You can make your Christmas offering for our parish priest by clicking on the button above.
MASSES AND OTHER INFORMATION
Please visit the Mass Times page for more information on Mass times and other events, or click here. Please note that there will be no Mass on Friday 9th January.
PARISH OFFICE OPENING HOURS
The parish office opening hours are from 8.15am to 12.15pm Tuesday to Friday. Closed on Bank Holidays. The parish office will be closed until Tuesday 6th January.
REFLECTION - 2nd SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
The lights of Christmas are already beginning to fade. Things are getting back to normal. But the mystery of Christ’s presence among us remains. St John reminds us of this in the Gospel today: “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us…. From his fullness we have all received.”
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Lord, I sometimes wonder where I’m going and what is the meaning of my life. I wonder especially what the new year holds for me. Will it bring joy or sorrow, success or failure, life or death? But then I remember that you came on earth and that you still travel the road of life with me. And so, I say to my soul: “Go out into the darkness and put your hand in the hand of Christ your brother; that will be better than a light, and safer than a known path.”
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
Loving God, you call those who believe in you to grow perfect in love by following in the footsteps of Christ your son. Call from among us more men and women who will serve as priests and religious. By their lives make them witnesses of the Kingdom for the Church and the world. Open the hearts of many to become faithful servants of the Gospel, dedicated priests, sisters, deacons and brothers who will spend themselves for your people and their needs. Bless those who are serving now with courage and perseverance. Grant that many will be inspired by their example and faith. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
CHRISTIAN UNITY
St Nicholas Church will be open from 10am to 12noon each day during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from 19th to 23rd January. The Chancel will offer a quiet place for personal prayers or for people to use the reflections and prayers provided for the 2026 theme that centres on Ephesians 4:4 ‘There is one body and one spirit just as you were called to the one hope of your calling.’ Coffee and light refreshments will be provided.
WORKING IN A CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Are you a Catholic currently teaching in a non-Catholic school? Have you considered applying for a post in one of our schools but are unsure how they are different and whether your application would be welcomed? Find out the answers to these questions and any others you may have about working in a Catholic school by attending our online webinar, ‘Come to work in our Catholic schools’ being held on Tuesday 13th January 2026 at 7pm. The webinar will be led by Catherine Hobbs, Diocesan Director for Education and Robert Dare, Diocesan Schools Support Officer, and will last approximately one hour. Please register your interest in attending by clicking here.
DOUAI ABBEY PASTORAL PROGRAMME
Douai Abbey in Reading are offering a number of courses and days of reflection this year. You can view the programme here or visit their website here.
PAX CHRISTI - PEACE SUNDAY
The work of Pax Christi is based on the Gospel and inspired by faith. Our vision is of a world where people can live in peace, without fear of violence in all its forms. Rooted in Catholic Christianity, we work with all who share our values to abolish war and create communities of peace and justice. Peace Sunday is on 18th January.
SUPPORT THE FOODBANK
We cannot miss the fact that food prices have risen and are still rising. As a parish, we encourage you to please continue to support those who cannot afford enough food - through the Abingdon Food Bank. For practical reasons, and because nearly all supermarkets now have collection points as you leave their premises, it is easier for you to place your donations there, so please do not leave your contributions in our church. You can find out what is needed, the location of collection points, and also make a money donation, here. Thank you.
CATECHISM IN A YEAR
Fr Mike Schmitz from Ascension Press has produced a 365-day podcast entitled "The Catechism in a Year". Fr. Mike Schmitz guides listeners through the Catechism of the Catholic Church, providing insight, explanation, and encouragement as the Church's teachings are explored, following a reading plan inspired by Ascension's "Foundations of Faith" approach. Listeners can follow along with any recent version of the Catechism and can find the reading plan on the Ascension website. More information is available here.
Abingdon Community Fridge fights food waste by redistributing surplus food from local businesses and members of the community. The Abingdon Community Fridge is open to all. For more information visit their Facebook page here, or email info@abingdoncommunityfridge.org.uk
They are located at Hadland Road Community Centre, OX14 3YH and open on:
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Mondays: 4.00-4.30pm
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Thursdays: 1.00-2.00pm
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Saturdays: 10.30-11.30am
The Community Fridge is in need of funding to continue its work (hire of hall, insurance, food safety training for volunteers, etc.). To donate, please use this link here, or contact margaretdhancox@gmail.com
PARISH NEWSLETTERS
Items for the newsletter should be sent to the parish office (abingdon@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk) by the Wednesday of each week please. Copies are available in the church and on this website here. Please keep contributions as brief as possible and please take newsletters home with you. Thank you.
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DIOCESAN NEWS
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To keep up to date with the news of the Diocese and the Bishop please follow on:
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E- News: use the link here. (subscription service available)
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Facebook: @PortsmouthRC
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Twitter: @PortsmouthRC
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The Diocese website: https://www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk/
If you would like to share news with the rest of the Diocese, please contact: communications@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
GIFT AIDING YOUR MONETARY DONATIONS
If you aren't doing so already, please consider gift aiding your donations – it makes them all the more worthwhile, because if you tell us that you pay tax in the UK, then we can claim back 25% from the Government - that's 25p for every £1 you give! You can do so by filling in the yellow form available at the back of the church or online on our website here. Thank you.
JOB VACANCIES IN OUR DIOCESE
All current vacancies in the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth can be viewed here.
NEW TO THE PARISH? OR CHANGED ADDRESS?
We warmly welcome all new parishioners who have joined our parish in the last year. Please do make yourselves known if you have not already done so, and also let us know if you would like to contribute to parish life in any way. If you have already registered with us, but have changed your address or contact details, please also let us know. Forms and other information are available on our website here to register. Forms and other information are also available in the porch at our church. You can view and download our welcome booklet here. You can also view our latest annual report here.
WORLD DAY OF PEACE - 1st JANUARY 2026
Pope Leo XIV has issued his message for the 59th World Day of Peace, which will took place on 1 January 2026. You can read his full message here.
MASS INFORMATION
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The feast of the Epiphany of the Lord is on Tuesday this week, and this is a holy day, so Masses will be at 9am and 7pm.
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There will be no Mass on Friday 9th January.
UPCOMING SECOND COLLECTIONS
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Sunday 11th January: White Flower Appeal, which supports the human rights of the unborn child.
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Sunday 18th January: Pax Christi, working for justice, reconciliation and non-violence.
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Sunday 25th January: Our Diocesan cathedral, St John’s Cathedral in, Portsmouth.
LENT 2026 - PARISH CHARITY FUNDRAISING
During the season of Advent, the parish pastoral committee (PPC) ask you to think about charities which we could raise funds for during Lent 2026. Ideally, we would like to fundraise for two charities – one local/UK based and one worldwide. We are only able to consider registered charities. Please give this some consideration. We have extended the deadline, so please send your suggestions (with sufficient details of the charity) to the parish office by Friday 9 January 2026.Thank you.
ANNUAL INTER-CHURCH QUIZ
Do you like quizzes? Why not consider entering a team of up to six people for our church, to take part in the annual inter-church quiz at Abingdon Baptist Church on Friday 23rd January at 7.30pm? Entry is £2 per person, with all proceeds going to Sobell House. Please contact Ian Millgate at i.i.millgate@btinternet.com or Tel. 01235 206583.
PRAYER FOR CHRISTIANS IN AREAS OF CONFLICT
Pope Leo invites the faithful to pray that Christians living in the midst of war may be seeds of peace. You can watch his video above, and here is the text of Pope Leo’s prayer intention:
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God of peace, who through the blood of Your Son has reconciled the world to Yourself, today we pray for Christians living amidst wars and violence. Even surrounded by pain, may they never cease to feel the gentle kindness of your presence and the prayers of their brothers and sisters in faith. For only through You, and strengthened by fraternal bonds, can they become the seeds of reconciliation, builders of hope in ways both small and great, capable of forgiving and moving forward, of bridging divides, and of seeking justice with mercy. Lord Jesus, who called blessed those who work for peace, make us Your instruments of peace even where harmony seems impossible. Holy Spirit, source of hope in the darkest times, sustain the faith of those who suffer and strengthen their hope. Do not let us fall into indifference, and make us builders of unity, like Jesus. Amen.
BIBLE STUDY SESSIONS
Bible study sessions resume for another six sessions which will be running on Tuesday afternoons from 2pm to 2.30pm in the parish centre, beginning on Tuesday 6th January. For more information please email: evangeliseabingdon@outlook.com
CAR PARKING
​With the very restricted parking space available at the church, please use alternatives if you can, so that those who are less able may use our car park. Thank you for your understanding.
'YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES' PRAYER
O Lord, graciously look down upon us your servants and upon our work to build Your Holy Church here in this place. Enlighten our minds and lead us into all truth as we seek to do Your will. Abundantly bless our labours, that Your Holy Church may serve You ever more faithfully to the glory of Your Holy name. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
OPEN DOORS
Open Doors takes place on Mondays from 11am to 2pm in the Parish Centre and runs every Monday, except Bank Holidays. We offer tea/coffee, lunch (served at 12.15pm) and friendly conversation to anyone in the Parish or local community who is on their own or would like more company. ​​
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The last Open Doors session of 2025 will be on Monday, 15th December, when we will be serving a traditional Christmas lunch. Sessions restart on Monday, 5th January.
ARE YOU IN NEED OR WANT TO HELP OTHERS?
For nearly two centuries the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) has been seeking and finding those in need and responding in love. As well as visits, we can offer practical and financial help where possible. We always maintain confidentiality. Our SVP members meet every fortnight on a Wednesday evening. If you are in need or know someone who is, do contact our parish SVP group via the parish office and we will see what we can do to help. Equally, if you would like to get involved in any way, please do contact us.
LITURGY WEBSITE AND UPCOMING COURSES
The Diocese now have a Liturgy website, which provides reflection, guidance and a chance to ask questions. You can access by clicking on the image above.