Sadly, at the grand age of 93, and after a very full life working as a dentist and coming late to the priesthood and even later to the Catholic faith, Father John has finally passed away. Many will remember him fondly.
The funeral service will take place on 20th July and, we understand, Father John’s remain will rest with those of his wife Muriel at Buckfast Abbey.
Please remember him in your prayers.
Many parishioners will remember fondly Father Richard, who served our parish between 2006 and 2013. This weekend Father Richard celebrates his Ruby Jubilee and, because of the current pandemic, the large party that had been in the planning has had to be post-poned.
A card has been sent from our parish, which many parishioners were able to sign to mark the occasion and to let Father Richard know that he is not forgotten.
Please click on the document above for full information of what to expect in our church as we re-open for Mass as from Sunday, 5th July
Masses are on Wednesday at 10am and on Sunday at 9am
Saturday private prayer will discontinue from 4th July.
Please feel free to telephone Father directly or through the office 01684 293273 if you have any special requests or need his pastoral help.
Mass Intentions
The list for Masses that you wish to have offered for special intentions is now open at the back of the church and these will be celebrated as close to the date specified as possible.
Funerals
There has been some relaxation of the strict regulations surrounding funerals and these can, once again, be arranged from church.
Anointing of the Sick
If you know you are going into hospital, please ensure that you are anointed before you go in, as visits to hospitals have been severely restricted. Email or text Fr Tony on 07485 190392
Parish Meetings
All parish meetings will be rescheduled shortly and will take place under careful attention to the continuing 1 metre distancing rule. PPC and PFC members will be contacted by email.
Bishop Declan had expected to be conferring the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday 3rd October this year at 11.00am. The preparation programme was open to all young people in school Years 9 and above. Many had joined the programme, which started earlier this year.
As a result of the corona virus pandemic things have slowed to a stop and we must be patient to see what will happen.
Click on the links above to learn about this scheme, promoted by the Diocese.
What’s the catch? There isn’t one. No fees, no hassle. All you need to do is click via TheGivingMachine every time you shop online. It’s as simple as that!
On the first Sunday in the month we used to recite the Rosary at 8.30am prior to our Mass at 9.00am. We can still say the rosary in our homes of course and we are encouraged to ask Our Lady to intercede for us with God at this difficult time for everyone
Don’t wait for October or next May to pay homage to our Holy Mother. Reciting this beautiful prayer regularly is a great habit to get into!
Whenever you find the rosary being recited in our church, please join in as soon as you arrive.
Dear Parishioner
Thank you all so much for your unbelievable generosity over the last number of years in response to our appeals for aid, made on behalf of Samara Levi.
The charity founded five years ago this month has, over time, dispatched in excess of 100 shipping containers full of medical equipment, countless dignity bags for ladies and girls, essential items for children and babies, bedding etc, and even a number of ambulances!
Alongside this, Samara has funded the re-establishment of badly damaged hospitals and had the brilliant idea of having a number of the empty containers coverted into frontline trauma centres.
We were expecting another appeal during last January however, following feedback from sources in Syria that the border was closing to foreign aid, the shipment was cancelled.
As a result, our refugee support group (TRSG) decided to divert the aid we had accumultated to a well known charity that were, due to having a greater historic connection with the Middle East, able to access the areas in most neeed.
We have sinc suspended large scale appeals, but have continued to receive small quantities of clothing, knitted items etc that have been delivered to a charity in Malvern that has continued to sort and supply these to where they are most needed.
As a matter of interest, Samara continues to work tirelessly in support for the needs of the millions of Syrians still desperately short of health care provision and so much more.
If you are interested in finding out more about the charity please go the website www.samarasaidappeal.org
She has, in fact, just had published a book telling her own story on how she was so moved to start this work – You can find it on Amazon entitiled “Rebuilding the Ruins”
Smara’s focus now is to raise funds to build a new hospital, which is currently in the early stages of being designed. However, this is a fairly long term project and will need funding.
In terms of future aid supplies, there is a suggestion that later this year there will be an appeal for children’s school items where we will be asked to provide school bags filled with all the small but necessary things for their education.
Finally, our situation isn’t ideal for us to commit full time to this rewarding work. If there is anyone feeling able to help we would be so very grateful.
Best wishes
Richard and Bridget Sear
CLIFTON DIOCESE. A Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales under number 10462076. A registered charity number 1170168. Registered Office: St Ambrose North Road Leigh Woods Bristol BS8 3PW
