DATES AND EVENTS

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Please remember to check what's on and dates of events, etc. on our calendar.

NOTICES/POSTERS IN OUR CHURCH

 

There is limited space available in our church for posters, pamphlets and other notices. If you have anything that you would like displayed, please can you send it, or hand it in, to the parish office in the first instance. If appropriate, it will then be displayed for a suitable period of time. Please do not leave items in the church yourself or move the ones already displayed. For guidance on notices/posters, anything above A5 size makes it difficult to be displayed and we may reduce the size for practical purposes. Thank you for your understanding.

PARISH AGM ANNUAL REPORT

 

This was held on Sunday 3rd November, A copy of the report can be read here, and is also available in hard copy at the back of the church. Please take one and learn more about the wide range of groups and activities that are flourishing in our parish.

 

Copies of the Parish Accounts for the period ended 31st August 2019 as discussed at the AGM are available at the back of the church.

JOURNEYING TOGETHER IN FAITH

 

This programme has started in our parish and is aimed at anyone who has an enquiring mind and is interested in growing their faith. This is also be a suitable programme for anyone who has completed the RCIA course. It is never to late to take part, and an outline of the programme can be seen here. Please do feel free to come along.

TAIZÉ PRAYER GROUP

 

The next Taizé Prayer Group meeting is this coming Wednesday November 20th at 7.30pm in the church

CHRISTMAS LUNCH FOR SENIORS

 

The Christmas Lunch for Seniors will take place on Sunday 8th December at 12.30pm in the Parish Centre. Please put your name on the list at the back of church if you would like to attend. We also need cooks and helpers on the day please. Please telephone 534873 or 203103 if you would like to help. Many thanks.

CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH AT PEACHCROFT

 

If you are alone this Christmas you are invited to Christmas Day lunch from 1pm-3pm (arrive 12.30pm). To book your place please contact Astid 07379 469311 or email:   If you are able to help with this event please also contact Astrid.

YOUTH GROUPS

 

The groups met last Saturday afternoon and spent time considering how we ask for things and the difference between asking for what we need rather than for what we want. The children then enjoyed play time outdoors before having a discussion on what they could do to entertain the elderly residents in one of Abingdon's care homes in December.

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Next events:

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• Saturday 30th November is the next occasion for the parish youth groups. The COOL group (Children of Our Lady) is for those in year 3 to 6 in primary school. St Edmund's Knights - the name chosen by the young people themselves, is for anyone in secondary school.

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Details here.

POPE FRANCIS ON WASTE

 

“We must put an end to the culture of waste, we who pray to the Lord to give us our daily bread. Food waste contributes to hunger and to climate change.” (Pope Francis)

WELCOME THE EXILE

 

As mentioned last week, please help us to continue our support for the Syrian family we are helping locally. Please be generous in the retiring collection this Sunday, 17th November.  Thank you.

THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER

 

Dear friends, in this month of November, we are invited to pray for the dead.  Let us entrust our family members, friends and acquaintances to God, especially in the Eucharist, keeping them close to us  in the spiritual company of the church.” (Pope Francis, General Audience)

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT

 

During the Month of November we will have a dedicated Mass for all those who have been bereaved. This will be on Wednesday November 20th at 7 pm. We also have a bereavement support page on our website, which you can view here.

THANK YOU!

 

The Mini Vinnies at St Edmund's School are very grateful to all those who so generously contributed to the Shoebox Appeal. The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to show God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the good news of Jesus Christ. The Mini Vinnies had set a target of filling 50 shoeboxes, but with overwhelming support, they actually managed to fill 60 boxes! Financial donations also made it possible to donate £140 towards the transport costs and obtain a barcode which will enable the Mini Vinnies to find out in which countries the boxes ended up. It is rewarding to think that 60 children less fortunate than themselves will receive a gift this Christmas.

FRIENDS OF THE HOLY LAND

 

Friends of the Holy Land would like to thank the parishioners for their generosity following the collection in your parish raising £1652.40.

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BAMENDA APPEAL

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Thank you again for your generosity. The collection raised £1302, which will go towards helping families affected by the conflict in Cameroon.

BIBLE ALIVE

 

The DECEMBER issue of Bible Alive is now available at the back of the church. Understanding the scriptures draws us closer to Jesus – who doesn’t want that? Copies of Bible Alive are available every month at the back of the church, for only £2.50. Please do take a copy.

PAX CHRISTI

 

"To be true followers of Jesus today also includes embracing his teaching about nonviolence" Pope Francis, World Peace Day. The current edition (Oct/Nov) of the newsletter from Pax Christi is devoted to the theme of non- violence. Copies are at the back of church. Please take a copy if you wish.

FOOD BANK

 

​Thank you for all contributions to the food bank. To make transportation easier, please leave items in a bag. Please do not donate items of clothing unless there is a specific appeal for these. The following items are currently most in need:

• Tins of soup, fish, meat, vegetables, puddings, fruit.

• Bottled pasta sauces, rice, pasta.

• Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, sugar, UHT milk, biscuits, jams, etc

• Cereals, long life fruit juice.

• Toiletries, especially roll-on deodorant.

Thank you.

TV PROGRAMME ON ST JOHN HENRY NEWMAN

 

Parishioners Dora and Andrew Nash have been involved in a TV programme on St John Henry Newman made by the online Catholic network Shalom TV. It’s been broadcast live and is now available as a download, which you can access here. Shalom TV is run by Keralan Catholics (Syro-Malabar rite) and although originally based in India now has people in the UK making programmes. They’re very impressive – very evangelical and upbeat in style.

PARISH BLOG

 

Please visit our Parish Blog on this section of our website for regular snippets of information and updates.

ELECTION HUSTINGS

 

Election Hustings: organised by the Church in Abingdon and Abingdon Chamber of Commerce, will take place on Monday 2 December from 7 - 9 pm at the Amey Theatre, Abingdon School.  People are invited to submit questions for the candidates to the CiA Administrator at by Friday 29th November. Questions will then be selected to cover as many topics as possible.

BE PREPARED

 

We spend much of our lives living our faith and so preparing for God’s Kingdom when we die. Why not also make sure that our loved ones know our wishes for our funeral when we die? There are forms at the back of the church to help you to do this. Please do take one and follow the instructions on it.