MASSES AND OTHER INFORMATION
Please see below, or visit the Mass Times page for more information on Mass times and other events, or click here. For changes in our normal schedule, please click here.
PARISH OFFICE OPENING HOURS
The parish office opening hours are from 8.15am to 12.15pm Tuesday to Friday. Closed on Bank Holidays.
REFLECTION
Today we celebrate All Saints. However, it is worth considering that we are all saints in the making, because sainthood is not reserved for a select group of extraordinary achievers or historical figures. Rather, it is about allowing God's grace to transform all the ordinary moments in our own lives – for example, by showing kindness to other people. Quiet and everyday discipleship can always reflect holiness. The Beatitudes in today’s Gospel exemplifies this. Blessed are we if we follow Jesus’ teaching. St John reminds us: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1) So, by allowing God’s grace to transform our lives, we can truly “Rejoice and be glad, for our reward will be great in heaven.”
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PREPARATION
There will be a meeting on Thursday 12th November at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre, for parents who wish to enrol their children in the 2027 preparation programme. It is ESSENTIAL that parents attend the meeting to receive enrolment forms and a copy of the programme. If you have any queries, please contact Hilary Webb at: humwebb53@gmail.com
SALE OF CHRISTMAS PRODUCTS
There will be a sale of Christmas Cards and olive wood products in aid of Friends of the Holy Land on Sunday 8th November.
PASTORAL AREA INITIATIVE
As part of the 'formation/evangelisation' cooperation across our pastoral area, St, John Vianney parish, Wantage will hold the first meeting for post first communion children and young people (aged 8-16) on Friday 13th November at 6:30pm.
PRAYING WITH POPE LEO DURING OCTOBER
In his prayer intention for October, Pope Leo says: “Let us pray that the mental health ministry be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses.” Pope Leo's initiative called Pray with the Pope can be viewed here and also his worldwide prayer network for Scotland, England and Wales is available here. Pope Leo also told a group of journalists that we should “Work for peace and seek solutions without weapons.” He said: “Pray for peace, work for peace, less hatred. Hatred in the world is constantly increasing.” “Stability and peace are not built with mutual threats, nor with weapons, which sow destruction, pain, and death, but only through a reasonable, authentic, and responsible dialogue,” he said. His prayer for peace can be followed here.
PASTORAL PROGRAMME FOR AUTUMN
The Douai Abbey pastoral programme for the Autumn is now available here.
GIFT AID GIVING
In the last 6 months we received £14,156 for Gift Aid from HMRC, representing about 20% of our total income as a parish. Thank you. However, as a result of changes to Diocesan record keeping and a change to our charity number we need to obtain an updated Gift Aid declaration from you. Without this we will be unable to continue to claim Gift Aid on your donations.
The diocese have developed an online form to make the process of obtaining valid Gift Aid Declarations easier. You can access the form here, or on the diocesan website, where the form can be found on the Support Us tab by choosing Gift Aid from the drop down menu. Filling in the form takes only a few minutes.
If you prefer, to fill out the paper-based Gift Aid Declaration, send a request to accounts.abi@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk and, once completed, return it to the Parish Office.
If you have any questions or need any help completing the form please contact Carole Sawyers on accounts.abi@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk or contact the Parish Office with your name and phone number.
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 Wednesday morning 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.
DIOCESAN NEWS
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
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.
A MESSAGE FROM FR JAMIE
Dear Friends,
Just a brief line to thank you all for the fantastic send-off you gave me last weekend. Also, for your great generosity to me as I move to pastures new. I will hold you all in my heart and prayers and ask you to remember me too. I know that you will welcome Fr Mark with the same love and support I have found with you. God bless you all.
Fr Jamie
ST EDMUND OF ABINGDON 850th FEAST DAY
On Monday 16th November, the solemnity of St Edmund of Abingdon, we will have one Mass at 9.30am, with St Edmund’s School joining us in the church, and another Mass at 7pm, followed by an invitation from Fr Mark to gather in the parish centre afterwards for refreshments. It will also be a great way for him to get to know our parishioners a little better.
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
O Holy Spirit, Spirit of wisdom and divine love, impart Your knowledge, understanding, and counsel to youth that they may know the vocation wherein they can best serve God. Give them courage and strength to follow God's holy will. Guide their uncertain steps, strengthen their resolutions, shield their chastity, fashion their minds, conquer their hearts, and lead them to the vineyards where they will labour in God's holy service. Amen.
UPCOMING SECOND/RETIRING COLLECTIONS
PARISH SURVEY - CENSUS/REGISTRATION
We have started a new Parish survey, and all parishioners need to fill in a census form for each member of your family. Even if you only attend Mass at the Parish occasionally, please still fill out a form as the survey also takes this into account. Take note that there are different forms for adults and children. The QR codes are included above so feel free to complete the form as soon as you can. If you cannot use the camera on the phone, you can click on the QR code above to get to the form. Forms are also available at the back of the Church. Please take time to consider the volunteering section as we really need everyone in the Church to take on something so that our beautiful Parish can continue to grow and thrive. If you have any questions or require any help, please contact Lisa at the Parish office, and we will find a way to get you sorted. Thank you for your help with this.
IMPORTANT NOTICE - PASTORAL AREA
A new pastoral area website is being designed and all the parishes in the pastoral area have been asked to produce 3 to 4 short videos as introductions to our parishes. On Sunday 29th November, there will be filming in our parish at the 10:15am Mass and throughout the day (but not at the other Masses). The videographers will be with us from about 9:30am to 5pm. They will also be filming after Mass in the parish centre during refreshments. It would be great to see a good number of people attending, but please be aware of these arrangements if you do not want to be on film.
CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH
It may seem early, but the Peachcroft Christian Centre need to plan for this lunch and are looking for
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Helpers on the day (from 11am to 4:30pm) Can you bring hospitality, kindness and fun? Can you chat with guests whilst eating Christmas lunch? Can you serve and clear tables? Can you set up and pack down with Christmas cheer?
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Clean up crew (attending from 3pm) If you can't attend the whole day but can bring some energy to the clean-up, they would love to have you.
If interested in either role, please email, as soon as possible: jay.elliott@peachcroftcc.org
Details for signing up as guests will be available later.
NEW CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL
Since the closure of OLA School in August 2025, a core group of parishioners have been working diligently to acquire the site to enable the re-establishment of a Catholic Secondary school. The school has to be independent until the education system enables a transition to a state funded school. The full proposal for the school can be read in the Prospectus which can be found here. More briefly, Bishop Philip's, and other endorsements of the proposal can be read separately here.
The group is now looking to recruit benefactors who will support the project financially which is a major undertaking. Please keep them and their work in your prayers so that the objectives can be achieved.
BIBLE STUDY SESSIONS
Bible study sessions resume for another six sessions which will be running on Tuesday afternoons from 2pm to 3.30pm in the parish centre, beginning on Tuesday 6th January. For more information please email: evangeliseabingdon@outlook.com
'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 10.30am to 1.30pm 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.
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.
NEW TO THE PARISH? OR CHANGED ADDRESS?
We warmly welcome all new parishioners. 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.
