Pastoral Area Past Events and Photos

March 2013

Beautiful Easter flowers at our churches throughout the Pastoral Area.

January 2013

Bishop Phillip's visit to Abingdon

We welcomed Bishop Phillip to Abingdon to give a seminar to a full auditorium on
Vatican II: The Year of Faith.

The seminar was held on 26th January, with Mass at Our Lady and St Edmund's Church,
con-celebrated by the priests in our Pastoral Area.

December 2012

Children enjoyed a craft workshop at North Hinksey's Reconciliation Service during Advent.

Christmas Carol Concert at St John's combining the nationwide
Guinness World Record Attempt at the most carol singers singing at any one time

Nearly 100 people turned out to listen to and sing carols on 16th December.

St John's Choir in action.

Although the nationwide record attempt wasn't broken, everyone had a great time singing and enjoyed mulled wine and mince pies afterwards, thanks to the SVP.

Thanks to Tony Shields for the use of his photos

Chidlren's Christmas Party at St John's

Enjoyed by over 30 children, Phyllis' team laid on yet another successful Christmas party on
9th December.

She's making her list, she's checking it twice,
she's going to find out who's naughty or nice.......

Santa Claus is coming to town!

September 2012

Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust Ride and Stride

The big thank you to all who took part in the recent Ride and Stride event across the area.

Thank you not only to those who cycled/walked, but also to welcomers and sponsors.

English Martyrs, Didcot, and The Quaker Meeting House, Wallingord

Outside St John the Evangelist, Wallingford.

With thanks to Vince Buckley for the use of his photographs

May 2012

Raising Money for CAFOD at OLoR

Our Lady of the Rosary CAFOD Fund Raising A plant sale at Our Lady of the Rosary, North Hinksey, on 13th May raised £128 for CAFOD. In spite of the poor growing conditions, parishioners managed to produce a large number of good quality plants, which were snapped up by the less green-fingered in the congregation.

April 2012

Inaugural Recital of Holy Rood's New Organ

The inaugural recital of Holy Rood's new organ was given by Clive Driskill-Smith, Sub-organist of Christ Church Cathedral, on Friday 27 April.  The programme included music from Bach to Dupre.

 
 
The 'Foster-Carrington Organ' was built by Roy Foster, assisted by Derrick Carrington, over a period of ten years.  The instrument incorporates parts from 22 redundant organs.  A booklet called 'A Labour of Love: The tale of the making of the organ at Holy Rood Church, Oxford' is available from Hinksey Parish Office, price £2.

Traditional Polish Blessing of Easter Food at English Martyrs

Parishioners gathered for this traditional blessing on Holy Saturday, bringing food which made for a colourful display.

March 2012

English Martyrs and St John's Parishes Retreat Weekend

Parishioners from our parishes attended a spiritually refreshing retreat weekend at the Carmelite Priory, Boars Hill.  Thanks go to the Friars for hosting a wonderful weekend, and to Barbara Thacker for organising this worthwhile event. 

Pastoral Area Day of Recollection

A Day of Recollection for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion in the Pastoral Area was held on 3rd March at St Amand's School, East Hendred.  It was led by Sister Catherine OSB from Holy Trinity Monastery, and was very well attended and much appreciated by those taking part.

December 2011

The Holy Rood Children's Choir singing carols at the Carol Concert on
18th December.

Mary and child from the Nativity Tableau performed at the concert.

Children's Christmas Nativity Play at St John's

The children of St John the Evangelist Church re-enacted the Christmas story on Christmas Day, complete as always with a recent addition to the parish playing the part of Jesus.

Seniors' Christmas Lunch at English Martyrs

A wonderful Christmas Lunch was prepared by the Fundraising Team at English Martyrs, especially for the senior members of the parish.  Many thanks to all involved in the preparations. 
A great time was had by all.

November 2011

English Martyrs and St John's Day of Recollection

Parishioners enjoying a Day of Recollection for Advent at Littlemore, run by Fr Kevin Delaney.

Fr Bob's 80th Birthday Celebrations

Congratulations to Fr Bob as he celebrated his 80th birthday with parishioners at East Hendred.

Mass of Thanksgiving on the occasion of Bishop Crispian's retirement

Deacon Richard Budgen from North Hinksey was privileged to be asked to help celebrate Mass at Portsmouth Cathedral on 19th November.

October 2011

Rene MacDonald's 90th Birthday

Rene Macdonald, a longstanding member of the congregation at Our Lady of the Rosary, receives a bouquet from Father Paul on the occasion of her 90th birthday. At coffee after Mass the congregation  shared in a birthday cake provided by Rene's daughter.

Sponsored Walk in aid of Cafod

The children who made their First Holy Communion last June at Our Lady of the Rosary took part in July in a sponsored walk to raise money for the community of Biera in Ethiopia. This was their "Gift to God" - the final part of their Catechetical programme. They raised over £350 - well done, boys! At Mass on Sunday 9th October they were presented with badges and certificates by Christine Plews, the Parish CAFOD representative.

September 2011

Parish Welcome Weekend

English Martyrs and St John's held their annual Welcome Weekend on 23rd and 24th September, celebrating the diverse range of culture in our communities.

Congratulations to the winners of the competitions held, as follows:

Photographic Competition Winning Entries -
Caption Section

Anne-Marie Bromley

Misbehaving Altar Servers Punished

Andy Robins

Salt and Vinegar Lips

Tony Shields

Photographic Competition Winning Entries -
Landscape Section

Thames Water Scene

Anne-Marie Bromley

After the Harvest

Richard Cutler

The Twelve Apostles

Armelle Belcher

Sisters of Mercy leave Abingdon

August 2011

Many thanks to Anne-Marie Bromley for the use of her photos

JULY 2011

The children enjoyed climbing Jacob's Ladder together, along with a family treasure hunt, and Mass celebrated by Fr Liam from the Carmelites.

Fun and games at the joint parish BBQ for English Martyrs and St John's on 3rd July 2011.

For more photos click here

MAY 2011

Plant Sale for CAFOD at Our Lady of the Rosary

A very successful plant sale was held at Our Lady of the Rosary after Mass on Sunday 22nd May. The green fingered members of the congregation contributed a large and varied selection of plants which were sold , raising over £120. The proceeds will go to the community of Biera in Ethiopia  which the Parish has chosen to follow through the CAFOD Connect2 scheme.

APRIL 2011

Constructing the organ at Holy Rood Church, North Hinksey

Under the direction of Roy Foster, the organ builder, Hinksey parishioners clean and polish some of front pipes for the Great Organ which is nearing completion in the gallery of Holy Rood Church. The three-manual organ is being constructed from parts of twenty redundant organs from around the country.

Mothering Sunday at Our Lady of the Rosary, Hinksey Parish

As is now traditional, the Fourth Sunday of Lent was celebrated at Our 
Lady of the Rosary with a special Family Mass at which the children 
made posies to present to their mothers, and other ladies in the 
congregation.Mass was followed by a special brunch, and a second hand 
book stall to raise funds for our Parish CAFOD project in Ethiopia.

MARCH 2011

Cardinal Newman

Thank you to Deacon Stephen Morgan for giving an enlightening and informative talk on
John Henry Newman to parishioners from the whole Pastoral Area on 30th March at English Martyrs Church, Didcot.  

On Friday 4th March over forty young people between the ages of 10 and 18 years met at Abingdon Parish Centre for a successful Quiz Night.  Those attending came from all the churches in the Pastoral Area, and enjoyed an evening of interacting with and meeting other Catholics from the area.  Thanks to all those who helped with organising a fun evening for everyone.

JANUARY 2011

On the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, 2 February, Vera Fanning was presented with a Diocesan Medal for her long and devoted service to the community of the Good Shepherd Church, Kennington.

Current building works taking place at St Mary's, East Hendred.

Click here for Pastoral Area Diary 2010

Click here for Pastoral Area Diary 2009