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. The office will be closed on Wednesday 18th June.
REFLECTION
Pentecost saw the birth of a new community, the new People of God. Today then, is the day the apostles left the upper room where they had been hiding for fear of the Jews and went out fearlessly to preach the gospel. Today the Church is born. But they could not have done this without the “power from on High”, that is the Holy Spirit. We too need the Holy Spirit in order to live as Christians in the world today. He comes to us not just as individuals but as a community, the Church. If you want to be free you must let yourselves be guided not by the Spirit of self-indulgence but by the Spirit of God. Look at the legacy self-indulgence produces: bad temper, fighting, jealousy, cruelty, meanness, revenge, idolatry and drunkenness. These are ugly things. They make life miserable and make slaves of us. Besides those who live like this do not belong in the Kingdom of God. But consider the legacy the Spirit brings: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These are beautiful things. They make life worthwhile, and those who live like this are free agents. They already belong to the Kingdom of God, but what they enjoy now is only a foretaste of the joys to come. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.
VOCATIONS PRAYER
Loving and generous God, you call us by name and ask us to follow where you have gone before. Help us to grow in love and service of our church today. Give us the energy and courage of the apostles at Pentecost through the power from on High. Grant us faith filled leaders who will embrace Christ’s mission of justice and peace. Bless our church by raising up dedicated and generous leaders from our families and friends who will serve your people in different forms of ministry – open our hearts to hear your call: “Come and See”. Amen.
GRANDPARENTS ASSOCIATION
members of our Grandparents Association recently attended the first International Conference in Rome and visited the Vatican. You can read a report of this event here.
JUBILEE REFLECTION - SPIRIT OF HOPE
The Holy Spirit gives gifts and graces of hope to those of us who allow the Spirit to fill us and work within us. St Paul said: "We must never get tired of doing good because if we don't give up the struggle we shall get our harvest at the proper time." (Galatians 6:9) The Holy Spirit can give us the strength to not let others discourage us from doing good, but instead, keep focused on our own actions and the impact we have on others. Pentecost symbolises the beginning of the Church's mission and the promise of a transformed world, offering believers a source of renewed hope and purpose. Pentecost also highlights the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, empowering believers to live out their faith and share their hope with the world.
VACANCIES FOR SCHOOL GOVERNORS
St Edmund’s school has vacancies for Foundation Governors. It is important that the Governing Body has a wide range of people with a variety of skills and expertise. If you would like to become a governor please speak to Fr Jamie, Debbie Brooks (Chair of Governors) or contact the Headteacher, Mrs Erika Kirwan via the school office (01235 521558).
FAREWELL SERVICE
A group of visitors from the churches in our twin towns will be visiting Abingdon from 12th to 16th June. Our Lady & St Edmund’s has been asked to host the short Farewell Service on Sunday 15th June at 7.30pm, which will be followed by a social gathering in the Parish Centre. All parishioners are warmly welcome to join the visitors and their host families at this event.
TEA PARTY
This will take place at St Ethelwold’s Gardens, 30 East St Helen’s St, Abingdon OX14 5EB on Sunday 15th June from 2-4pm. Proceeds are in Aid of The Gerontius Amenity Fund, Foundation Marie and other projects in West Africa. Tickets at £10 can be obtained by phoning 07932 35095 or using the link here.
CHILDRENS' MASSES
The 10.15am Mass on the first Sunday of the month is a children's Mass during term time.
CALLED AND GIFTED
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Our Diocesan Called and Gifted leader, Gerry Penfold invites you to the Called and Gifted online information evening on Monday 7th July from 7pm to 8:30pm. This is intended for anyone who may be interested in hearing more about discerning charisms and the spiritual and practical benefits this can bring for individuals and communities. To register, please email calledandgifted@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk with your name and parish.
REFLECTION DAYS AND WORKSHOPS
Douai Abbey are offering a number of reflection days and workshops, and a list of what is available for the next few months can be viewed and downloaded here.
As a parish, we encourage you to please continue to support the Abingdon Food Bank. However, for practical reasons, and because nearly all supermarkets now have collection points as you leave their premises - making it easier for you to place your donations, please do not leave your contributions in our church. Other collection points are at:
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.
JUBILEE YEAR OF HOPE
The Holy Father has designated that 2025 is a year of Jubilee, something which happens every 25 years. This is a time to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation. The theme for this jubilee is “Pilgrims of Hope” and is a year of hope for a world suffering the impacts of war, the ongoing effects of COVID-19 pandemic, and a climate crisis. The following shrine churches have been chosen by Bishop Philip as particular places of pilgrimage within our diocese: St Thomas, Jersey; Bournemouth Oratory; St John’s Cathedral, Portsmouth; St Edmund’s, Southampton; St James and St William of York, Reading; St Joseph’s, Guernsey. You can find information and resources for the year from CAFOD here and from the Bishops Conference of England and Wales here.
PARISH CELEBRATION
Our Parish Day this year will be celebrated on Sunday 13th July, with the morning Mass at 10.30am in the ‘garden’ behind the parish centre. This will be followed by a barbecue. Cheques will also be presented to representatives from our Lenten projects – ROSY charity and African Adventures – and you will be please to know that together, we managed to raise a total of £14,740 to be shared between these two charities. Please note that there will be no 8.45am Mass on that day, but the 6.30pm Mass will be celebrated as usual
SECOND / RETIRING COLLECTION
The second/retiring collection on Sunday 15th June will for Day for Life.
VISIT FROM THE USA
Some 30 pilgrims from the Edmundite Mission in Vermont, USA, are visiting Our Lady and St Edmund's on 15th June, also taking in a visit to St Edmund Hall, Oxford and other places associated with St Edmund. They will then travel on to Pontigny where St Edmund is buried. They will attend our 8.45am Mass on 15th June followed by breakfast in our Parish Centre, provided by our parish. It will be an opportunity for some to renew friendships. We hope you will make them welcome.
EVANGELISATION DAY
Are you looking for practical help in ways to share our faith? If so, why not register for this day…
Date: Saturday 21st June 2025
Time: 10am – 4pm (Please bring a packed lunch).
Venue: St Peter’s Church, Winchester SO23 8RY
The day offers practical help and encouragement on ways to witness and share our faith with others. It will include teaching on the importance of sharing faith and the Gospel message, the power of testimonies and how to share our personal story with others. Worship and Prayer form part of the day. Led by Allegra Mutanda, Director of Evangelisation & Leadership (St Peter's and the Winchester Martyrs). You can register here.
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Parking at St Peter's is very restricted so think of using public transport or one of the Park & Rides in town. The day is free but there will be an opportunity to give an offering to support the work of evangelisation in the parish.
EVENING TALK IN FARINGDON
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The next evening talk in the parish hall at Blessed Hugh church in Faringdon will be entitled: ‘What’s wrong with the world and how to fix it: Education as soul care’. This will be given by Dr Jan Bentz on Friday 27th June at 7.45pm. Entry is free, but if you would like to join in a fish supper prior to the talk, at 7pm, the cost is £13pp, and please email your booking by 22nd June to: pbhf.bucklandandfaringdon@gmail.com You can download a poster of the event here.
DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES
The pilgrimage begins on Monday 7th July and is £879 per person for a shared room; youth pilgrims can travel at £825. To find out more and to book a place please email: lourdes@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk or phone 07780 221686 or write to Canon PJ Smith at St Edmunds House, Bishop Crispian Way, Portsmouth PO1 3QA.
'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.
SUMMER CAMP FOR BOYS
The Diocesan Don Bosco Boys' Camp will once again be held this summer for boys who are currently in Year 6 Primary school to Year 11 Secondary school. It will take place at St. Cassian’s, Kintbury. There will be plenty of sport, outings, competitions and fun and games to ensure that boys will have a fantastic time. This will continue to take place within the context of the celebration of the Catholic Faith, including daily Mass and morning prayer. The cost of the camp is £230 (part bursaries may be available on application). For more information please see here or email dbcamps@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
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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Can you spare a few hours on a Monday on a rota basis to support our parish Open Doors initiative? We need volunteers to help at the sessions or to cook lunch. If you can help, please contact Berny Pratt on 01235 525257. Thank you.
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.
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.