St. Bede's, Basingstoke

Introduction

Opened in 2006, the church follows classic ecclesiastical lines and is linked to the complex by an enclosed courtyard and cloister.

Architecture and furnishings

The church's furnishings and decoration use black, white and maple. The apse holding the statue of the Virgin Mary is set in the south-west wall. Stations of the Cross are placed along the far wall of the church.

Music and liturgy

Some Masses are reflective in nature without music, which are appreciated by those who have sensory difficulties. The Lord's Flock are a charismatic community, gathering together for praise and worship, to learn more about the Word of God and for fellowship on Saturday evenings.

Parish life

The St Bede's and St Joseph's SVP group aims to tackle poverty in all its forms, particularly by visiting the sick and the lonely. The parish supports the Basingstoke Food Bank, providing emergency food for local people in crisis. The parish has an active CAFOD network, the official Catholic aid agency for England and Wales. The Knights of St Columba are a group of Catholic men who meet at St Bede’s monthly for prayer, faith-sharing and fellowship.

Healing on the Streets reaches out to the lost and hurting on the streets of Basingstoke, with a team of volunteers from St Bede’s, Community Church and Buckskin Evangelical Church setting up at the bottom of Wote Street. Feast Light Basingstoke is a weekly gathering of “messy” people sharing stories and watching recorded videos of the Feast, the live weekly gathering of the Light of Jesus Family. The St Bede’s Flower Ladies decorate the churches with flowers for many occasions, including Christmas, Easter, First Holy Communion and the diocesan Significant Wedding Anniversaries celebration.

The Holy Dusters work hard to keep the church looking clean and provide an important service for the community. The Catenian Association offers a social network providing support to members based on friendships built on a shared faith, with monthly meetings and a varied social programme involving wives and families.

The parish runs a First Holy Communion programme every year with enrolment in the autumn. The confirmation programme for teenagers is run annually across North West Hampshire. The parish offers a baptism preparation course run by the deacon and his wife for parents of children under the age of 7.

Regular events

The Bereavement Group holds an annual service for those who have lost someone in the past year, led by the parish priest and followed by tea. The Basingstoke African Caribbean Catholic Association meets every four to eight weeks in North Basingstoke and celebrates Black History month with a Mass in October.

Sacraments and pastoral care

During Lent the parish holds Lenten lunches of soup, bread and a drink in people’s homes and the church hall to raise money for CAFOD. Couples wishing to marry in the Catholic Church should notify the parish office at least one year before the proposed marriage date.