St Benedicts Church
Dom Aidan Bellinger, Abbot of Downside Tel: 01761 235119
Dom Boniface Hill Tel: 01761 235115
Mass Times Sundays 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday 7.45 a.m., Friday 7.45 a.m.
Tridente First Sunday of the Month at 11 a.m.
Rosary Thursdays 7 p.m.
Confessions Before Mass and by Appointment
Local Events
Friday 17th February at 7.30 pm and Saturday 18th February at 10am - Journey into Faith with Dom Leo Maidlow Davis at the Downside Pastoral Centre
Sunday 19th February Wine and Nibbles after 6 pm Mass at St Benedict's Parish Centre
Saturday 3rd March: Devotion of the brown scapular at St Cuthbert's Church, Holcombe at 2.30pm
Wednesday 7th March Soup and Cheese lunch at St Benedict's Parish Centre from 12 noon until 2pm in aid of CAFOD.
The Church Council
The Church Council serves our community by planning for the needs, goals and priorities of the Parish and supporting Abbot Aidan in his role as Parish Priest. The Council meets regularly (every 6/8 weeks) and comprises Abbot Aidan and the following members:
Richard Jones, Chairman: 01761 232321
Tony Jones Secretary
Phillip Colbourne Alter Servers / Maintenance
Chris Jones Music / Choir Ministry
Dave Stone CRB checks
Susanna Grace Reading Ministry
Frances Daniels Newsletter 01761 232083
Biddy de Salis Church Cleaning
Eve Nuttall Liaison with St Benedicts School
Paul Lane Finance 01761 232297
Caroline Lane Parish CAFOD Representative
Please note that Frances Daniels is the current Editor of the Newsletter She will be pleased to receive items not only of interest to St. Benedicts members, but also to those of St Aldhelm's at Chilcompton. email: frances@branchlines.info, Tel. 01761 232083.
A Message from Richard Jones, Chair of St Benedicts Parish Council:
St Benedict’s Church is the only Downside parish, locally at any rate, which has a Church Council assisting the priest. It was started by Father Gregory Murray many years ago and has I believe played an important part in the life of the parish ever since. Now, with the situation as it is with the shortage of priests in all dioceses, it is even more important that the Council is there to help Abbot Aidan run the Parish. He is a very busy man and he is, I am sure, glad of the support he receives from the Council. Please support your Council in any way you can, by supporting the events that it organises and giving any suggestions you might have to Abbot Aidan or any Church Councillor.
The Translation of the Roman Missal. The new translation of the Roman Missal in Masses in now in use and copies can be obtained from the Downside Abbey Bookshop. Order of Mass cards are available for use at the Church.
St Benedict's Sacristan. Peggy Woods has been Sacristan at St Benedicts for a great many years; we are indebted to her for her commitment and dedication to this important role in St Benedicts and owe her our sincere thanks for all that she prepares for the Masses. A meeting was held on Monday 28th November with Peggy to discuss the duties of Sacristan and a provisional rota of volunteers is now in place. More volunteers are needed to help occasionally and any one willing should contact a member of the Church Council.
Forthcoming Event
Downside Abbey Pilgrimage to the Holy Land 2nd to 13th July 2012. A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land will take place next year in July. The group will be accompanied by Father James Hood and will visit all the important sites such as Hezekiah's Tunnel and Megiddo, the site of King Solomon's strongholds. If you would like to know more about the Pilgrimage including itinerary, accommodation, costs etc. pleas contact Rina Bird on 01761 241289.
