EASTER FLOWERS: Thank you for the most generous way you supported the flower ladies last weekend. You helped them raise some £205 which enables them to ensure that our Church looks as beautiful as it usually does for the Easter ceremonies… and well into the Easter season, too.

EASTER REFLECTION BOOKLETS: These simply reflection taking you through each of the fifty days of Easter are available from the Narthex, priced £1. Pick up your copy from the table.

TAIZE MUSIC AND PRAYER: In the midst of the Easter Season, we gather to celebrate the living presence of the Risen Christ – our hope and our life. This beautiful and simple evening of reflection will draw our attention towards the Resurrection. Monday 23 April at 7.30pm. Do come along; we deepen our relationship with the Lord through prayer, through the scriptures, and through beautiful, simple, chant.

TABLE TOP SALE: To raise some much needed funds for CLIC (Cancer and leukaemia in Children) and SANDS (Stillborn and neonatal death), Barbara Coles is hosting a table top sale in the Hall on Saturday 21 April from 12 – 200pm.  If you can help out by making baked goods, jams and preserves, or you have something for the gift table or some unused, unwanted toiletries, you can hand them into at the presbytery or contact Barbara on (01275) 837754 as soon as possible. Do come along on the day, though, and support these charities, please.

WEDNESDAY CAFÉ: Beginning late May we will begin a very simple, uncomplicated parish series where, on each of the Wednesdays mornings, there will be opportunity to deepen your understanding of what it means to be a Catholic over a cuppa and begin to explore what lies at the heart of what we believe. Watch this space!

WELCOME: Next weekend we welcome Fr Michael English back to our parish. Fr Michael comes to celebrate Mass for us on Saturday and Sunday. Do make him welcome.

MARY COOPER RIP: We remember Mary in our prayers and also her family and friends. Mary’s funeral takes place here on Tuesday at 2.30pm and her burial takes place at Whitchurch cemetery. May she rest in peace.

PARISH FORUM: The Forum group meets again on Wednesday 25 April at 7.30pm in the presbytery.

FIRST COMMUNION PREPARATION: The children preparing for First Communion this summer pick up their preparation again after the Easter break, They meet on Wednesday 18 April in school. They come to celebrate the gift of the Cross on Sunday 29 April at 10.30am Mass.

PARISH LITURGY GROUP: The group meets next on Wednesday 16 May at 7.30pm in the presbytery.

OPENING THE WINDOWS – IN CELEBRATION OF VATICAN II: The fifth lecture in our diocesan series takes place at the Cathedral on Tuesday 15 May, beginning at 7.30pm. Professor Gavin D’Costa from Bristol University leads the reflection upon the Church reaching out to those of other faiths. He will explore the Declaration on the relation of the Church to non-Christian religions – Nostra Aetate. They have been fantastic lectures so far. Do go along. There’s plenty of parking and its free to get in, too.

CONGRATULATIONS to Noah Peacey who was baptised here on Sunday 25 March. As we welcome him into our parish family, so we congratulate, also, Noah’s family.

PLENTY OF THANKS: The beauty of the celebrations of Easter is such that you know that you are at the end of Lent. There is a wonderful transformation in our Church and it’s good to notice that our church reflects the vibrancy of Easter joy. Lent has been a most prayerful season for us here at St Bernadette’s and whilst there is never chance to sit back, it is good to appreciate the tremendous hard work of those who have brought us to the start of this Easter Season.  We have been so blessed this Holy Week; people have used their gifts and their skills in so many generous ways. Our music has graced the liturgy and that’s thanks to Mervyn and the many cantors that are supporting him; the flower ladies and those who look after plants and pots have done us proud once again, making our Church alive with the beauty of the resurrection. We have been fortunate to have had readers and Eucharistic Ministers working hard this last week and, of course, our servers continue to support Fr Christopher in so generous and skilful a way. Welcomers have featured greatly this week and it’s always good to have them as the first contact with folk who come to share in our celebrations. But there are so many people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that everything is where it should be and as it should be ~ people looking after the linens and ensuring things are washed and pressed, kind people have cleaned the church and dusted everything that didn’t move, people have been up ladders yet again, got things ready and prepared, lit candles, put them out again afterwards… all in the name of being of complete service to our parish community. We couldn’t do what we do so well without the generous contribution of so many… and so Fr Christopher wants to acknowledge the great giftedness of the people of St Bernadette’s and to thank you all for the generous way you employ your talents for the good of the ‘family’. THANK YOU.

THIS SUNDAY: And so we arrive at the start of Holy Week. We will be invited to make Jesus’ journey our own and enter more deeply into the story of God’s tremendous love for each one of us. This Sunday’s celebration is, of course, dominated by the reading of St Mark’s account of the Passion. What Mark seeks to offer us is the story of God reaching out to us with the gift of salvation; a free gift that comes through the sacrifice and the brokenness of Jesus, his beloved Son. There is plenty this week to deepen our prayer, whether that be through the great Liturgies of the Triduum, or through the celebration of the Office, through Confessions, or simply reflecting upon the journey of Holy Week in the stillness of God’s presence. Holy Week is a most beautiful ‘event’ in our Christian calendar. If you have yet to discover the beauty of the Triduum Liturgies, then maybe this year is for you.

EASTER FLOWERS: The flower ladies will be asking for your help and support through this weekend’s retiring collection for the flowers at Easter. Do, please, give them what support you can next weekend.

SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER: Morning Prayer in the Church this Palm Sunday beginning at 9.45am.

PALM SUNDAY SOUP LUNCH: The second of our parish soup lunches takes place this Sunday – 1 April – from 12 noon onwards. Just sign up on the list in the Narthex to ensure you are well catered for.  What is raised goes to support our charitable, outreach projects.

MASS IN ITALIAN: For the celebration of Palm Sunday, Fr Gerardo Fabrizio who will be with us once again to celebrate Mass at 5.00pm in Italian this Sunday afternoon (1 April). Do come along if you can. There will be refreshments in the Hall afterwards.

TAIZE MUSIC AND PRAYER: At the start of our journey of Holy Week this year, there will be an evening of Taizé prayer in the Church. This beautiful and simple evening of reflection will draw our attention towards the cross. Monday 2 April at 7.30pm. Do come along; we deepen our relationship with the Lord through prayer, through the scriptures, and through beautiful, simple, chant.

CHURCH CLEANING FOR EASTER: If you can spare a little time on Thursday morning at around 10.00am, then all willing hands would be most welcome to help get the Church ready for the great Three Days of the Triduum. If you bring a mop, a brush, or some polish, then everything else (including the tea) will be provided for you.

HOLY WEEK CONFESSIONS: There will opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation as we journey through Holy Week. There is an opportunity as part of Taizé evening or prayer on 2 April (7.30pm); also on the Tuesday of Holy Week (3 April) from 6.00pm until 7.30pm, and Spy Wednesday (4 April) from 7.30pm until 8.15pm, as well as on Good Friday afternoon after the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion from 4.30pm _ 5.15pm.

HOLY THURSDAY COLLECTION: During the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the collection taken just before the Offertory will be our Lenten gifts to the poor. Your CAFOD boxes can be placed in this collection and what is raised (outside of the CAFOD boxes) will be used to support the poor in our own city of Bristol.

GOOD FRIDAY WITNESS: This year, the customary walk of witness is not taking place. Instead there is an ecumenical witness of faith outside of Asda at 10.00am on Good Friday. Do go along for the reflection upon the Passion story – a wonderful, simple way to remind people of the importance of this day.

ŚWIĘCONKA: This Polish Blessing of Easter food and baskets, which has become a regular feature in our Holy Week timetable, is taking place on Holy Saturday at 11.00am. All are most welcome!

TABLE TOP SALE: To raise some much needed funds for CLIC (Cancer and leukaemia in Children) and SANDS (Stillborn and neonatal death), Barbara Coles is hosting a table top sale in the Hall on Saturday 21 April from 12 – 200pm.  If you can help out by making baked goods, jams and preserves, or you have something for the gift table or some unused, unwanted toiletries, you can hand them into at the presbytery or contact Barbara on (01275) 837754 as soon as possible. Do come along on the day, though, and support these charities, please.

WEDNESDAY CAFÉ: Beginning late May we will begin a very simple, uncomplicated parish series where, on each of the Wednesdays mornings, there will be opportunity to deepen your understanding of what it means to be a Catholic over a cuppa and begin to explore what lies at the heart of what we believe. Watch this space!

Morning Prayer: 9.45am
Mass: 10.30am    George Parker’s Intentions
Vespers: 4.00pm
Italian Mass: 5.00pm

Monday of Holy Week ~ 2 April    
Morning Prayer: 8.40am
Mass: 9.00am
Taizé Prayer around the Cross: 7.30pm

Tuesday of Holy Week ~ 3 April    
Morning Prayer: 8.40am
Mass: 9.00am
Confessions: 6.00pm ~ 7.30pm

Spy Wednesday ~ 4 April    
Mass of Chrism at Clifton Cathedral: 11.00am
Evening Prayer: 6.30pm
Mass: 7.00pm   Chandra de Fonseka RIP
Confessions: 7.30pm ~ 8.15pm

HOLY THURSDAY ~ 5 April   
Office of Readings & Morning Prayer: 9.15am
Big Clean for Easter: 10.00am onwards

Mass of the Lord’s Supper: 8.00pm
Watching at the Altar of Repose until midnight
Night Prayer: 11.50pm

GOOD FRIDAY ~ 6 April      
Office of Readings & Morning Prayer: 9.15am
Family Stations of the Cross: 11.00am

Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion: 3.00pm
Confessions: 4.30pm ~ 5.15pm
Prayer around the Cross: 7.00pm

HOLY SATURDAY ~ 7 April      
Office of Readings & Morning Prayer: 9.15am
Święconka Blessing of Easter Food and Baskets: 11.00am

Easter Vigil of the Lord’s Resurrection:  8.00pm

EASTER SUNDAY ~ 8 April   
Mass of Easter Morning:    8.30am
10.30am       Pro Populo
Solemn Vespers of Easter:    4.00pm

THIS SUNDAY: In the weeks of Lent so far we have followed God’s work of salvation: we have seen the Covenants he established with Noah, Abraham, Moses and the people of Israel after the return from Babylon. Now we come to one of the most significant parts of the Old Testament: the promise of a brand new Covenant, which will be different from all those that went before. This Covenant will see God and Man living more closely together. For the ratification of a Covenant, something was always sacrificed as a sign of the new relationship – normally man would offer some animal offering to God. But the New Covenant will be ratified not with the death of sheep or bull, but by the death of Jesus Christ, God and Man. In this perfect sacrifice is the source of our eternal salvation.

PALM SUNDAY SOUP LUNCH: The second of our parish soup lunches takes place on Palm Sunday – 1 April – from 12 noon onwards. Just sign up on the list in the Narthex to ensure you are well catered for.  What is raised goes to support our charitable, outreach projects.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS: There will be the celebration of the Stations of the Cross followed by Benediction this afternoon in the Church at 4.00pm

SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER: Morning Prayer in the Church each Sunday beginning at 9.45am.

FRIDAY HOLY HOUR: This Friday the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for an hour of prayer after the morning Mass (so from 10.00am until 11.00am). This is the last of our Lenten Holy Hours.

MASS IN ITALIAN: For the beginning of Holy Week and the celebration of Palm Sunday, Fr Gerardo Fabrizio will be with us once again to celebrate Mass at 5.00pm on Palm Sunday in Italian (1 April). Do come along if you can. There will be refreshments in the Hall afterwards.

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. The Community of Taize, based near Cluny in France, is an ecumenical community drawing pilgrims into deeper relationship with the Lord through prayer, through the scriptures, and through beautiful, simple, chant.

LENTEN CONFESSIONS: There will opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation as we journey through Lent. The two Saturday opportunities are there as well as an opportunity as part of Taize evening or prayer on 2 April (7.30pm); also on the Tuesday of Holy Week (3 April) from 6.00pm until 7.30pm (altered), and Spy Wednesday (4 April) from 7.30pm until 8.15pm, as well as on Good Friday afternoon after the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion.

THE ROAD TO CALVARY – A Passion Play: This reflection as we head towards Holy Week takes place at St Gerard’s, Knowle, on Friday 30 March at 7.00pm. Tickets cost £5. All are welcome.

TABLE TOP SALE: To raise some much needed funds for CLIC (Cancer and leukaemia in Children) and SANDS (Stillborn and neonatal death), Barbara Coles is hosting a table top sale in the Hall on Saturday 21 April from 12 – 200pm.  If you can help out by making baked goods, jams and preserves, or you have something for the gift table or some unused, unwanted toiletries, you can hand them into at the presbytery or contact Barbara on (01275) 837754 as soon as possible. Do come along on the day, though, and support these charities, please.

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER: The schedule for Holy Week this year is available for you to take away. Do make sure you pick up an extra one or two copies to pass around to folk who might just need a little encouragement to come and celebrate Easter with us.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS: Kathleen Joyce’s funeral takes place here at St Bernadette’s on Monday 26 March at 10.00am. May she rest in peace.

OUR PRIMARY SCHOOL: Our primary school survived their full-on inspection this last week. They must await, now, the final report.

PRIMARY SCHOOL STATIONS OF THE CROSS: Our Year 5 pupils will be leading their beautiful Stations of the Cross as they approach the end of this term, here in the Church on Thursday at 10.00am. Do come and support them, encourage them, but also join them in prayer as we prepare to enter into Holy Week.

APF NEWS: The total collected in 2011 through your Red Boxes was £2424.00 – that’s a terrific amount for the Missions. Many thanks to all our red box holders, our annual members, and all who contributed in any way.

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES: New boxed sets are available from the Narthex. If you are a tax payer and would like a Gift Aid set of envelopes, have a word with Dave Lavelle.

EASTER FLOWERS: The flower ladies will be asking for your help and support through next weekend’s retiring collection for the flowers at Easter. Do, please, give them what support you can next weekend.

4 March 2012 – Second Sunday of Lent (B)

THIS SUNDAY: We spool forward a few centuries in the story of the Old Testament, to arrive at Abraham, “our Father in faith”. Keep that theme of Covenant in the front of your minds as you listen to the readings this Sunday. We hear of another Covenant (like last week) – even though the word is not used. God promises Abraham descendants like “the stars of heaven”, and the showering of blessings. This shows how much God loves Abraham, and all his children.  This love is proved for us in Jesus: God loves us so much he sacrificed his only Son (just as Abraham was willing to do); but this is not all: Jesus also rose from the dead, to stand at God’s right hand and plead for us. All this is revealed in the story of the Transfiguration, where Jesus is seen in the glory that is rightfully his as the only Son of God. Not until after the Resurrection will the disciples see this fully again.

FIRST COMMUNION 2012: We welcome the children to 10.30am Mass on Sunday 11 March (next Sunday) 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.

PARISH LITURGY GROUP: This little fledgling group meets on Tuesday 6 March at 7.00pm. It is made up of representatives from the ‘liturgical’ side of our parish community: someone to represent our readers, our extra-ordinary ministers, our Children’s Liturgy, our servers, our welcomers, our musicians and cantors, our flowers ladies, those who beautify the Church for us, and those who put the rotas together for us. It is a real way of communicating and coming together with a common vision as well as planning and providing opportunity for preparation.

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: Envelopes that were attached to last week’s newsletter can be popped into the Retiring Collection, please, which will take place after all Masses. This year’s collection is focused upon giving clean water to communities without. 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 (especially if you are a tax payer) and please give as generously as you can to this important Lenten retiring collection.

LENTEN SOUP LUNCHES: The second of our parish soup lunches takes place on Palm Sunday – 1 April – from 12 noon 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 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, we will continue to celebrate Morning Prayer in the Church each Sunday 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. This is only for the six Sundays of Lent… so come and see!

FRIDAY HOLY HOUR: Continuing this Friday and the remaining 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 relationship with the Lord.

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.

VATICAN II COURSE: Keep 20 March free in your diaries – Clifton Cathedral, 7.30pm. 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. Prof Murray is well able to deepen our understanding of the Council’s ecumenical initiatives, and it’ll be great to reflect upon how we continue to live the fruit of that invitation today. All are welcome – a fantastic series so far!

LENTEN CONFESSIONS: There will opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation as we journey through Lent. The two Saturday opportunities are there as well as an opportunity as part of Taize evening or prayer on 2 April (7.30pm); also on the Tuesday of Holy Week (3 April) at 10.00am until 10.45am, and Spy Wednesday (4 April) from 7.30pm until 8.15pm. There will be a couple of priests available that evening.

THE ROAD TO CALVARY – A Passion Play: This reflection as we head towards Holy Week takes place at St Gerard’s, Knowle, on Friday 30 March at 7.00pm. Tickets cost £5. All are welcome.

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!

THIS SUNDAY: Where does authority come from? Why is one man regarded as a prophet, and another as a lunatic, and a third as a hypocrite? Jesus startles the crowds with a “new teaching” today, but what amazes them so much is not the message but the authority behind it: they are convinced because what he does somehow adds credibility to what he says. It‘s the old situation that we are all familiar with – we look through words to see the actions, which show us the real message. The scribes did not heal or work miracles, but simply talked about God. Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God, but also shows the people what it is – a Kingdom where all that damages human happiness is abolished. The other side to this is that we must listen to a prophet or teacher when they are backed by such authority; we may not “harden our hearts” and ignore the message when we have recognised that the messenger is sent by God. This is the hard part, because it demands that we too show, by our actions, that we have heard.

THE CRIB: The crib comes down after this weekend having remaining in view for these six weeks since Christmas. A huge thank you for your kindness this year to the homeless of our own city as well as the refugee looking for help and shelter. We’ve sent off £300 gathered from your offerings since Christmas. As we have been drawn to this holy family of refugees in the crib, so you have also reached out to the Christ hidden in the poor and the homeless of today.

FIRST COMMUNION 2012: The preparation sessions for our youngsters pick up again from this coming Wednesday, 1 February.  the children should have their books in school already, but if they haven’t, parents are ask to make sure you send them in, please.

CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE: The Bishop invites all married couples to join him as part of National Marriage Week on Saturday 11 February in the Cathedral for Mass at 12noon. It’s a wonderful gathering from across our diocese. Do go along and celebrate the beautiful state of married life with him. Poster on the board and copies for you to take away from the narthex. If you are celebrating a significant anniversary this year (25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th, 55th, 60th, 65th…) please do let Fr Christopher know that he can ensure you receive your individual invitations from the bishop.

EDUCATION SUNDAY: Next Sunday we ‘celebrate’ Education Sunday. Our Catholic schools and colleges are a great treasure. This treasure has been given to us and we must ensure that we hand it on to future generations. The purpose of our Catholic schools is to proclaim the Gospel. Education Sunday seeks to celebrate the tremendous work that takes place in our Catholic Schools, but also to pray that they may be places where Christ is known and where our dignity, our value and our worth are recognised. The Church has this great gift of education to offer our world and through the work of our schools that treasure is handed on. The retiring collection next Sunday goes to support the Catholic Education Service, working with our Bishops and our schools to keep Catholic Education on the public agenda. Please support Catholic education as generously as you can next weekend for through your giving our schools are supported and nurtured.

PARISH FORUM GROUP meets again on Wednesday 8 February at 7.45pm in the presbytery.

GROWING IN CONFIDENCE IN OUR FAITH IN 2012: There will be one or two opportunities for us, as a parish community, to explore our faith, to ask questions about our faith, and grow in our confidence to live and proclaim our faith throughout this year. The spring will offer us chance to come together in an informal way to ask simple questions and find simple answers. There’s also something planned for the autumn to enable us, as a parish community, to take up the bishop’s invitation to explore to teachings of the Vatican Council. Watch this space and get ready to respond, maybe, to the invitations on offer.

CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME to Maddison Pippa Lewis who was baptised last weekend and also to Jeremiah O’Connor who was also baptised last Sunday. We congratulate them both and also their families.

PARISH LITURGY GROUP: Fr Christopher is pulling together all those with particular responsibilities for the liturgical side of our parish as well as those who coordinate the various liturgical ministries. 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 next on Tuesday 6 March at 7.00pm in the presbytery.

THE SEASON OF LENT: This important season of preparation looms on the liturgical horizon even though Christmas is only just behind us. We begin the Lenten season on Wednesday 22 February with our celebration of Ash Wednesday. As a season of prayer there will, of course, be opportunities for us to deepen our prayer; as a season of penance there will extra opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation; and as a season of charity there will the usual Lenten opportunities to reach out to those who hunger and thirst in our world through our fasting and our almsgiving. Watch this space!

CALLED TO BE…18 February 2012 at Sacred Heart, Grange Court Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol from 7.00 pm to 8.30 pm. This is an opportunity for adults who work with the young people in our parishes to shape youth ministry. There is a chance to meet our Youth Ministry Coordinator, Dave Wheat, and have a say on the future. This is one of five events taking place in every county in our diocese in January and February.

CANDLEMAS: The beautiful celebration of the presentation begins with the blessing of candles. Mass will be celebrated in the evening on Thursday so do come and celebrate that fortieth day here in Church. The blessing of throats on St Blaise’s day will take place on the Friday morning after Mass.

THIS SUNDAY: Where does Jesus begin his ministry? Where John the Baptist left off – preaching a message of repentance, of change, to welcome the new Kingdom of God. There is a simplicity about this message, which is not compromised by anything – today’s Gospel has these simple words from Jesus, and then the story of his calling more disciples to follow him and share in the work of spreading this message. Repentance has had something of a bad press – we tend to think of it as an old-fashioned concept. But every age needs to hear this call: to look at what we do and say and assume, and realise that there are such things as right and wrong, and that sometimes we follow the wrong path. To follow Jesus, and to accept the Kingdom of God, demands that we make a radical choice, which might well change our lives.

THE CRIB: Do go and spend a little time at the crib which remains in place until 2 February, most especially with loved ones and family. We allow the loving touch of God precisely into the ordinariness of our lives so that we might know he is near to us in all that we do and all we go through in life. The little basket remains there, also, for you crib offerings for the homeless and the refugee in Bristol. You’ve already raised around £250 for the work done down at St Nick’s in Lawford’s Gate – thank you.

FIRST COMMUNION 2012: The preparation sessions for our youngsters pick up again from this coming Wednesday, 25 January. Parents are asked to ensure that the children bring their work books into school with them this week.

CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE: The Bishop invites all married couples to join him as part of National Marriage Week on Saturday 11 February in the Cathedral for Mass at 12noon. It’s a wonderful gathering from across our diocese. Do go along and celebrate the beautiful state of married life with him. Poster on the board and copies for you to take away from the narthex. If you are celebrating a significant anniversary this year (25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th, 55th, 60th, 65th…) please do let Fr Christopher know that he can ensure you receive your individual invitations from the bishop.

FIFTY YEARS ON – VATICAN II: Responding to our Bishop’s pastoral letter at the beginning of the year and his invitation to reflect upon the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, the next in our series of reflections on the Council is on Tuesday 24 January 2012 at 7.30pm (that’s this Tuesday evening). Fr Timothy Menezes will be leading our consideration upon Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Council’s document on the liturgy. This fantastic series of talks Opening the Windows offers us a simple route into re-introducing ourselves to the fruits of the Second Vatican Council. Do go along if you can. It is free, open to everyone, and there’s plenty of parking, too. Downloads on diocesan website.

PARISH FORUM GROUP meets again on Wednesday 8 February at 7.45pm in the presbytery.

GROWING IN CONFIDENCE IN OUR FAITH IN 2012: There will be one or two opportunities for us, as a parish community, to explore our faith, to ask questions about our faith, and grow in our confidence to live and proclaim our faith throughout this year. The spring will offer us chance to come together in an informal way to ask simple questions and find simple answers. There’s also something planned for the autumn to enable us, as a parish community, to take up the bishop’s invitation to explore to teachings of the Vatican Council. Watch this space and get ready to respond, maybe, to the invitations on offer.

FOR OUR PRAYERS: We remember Ronald O’Neil who died recently and whose funeral will take place on Friday 27 January at 10.30am here in St Bernadette’s. We remember also Andrea Bongiovanni who died during this last week and whose funeral will take place this coming Wednesday – 25 January – at 3.00pm. We remember them and their families at this sad time. May they rest in peace.

PARISH LITURGY GROUP: Fr Christopher is pulling together all those with particular responsibilities for the liturgical side of our parish as well as those who coordinate the various liturgical ministries. 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 next on Tuesday 6 March at 7.00pm in the presbytery.

ST BRENDAN’S OPEN EVENING: Thursday 9 February from 6.00pm until 9.00pm. Full details on the notice board in the narthex.

OUR PRIMARY SCHOOL: We keep the community of our primary school very much in our prayers over this coming week as they welcome Ofsted into school for their inspection. This is an anxious time, of course, for staff and pupils but we pray that the good work and the enthusiasm for care will shine through.

THE SEASON OF LENT: This important season of preparation looms on the liturgical horizon even though Christmas is only just behind us. We begin the Lenten season on Wednesday 22 February with our celebration of Ash Wednesday. As a season of prayer there will, of course, be opportunities for us to deepen our prayer; as a season of penance there will extra opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation; and as a season of charity there will the usual Lenten opportunities to reach out to those who hunger and thirst in our world through our fasting and our almsgiving. Watch this space!

CALLED TO BE…18 February 2012 at Sacred Heart, Grange Court Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol from 7.00 pm to 8.30 pm. This is an opportunity for adults who work with the young people in our parishes to shape youth ministry. There is a chance to meet our Youth Ministry Coordinator, Dave Wheat, and have a say on the future. This is one of five events taking place in every county in our diocese in January and February.

THIS SUNDAY: What does it mean to be a follower of the Lord Jesus? Surely to listen and hear his voice, and to go where he leads us. Today, as we enter the “ordinary” season of the year, we begin our story of Jesus’ life and ministry with the calling of the first disciples. John fulfils his ministry – pointing to the Lamb of God – and the disciples follow where he points. His word to them is simple and inviting: “Come and see.” This echoes the calling of Samuel – a simple call, by name, which Samuel does not understand: discipleship is about trust, which Samuel shows simply by saying “Speak, Lord; your servant is listening. The Psalm also underlines this, as we (the disciples of the Lord) sing together: “Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.” We hear his call, and we freely go to him, to listen again to the words of the Master.

ARCHBISHOP NICOLA GIRASOLI: We welcome to our parish this coming Sunday, Archbishop Girasoli who is en route from Zambia to his new posting in the beautiful region of the West Indies. He flies on Monday to take up his new responsibilities as representative of the Holy Father to the twelve states around Trinidad and Tobago. As stops over in the UK and has graciously accepted an invitation to spend a little time with us this Sunday. As we welcome him back to Whitchurch, we assure him of our continued prayer for all he does to represent the Church and its mission in what he does. Do come and say ‘hello’ to him this weekend.

THE CRIB: As we move into Ordinary Time, our church begins to be cleared of the decoration from Christmas. Over in the Lady Chapel, however, you will find that familiar scene of the crib which remains in place until 2 February. Do go and spend a little time at the crib, most especially with loved ones and family. We allow the loving touch of God precisely into the ordinariness of our lives so that we might know he is near to us in all that we do and all we go through in life. The little basket remains there, also, for you crib offerings for the homeless and the refugee in Bristol.

FIRST COMMUNION 2012: We continue to pray for: Graziella Bennett, Kieran Parsons, Joshua Sims, Evie Nathasingh, Billy Jackson, Divya Rajesh, Megan Sanders, Maisie Sanders, Tommy Holland, William Bennett, Joseph Bennett, Georgina Cox, Isabelle O’Toole, Shane Parry, Tore Popek, Calum Chilcott, Callum Witts, and Archie Daniels. The preparation sessions for our youngsters picks up again from Wednesday 25 January. There is a parents’ meeting this coming Thursday – 19 January – at 7.00pm in the Church. Please do make a note of the date.

CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE: Although it seems some time away, the Bishop invites all married couples to join him as part of National Marriage Week on Saturday 11 February in the Cathedral for Mass at 12noon. It’s a wonderful gathering from across our diocese. Do go along and celebrate the beautiful state of married life with him. Poster on the board and copies for you to take away from the narthex. If you are celebrating a significant anniversary this year (25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th, 55th, 60th, 65th…) please do let Fr Christopher know that he can ensure you receive your individual invitations from the bishop.

FIFTY YEARS ON – VATICAN II: Responding to our Bishop’s pastoral letter last weekend and his invitation to listen to the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, the next in our series of reflections on the Council is on Tuesday 24 January 2012 at 7.30pm. Fr Timothy Menezes will be leading our consideration upon Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Council’s document on the liturgy. This fantastic series of talks Opening the Windows offers us a simple route into re-introducing ourselves to the fruits of the Second Vatican Council. Do go along if you can. It is free, open to everyone, and there’s plenty of parking, too. Downloads on diocesan website.

PARISH FORUM GROUP meets again on Wednesday 8 February at 7.45pm in the presbytery.

GROWING IN CONFIDENCE IN OUR FAITH IN 2012: There will be one or two opportunities for us, as a parish community, to explore our faith, to ask questions about our faith, and grow in our confidence to live and proclaim our faith throughout this year. The spring will offer us chance to come together in an informal way to ask simple questions and find simple answers. There’s also something planned for the autumn to enable us, as a parish community, to take up the bishop’s invitation to explore to teachings of the Vatican Council. Watch this space and get ready to respond, maybe, to the invitations on offer.

FOR OUR PRAYERS: We keep in our prayers Raymond Balson who died recently and whose funeral takes place on January 19, and also Daniel Fenlon who died in Thailand just before Christmas, aged 25.  Daniel’s funeral took place this last Friday. We also remember Ronald O’Neil who died suddenly before last weekend and whose funeral will take place on Friday 27 January here in St Bernadette’s. We remember them and their families at this sad time. May they rest in peace.

PARISH LITURGY GROUP: Fr Christopher is pulling together all those with particular responsibilities for the liturgical side of our parish and those who coordinate the various liturgical ministries. 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.

ST BRENDAN’S OPEN EVENING: Thursday 9 February from 6.00pm until 9.00pm. Full details on the notice board in the narthex.

MISSING BAMBINO FROM CHRISTMAS: If you have accidentally picked up someone’s figure of the baby Jesus from midnight Mass this Christmas, please can you let FrC have it so that it can be reunited with someone’s remaining figures.

VESPERS FOR NEW YEARS DAY: There will be a celebration of Evening Prayer in Church at 4.00pm to welcome in the New Year next Sunday. Please do come along if you can – it’s always a wonderful occasion.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR THE HOMELESS: Thank you for your kindness and your thoughtfulness for those less fortunate this Christmas through your Christmas gifts to the guests at Julian Trust. They were taken down during the week and left in readiness for this weekend.

BLESSING OF THE BAMBINO: If you are bringing the baby Jesus from your cribs at home to Mass over the Christmas weekend, please place them beneath the altar for them to be blessed. Seeking God’s blessing, we pray that his peace may rest upon us and stay with us in our homes.

THE 12 DAYS: A beautiful book of reflections composed by folk within our diocesan community is available for you to pick up from Mass this weekend. It is designed for you to make something of each day of this Christmas season, from Christmas Day to the Epiphany. Use it as part of your day, gazing into the crib, and allow this Christmas mystery to deepen your awareness of the love of God for you. They have also been recorded as podcasts via cliftondiocese.com so do tune in each day.

CHRISTMAS TREE: The decorated and illuminated tree will be blessed at the Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve.

THIS YEAR’S CRIB: Over in the Lady Chapel you will find a new stable and a new set of Crib figures. These are Fr Christopher’s Christmas gifts to our parish. The figures are a simple, traditional set but, nevertheless, they draw us ever deeper into the story of God’s unconditional love for us and, hopefully, this image of a divine encounter of love is something our parish will be able to enjoy for many years to come.  Do go and spend a little time at the crib, most especially with loved ones and family. Come close to the Christ who came to bring us joy; bring him your selves and your lives, and allow him to bring himself to you.

CRIB OFFERINGS: As usual, there is a little basket next to the crib for your offerings. This year, our crib offerings will go in support of the work done at St Nick’s, Lawford’s Gate for the homeless and the refugee.  Your gifts across Christmas will help those who turn to them for help in their need.

FIRST COMMUNION 2012: We look forward to welcoming them at Mass in January for their Enrolment into the next leg of the preparation for First Communion on Sunday 8 January ~ the Epiphany ~ at 10.30am.

CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE: Although it seems some time away, the Bishop invites all married couples to join him as part of National Marriage Week on Saturday 11 February in the Cathedral for Mass at 12noon. It’s a wonderful gathering from across our diocese. Do go along and celebrate the beautiful state of married life with him. Poster on the board and copies for you to take away from the narthex.

200 CLUB MEMBERSHIP: Subscriptions for 2012 are due soon. Look out for your membership letter. Your membership supports our parish in such real ways and, if you haven’t got a number, have a word with Colette and sign up before the end of this December. Congratulations to Carmel Allfree who picks up the December £25 monthly cheque.

FIFTY YEARS ON – VATICAN II: This next date for your diaries ready for the New Year – Tuesday 24 January 2012 at 7.30pm. Fr Timothy Menezes will be leading our reflection upon Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Council’s document on the liturgy. This fantastic series of talks Opening the Windows offers us a simple route into re-introducing ourselves to the fruits of the Second Vatican Council. Do go along if you can. It is free, open to everyone, and there’s plenty of parking, too. Downloads on diocesan website.

ITALIAN CONSULAR AGENCY in Bristol is being re-opened at the start of 2012. There will be a reception to welcome this opening on Sunday, 8 January 2012, at Saint Bernadette’s, Wells Road, Whitchurch, Bristol. After the celebration of Mass (in Italian) for the Epiphany at 5.30pm,  there will be a short presentation informing you of the services that the agency will be able to offer. There will be some light refreshments, an opportunity to meet friends, as well as have your questions answered. All are most welcome. Please pass the word around and encourage your Italian friends and family to come along…and come, even if you are not Italian!

FR CHRISTOPHER wishes you – Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia,  Joyeux Noel – Beannachtaí na Nollag – kristumas puthuvalsara āshamsakal – Buon Natale – Feliz Natal – Feliz Navidad – Maligayang pasko – Kellemes karácsonyt – a very happy and holy Christmas to you all! May the Christ child of Bethlehem draw you ever nearer in love of him this Christmas so that his peace, his love, and his joy may find a home in you.