English Martyrs Parish Diary 2009

Please see below a list of key diary dates, activities and events that have taken place in the English Martyrs Parish . For future events, see the notice board.

DECEMBER 2009

Congratulations to Ethne Naughton, long-standing parishioner at English Martyrs, 
on the celebration of her 60th birthday on 30th December

 English Martyrs, Christmas 2009

Altar Servers from English Martyrs and St John the Evangelist Churches celebrated enrolment into the Guild of St Stephen on St Stephen's Day.

The Youth Group of St John's and English Martyrs Churches

organised a Carol Concert with mince pies, to thank parishioners for their support over the past year.

The senior citizens of English Martyrs Church enjoyed a Christmas lunch on 10th December,

with all the usual festive trimmings.

A huge 'thank you' to all involved in the preparations for making it such a wonderful event.

English Martyrs Church hosted a successful candlelit concert for Advent on Friday 4th November.  Concert-goers were treated to a selection of music from both traditional and modern composers, with many popular pieces with a Christmas theme being performed. 

Thanks to the Marilla String Quartet for their wonderful performance.

OCTOBER 2009

The event was organised by the joint parish Youth Group.

SEPTEMBER 2009

Cakes and a warm welcome for everyone

at the English Martyrs Welcome Weekend

on 19th and 20th September 2009.

Congratulations to James and Hannah Voller who were married at English Martyrs on 12th September.

AUGUST 2009

Fr David con-celebrates at the wedding of George and Magda Lazarus, in Poland.

Our newest addition is welcomed into the parish...

JULY 2009

Photographs taken at the annual joint Parish BBQ on 5th July.

Fr David in his element...!

We welcome Fr Robert and Fr Adam who are visting from Poland.

Fierce competition in the tug of war.

Drawing the raffle.

JUNE 2009

The St John's and English Martyrs Youth Group in action at the recent Silly Games Evening.

The newest member of our parish was baptised in hospital following a traumatic entry into the world.   After many prayers he has now made a full recovery, and is enjoying family life at home.

MAY 2009

Our thanks extend to Deacon Richard Budgen for leading the Pastoral Council of English Martyrs and
St John's in a valuable Day of Reflection on 30th May. 

Over 100 parishioners gathered together to enjoy a challenging and enjoyable Quiz Night on 8th May, at Brightwell Village Hall.  Our thanks go to all who put so much time and effort into making the evening such a success.

Congratulations to Ted Fisher as he reaches his 90th birthday this month.

APRIL 2009

The Lenten Soup Lunches have been held every Friday throughout Lent at both English Martyrs and St John the Evangelist churches. They have proved very popular, with all funds raised going to charity.

2008 Scrap Book

Fundraising Committee Report

Over the past few months the fundraisers have been quite busy organising a number of events for the parish. We held a hugely popular quiz night at the local golf club in November, put on a Christmas lunch for the senior parishioners and organised a candleit Christmas Concert by the Marilla String Quartet at EM in early December. We also gave lunch to the choir of St Amand's primary school after they sang carols for us. We regularly hold cake stalls to raise funds and have been running themed lunches for the senior parishioners; Valentine's day (sadly cancelled because of the snow), St Patrick and St. George!

During Lent we will have bread and soup lunches on Fridays, the proceeds of which will go to support Fr Jim Fanning's missionary work with the Millhill Fathers. We also hope to organise an outing to the Watermill Theatre in the spring and are currently busy plotting a summer parish event, details to follow - watch the noticeboard.

The Didcot & Wallingford Youth Group at the Celebrate Family Conference in Bristol 2008

For more about the conference click here