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, in consideration for others, the government strongly recommends that face masks/coverings continue to be worn in indoor public spaces. Thank you for helping to keep each other safe by doing this, for sanitising your hands as you enter the church, and for maintaining a reasonable distance from others where feasible.

PARISH OFFICE OPENING HOURS

 

Please note that until further notice, the Parish Office opening hours will be from Tuesdays to Fridays from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Outside of these times, Fr Jamie will respond to urgent phone messages as soon as he can. Please note that the parish office will be closed from Friday 30th July and reopens on Tuesday 17th August.

GRANDPARENTS' ASSOCIATION

 

There has been some interest in the formation of a Parish branch of the Catholic Grandparents Association. Regular meetings provide an opportunity for members to socialise and share experiences. To register an interest please send your contact details to delanypeter@btinternet.com or by leaving them at the Parish Office.

RCIA/JOURNEY IN FAITH SESSIONS

 

What is Love? What is Happiness? What is the meaning of my Life? Who is Jesus?

​

Who do they say that I am? I am with you always. Peace be with you. Do not be afraid. Come and see. A friend to those in need. A Comforter to those who ask. A healer to the sick. A helper to those in need. Love one another as I have loved you. The Son of God. “This is My Beloved Son”

​

You might wish to find out more about Jesus, would like to receive baptism, become a Catholic, or you may be a Catholic but not confirmed? If so, RCIA/Journey in Faith could be for you.

 

“Come and See" introduction to RCIA Tuesday 7th September at 7.30pm

Sessions begin on 21st September.

​

Please contact Pauline Hanley email: pehanley@hotmail.com or tel: 07506 753085 for further details.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

 

Our Parish Day, which had to be postponed, is now planned for Sunday 12th September, all being well. This will be a wonderful opportunity to welcome and meet new parishioners and to re-establish contact with existing ones after this long pandemic period. We pray that plans for this day will be fruitful. More information will be given nearer the time.

CAKE & CONVERSATION GROUP

 

Sadly, this group, which has been based from the parish for many years, will come to an end as we know it. However, those involved would love to see some sort of regular, inclusive social opportunities for those whose first language is not English, and/or also for welcoming new parishioners. If a group of you would like to explore this further, would you please come forward and let us know via the parish office - and feel encouraged and supported by the whole parish.

MESSAGE FROM BISHOP PHILIP

 

Earlier this week, the Government relaxed many of the restrictions it put in place because of the pandemic. Even so, the virus continues to be present, and as a Diocese, we will need to continue creating safe environments in our parish churches and properties, so that everyone, particularly the elderly and the vulnerable, can visit church, participate in Mass and share in parish life, safely and with confidence.
 
The noble mission of our Diocese is: Bringing People Closer to Jesus Christ through His Church. It is in our churches that the Lord unites us together, sanctifies, teaches and guides us, and feeds us with the Sacraments of eternal life, sending us out on mission and service. During the lockdowns, many have followed Mass online, and we thank God for all who helped to make that possible. But online is not the same as ‘inline.’ It’s not the same as being there, as actually receiving Jesus in Holy Communion. It’s not the same as sharing with our brothers and sisters in the life and mission of the eucharistic community.
 
This is why I wish to say to everyone: Now is the time to come back to the Lord to be nourished by His Word and Sacraments! Now is the time for everyone to return to church. The Lord is calling to us in our hearts: “The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice” (John 10: 27). He promises: “Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I in him” (John 6: 56). He says: “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full” (John 10: 10). As Catholics, we do not follow Christ Jesus simply out of habit or obligation. We follow him because we love him. We follow him because he calls us. We follow him because he is our Saviour: He laid down His life for us. So I now say to you and to all: Come back to the Lord in Sunday Mass. Come to be nourished by his Word and his Sacraments!
 
Thank you for listening – and please be assured of my prayers.
 
In Corde Iesu,
+Philip

YEAR OF THE EUCHARIST - A PRAYER

 

Lord Jesus Christ, fill us with the fire of divine charity, and through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, St. Edmund of Abingdon and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, renew our Diocese, its clergy, religious and faithful. Give us all a deeper love for your Word and for the Holy Eucharist and make us totally dependent on your Holy Spirit. Fill us with the desire to go out on mission to everyone as servants of all. Restore the lapsed; bless our youth and help us to put our time, talent and treasure at your service. Above all, make us holy that we may bring many more souls closer to You through your Church. Bless us all, dear Lord, and bring us one day to heaven, where you live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

THRIVE TEAM IN SOUTH ABINGDON

 

If you are a regular donor to Thrive, which works with young people in South Abingdon, please note that they would now like to move your monthly donation to support Innovista GB where Matt Warmington will continue to invest his time and his talent. This transfer will happen automatically on the 1 September 2021 unless they hear from you at hello@innovista.org before then.

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION TRAINING PROGRAMME

 

This two-year course beginning in September, is a unique combination of online and residential learning facilitated by seasoned practitioners at the Centre for Applied Carmelite Spirituality in Oxford.  It offers unparalleled formation in the spiritual life and training for those who wish to accompany others on their spiritual journey, while providing a forum for the mutual enrichment of Christians from different denominations. Contact, Ruth Preston (ruth.preston@carmelite.org.uk) or find more information here or clicking on the image above.

CONFESSIONS

 

Confessions resume on Saturdays between 11am and 11.30am in the Church, or by appointment (contact the parish office for appointments).

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. Please do not return newsletters to the basket or table in the church, or leave them on the benches – kindly take them home with you. Thank you.

CHURCH CLEANERS

 

As we resume normal functioning, we would like to restart a rota for cleaning the church. If you would like to volunteer, please could you give your name and contact details to the parish office as soon as possible (abingdon@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk). You will most likely only be needed on a fortnightly basis and it would be helpful if you could let us know your preferred day(s) when you would be able to clean.

CHURCH GROUPS

 

Our parish website is currently being updated. Please could you have a look at all the entries in the Groups section, especially if you are a representative for any of the groups, and let us know of any necessary changes as soon as possible. If you are part of a group which is missing, or you would like to start a group, please could you also get in touch and let us know. Please use the email: contact@ourladyandstedmund.org.uk  Thank you.

NEW TO THE PARISH?

 

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. You can use the form on our website here to register.

BABY AND TODDLER GROUP

 

We are hoping to restart our St Edmund’s Baby and Toddler Group on Friday mornings in the parish centre in September and we are in desperate need of volunteers. We especially need help setting up before the sessions start at 9.30am. It would not be every Friday as it is in term time only. Please contact Karen on 01235 555167 or email kazy@sky.com if you can help or would like to know more.

HOW YOUR DONATIONS HAVE HELPED SYRIANS

 

Thanks to your donations, CAFOD has been helping people in Syria since the crisis began 10 years ago. Over 12 million people have left their homes, 5.6 million are refugees in neighbouring countries and within Syria, 13 million people need help. At the beginning, our focus was on delivering food and blankets through our local church partners. Then we started providing education, health and legal services, and helping people earn a living. Our latest projects are supporting children, lonely elderly people, helping women learn to read, and helping people restart their small businesses. We’ve always planned for the long term, standing alongside people who lost everything. None of this work would have been possible without your support of CAFOD. Thank you.

JTiF (JOURNEYING TOGETHER IN FAITH)

​

We will be starting a new programme on Monday 6th September. All sessions take place in the Parish Centre on Mondays from 7.30pm to 9pm. These sessions are suitable for any adult with an enquiring mind who wishes to journey further in their faith. It is also suitable for anyone who has completed the RCIA course. Everyone is welcome to attend any or all of the sessions. The sessions will comprise of a video, reflection, discussion, prayer, and a chance to socialise, with refreshments. Please feel free to invite others to these sessions. The full programme can be viewed here or by clicking on the image above.

DONATIONS TO THE FOODBANK

 

Still urgently needed are:

• Long life cow's milk - semi skimmed or whole

• Sugar

• Tinned meat for hot meals (mince, stews, meatballs)

• Dried chick peas and couscous

• Instant coffee

• Bottles of squash

• Small (500g) bags of sugar

• Cleaning spray

• J cloths (other brands are available)

• Bleach

Donations can be dropped off at the Foodbank on Northcourt Road

ABINGDON COMMUNITY FRIDGE

 

Abingdon Community Fridge collect surplus food from supermarkets and distribute to the community. Everyone is welcome. The Fridge has moved to Hadland Road Community Centre, Abingdon OX14 3YH and opening hours are now Mondays 5-6pm, Thursdays 2-3 pm, and Saturdays 10.30-11.30 am

CALLED AND GIFTED - NOW ONLINE

 

The Called and Gifted discernment process is now available ONLINE. See the website here.

​

For more information or to discuss what Called and Gifted could mean for you, please contact one of the C&G Core Team:
Gerry Penfold - gpenfold@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
Anne-Marie Fletcher - amfletcher@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
Geoff and Gina Poulter - gpoulter@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

CONTINUE TO PRAY DURING THIS PANDEMIC

​

Almighty and eternal God, our refuge in every danger, to whom we turn in our distress; in faith we pray, look with compassion on the afflicted, grant eternal rest to the dead, comfort to mourners, healing to the sick, peace to the dying, strength to healthcare workers, wisdom to our leaders and the courage to reach out to all in love, so that together we may give glory to your holy name. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen