MASSES AND OTHER INFORMATION
Please visit the Mass Times page for more information on Mass times and other events, or 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
St Matthew describes Christ’s mission like this: “The people who lived in darkness have seen a great light”. We too live in a world darkened by violence, injustice, hatred, war and death. We desperately need the light of Christ, both in our individual lives and in the world as a whole. To be a source of light in the world one doesn’t need to be either famous or rich. All one needs is a warm heart. A few years ago, a poor unemployed couple from Dallas, Texas went out one morning looking for aluminium beer tins which they hoped to sell for recycling. In one bin they made a very sad discovery. They found the body of a baby. Greatly saddened, they felt responsible to ensure the unknown baby got a decent funeral. Thanks to their efforts the baby went to its final resting place in a white coffin decked with flowers. But the whole thing cost quite a bit of money, money they could ill afford. The wife pawned her only possession, a diamond engagement ring, to help pay the funeral expenses. Light shines in the dark.
UPCOMING SECOND COLLECTIONS
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Sunday 25th January: For the vital upkeep of our Diocesan cathedral, St John’s Cathedral in Portsmouth.
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Sunday 1st February: Mary’s Meals, providing school meals in the poorest communities of the world.
MARY'S MEALS
Mary’s Meals provides life-changing school meals to children living in some of the world’s poorest communities. The promise of a good meal brings hungry children into the classroom, where they can gain an education and better opportunities for the future. Their meals make it possible for hungry children to come to school and give them the energy they need to concentrate and participate in class. They are now serving more than three million every school day – and, together, we can reach the next hungry child waiting for Mary’s Meals. Thanks to our low-cost approach it costs just £19.15 to provide a child with meals in a place of education for a whole school year. There will be multiple ways to donate and thank you all in anticipation.
CHILDREN'S MASS
We will be celebrating our first Children's Mass of 2026 at 10.15am on Sunday 1st February. As usual, we will be asking children to help us with welcoming, the offertory procession, the collection and singing, and would also like some children to read the First and Second Readings (taken from the Lectionary for Masses with Children) and the Bidding Prayers. If your child would like to read a reading or prayer at this Mass then please email Fiona Semple at reception@st-edmunds-rc.oxon.sch.uk and she will send you the words so that your child can practise. Thank you in advance for your support.
BARN DANCE
Abingdon Church Twinning is organising a fund-raising Barn Dance on Saturday 28th February in Trinity Church Conduit Centre. Tickets include a ploughman’s supper and cost £15. A limited number of tickets are available! Further information and tickets from Pat Warren 07526033715 or Anne Dodd 01235 525997.
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
Lord Jesus Christ, Shepherd of souls, who called the apostles to be fishers of men, raise up new apostles in your holy Church. Teach them that to serve you is to reign: to possess you is to possess all things. Kindle in the hearts of our people the fire of zeal for souls. Make them eager to spread your Kingdom upon earth. Grant them courage to follow you, who are the Way, the Truth, and the Life; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
PRAYING WITH POPE LEO
Pope Leo’s prayer intention for January is that the Word of God may be nourishment for our lives and a source of hope in our communities, helping us to build a more fraternal and missionary Church. In addition to his monthly Prayer Intention, Pope Leo has launched a new initiative called Pray with the Pope. You can find out more here and also his worldwide prayer network for Scotland, England and Wales here.
INVITATION FOR VOLUNTEER CATECHISTS
Our parish/community continues to grow and flourish, and our Pastoral Area Formation Team are seeking to recruit more volunteers to serve as catechists. We particularly invite volunteers to work with our Children’s Liturgy group. Catechists support learners in exploring scripture, the sacraments, prayer and Christian living, as they witness to our faith through their own words and example. Please see the handout available today at Mass and if you are interested in deepening your faith and helping others to grow in theirs, please do consider this invitation. For more information or to explore an interest please contact Pauline Hanley: email pehanley@hotmail.com Tel: 07506 753085
DOUAI ABBEY PASTORAL PROGRAMME
Douai Abbey in Reading are offering a number of courses and days of reflection this spring. You can view the programme here or visit their website here.
BIG LENT WALK
The season of Lent begins on 18th February, so you may like to consider registering to take part in The Big Lent Walk, which is a challenge, organised by CAFOD, where you are asked to walk 200km over the 40 days of Lent and get sponsored to raise money for life-saving water. You can walk alone or with friends. Visit their website here to find out more.
COMMUNITY OF OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM
The Community of Our Lady of Walsingham seeks help to purchase a property to accommodate their growing community and further their apostolates of prayer, parish missions, hospitality, chaplaincy and youth work. Any amount, large or small is greatly appreciated and the community assure you of their prayers. Cheques payable to COLW can be sent to House of the Divine Will, Neatherd Moor, Dereham, NR20 4AZ. More information, as well as the option to donate online, can be found here and see their poster here. You can also phone them on 01362 692574 or email office@walsinghamcommunity.org
BOSCO BOYS' CAMP EXPERIENCE
This year's Bosco Experience & Reunion Afternoon will be held on Sunday 22nd February from 2-4pm at St Peter's Catholic Church, Winchester SO23 8RY. A chance for new boys who want to find out more and have a ‘taste’ of the Bosco Experience and for those who have been on camp to meet with old friends. Fun activities and a chance for parents to find out more and sign up for camp. There is no cost for the afternoon. You can also find out more about the Bosco summer camp from 26th July to 1st August at St Cassian's Centre in Kintbury here.
TRINITYLEARNING
TrinityLearning works with volunteers to improve the quality of life, particularly relating to wellbeing and mental health, in 23 school communities in the Abingdon area. They are now looking for a new Education Development Officer. Are you an experienced education professional who could lead this small Abingdon based Charity? This is a two year contract, starting as soon as possible. 0.4 FTE, salary £33,000 pro rata per annum. (£13,200). For the full job advert, an application form and details of how to apply, please see their website here. For further details, or for an informal conversation about the role, please contact Pauline by email: revmain@gmail.com or Tel 01235 531028. TrinityLearning is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people.
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.
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.
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 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 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. ​​​
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.