prayers.

NEW TRANSLATION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL: Keep using the Mass cards that are available. It is good to hear our community growing in its familiarity with the new texts. We persevere… together.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS: Our ministers of Holy Communion come together for their annual formation session On Wednesday 12 October at 7.30pm – after the evening Mass. We only come together once in the year so please do make a note in your diaries.

FIFTY YEARS ON – VATICAN II: Beginning this October our diocese is hosting a series of seven talks/lectures inviting us to re-engage with the teachings and the documents of the Second Vatican Council which began October 1962. Starting on Tuesday 18 October, Bishop Declan opens the series. The talks take place at the Cathedral and start at 7.30pm. Have a look at the Adult Education and Evangelisation newsletter on the narthex notice board. There is also a poster on the board giving full details of dates and the details of our most competent speakers. If you want to read ahead of the Bishop’s opening talk, have a look at cliftondiocese.com or you may find some copies of the Vatican II texts and study guides in the narthex.

A CONCERT FOR CAFOD this Saturday 8th October at 7.30pm in the church there will be a musical evening and refreshments for the refugee camp in Kenya. Please try and support this social event which is for a good cause.

ST BRENDAN’S SIXTH FORM COLLEGE: Do have a look at the information poster in the narthex -15 October, 19 October and 20 October. Contact details for the college are on the poster.

CAFOD HARVEST FAST DAY: Each year as we celebrate the abundance of God’s gift of creation, we enter into solidarity with those who ‘fast’ each and every day through hunger. Our gift to them through our second collection this weekend is our way of sharing from the many good things we have. You can put the envelopes handed out last weekend in the second collection, please.

FIRST COMMUNION 2012 – PARENTS’ MEETING: Once again, we begin to think about preparation for First Communion. Parents of children in Year 3 of primary school who are considering putting their children forward for preparation beginning in January are invited to meet with Fr Christopher in the Church on Thursday 3 November at 7.00pm. This will be a short meeting outlining the programme for both children and, this year, for parents as well. The application forms as well as complete list of dates for the preparation programme will be available on that evening. If you need to get in touch with FrC before then, please do give him a call.

FEAST OF ALL SAINTS: Tuesday 1 November is a holyday of obligation. There will be two Masses that day – 10.00am with our children in school and then 7.30pm in the evening in Church. The Wednesday, 2 November is the commemoration of All Souls. There will be two Masses that day, also: 9.30am and 7.00pm. It’s not a holyday of obligation, but it is an important celebration nevertheless. There will be a Blessing of graves on All Souls’ Day at Whitchurch cemetery at 2.00pm. If you have loved ones buried there, do join FrC for that short blessing. The list of Masses for the month on November will be placed on the notice board during this week for you to allot Mass intentions during the month of the Holy Souls.

FIRST FRIDAY SOUP LUNCH: The first of our first Friday soup lunches went off very well. It was good to see people calling in for this simple, hearty lunch. Thank you to those who worked hard to provide us with lunch… most especially the range of tasty soups. You raised £130 which will be added to our CAFOD Harvest gift.

PARISH BAZAAR: We didn’t organise a bazaar this year, but we could arrange for one in the spring, sometime after Easter (maybe May). Have a think, and if you’d be interested in helping out with the bazaar, then FrC will be calling on your enthusiasm and your help once again. It’ll give us plenty of time to start thinking about the stalls we want, and how we draw in the ‘stuff’ we need to fill the stalls again. Watch this space!

Twenty Sixth Sunday of the Year

Fr. Christopher — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 12:33:25 +0000

25 September 2011 – Twenty Sixth Sunday of the Year (A)

THIS SUNDAY: “Once a sinner, always a sinner.” That seems to be the attitude of the self-righteous in the first reading and the Gospel; they object that God is unjust, because he gives sinners another chance. But God tells them quite clearly that such attitudes are the real injustice – to allow prejudice and hardness of heart to come between repentance and forgiveness. The words of Christ in the Gospel must have struck a chill into the hard hearts of the so-called righteous chief priests – even today they can make us stop and think: “Prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you.” All our outward show matters little, if it does not correspond with what is deep in our hearts; all our words are meaningless, if they do not correspond with the way we live our lives.

NEW TRANSLATION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL: Keep using the Mass cards that are available. It is good to hear our community growing in its familiarity with the new texts. We persevere… together.

ONE YEAR ON EXHIBITION: The stunning images of the papal visit from the papal photographer, Marcin Mazur, are still on display at the Grant Bradley Gallery, Bedminster Parade – Monday to Saturday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm. It’s a wonderful setting to pop into and you can get free parking at Asda behind the gallery. Entrance to the gallery is free and there’s a wonderful café there, too. Exhibition runs until this coming Saturday.

FRIDAY PENANCE AND THE FIRST FRIDAYS OF THE MONTH: Tied in with our Friday witness and penance, each first Friday the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed after the morning Mass until midday giving those who want to the chance to spend a little time in Church, and also allowing us to keep our Church open a little longer than usual. Do make use of this valuable opportunity to deepen prayer before the Lord. This will be followed (each first Friday at 12.15pm) with a very simple soup lunch (homemade soups with bread and cheese) to allow us to tap into that spirit of penance as well as in solidarity with the hungry of our world. Your donations will go to support projects that look after the hungry, the thirsty, and homeless in our own city. We begin on Friday 7 October – CAFOD harvest fast day.

THE DIARY OF GOD: This simple and uncomplicated series delving into the Scriptures is being hosted by Sacred Heart, Westbury-on-Trym, and St Paul’s, Yate. Both courses begin in November and run over eight sessions. There is a poster in the narthex giving you full details. If you want a booking form, do ask FrC.

READERS PREPARATION EVENING: Our readers are invited along to their annual get-together on Tuesday 4 October at 7.00pm here in the Church and the hall. The new translation to the Missal gives us an opportunity to reflect, once again, upon the ministry of reading in Church. All are readers are asked to come along for this hour together.

FIFTY YEARS ON – VATICAN II: Beginning this October our diocese is hosting a series of seven talks/lectures inviting us to re-engage with the teachings and the documents of the Second Vatican Council which began October 1962. Starting on Tuesday 18 October, Bishop Declan opens the series. The talks take place at the Cathedral and start at 7.30pm. Have a look at the Adult Education and Evangelisation newsletter on the narthex notice board. There is also be a poster on the board giving full details. Ahead of the Bishop’s talk there will be chance to explore the first of the documents, Dei Verbum, on Thursday 6 October, at 7.00pm in the Church. Just come along. The document and study sheet are available from cliftondiocese.com.

A CONCERT FOR CAFOD on Saturday 8th October at 7.30pm in the church there will be a musical evening and refreshments for the refugee camp in Kenya. Please try and support this social event which is for a good cause.

SECONDARY SCHOOL OPEN EVENINGS: Our Secondary School is holding its annual Open Days on Thursday 29th September and Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th October for parents of children in year 5 and year 6, who will transfer to secondary school in 2012. Full details of timings available from the school.

ST BRENDAN’S SIXTH FORM COLLEGE: Do have a look at the information poster in the narthex -15 October, 19 October and 20 October. Contact details for the college are on the poster.

RELICS AND ROSES: Its two years since the relics of St Therese came to Bristol. There is a beautiful and moving documentary of the visit being screened at St Theresa’s, Filton, on Wednesday, 5 October. The producer, Michael Whyte, will be there to set the film in its proper context. It’s free. Mass in the Church at 7.00pm and film afterwards in the parish hall. Poster in the narthex.

CAFOD HARVEST FAST DAY: Envelopes will be handed out next weekend in readiness for the annual Harvest Fast Day – Friday 7 October. Each year as we celebrate the abundance of God’s gift of creation, we enter into solidarity with those who ‘fast’ each and every day through hunger. Our gift to them is our way of sharing from the many good things we have.

TRAIDCRAFT STALL: If you can help ‘man’ the stall, most especially after Mass on Saturday evening, please have a word with Ann Kerrigan this weekend.

Twenty Second Sunday of the Year

Fr. Christopher — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 17:08:01 +0000

THIS SUNDAY: A quick glance at last week’s Gospel reveals the interesting development of the story: last week, we heard Peter proclaiming that Jesus was the Messiah, and being given authority as a result. This week, Peter gets it wrong: he is rebuked by the Lord because he does not understand who the Messiah is. The Messiah is the one who will give everything for his people – even his own life. To be a follower of Jesus demands an understanding and acceptance of this fact, and a willingness to take up the cross as Jesus did. Our introduction to this is the prophet Jeremiah – also persecuted for doing and saying what was right. Have a look at the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, where this twinning of Jeremiah and prophecy of persecution also appears.

FIRST-STAGE-LAST BIKE RIDE: Following on from bike rides in 2007 across Spain and in 2009 through France, Gordon Hodgson intends to cycle from St. Bernadette’s to Paris, Chartres and Lisieux to complete the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Leaving on 2nd September (this coming Friday), Gordon hopes to raise as much sponsorship money as possible for our Outreach projects. Sponsorship forms are available and your support and generosity would be appreciated. Last chance to support him this weekend!

PAPAL VISIT – ONE YEAR ON: In celebration of the first anniversary of the visit of the Holy Father this September, Ann Widdecombe is coming to St John’s, Bath, to reflect upon the impact and legacy on the historic visit of Pope Benedict last September. Wednesday 21 September at 7.30pm. Pop the date in your diaries and go along. It is set to be a most informative, reflective and interesting evening.

ONE YEAR ON EXHIBITION: There is a photographic exhibition of some of the stunning images of the papal visit from the papal photographer, Marcin Mazur, at the Grant Bradley Gallery from 3 September to 1 October, Bedminster Parade – Monday to Saturday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm. The gallery are hosting the exhibition for us. It’s a wonderful setting to pop into and you can get free parking at Asda behind the gallery. Entrance to the gallery is free and there’s a wonderful café there, too.

NEW TRANSLATION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL: From next Sunday we begin to familiarise ourselves with and use the texts of the new translation to the Roman Missal. A long time in the arriving, we have until Advent to ‘get used’ to these texts that part of the English speaking world is already using. The new missal will be available from Advent, so we have the interim texts so as to allow us to prepare. Mass cards will be used each week to ease us into these new prayers that we pray and we listen to. We’ll also start to get to grips with the music affected by the new translation, too.

WEEKDAY AND SUNDAY MISSALS: An order has been placed for those who popped their names on the list. The CTS have offered us 25% discount on each Missal. The Sunday ones will be produced in time for Advent and the Weekday ones just after Christmas – the printers, as you can imagine – are working overtime. They are printed to the same high quality spec as the altar missals. There’s still time to order one if you have a word with FrC.

THE NEW MISSAL DONATIONS: Thanks for the donations received so far. There’s still time if you want to add your donation, most especially if in memory of someone. The list of names in whose memories the Missals will be inscribed are on the notice board – please check the spelling in case of typos!

CLOW TRAINING: Sr Jackie Brain is leading a formation morning on 24 September at Christ the King from 10.00am – 12.30pm. Open to all those who are engaged with Children’s Liturgy, it should be a great opportunity for resources and ideas. Please get in touch with Sr Joanna in Filwood Broadway if you intend to go along by 12 September. You can contact Sr Joanna on 0117 966 4854.

FRIDAY FASTING: Tied in with marking the first anniversary of the Holy Father’s visit last September, our bishops are inviting us to take up, once again, the practice of Friday fasting and abstinence beginning 16 September. They are inviting us re-establish the discipline of not eating meat on a Friday as a sign of penance, giving Fridays back that characteristic of penance so that just as each Sunday gives us a glimpse of Easter, so each Friday give us a glimpse and a reminder of Good Friday. More next week.

MARY THERESA ALLWARD RIP: Mary (Mary Puddy’s daughter) died this last week and her requiem mass will be celebrated on Thursday 8 September at 11.00am. May she rest in peace.

WEDNESDAY COFFEE CLUB: For a number of reasons, the Wednesday Coffee Club will come to an end at the end of September. It has been a tremendous social outlet for so many over the last couple of years and we offer our appreciation for those who have so generously given their time to keep it going. We also thank them for the kindness that has led them to be generous to our parish funds across those years, too.

LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR FUNDRAISING EVENING: the Little Sisters will be with us on Saturday 26 November for a Bingo evening and supper to help them raise some funds for their home. It’s a little way away at the moment, but put the date in your diaries, please.

JAMS AND PRESERVES on sale in the narthex this weekend.

Nineteenth Sunday of the Year

Fr. Christopher — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 20:02:45 +0000

7 August 2011 – Nineteenth Sunday of the Year (A)

THIS SUNDAY: How does God reveal himself to us? Most of the time, in precisely the way we do not expect! This is what happened to Elijah: we expect God – all-powerful, almighty – to appear in dramatic effects of nature; but no, God is in a gentle breeze. Similarly in the Gospel: the disciples do not expect Jesus to come towards them walking on the lake – but he does. And when God is revealed in the unexpected, he gives courage and strength: Elijah was afraid when he went to Horeb, but was strengthened by his encounter with God to continue his mission; in the same way the disciples are given courage and faith by the Lord who walks to them on the waters.

FIRST-STAGE-LAST BIKE RIDE: Following on from bike rides in 2007 across Spain and in 2009 through France, Gordon Hodgson intends to cycle from St. Bernadette to Paris, Chartres and Lisieux to complete the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Leaving on 2nd September, Gordon hopes to raise as much sponsorship money as possible for our Outreach projects. Sponsorship forms are available and your support and generosity would be appreciated.

NEXT SUNDAY: we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption. The celebration is transferred to the Sunday from the Monday.

LOOKING AHEAD TO THE AUTUMN
THE DIARY OF GOD: There is another chance to pick up this engaging course dipping into deepening our understanding of the scriptures in the autumn. Sacred Heart, Westbury-on-Trym and Chipping Sodbury are hosting the course in November onwards. There is a poster in the narthex for you to peruse and consider. More details and booking forms will follow later.

ONE YEAR ON: In celebration of the first anniversary of the visit of the Holy Father this September, Ann Widdecombe is coming to St John’s, Bath, to reflect upon the impact and legacy on the historic visit of Pope Benedict last September. Wednesday 21 September at 7.30pm. Pop the date in your diaries and go along. It is set to be a most informative, reflective and interesting evening. There will also be a photographic exhibition of some of the stunning images from the papal photographer, Marcin Mazur, at the Grant Bradley Gallery from 3 September to 1 October, Bedminster Parade – Monday to Saturday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm. The gallery are hosting the exhibition for us. It’s a wonderful setting to pop into. Its free and there’s a wonderful café there, too.

WHAT’S IN A WORD: After gathering and uniting ourselves as a worshipping community by our opening hymn or antiphon, the first word we say is “Amen” in response to the Sign of the Cross. This word is not changing in the New Translation – because it is not actually translated! The word “Amen” is a Hebrew word, showing agreement or confirmation – “So be it”, “It is so”. In the Scriptures we find it in Our Lord’s mouth many times, and it is used in Jewish and Muslim prayer as well as in our own Christian Liturgy. We will say this word at least ten times in Mass – sometimes more. When we use it, what meaning do we put into the word? Or is it just a verbal full stop which does not mean a great deal? Saying “Amen” is all about affirming truth and certainty – crying out “Yes, it’s true”. Think of all the moments in the Mass when you are asked to say “Amen”: you are being asked “Do you believe this? Is this true?” A heartfelt “Amen” proclaims “Yes!”

THE NEW MISSAL: With the new translation comes a new edition of the missal. The Altar one costs £230 and the smaller presider’s missal costs £115. If you would like to contribute towards the cost of the new missal, most especially in memory of someone who has gone before us in faith, please do let FrC have your donation and, if given in memory, make sure you write the name clearly. The donors’ names will be inscribed in the front plate of the missal when they arrive. Donations have started coming in – thank you for your kindness. The Missals, properly inscribed, will be on display before we begin to use them.

FATHER LASZLO KASZA from Romania and who is studying in Rome, is with us again this summer for most of the month of August. He will be supplying for FrC whilst he is away on holiday in the middle of August. We give Fr Laszlo a warm Whitchurch welcome and hope he enjoys being with us once again. Do please make a note of the times during this coming week. Fr Laszlo is at school during the day and will celebrate Mass each weekday evening.

Eighteenth Sunday of the Year

Fr. Christopher — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 14:17:42 +0000

31 July 2011 – Eighteenth Sunday of the Year

THIS SUNDAY: Divine providence is a wonderful thing: God is so generous with his creation (it is human greed that denies some their rightful share). The Kingdom of God is the time and place when this vision will be fully realised, when all who wish may ‘come to the water’, when all who are hungry may ‘eat as much as they want’, when what is left over is still enough for all the twelve tribes of Israel. Our contemplation of the kingdom of God, through the parables and miracles of Jesus, should stir us up to build this kingdom here and now. The miracle of Divine providence is allowed to work when human greed and selfishness give way to the power of the Spirit working within us, and we share all we have with those in need. Our hearts are set on the kingdom of God, where there is corn and wine and milk in abundance.

CAFOD ~THE CLERGY REVIEW: All the tickets have been reserved for those who have indicated they would like them. Linda and Gordon will need to collect the money for the tickets, please. If you do not intend to make use of the tickets you have asked for, please let Linda or Gordon know as there are others waiting for any cancellations.

SUMMER CREAM TEA: Thank you for your support last Sunday with the afternoon tea in the hall. £190 was raised in that couple of hours. Thanks to those who worked so hard in providing the tea, and thanks to those who came along for the afternoon. That money will be added to our retiring collection for CAFOD.

THE DIARY OF GOD: There is another chance to pick up this engaging course dipping into deepening our understanding of the scriptures in the autumn. Sacred Heart, Westbury-on-Trym and Chipping Sodbury are hosting the course in November onwards. There is a poster in the narthex for you to peruse and consider. More details and booking forms will follow later.

NEW TRANSLATION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL: As you know, the English speaking world receives a new translation of the Missal from the autumn of this year. From September, we will begin to use and familiarise ourselves with these new texts. The Mass remains the same, but the words we use and the some of the words we hear will alter. Over the month of August, the newsletter will begin to prepare us for some of these linguistic changes that will touch us all when we come to Mass week by week and day by day. The new translation timetable suggests that we begin to make use of some of the texts this coming September so that we have a chance to ease in the changes bit by bit. FrC will make available Mass cards detailing the new texts for the Mass. If you would like to order a new Missal – either Sunday or weekday – then you will be able to place an order through the Parish. Change is always challenging. Over the past 37 years we have become very familiar with the words of the Mass – both priests and people alike. Our familiarity with the words means that we will all probably join in without needing to look at Missals and mass sheets. Come September, when the words change, we will all be scrabbling for sheets and guides again! It is inevitable that we will make mistakes – both priests and people will find themselves slipping into the “old words” every now and again. It would be very easy for us to get a little frustrated with this change. Nevertheless we can take change two ways: as something to resent and complain about, or as an opportunity to think about what we are doing. Let’s do our best to accept these changes as an invitation to stop and think about the words we use, and how they touch our minds and hearts.

THE NEW MISSAL: With the new translation comes a new edition of the missal. The Altar one costs £230 and the smaller presider’s missal costs £115. If you would like to contribute towards the cost of the new missal, most especially in memory of someone who has gone before us in faith, please do let FrC have your donation and, if given in memory, make sure you write the name clearly. The donors’ names will be inscribed in the front plate of the missal when they arrive.

DIOCESAN WEBSITE: Don’t forget to keep up to date with what’s happening in our diocese via cliftondiocese.com – there’s plenty of news and info.

Seventeenth Sunday of the Year

Fr. Christopher — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 11:18:28 +0000

24 July 2011 – Seventeenth Sunday of the Year (A)

THIS SUNDAY: What a gift it is, to be able to recognise the true value of things, and choose those which will last forever and bring us true happiness! Solomon, renowned for wisdom, is able to make the right choices when offered the chance to have anything he wants. What would we choose? The parable in the Gospel tells us that, in a sense, the choice is already before us: we can see the kingdom of heaven waiting for us: it is of greater value than anything else, and so all our hearts should be set on it. Nothing should stand in our way.

CAFOD ~THE CLERGY REVIEW: It’s back and it’s on at the Colston Hall at 7.30pm on Friday 30 September. Twenty £10 seats have been reserved for us and these have now all been taken. Gordon and Linda will be collecting the monies for these reserved tickets so please ensure you have only reserved tickets that you require as they all need to be paid for. Coach details will also be listed shortly. Several of our Clifton Priests are taking part and performing for our entertainment and to raise funds for CAFOD.

SUMMER CREAM TEA: To welcome in the summer holidays and to support CAFOD’s drought appeal in East Africa, there will be a cream tea this Sunday afternoon – 24 July – from 3.00pm to 5.00pm. £3 per place and you are contributing to support so many people hungry, thirsty and displaced from their homeland at this time. There will also be a stall selling home-made marmalades, jams and preserves also in aid of the CAFOD East Africa Appeal. Do come along; bring the family and your friends with you – the more, the merrier.

THE DIARY OF GOD: There is another chance to pick up this engaging course dipping into deepening our understanding of the scriptures in the autumn. Sacred Heart, Westbury-on-Trym and Chipping Sodbury are hosting the course in November onwards. There is a poster in the narthex for you to peruse and consider. More details and booking forms will follow later.

ONE YEAR ON: In celebration of the first anniversary of the visit of the Holy Father this September, Ann Widdecombe is coming to St John’s, Bath, to reflect upon the impact and legacy on the historic visit of Pope Benedict last September. Wednesday 21 September at 7.30pm. Pop the date in your diaries and go along. It is set to be a most informative, reflective and interesting evening. There will also be a photographic exhibition of some of the stunning images from the papal photographer, Marcin Mazur, at the Grant Bradley Gallery from 3 September to 1 October, Bedminster Parade – Monday to Saturday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm. The gallery are hosting the exhibition for us. It’s a wonderful setting to pop into. Its free and there’s a wonderful café there, too.

FIFTY YEARS ON – VATICAN II: Beginning this October our diocese is hosting a series of seven talks/lectures inviting us to re-engage with the teachings and the documents of the Second Vatican Council which began October 1962. Starting on Tuesday 18 October, Bishop Declan opens the series. The talks take place at the Cathedral and start at 7.30pm. Have a look at the Adult Education and Evangelisation newsletter on the narthex notice board. There will also be a poster on the board giving full details of the series next week.

NEW TRANSLATION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL: As you know, the English speaking world receives a new translation of the Missal from the autumn of this year. From September, we will begin to use and familiarise ourselves with these new texts. The Mass remains the same, but the words we use and the some of the words we hear will alter. Over the month of August, the newsletter will begin to prepare us for some of these linguistic changes that will touch us all when we come to Mass week by week and day by day. The new translation timetable suggests that we begin to make use of some of the texts this coming September so that we have a chance to ease in the changes bit by bit. FrC will make available Mass cards detailing the new texts for the Mass. If you would like to order a new Missal – either Sunday or weekday – then you will be able to place an order through the Parish. At present there are no details of publication dates or prices, so it is a case of watch this space for the moment. The readings will remain the same texts but the texts of the Mass itself will change. There are also some new CTS simple prayer books in the narthex. Back when Mass was first celebrated in English in the 1970s, the first translation of the Latin Missal was done in rather a hurry—many people have commented in the intervening years that it is not a very faithful translation, and that some phrases have lost a lot of their poetry and scriptural links. A good example of this is the response “Et cum spiritu tuo”, which our current translation gives as “And also with you”. Starting in September, we will all be using the new translation “And with your spirit”, which is much closer to the original Latin, and closer too to other modern language translations in the Church. We will see many similar examples in the New Translation, where we will discover richer meanings and phrases – recovering words and images that we have not yet used in English, but are truly part of the Mass.

PARISH MAGAZINE: The summer edition of the magazine is out in the narthex. You are most welcome to pick up a copy. They are free and if you want to make a contribution towards printing costs, then please feel free to pop something in with the newspaper money. The magazine is packed with some wonderful articles from parishioners. When you’ve read it, why not pass it on to someone else.

ROTAS: The rotas for August onwards are available from the narthex as well as online at our parish website.

DIOCESAN WEBSITE: Don’t forget to keep up to date with what’s happening in our diocese via cliftondiocese.com

Sixteenth Sunday of the Year

Fr. Christopher — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 18:39:28 +0000

THIS SUNDAY: There is no room in a good field for weeds and rubbish: so in the Kingdom of Heaven, there is no room for ‘all things that provoke offences, and all who do evil’. They must be got rid of, for the sake of the good wheat, for the sake of the good subjects of the kingdom. But this weeding out will not take place until harvest time – in case one piece of good wheat is destroyed with the weeds. This shows the mercy of God: everyone has chance after chance to prove that they are wheat, not darnel; there are no quick judgements in the kingdom of heaven, and things are never as black and white as we think. Only at the end of time will evil stand out clearly, so that it can be disposed of, and only the Son of Man can judge.

CAFOD ~THE CLERGY REVIEW: It’s back and it’s on at the Colston Hall at 7.30pm on Friday 30 September. Twenty £10 seats have been reserved for us… and there are about a half dozen left. Please see the notice in the Narthex and add your name to the list if you want a ticket. Transport will be arranged nearer the date. Several of our Clifton Priests are taking part and performing for our entertainment and to raise funds for CAFOD. Get those remaining tickets whilst they are available. Get the last one or two tickets remaining.

CAFOD EAST AFRICA DROUGHT APPEAL: Thank you for your terrific response to last week’s unadvertised retiring collection in support of CAFOD. As you know East Africa is currently experiencing the worst drought in almost 60 years, affecting people in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan and Eritrea. While great progress has been made in supporting communities to cope with droughts, the scale of this disaster is outstripping all local capacity to act as it comes on the heels of two drought-affected years. The number of people affected is immense, with tens of thousands already on the move in search of water, pasture and food. Given the gravity of the situation and the urgent need to respond quickly, the UK’s Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), of which CAFOD is a member, decided to launch an appeal and emergency response with immediate effect. You contributed an amazing £959.34 towards CAFOD’s own £5m appeal. So much is asked of your finances when you come to Church, but you responded so charitable and graciously last week. Thank you.

SUMMER CREAM TEA: To welcome in the summer holidays and to support CAFOD’s drought appeal in East Africa, there will be a cream tea on Sunday 24 July from 3.00pm to 5.00pm. £3 per place and you are contributing to support so many people hungry, thirsty and displaced from the homeland at this time.

LOOKING AHEAD TO THE AUTUMN

DIOCESAN WEBSITE: Don’t forget to keep up to date with what’s happening in our diocese via cliftondiocese.com