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 Masses in our church from 7th to 12th September, from 14th to 19th September and 21st to 25th September. Thereafter, all will resume as normal with Confessions and Mass on Saturday 26th September.
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’s Mass readings centre around forgiveness. Sirach points out that wrath and anger are hateful things, and holding on to them is a spiritual poison that blocks us from receiving God’s mercy. Yes, nursing a grudge is a heavy burden, which hurts us far more than the person who offended us! If we want God to forgive our many faults, then we need to first forgive any injustices done to us by others. God is certainly generous, compassionate and merciful, but we are expected to try and be the same, because Jesus reminds us that God will treat us as we treat others (Matthew 18:35). How many times should we be prepared to forgive? Jesus tells us that there is no limit - forgiveness is essential - as often as it is needed. In the world we live in, where so many are angry and seek revenge, our willingness and ability to show mercy and forgiveness will not only contribute to the healing of the world and all humanity, but will also show our gratitude to God. Today, let us think about how many times God has forgiven us, and let us properly reflect on our words when we say the Lord’s Prayer: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
POPE LEO - RESPECT FOR HUMAN LIFE
Human life is a sacred gift that merits to be welcomed, protected and cared for in all its stages. Nevertheless, indifference, exclusion and violence threatening the dignity of the person, especially those who are particularly vulnerable, persists in many parts of the world. When respect for life diminishes, the throwaway culture grows, leaving many without the care, support and recognition they need. In his prayer intention this month, Pope Leo invites us to pray so that the unique and unrepeatable value of every human being might be recognised and that our societies be open to protecting life through love, tenderness and responsibility. “Today we ask for the grace to recognise and protect the unique and unrepeatable value of every human being. May we learn to welcome life unconditionally, to tenderly care for fragility, to accompany each stage with respect, and to bravely defend those who have no voice. Lord Jesus, may we love life as You love it: with tenderness, fidelity, and self-giving.”
PRAYING WITH POPE LEO DURING SEPTEMBER
In his prayer intention for September, Pope Leo invites us to pray that water be protected so that we might learn to appreciate it with gratitude, justice, and moderation, and so that we might know how to defend the right of every brother and sister to have equal access to drinkable water. 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.
DIOCESAN CATECHIST DAY - 10th OCTOBER
Are you involved in passing on the faith in your parish? Join catechists from across the Diocese for a morning of prayer, inspiration, and practical formation as we reflect on our shared mission to form missionary disciples. We will explore how catechists can lead others to Christ, hand on the living faith of the Church, accompany people in conversion, and help build vibrant missionary parishes. Whether you are an experienced catechist or new to the ministry, you are warmly invited to attend. To register your interest please do so here, or email Meghan, the Formation for Mission Team Leader at: ffm@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES COMMISSION
On Thursday 24th at 4pm in the parish centre, you are all invited to a special opportunity to learn about the work of the CWGC when the local representative, Dick Richards, gives a talk. Tea and cakes available!
PASTORAL PROGRAMME FOR AUTUMN
The Douai Abbey pastoral programme for the Autumn is now available here.
EMBARK ON A FAITH-FILLED JOURNEY!
Are you ready to explore the richness of the Catholic faith? The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is ready to begin this September. Join us for an exciting series of sessions designed just for you! If you are seeking baptism, from another Christian tradition or a Catholic who would like to be confirmed, this is the place for you. Dive deep into engaging discussions, connect with fellow inquirers and uncover the beauty of faith in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. This is your chance to ask questions, share experiences, and grow and deepen your faith! Sessions begin Wednesday 23rd September, 7.30-9.00pm via zoom. Contact details and to register: pehanley@hotmail.com Tel: 07506 753085. Please do join us on this incredible journey of discovery and connection. Everyone is invited.
COLLECTION FOR FR JAMIE
As you may now know, at the request of Bishop Philip, Fr Jamie, our parish priest for the last 15 years, will be leaving us at the end of October to take up the parish in Newbury. As a thank you, we are planning two events:
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Next Sunday (20th September) there will be a special collection after each Mass. Donations can also be made on the cash reader at the back of the church, or money can be put in an envelope and posted through the presbytery letter box, marked PPC Donation.
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On Sunday 25 October after 10.15am Mass, we are planning a reception and presentation in the parish centre – ALL parishioners are warmly invited.
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
God our Father, we thank you for calling men and women to serve in your Son’s Kingdom as priests, deacons, and consecrated persons. Send your Holy Spirit to help others to respond generously and courageously to your call. May our community of faith support vocations of sacrificial love in our youth and young adults. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
SEASON OF CREATION
Tuesday 1st September opened the ‘Season of Creation’ which runs from 1st September to 4th October (the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi). Pope Leo XIV has chosen the theme: “They shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks.” (Isaiah 2:4) The Holy Father’s message highlights the connection between armed conflict and environmental degradation. The passage in which the Prophet Isaiah prophesies the transformation of weapons into agricultural tools, "is an explicit invitation to prioritise development and sustainability over violence and destruction." You can read Pope Leo's message here. In 2022 the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales issued a new edition of its teaching document on the environment – The Call of Creation. You can read it here.
UPCOMING SECOND/RETIRING COLLECTIONS
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·The second/retiring collection this Sunday 13th September will be for the Catholic Education Service. You can make a donation here.
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The second/retiring collection on Sunday 20th September will be for Home Missions
SOCIAL EVENT FOR WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS
Over the years, there are a number of parishioners who have lost a partner, and we are starting an afternoon social open to you all. The next session will be on Thursday 10th September from 1.30pm to 3.30pm in the parish centre. Do come and join us for tea or coffee and a chat. You can contact Dot Holliday or Mary Kelly through the parish office or the information in our parish newsletter.
PILGRIMAGE
Our now, annual, pilgrimage to Boars Hill will take place on Sunday 20th September. Details are available here and the registration form can be accessed here.
PRAYER EVENT
A United Prayer Event is being organised by Churches in Abingdon (CiA) on Thursday 8th October at 7.30pm at the Abingdon Baptist Church. All are welcome. This is a chance for people from all the churches in Abingdon to come together to share what is going on in their churches and pray for the town and all the outreach work. Further details to follow.
RED MISSIO BOXES
This month we gather in the red boxes for counting. If your box needs counting would you please phone Clare on 07810 192267 or Wendy on 07952 234115. Thank you.
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.
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
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.
'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.
FREE WEBINAR
Friends of the Holy Land are deeply grateful for the financial support from appeals they made in the parish. If you would like to hear more detail about their work supporting vulnerable Christian communities in the Holy Land, there is a free webinar on the fourth Monday of each month from 7.30pm-8.15pm. Just use the link here to register to attend and receive the online invitation.
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 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.