Latest News and Events

Take and Read Day.

On Saturday 14th June, a group of us including parishioners from Our Lady’s of Perpetual Succour, Churchdown, people from other areas of the Gloucester Deanery and some from further afield in the Diocese, were privileged to take part in this day of bible study, reflection and shared experiences. We were a mixed group: clergy, people involved in Bible groups, but mainly ‘ordinary Catholics’, keen to learn more about the Bible and Catholic teaching on the Bible.

The day was run by Fr. Adrian Graffy and Mrs Anne Dixon, both experienced in teaching about the Bible and writing material for the Catholic church on the subject. In the morning we learnt about the origin of the gospels and the history of the Catholic Church in its changing attitudes to the Bible. In the afternoon, we enjoyed a session in small groups, looking at the Gospel of Mark, guided by Fr Adrian’s book in the Take & Read series, on St. Mark’s gospel. At the feedback at the end of the day, it was apparent how many of us had been inspired to continue with reading and exploring the Gospels either in groups or in our own private prayer time.

Refreshments were provided throughout the day by Lizzi Walker and her friends, to raise money for her forthcoming trip to Australia as part of the World Youth Day pilgrimage. Many thanks to Fr Kevin Hennessey of Our Lady’s Parish for organising the day.


Anne Jewell (Our Lady’s, Churchdown)

First Holy Communion Retreat Day.

Children from Our Lady’s parish in Churchdown, preparing for their First Holy Communion took part in a special day on Saturday 10 may. The children wrote all the prayers and did all the readings as well as the offertory at Mass that afternoon. The Mass was about Gladness and Joy. The theme of the day was the Gift of Joy and all the activities of the day helped the children to think about being joyful because of the love of Jesus for them. With the help of their catechists the children made and decorated cakes for a cake sale at Mass next day to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. They also did glass painting and made badges. They took part in a Holy Communion quiz, which they did very well and showed how much well they have been listening during their fortnightly meetings since January. Adults and children had a great day and the weather was beautiful. 34 children from the parish will make their First Holy Communion in June. Please remember them and their families in your prayers.   Julie Collinson, Cathechist



“On Saturday the children who do Holy Communion had a retreat day. I enjoyed painting glasses and making cakes. I learnt that retreat day is a day to step back and have some fun. I will remember retreat day as a fun day and I think making cakes to help other’s was special” - Charlotte

“On Saturday Fr. Kevin made us a very nice day for the children who do Holy Communion at school. We had some activities to do the activities were: Making cakes, icing cakes, making badges, glass painting and working in our communion books. We had a special Mass and we were put in to 4 groups, group 1 did sorry prayers group 2 did thank you prayers group 3 did bidding prayers and group 4 did the altar serving” - Tina

“I enjoyed my day, I learnt to put other’s before yourself. I will remember making badges with my friends. Making the cakes was special to me, because I made them for other people” - Claire

“I liked going on the play park because it was fun, learned more about the gift’s of God, I will remember the day because it was really fun!” - Liam

“I had fun with Fr. Kevin, we had been making cakes and making badges and painting pots, we went to Mass” – Jack

“ I enjoyed going outside and having the picnic and playing with my old nursery school friends” – Eleri

“I enjoyed making cakes and making badges and that when you have fun you are giving joy to yourself. Making cakes was special to me.” – Chloe

“I enjoyed being an altar server on retreat day. I learned how to be an altar server and we raised money for sick people by making cakes and decorating them” -Annette

“I enjoyed being an altar server with my friends. I also enjoyed making the cakes. I smashed an egg, knocked over the butter and spilt the cheese and fell off the bench!”-Henry

Seeking the Face of Christ

Thank you for your responses.  We appreciate the time you have taken to
reflect on the vision for our diocese. We will consider all the feedback we receive.

We hope to draft proposals that will be made available for consultation in January.
Please visit www.cliftondiocese.com for the latest news and events in and around the Clifton Diocese.

With our best wishes

Pastoral Planning Steering Committee

Links:      Seeking the face of Christ
               Meeting 1
               Feedback from Our Ladys 16th May
               Meeting 2
               Feedback from St Patricks 24th May
                    Feedback from Our Ladys 12th June
                    Feedback from St Patricks 16th June

To make further contributions, email: seeking@cliftondiocese.com

Ambassador for World Youth Day visits Churchdown

Father Kevin Hennessey and Liz Walker of Our Lady’s, Churchdown are among the many people from Clifton Diocese who will be joining with groups form Plymouth and Portsmouth at World Youth Day in Australia next summer.
Father Kevin and Liz met up with Tim Davis, a Project Officer from the Melbourne World Youth Day Office in Australia, as he toured the country making contacts in preparation for the special event next year.

Father Kevin said, “It sounds like a fantastic programme Tim and his colleagues have organised in Melbourne. World Youth Day will be a great opportunity for many young from the Clifton Diocese to have some fun in a wonderful country. Taking part in World Youth Days always helps young Catholics to witness to their faith when abroad and also when they return home to family and friends.”

“Tim’s visit was inspirational for me and for Liz.”

Links:      Message from Tim Davies

Pentecost Praise

The Churchdown & Innsworth Churches Together Pentecost celebrations were held at Our Lady's Church on May 27th. The rain was heavy but didn't dampen the spirits of many of those who attended who switched their planned picnics from outside to  the parish hall!

First Holy Communion Retreat Day

Children preparing for their First Holy Communion in Our Lady's Parish had a special retreat day on Saturday May 12th. As well as preparing Mass the children did glass painting, quizzes and badge making among other things on the theme of Joy as part of their God's Greatest Gift programme.