It may seem strange, but this is a Christmas Feast. Not if we think of Christmas only in terms of the Baby in Bethlehem, but if we have followed the ideas of the Feasts of Holy Family and especially Epiphany, and have seen the Season in terms of the growing manifestation or appearing of the Son of God: first to the shepherds and then to the wise men from the East. Now in the River Jordan, Jesus, Son of Mary, is revealed to all as the fullness of all God’s promises: “This is my Son, the Beloved”. On this day we stand before the revelation of God’s love for us, such that he would send his only Son into the world. Christmas without the Baptism of the Lord, and the words that are spoken from heaven, would be incomplete, since it is only in them that we fully see the wonder of what happened in Bethlehem. As we come to the end of Christmas today, and look forward to hearing the Gospels in Ordinary Time, we do so having been shown who it is we listen to: the only Son of God, the Beloved.
CELEBRATING THE JUBILEE YEAR 2025
Following two years of preparation, which have focused on Vatican II and Prayer we are now invited to embark on a Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope. This Jubilee Year reminds us of the ‘jubilee’ of Israel when the land was rested, and debts were to be cancelled, and God called people to be reconciled with one another and importantly with God’s self. We, too, are called to be reconciled with one another, to proclaim God’s abundant mercy and the Good News of Jesus Christ. Bishop Bosco will formally open the Jubilee Year in the diocese at the 11.15am Mass at Clifton Cathedral on 29th December. The Cathedral will be open every day for Pilgrims to come and experience the ‘Pilgrims’ Way, within the Cathedral itself. This prayerful journey around the Cathedral will invite us to pray for hope in our lives and in our world. On 5th April, ‘Embracing the Mercy of God’ will be an opportunity for the diocese to come together to celebrate the great Sacrament of Hope which we have been given in the form of Reconciliation. Our diocesan day on 19th July will be a further opportunity for us to gather as a community to consider how we take this message of Hope to the world with activities for children and young people, we hope that many people will make the pilgrimage to Bristol for this joyful gathering.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2025
Application forms are now available for the First Holy Communion Programme for 2025. Sessions will take place at St John’s Parish Centre on Thursday evenings from mid-January onwards. The programme is open to anyone in Year 3 or above. Please return completed application forms to Fr Richard by Christmas. More details of the programme will be provided soon.
First Holy Communion Application Form First Holy Communion Application Form PDF
46 Day Marian Consecration
We would like to invite you to join our Mary’s Mantle prayer community. Starting on 28th October we will individually pray a daily rosary until 12th December when we will consecrate ourselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Please see the parish website for further details. We will be united in our shared intentions and through our WhatsApp group.
October : Month of The Holy Rosary
On Sunday 6th October you are invited to join the Children’s Rosary group in St John’s Church from 9.45am-10.15am where the children will lead us in praying the rosary. If you would like to join us in the Parish Centre for the rest of October you would be so welcome. Everyone is welcome to join us on Mondays and/or Wednesdays to pray the Healing Rosary for Families at 9am.
Flower Arrangers – St John’s
Would you be able to help out with the flower arranging at St John’s? More volunteers are needed, either to go on to the flower arranging rota or just to help with watering during the week. If anyone is interested, please contact Joan Boorer on 07815 753542.
Confirmation
Bishop Bosco will be coming to Saint John’s to celebrate this year’s Confirmation Mass on Tuesday 19th November. Application forms are now available, and a programme of preparation will begin in September. Copies of the form are available in all of the churches and have been sent out with the newsletter. Anyone who will be in Year 9 (current
Year 8) or above can apply for the programme. Please return completed application forms to the presbytery,
or email to richard.elson@cliftondiocese.com
The form is also available to download Confirmation Application Form 2024
APPEAL FOR CATECHISTS
I will need some help from catechists with running this year’s Confirmation programme, and with next year’s First Holy Communion programme. Many thanks for those who have already replied; if anyone else feels that they may be able to help out, please let me know.
Fr Richard.
Calling Musicians
If you can play a musical instrument and would like to be part of the Music group within the Parish, then PLEASE make yourself known. Come along and say Hello after the 10.30 Sunday Mass at St. John’s.
Music worship within the Parish has always been a central part of the services, we do not ask for lots of commitment just that you would like to thank and Praise God though the talents that you have and come along and join in and play when you are available. You may be new to the parish and have musical ideas to share which would be very welcome. We look forward to meeting you whoever you are.
Trowbridge Food Bank
As always, a massive thankyou to all who have contributed to the Trowbridge Foodbank Collection each month. Many people rely on your generosity. Collections are on the last weekend of the month. Please leave you donated goods in the Church Porch at St. John’s and St. Bernadette’s.
300 Club
If you wish to join the 300 Club, please ask Fr. Richard or Mike Heather for an application form. They are also available on this website.
Live Streaming from St John’s
