The COMBINED NOTICE BOARDS for parishes of the Thames Isis Pastoral Area

Browse through forthcoming activities taking place in your Parish and across the whole pastoral area.

Please click here if you wish to place information on the main NEWSLETTER and/or your parish notice board

Mass for the Sick

Sunday 5th September, 3.30pm at St John the Evangelist Church, Wallingford.
This isbeing organised by the SVP, and the Mass will fulfil your Sunday obligation.
It is also an occasion to pray for those we know who are ill or suffering
at this time, so even if you are not sick and you know of someone in
need of prayer, please join us. If anyone needs a lift or can give one, please ask any member of the SVP or contact the Parish Office at English Martyrs, Didcot.
We would love to see as many parishioners as possible, and for you to join us for light refreshments afterwards.

Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust Ride and Stride

The annual 'Ride and Stride' event around Oxfordshire will take place on 11th September.  Please consider taking part in this worthwhile cause, raising funds for your church.  Participants are needed along with 'welcomers'.  Sponsorship forms are now available in all churches.  See http://www.ohct.org.uk/bike.htm for more information.

English Martyrs and St John the Evangelist Churches
Day of Recollection

Saturday 25th September at the Carmelite Monastery at Boars Hill, Oxford.  This day will be of particular value to all those in ministry of any sort.  Extra-Ordinary Ministers of Holy communion in particular are requested to attend a Day of Recollection on an annual basis.  Please e-mail the English Martyrs Parish Office here if you would like to attend.

St Vincent de Paul
FEED MY LAMBS 
PARISH APPEAL AT
ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST AND
ENGLISH MARTYRS CHURCHES

The St John's SVP Conference are thrilled to announce that on 12th September Ian Mawdsley, the Sudan Representative on the SVP Twinnage Committee, will be giving a talk after Mass at St John's Church, Wallingford about the Feed My Lambs Baby Feeding Programme in the Sudan.  The talk will be followed by a bring and share lunch.  All are welcome.

 Click here for information on the long-term sponsorship programme set up to aid the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

Lectio Divina has been used by the church for centuries as a tool for deepening prayer life.  Meaning 'Spiritual Reading' it is a way of reading the bible, making your reading a prayer.  It helps you to see how the Holy Spirit , speaking to you through the bible, has something to say about your life.

If you would like to try out this method of contemplation,
click here to download Year C book of Sunday Gospel readings.

Click here for guide to Lectio Divina for individuals

and here for guide for leaders

What does it mean to be a Catholic Priest today?

Fr David Forrester is a retired Priest of our Diocese, and now lives in Abingdon.

From his childhood, David Forrester knew that he was called by God. His path to Priesthood led him to unanticipated ways, and his calling as a Priest has taken him in even more unexpected directions.
He has just published a book to mark this Year For Priests, called
Led By A Thread, in which he reflects on how the thread of faith has run through his life from his earliest recollections, through student life in Oxford and Rome, in parish ministry and chaplaincy at Oxford, Eton and Woldingham.

Led By A Thread is available from Redemptorist Publications for £8.95

TO BE A CHRISTIAN IS TO BE A MISSIONARY

Missio is now the name for the Pontifical Mission Societies.
The Pope has asked Missio to care for, and support the younger Churches across the world until they are able to be self-sufficient.
Missio is therefore the Church’s official support organisation for overseas mission; raising awareness and funds for missionary and pastoral work worldwide.

The generosity of Catholics, primarily through the red APF mission boxes in this country, means that Missio is able to respond in faith and love to the needs of our brothers and sisters in over 1000 mission Dioceses around the world.

Please contact our Portsmouth Diocesan Directors:
Deacon David Morgan or Deacon Richard Budgen (North Hinksey parish) to learn how you can help.
Missio website: www.missio.org.uk

Find out more about the Catholic Church in England and Wales here.