Old news but worth knowing about.....
The feast day of St Philip Benizi O.S.M. and the traditional Servite custom of the Blessing of bread and water....
Friday 23rd August is the feast day of St Philip Benizi OSM. Today during Holy Mass we remembered him and his great works of peace and generosity to the poor and also prayed for the Servite Order of Friar Servants of Mary all around the world (including our own priest Father Bill OSM.)
Father Bill OSM blessed the bread and water that is traditional in all the servite churches around the world and then distributed it with special holy cards to all who came to Holy Mass....
Father Bill OSM blessed the bread and water that is traditional in all the servite churches around the world and then distributed it with special holy cards to all who came to Holy Mass....
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Our Lady of Guadeloupe pray for us...
Near the conclusion of our First Friday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Friday 2nd May at 8pm, the life size image-relic of Our Lady of Guadeloupe was brought to Ss Peter & Paul for veneration until the end of Holy Mass on Sunday 4th May.
The image is an exact copy of the original image of Our Lady that appears on the tilma of Juan Diego, and has been certified as authentic by Church authorities.
This image of Our Lady was made for Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Madrid for World Youth Day 2011. The image was present at all the Masses and Papal ceremonies, and when the Holy Father left Madrid he bequeathed it to the director of a Catholic charity based in Madrid, and asked that the image should pass from one family to another, and from one church to another, so that it could bringing grace to all who came into contact with it.
We pray that Our Lady of Guadeloupe has brought many graces to our Parish and the people who faithfully came on both days to pray in the church in front of the painting.
The image is an exact copy of the original image of Our Lady that appears on the tilma of Juan Diego, and has been certified as authentic by Church authorities.
This image of Our Lady was made for Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Madrid for World Youth Day 2011. The image was present at all the Masses and Papal ceremonies, and when the Holy Father left Madrid he bequeathed it to the director of a Catholic charity based in Madrid, and asked that the image should pass from one family to another, and from one church to another, so that it could bringing grace to all who came into contact with it.
We pray that Our Lady of Guadeloupe has brought many graces to our Parish and the people who faithfully came on both days to pray in the church in front of the painting.
£450 raised for St Mungo's - Thank you!!
Many thanks for wearing your woolly hats and eating woolly hat cakes this weekend at Holy Mass in support of St Mungo's.
St Mungo's is a charity which helps to house, support and care for vulnerable and excluded people who either have been, or are at risk of, sleeping rough and becoming homeless all over the UK.
In Bath, St Mungo's run Mulberry House in Weston which provides housing and support services for people diagnosed with severe and enduring mental health needs. The aim of St Mungo's is to make sure that homeless and excluded people can be helped to improve their quality of life.
One of our younger parishioners, Jess Gate chose this charity to help because St Mungo was the Confirmation Saint that she chose for her Confirmation name in 2013. Jess and her brothers and sisters, spoke up about St Mungo's and the whole family baked cakes and collected hats and with the help of some of our other Confirmands, Georgie and Patrick, gave out St Mungo stickers and sold cakes. Even Father Bill OSM wore an official St Mungo orange woolly hat!!
St Mungo's is a charity which helps to house, support and care for vulnerable and excluded people who either have been, or are at risk of, sleeping rough and becoming homeless all over the UK.
In Bath, St Mungo's run Mulberry House in Weston which provides housing and support services for people diagnosed with severe and enduring mental health needs. The aim of St Mungo's is to make sure that homeless and excluded people can be helped to improve their quality of life.
One of our younger parishioners, Jess Gate chose this charity to help because St Mungo was the Confirmation Saint that she chose for her Confirmation name in 2013. Jess and her brothers and sisters, spoke up about St Mungo's and the whole family baked cakes and collected hats and with the help of some of our other Confirmands, Georgie and Patrick, gave out St Mungo stickers and sold cakes. Even Father Bill OSM wore an official St Mungo orange woolly hat!!
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A joyful Joint Carol service at Holy Trinity, Combe Down
On Sunday 15th December we enjoyed a beautiful carol service with our friends at Holy Trinity Combe Down. We were greeted in the gales and rain by cheerful smiles and a cup of warming mulled wine and mince pies. There were traditional readings and well known carols by candlelight as well as a chance to talk to old friends afterwards with a mince pie or two. It was jolly and prayerful at the same time and gave us all a chance to forget the hustle and bustle of buying turkeys and sending cards and to reflect about what Christmas is really all about. Thank you to all at Holy Trinity, Combe Down for a lovely evening, and for making us feel so welcome. We look forward to seeing you all at Ss Peter & Paul next year.
The Christmas Bazaar - Many thanks...
The parish was action-packed this weekend with the beginning of Advent and our Christmas Bazaar. The Apostels' Room was full of delicious cakes and Mince pies, and parishioners and friends getting bargains and stocking up with Christmas presents. The new addition of Parish Marmalade went down a storm and the Grand Draw winners were delighted with their winnings.
Many thanks to all those who donated prizes and goods or helped before or on the day, or baked, or manned a stall or cleared up or came and supported the Bazaar this weekend. It was a great Team-Parish effort.
Many thanks to all those who donated prizes and goods or helped before or on the day, or baked, or manned a stall or cleared up or came and supported the Bazaar this weekend. It was a great Team-Parish effort.
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Crowns on the Feast of Christ the King and a special visitor
Click the photo to see more
On the special feast of Christ the King Father Bill OSM explained to the children and the youth of our Parish why this feast is so special to us.
He told them that when Jesus walked upon the earth He looked like a normal human being, however He was really a King. Although we can’t see Jesus with our eyes we know that He is alive and that He is still a King and we must try do our best to follow Him. Beautiful golden crowns were given out to all the little children and Father Bill introduced our special visitor, Grace, who wore a splendid scarlet silk cloak showing an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
He told them that when Jesus walked upon the earth He looked like a normal human being, however He was really a King. Although we can’t see Jesus with our eyes we know that He is alive and that He is still a King and we must try do our best to follow Him. Beautiful golden crowns were given out to all the little children and Father Bill introduced our special visitor, Grace, who wore a splendid scarlet silk cloak showing an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The End of the Year of Faith, but just the beginning of a great journey for our 12 young people who are newly Confirmed....
Click on the picture to see more..
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On the great Feast of Christ the King, the newly Confirmed in our Parish received their Confirmation certificates that had been signed both by Father Bill OSM and by Bishop Declan, Bishop of Clifton. John (Thomas), Patrick (Isidor), Felix (Valentine), Orlin (Cuthbert), Attorie (Perpetua), Jess (Mungo), Rosie (Raphael), George (Michael), Georgie (Pelagia), Sophie (Brigid), Adam (Stephen) and Lucy (Elizabeth) were all Confirmed by our Bishop on 12th May during the Year of Faith and it was a good time for them to receive their certificates to remind us all that although it is the end of the Year of faith it can also be the first day of the beginning of our continuing efforts of conversion towards God.
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4o Hours of Prayer before the exposed Blessed Sacrament -
If you missed it, you really, really missed out......
Over the 8th-10th November, we had the joy and privilege of 40 Hours of Prayer before the exposed Blessed Sacrament – and If anyone missed it, they really, really missed out......
Congratulations to everyone who supported the Forty Hours' Devotion, or Quarant' Ore at Ss Peter & Paul , Combe Down, Bath - a time of Prayer in common for the end of the Year of Faith - and to those who could come along and pray, and also to those who were not able to be with us physically, but who prayed at home with us.
This wonderful Catholic exercise of devotion in which prayer is made for forty hours before the exposed Blessed Sacrament, was well supported by parishioners across the Deanery of Bath together with students of University of Bath & Bath Spa University and friends from all over the place. Hundreds of candles were burnt during these hours and donated flowers from parishioners and local businesses adorned the altar.
Groups of children came for a special time of prayer and song and a simple time of devotion before the Lord, followed by chocolate cake, sweeties and a little fun together in the Apostles’ Room while others continued the Adoration in the church!
University Students and parishioners and Father Bill OSM held the vigil through the weary hours of the Friday night, then taking it in turns to enjoy coffee and croissants in the early morning of Saturday before breaking to go to Perrymead for the Cemetery Chapel Deanery Mass led by Ss Peter & Paul Parish, and followed through during the following day and night.
Father Bill OSM concluded the 40 hour devotion leading a wonderful Solemn Benediction with beautiful prayers, litanies, hymns and reverencing of the Blessed Sacrament with incense, leaving everyone hoping that this beautiful devotion will happen again soon at Ss Peter & Paul with a plan being explored to hold frequent but shorter Eucharistic all night Vigils involving students and parishioners from across the city of Bath and beyond.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament has been taking place over the past fourteen years every Friday after 9.30am Holy Mass at Ss Peter & Paul, Combe Down until 11.00am and also on Bath Campus at 6.00pm on Thursdays as announced. Watch www.stspeterpaulbath.org.uk for updates on our plans and hopes as and when.
“What will save the world? "My answer is prayer. Every parish should be held at the foot of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in the hour of worship." Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
Congratulations to everyone who supported the Forty Hours' Devotion, or Quarant' Ore at Ss Peter & Paul , Combe Down, Bath - a time of Prayer in common for the end of the Year of Faith - and to those who could come along and pray, and also to those who were not able to be with us physically, but who prayed at home with us.
This wonderful Catholic exercise of devotion in which prayer is made for forty hours before the exposed Blessed Sacrament, was well supported by parishioners across the Deanery of Bath together with students of University of Bath & Bath Spa University and friends from all over the place. Hundreds of candles were burnt during these hours and donated flowers from parishioners and local businesses adorned the altar.
Groups of children came for a special time of prayer and song and a simple time of devotion before the Lord, followed by chocolate cake, sweeties and a little fun together in the Apostles’ Room while others continued the Adoration in the church!
University Students and parishioners and Father Bill OSM held the vigil through the weary hours of the Friday night, then taking it in turns to enjoy coffee and croissants in the early morning of Saturday before breaking to go to Perrymead for the Cemetery Chapel Deanery Mass led by Ss Peter & Paul Parish, and followed through during the following day and night.
Father Bill OSM concluded the 40 hour devotion leading a wonderful Solemn Benediction with beautiful prayers, litanies, hymns and reverencing of the Blessed Sacrament with incense, leaving everyone hoping that this beautiful devotion will happen again soon at Ss Peter & Paul with a plan being explored to hold frequent but shorter Eucharistic all night Vigils involving students and parishioners from across the city of Bath and beyond.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament has been taking place over the past fourteen years every Friday after 9.30am Holy Mass at Ss Peter & Paul, Combe Down until 11.00am and also on Bath Campus at 6.00pm on Thursdays as announced. Watch www.stspeterpaulbath.org.uk for updates on our plans and hopes as and when.
“What will save the world? "My answer is prayer. Every parish should be held at the foot of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in the hour of worship." Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
Happy days! - Renewal of wedding vows......
A happy day here in the parish last Sunday with Father Bill OSM, on the Feast of Our lady of Sorrows, when AJ & Kevin Gate of Ss Peter & Paul parish celebrated 25 years of marriage by renewing their wedding vows at Holy Mass in front of family and friends and with their 5 children who read the bidding prayers. Thanks to Aliette Sandville our parish baker for the huge and delicious cake shared after Holy Mass and to Malcolm Kirkham for the wonderful photos....
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Thanks for supporting the Ss Peter and Paul Macmillan Biggest Coffee morning 2013....
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Many thanks to those parishioners and new friends and old who came to the Macmillan Coffee morning. If you helped set up the room or baked cakes or brought books or drank coffee or ate croissants or scoffed delicious cakes or blew up balloons or had a guess about number of coffee beans then - THANK YOU!!! A chance is there to buy remaining delicious cakes after weekend celebrations of Holy Mass!
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Prayer and fasting for peace in Syria
With a threat of war looming in Syria that may escalate, the Pope last Sunday asked us to observe Saturday, 7th September 2013, the Vigil of Our Lady’s Birthday, as a day of prayer and fasting to beg Almighty God for Peace in troubled regions throughout the world especially in Syria and the Middle East, invoking The Divine Mercy of Jesus and the maternal intercession of Our Lady, the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Students and other young people and parishioners at Ss Peter & Paul together with friends from across the Deanery of Bath came together for Adoration and Evening Prayer of the Church until the Vigil Mass of Sunday 6pm and then from 7pm until Midnight enjoyed Silence, Readings and Song in the presence of Our Lord on the altar.
Students and other young people and parishioners at Ss Peter & Paul together with friends from across the Deanery of Bath came together for Adoration and Evening Prayer of the Church until the Vigil Mass of Sunday 6pm and then from 7pm until Midnight enjoyed Silence, Readings and Song in the presence of Our Lord on the altar.
Sunshine and cream teas....
On Sunday 21st July after 10.00am Holy Mass, in the great Combe Down Parish
tradition of 'Open Gardens' there was a wonderful ‘ Garden Party ’ at the
home of Ss Peter & Paul parishioners Nigel and Gail Mills. There was cream teas and lovely cakes as well as Lawn Games for the children (French Cricket, Badminton, Rounders, Football).
A wonderful time was had by all - young and not so young.
Many thanks to Nigel and Gail for sharing their beautiful garden with us and for all their time and of the many others who helped the day be such a great success.
There was plenty of sunshine too!!
tradition of 'Open Gardens' there was a wonderful ‘ Garden Party ’ at the
home of Ss Peter & Paul parishioners Nigel and Gail Mills. There was cream teas and lovely cakes as well as Lawn Games for the children (French Cricket, Badminton, Rounders, Football).
A wonderful time was had by all - young and not so young.
Many thanks to Nigel and Gail for sharing their beautiful garden with us and for all their time and of the many others who helped the day be such a great success.
There was plenty of sunshine too!!
Holy Mass with the blessing of the relic of St Peregrine
On Monday 15th July at 7.15 at Ss Peter & Paul, there was be a celebration of Holy Mass with the blessing of the Relic in honour of the Friar Servant of Mary, a Servite Saint, St Peregrine Laziosi OSM, Patron Saint of those suffering from cancer and all serious illnesses.
The Story of St. PeregrinePeregrine labored for years as a brother in the Order of the Servants of Mary (Servites). At age 60 he was diagnosed with cancer of the leg brought on by many years of disciplined prayer while standing, resulting in varicose veins which became ulcerous. On the night before the scheduled amputation of his leg, Peregrine dragged himself to the foot of the cross in the community chapter room and fell into a deep trance-like sleep. Upon waking, he discovered that his leg was completely cured. Because of the miracle wrought by prayer, the Church canonized him in 1726. He is the patron of those battling cancer and other diseases including A IDS. His Feast Day is May 4.
The lesson of Peregrine’s life is not only that God worked a miracle, but that a faithful, trustful servant placed himself, unconditionally, in the hands of our Lord. Peregrine’s trust in God can be a model for us in dealing with the pain, sickness and crosses of our lives.
Look out for details of the next St Peregrine holy Mass celebration.
The Story of St. PeregrinePeregrine labored for years as a brother in the Order of the Servants of Mary (Servites). At age 60 he was diagnosed with cancer of the leg brought on by many years of disciplined prayer while standing, resulting in varicose veins which became ulcerous. On the night before the scheduled amputation of his leg, Peregrine dragged himself to the foot of the cross in the community chapter room and fell into a deep trance-like sleep. Upon waking, he discovered that his leg was completely cured. Because of the miracle wrought by prayer, the Church canonized him in 1726. He is the patron of those battling cancer and other diseases including A IDS. His Feast Day is May 4.
The lesson of Peregrine’s life is not only that God worked a miracle, but that a faithful, trustful servant placed himself, unconditionally, in the hands of our Lord. Peregrine’s trust in God can be a model for us in dealing with the pain, sickness and crosses of our lives.
Look out for details of the next St Peregrine holy Mass celebration.
The Legion of Mary Peregrinatio pro Chrisi has started...
Peregrinatio Pro Christo / A Journey for Christ:
The Peregrinatio has started in our Parish! What exactly is the Peregrinatio? For those who have been close to the Church all their lives they must know that it is an apostolic service that goes back to the beginnings of the Gospel a good idea taken up by dedicated Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons but they were not the originators of this apostolic effort. Two by two the Legionaries of Mary go into a place and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, pray, offer the Word of God and evangelise where He leads. It was after all our Lord himself who first sent them out two by two and we are following that inspiration. The Spirit blows where he wills as you must know from so many efforts we all make here – it is not about lists of addresses being given out and it is not a census – simply making contact. Thanks be to God for their generosity in coming. They are gentle and understanding people and are experienced in this task. They do not impose themselves on any body but simply greet people and with God’s help offer the message of Christ’s Peace.
The group of 10 Legionaries arrived here this w/e to make house to house visits in our parish of Ss Peter Paul from 15th - 22nd June in the Gospel tradition [Luke 10 v1-9] when Jesus first sent out followers two by two and this has been happening in the Church since the earliest of days. The legionaries come to bring gentle understanding to those who might have drifted away from Faith or those for whom the Faith has been lost sight of and with God’s help reaching others who do not yet know Our Lord in the Catholic Faith.
Father Bill, OSM asks all our parishioners, our young people and parents if the Legionaries should call at your home please make them welcome even if only at the door as they bring you the peace of Christ from our Parish.
The Peregrinatio has started in our Parish! What exactly is the Peregrinatio? For those who have been close to the Church all their lives they must know that it is an apostolic service that goes back to the beginnings of the Gospel a good idea taken up by dedicated Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons but they were not the originators of this apostolic effort. Two by two the Legionaries of Mary go into a place and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, pray, offer the Word of God and evangelise where He leads. It was after all our Lord himself who first sent them out two by two and we are following that inspiration. The Spirit blows where he wills as you must know from so many efforts we all make here – it is not about lists of addresses being given out and it is not a census – simply making contact. Thanks be to God for their generosity in coming. They are gentle and understanding people and are experienced in this task. They do not impose themselves on any body but simply greet people and with God’s help offer the message of Christ’s Peace.
The group of 10 Legionaries arrived here this w/e to make house to house visits in our parish of Ss Peter Paul from 15th - 22nd June in the Gospel tradition [Luke 10 v1-9] when Jesus first sent out followers two by two and this has been happening in the Church since the earliest of days. The legionaries come to bring gentle understanding to those who might have drifted away from Faith or those for whom the Faith has been lost sight of and with God’s help reaching others who do not yet know Our Lord in the Catholic Faith.
Father Bill, OSM asks all our parishioners, our young people and parents if the Legionaries should call at your home please make them welcome even if only at the door as they bring you the peace of Christ from our Parish.
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A Marian talk with Fish & ChipsOn the eve of the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin to St Elizabeth on Thursday 30th May the young people of The Faith and Reason Group from Portishead with Tom & Nicola Osman visited Ss Peter & Paul for a Marian evening with students from the Universities of Bath for a talk on ‘Catholic Teaching about our Lady and an ecumenical reflection on the problem for some Christians about how Catholics think of her.' There was Fish and Chips and lively chat followed by prayer and hymns to Our Lady. Father Bill presented each of the young people with a copy of Youcat and a Rosary.
We hope to meet up again soon, perhaps taking some of our young people from Ss Peter & Paul to Portishead. Click on the main picture of Our Lady and St Elizabeth to see more. |
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Our Parish cake-maker extraordinaire and her protegéFather Bill presented Aliette Sanville with some flowers from the Confirmands for making their beautiful Confirmation cakes. A parish celebration just wouldn't be the same without one of her spectacular cakes. Jess Gate is her Protegé and made a special cake for the day too. Click the photo to see more.
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Bonsoir et Bienvenu to our new young friends from Paris..We enjoyed a beautiful Pentecost Youth Mass with our new Confirmands and with young Paris musicians making their debut in Bath at Ss Peter and Paul on the eve of Pentecost on Saturday 18th May and enjoyed a wonderful concert afterwards with the students from a Paris conservatoire. The young people played an array of wonderful music including Music for the Royal Fireworks by Handel. Afterwards we chatted over refreshments and some of our Confirmands cut the wonderful celebratory Confirmation Cake that Aliette Sanville had made for them.
It was a truly wonderful evening and even more wonderful to see our young people converse in french and make new friends. Father Bill gave the French visitors each a Friendship bracelet with a blessed Miraculous Medal to take home them and there are plans to meet again, maybe next year. |
Some of our young Confirmands at Downside Abbey
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Congratulations to .... Adam, Attorie, Felix, George, Georgina, Jessica, John, Lucy, Orlin, Patrick, Rosie and Sophie.
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St Peregrine blessing and Holy Mass
On Monday 6th May at 9.30am at Ss Peter & Paul, there was a beautiful Celebration of Holy Mass with blessing of the Relic in honour of the Friar Servant of Mary, a Servite Saint, St Peregrine Laziosi OSM, Patron Saint of those suffering from cancer and all serious illnesses.
Ceilidh - on Saturday 11th MayIf you weren't there then you missed a great night out on Saturday at our Ceilidh arranged by Ss Peter & Paul Parish and Bath University Catholic Chaplaincy at Claverton Down Community Hall with fabulous local band ‘Haywire’ playing and delicious hot food and puddings. Young and not so young danced the night away. Even those who said they hated dancing were spotted on the dance floor...
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