PR IEST RETIREMENT FUND: Attached to the bulletin is an envelope for the Priests Retirement Fund. Catholic priests do not retire before the age of 70 and are usually expected to go on until the age of 75. On retirement they live on State Pension and a small pension from the church given from this collection. As most priests never own their own home they live simply in a convent, or with a brother or sister. Retired priests give an average of over 50 years service in this diocese. Please bring your envelope to Mass next Sunday and place it in the collection.
KILTEGAN FATHERS: Although Fr Joseph wasn’t able to join us last week – end the Appeal went ahead and the second collection amounted to £800.00. This was a very generous response and Father Gregory thanks everyone who donated to this worthwhile cause.
WELCOME FATHER STAN: We welcome Father Stan who will be here with us for the next two weeks. We hope he enjoys his stay at St Patrick’s.
COMMUNITY BUILDING AND SCHOOL DINNER HALL: Work was scheduled to start on this building this month but unfortunately the Keynsham based contractor, Micra, is unable to proceed with this development. We are now seeking an alternative contractor to build the scheme. Thank you to Jim Brooks who, in spite of the twists and turns in this process continues to move the project forward in the best interests of every body involved.
ST PATRICK’S SCHOOL DEPUTY HEAD: Congratulations to Mrs Michelle Marshall who was appointed Deputy Head of St Patrick’s school commencing September of this year. We pray that she will enjoy her role and that she will have many happy years ahead in this responsible position.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION : (1) There will be a meeting for parents of the First Holy Communion candidates in The Shore Gallery this Wednesday 14 th May at 7.00pm . Please make every effort to attend. Any questions please contact Kath on 0117 9090111.
(2) Classes continue this Saturday from 10.00am – 11.15am for First Holy Communion children in The Shore Gallery.
LORD WE PR AY FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK : Please remember in your prayers: Marie Grant , Evelyn Lester, Esther Brumby, Tony Morton, Joan King in Frenchay Hospital , Michael Gradwell, Mary Dias
CHORAL TRIP TO IRELAND : On Thursday 22 nd May over 50 parishioners are travelling to Ireland for four days. Half of them, our choir will be singing in three venues including Waterford Cathedral and Galway Cathedral. Congratulations to David and Amelia for organising this trip. Please pray it is successful and enjoyable for everyone involved.
BISHOPS PASTORAL LETTER: To day The Bishops Pastoral Letter replaces the sermon at all Masses.
BAPTISM TALK : Baptism Talk ‘A’ takes place in the church today Sunday 11 th May at 11.00am after Mass. All parents must attend two talks A and B before arranging a baptism for their child(ren). Baptism Talks take place on the second Sunday of every month at 11.00am .
CHURCHES TOGETHER: The Whit Sunday procession takes place this afternoon. We will process at 2.30 pm from The Fountain at St George junction of Summerhill Road and Cloudshill Road - to St George Park entering at Chalks Road. We will be joined by several other local churches. There will be a short service in the park at 3.00 pm followed by organised fun and games for children and a picnic. Please bring your own picnic.
YOUTH CLUB BACON BUTTY FUNDRAISING: (1) St Patrick’s Youth Club raised £214.00 after the 10.00am Mass recently. Thank you to everyone who supported this event. It was good to see that 34 youth club members and helpers enjoyed bowling together last week. Young people aged 11+ are encouraged to join the Youth Club which meets every Friday evening.
GIFT AID: Many thanks to parishioners who have taken Gift Aid Declaration forms. If you have not yet returned your completed forms please enclose the form in a envelope marked Gift Aid and place it in the offertory plate. Anyone wishing to contribute by envelope or standing order, blank forms can be found on the wall rack in the narthex, alternatively please return your form to the parish office.
CANDIDACY MASS: There will be a Candidacy Mass on Friday 23 rd May at 7.30pm at Sacred Heart, Wooton Bassett. Mgr Jeremy Rigden will be the principal celebrant. Denis Deasy and Rob Easton from St Patrick’s Parish together with John Scanlon from St Augustine ’s Downend and Terry Aspell from Sacred Heart Wooton Bassett are the Candidates. The Candidacy is the public declaration of the intention to serve and the formal acceptance by the church of that declaration .
CONCERT IN CHURCH: Next Friday 16 th May will bring to St. Patrick’s The University of the West of England Chamber Choir and Brass Consort. Dedicated to UWE lecturer and St. Patrick’s Music member Trevor Johnson who died suddenly last year. This is likely to be a spectacular occasion and well worth the ticket price of £6.00. Concessions and Children: £4.00.
WEDDING BELLS: (1) We congratulate Colin West and Fiona Giancola who were married from St Patrick’s last week- end
(2) Congratulations to Bridget O’Brien and David Goldphorpe who were married yesterday. We wish all of our couples a long and happy life together.
FAITH TALK: This Tuesday 13 th May at 8.00pm in The Shore Gallery.
SUMMER FETE AND FLOWER SHOW: (1) Saturday 14 th June: The Annual Summer Fete takes place on the field. There will also be a FLOWER FESTIVAL IN THE CHURCH.
(2) We are looking for contributions that are in excellent condition, along with tins for our grocery stall – bottles (full) - toiletries - good quality DVD’s and CD’s There is a box in the Narthex to put your donations in. Due to health and safety regulations we can no longer accept electrical goods – Thank you
BUDDY BALL: Saturday 5 th July: The Fifth Annual Buddy Ball takes place in the newly refurbished Jurys Hotel . Tickets are now on sale. There is a display at the back of the church, please take a couple of minutes to have a look . This year the ticket prices are the same as last year £75.00 BUT there is a discount to St Patrick’s Parishioners and tickets for St Patrick’s Parishioners are £50.00. You may order your tickets by completing the booking form in the church or buy them direct from the parish office.
SUMMER CAMPS : (1) Fort Rocky : There are 5 places for an activities weekend at Fort Rocky : Kidderminster for 15 – 19 year olds… A great opportunity to meet other young people around the country and have loads of outdoor – bound fun !! Friday 27 th - 29 th June. Cost £30.00 per person ( normal price £95.00 ) This week-end has been subsidised by Churches Together.
(2) FALCON CAMP: Treginnis 2 : This camp ‘sold out’ within 3 days of advertising!! .
(3) Living Your Faith: Summer Camp: Weeks of “Fun & Games” and faith at Our Lady’s Homestead in Nympsfield nr Stroud Glos. The cost is £30.00 per person Dates: 11 th – 15 th August ( age 7 – 11 ) 18 th – 22 nd August age 12 - 15 years;
(4) Creation Fest A week-end away!! Open to the Youth of our parish to Woolacombe in Devon Friday 1 st – 3 rd August Cost £30.00 per person. Please contact Dave Fortune on 07789005990.
(5) Junior SVP Camp Vincent: A chance for all Youth SVP members from all over England and Wales to get away together for four days Monday 14 th – 17 th July at Ampleforth North Yorkshire. The Cost of this years trip is £30.00 per person
Please contact Natalie at the parish office on 0117 9557662 if your child would like to go on any of these camps.
WE THANK THE GRANT BRADLEY CHARITABLE TRUST FOR SUBSIDISING THESE SUMMER CAMPS.
LADIES SKITTLES: This Tuesday 13 th MayLadies Catholic League AGM at St Josephs Fishponds at 7.45pm – Please see Rose Holland for more details.
PASSION FOR LIFE TOUR: You are invited to the ‘Passion of Life’ tour…. Come and find out about the impact of The Government’s new bill on the value of Human Life – why it should be opposed, and what you can do about it! Tomorrow Monday 12 th May at 7.30pm at the Carmel Christian Centre 817a Bath Road Brislington Keynote speaker LORD (DAVID) ALTON . Please see notice board.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS: Catholic schools are excellent and usually over subscribed. In Saint Patrick’s we had 110 applications for 30 places for September 2008. St Bernadette’s school has written to the parish informing parents of pupils who didn’t get a place about the appeals procedure for St Bernadette’s. Information is available from the parish office.
ARTS AT ST AIDENS: The Jane Lilley Singers. A varied programme of songs including Jazz, Folk, Gospel, pop and sacred this Tuesday 13 th May at 7.30pm at St Aidens Church, Firtree Lane , St George.
MENS PR AYER GROUP : The Men’s Prayer Group meeting will meet on Wednesday 28 th May at 7.30pm . The Men’s Prayer Group is open to all men over 18 and meets once per month for one hour of prayer and discussion. If you would like to know more, please phone Denis Deasey on 01179414762
THE MONTH OF MAY: May is the month of Mary it is also the month of the Rosary a prayer very dear to Our Lady. Our Lady asks that we pray the Rosary daily. The Rosary is said every day at St Patrick’s before daily Mass or Communion Service and at 5.45pm on Saturdays.