St Augustine of Canterbury, Downend

Introduction

The foundation stone of the Church was laid on 25th July 1964. The first Parish Priest served from 1967 to 1993 and laid the foundations of the current community and its spirit of willingness to work for the good of the parish.

History

A successor served the parish from 1993 to 1996. A former army chaplain who followed in 1996 served ten years and moved to Gloucester in the summer of 2006. A canon who joined in February 2009 cared for the parish for many years until his retirement in 2022. A deacon supported these priests and worked hard for this Parish and others until his death in 2018.

Music and liturgy

Cantabile is a small music group of friends who sing harmonies in three parts and play violin, viola, piano, flute, clarinet, bass guitar, guitar and three types of recorder. A talented parishioner plays the keyboard at regular intervals, and a couple of parishioners lead acapella singing when no one is on the rota to play. The parish has several musical groups that enhance the liturgy at weekend Masses and for special occasions.

The parish has many musical groups and organists, so the music is varied. The flower group decorates the Church with floral arrangements for Mass and special occasions, coordinating them with the Liturgy. The parish has a well-organised Children's Liturgy of the Word.

Parish life

The Justice and Peace Group led the parish to become award winners of the CAFOD 'Live Simply' scheme. The parish has a community Preschool, opened in 1978, run by a management committee of parents. The parish hall is used by private companies for regular group sessions such as Slimming World and the Alzheimers Society.

The parish has a Primary School and Charity Preschool, with groups ranging from Bumps, Babies and Toddlers to the Not-so-Young. The parish also looks after the prison in Pucklechurch. The parish arranges regular pilgrimages.

Sacraments and pastoral care

A team of parishioners assists the parish clergy in work with offenders at Ashfield Prison, joining the men for Mass on Tuesdays. The parish offers individual preparation for those who would like to know more about the Catholic Church, including a programme in Cantonese. The Not So Young Club gives retired people a chance to meet monthly, with day trips and a yearly holiday in the UK, usually in June.

Visiting

The Church shop is open at Mass times with a selection of Catholic books, cards, gifts, crucifixes, rosaries and artefacts. Refreshments are served in the parish hall after Sunday Mass. The parish hall can be hired for social and family occasions. The parish has a Book of Intentions at the back of the church where prayer requests can be written.