The four catholic churches within the Forest of Dean area are all served by Fr. Barnabas Page, our Parish Priest.  Fr. Barnabas also serves the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes in Newent with St. Michael in Blaisdon. Our parishes lie within the Clifton Diocese, which is part of the Catholic Church in England & Wales.

Our Churches:

Our Lady of Victories

Our Lady of Victories, 70 Abbey Street, Cinderford, GL14 2NP. [ Map » ]

Pastoral Council Members: Teresa Hare (Secretary), Greg Moger

St. Margaret Mary's

St. Margaret Mary's, 4 High Nash, Coleford, Glos, GL16 8HN. [ Map » ]

Pastoral Council Members: Peter Chisholm, Sarah Perkins.

St. Joseph's

St. Joseph's, Tutshill, Lydney, Glos, GL15 5PA. [ Map » ]

Pastoral Council Members: Pip Deave (Chairperson), Dorota Dufort

Sacred Heart Chapel

Sacred Heart Chapel, Grahamstown Road, Sedbury, NP16 7AD. [ Map » ]

Pastoral Council Members: Helen Molyneux

Parish Office

A number of our parishioners are shielding and unable to attend Mass during this pandemic, so we will try and help and keep everyone in contact.
Our aim is trying to reach as many people as possible through this website, by phoning those who do not have computers, and by videoing the Mass for those that do have computers. You can be part of this effort by phoning those who are isolating. Saturday Vigil Masses alternate each Saturday at 6pm between St. Margaret Mary’s, Coleford, and St. Joseph's, Lydney. There are two Sunday Masses at Our Lady of Victories, Cinderford, and Our Lady of Lourdes,Newent. Mid-week Masses are normally on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. For those parishioners that are 'shielding' we have recorded on-line Mid-week Mass on Wednesday as well as Mass on Sunday. The Friday Talk will continue on-line.
You can watch these Services by clicking on the appropriate Vimeo link.
For those parishioners fortunate enough to be able to attend Mass, it is important that we do our bit to beat this pandemic and follow Government Guidelines and the instructions of the Stewards when attending any of the Masses or Services.
We pray for all who are sick or who have died and for our front line staff. If you give me the names, they will be included in the Mass. But as well as this, as a church we are listening to what God may be saying through this crisis.
God Bless and protect you.
Fr.Barnabas

Personal Assistant: Samantha Buchanan  forestrcchurches@cliftondiocese.com

: 01594 833173

: 4 High Nash, Coleford, Gloucestershire. GL16 8HN.

:

Forest of Dean RC Churches

Mass Times

 

Masses for the coming week

Bad Weather or COVID Alerts

If there is a likelihood of closing our churches due to bad weather or because of a COVID-19 incident, the information will be posted on this Church Website, on the Church FaceBook Page https://www.facebook.com/forestrcchurches and also by email to all those that have opted to receive the Newsletter by email. So please check the Church Website or FaceBook Page before travelling to church for Mass, Service or Private Prayer particularly if the weather is bad.  We don’t want you to arrive at a closed church!

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B

Saturday 19th June: Vigil Mass at Coleford 6pm - phone Beverley 01594 861345
Sunday 20th June: Mass at Cinderford 9am - phone Fiona  01594 516175
Sunday 20th June: Mass at Newent 11am - phone Mary 01531 822156

Mid-week Masses
Tuesday 22nd June: Liturgy of the Word and Holy Communion at Coleford 10am - phone Beverley 01594 861345
Private Prayer in church after Mass until 12 noon.
Wednesday 23rd June: Mass at Newent 11am - phone Mary 01531 822156

Thursday 24th June: Mass at Lydney 10am - phone Dot&Brian 01594 560054

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B
Saturday 26th June: Vigil Mass at Lydney 6pm - phone Dot&Brian 01594 560054
Sunday 27th June: Mass at Cinderford 9am - phone Fiona  01594 516175
Sunday 27th June: Mass at Newent 11am - phone Mary 01531 822156
 

 

 

 

Latest Recorded Masses & Services

Friday Talk 18th June can be found here
Mid-week Mass - 16th June can be found here

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 13th June can be found here

Masses & Services from Clifton Cathedral can be found here
For those of us who are unable to attend our own parish they can access all of our Parish services at Forest RC Church Vimeo

Phone contacts

To help those without internet, Mass by phone 01642 130120 (calls charged at local rate and free if included in your minutes)

Hospital; Gloucester and Cheltenham Chaplaincy Team will visit and Pray with patients on our behalf 0300 422 6200/4286

News

 

We are a family of God, a community of disciples, striving to continually deepen our relationship with Christ and with each other. We recognise and value each member of our community, encouraging everyone to share in our life and worship. Together we celebrate the joy of the Gospel and witness in faith our hope of eternal life with our heavenly Father.

Church News

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Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B

20th June 2021

On-line Vimeo Masses & Services:

Sunday Mass available from 9am

Wednesday Service available from 9am

Friday Talk available from 9am

Limbo
I know we don’t believe in limbo anymore but it feels as though we’re already there! The government’s announcement to continue with restrictions until July 19th is a pity but not unexpected. This will be a blow to many people. Please God good weather, although perhaps not quite so hot, may continue to tide us over. With rain at night of course. Unfortunately, however, we don’t get to choose and it’s not always easy to just take what we’re given.
I’m not sure I’ve taken in the fact that even after we’re all vaccinated we will still have to live with the virus. I would almost like someone to spell it out in plain English what this means for the future. Sometimes it’s the unknown that is difficult to live with. My mother used a phrase when we were children. If we asked for something the answer would often be ‘we’ll see!’. As a child this was frustrating because any answer was delayed.
One good thing that is happening are Baptisms. Previously we were only allowed 6 at a Baptism so families delayed. Three baptisms have now taken place. Also Alex Day from Coleford was able to get married on bank holiday Monday. First Holy Communion lessons have started in the Forest and are due to start in Newent. Church life has been disrupted and we will attempt to pick up the reins again. Thank you to all of you who have helped to fill in the gaps, kept in contact with people by phone and especially to those of you who have acted as stewards and Church cleaners. Having to ask people to comply with the Covid rules in Church hasn’t always been an easy task. None of us likes being told what to do, especially in Church. We were taught in the Seminary that whatever the congregation gets up to during Mass keep your head down and just keep going!
Bless you all,
Barnabas

Parish Magazine
Our Parishes are looking for creative parishioners to produce a parish magazine.  This could include articles on a variety of topics and even a children’s page.  If you enjoy writing or have any skills to enhance this initiative please contact Chris Roy on 01989 720190 or email Chris 

Parish Photographs are needed please for 'The History of the Forest Parish’ 
which is being compiled by Margaret Yeates.  If you have any photos please contact Margaret on 01594 562175.

Right to Life - why the UK should not legalise assisted suicide - Help stop the assisted suicide lobby. For more information go to: Right to Life

Wool needed please! - Any type of wool is needed please for Margaret and Sheila who are knitting hats and mittens for homeless people. If you have any wool please ring Margaret on 01594 562175. Thank you!

There are lots of resources for anyone who needs to contact someone in a safeguarding capacity on our diocesan website – Clifton Diocese Safeguarding

Child Line – a helpline for children 0800 111 www.childline.org.uk
Our safe guarding representatives are also available to help you with your needs at this time please contact Jenny Heseltine Tel: 01989 750665 or email Jenny for Newent and Fiona Mills 0758 717 2279 or 01594 516175 for the Forest.

Children’s Liturgy – Here is a link to the Sunday Gospel and reflection for children Children's Liturgy Playlist, although aimed at children, it can be enjoyed by all the family. Each new Sunday Gospel is posted on Saturday afternoons. This Sunday is the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time.  This week we are looking at number 30 in the series.

CAFOD Petition for Climate Emergency - Pope Francis calls us to protect
our planet and care for our common home.  CAFOD have a petition to urge the Prime Minister to make sure communities that are hardest hit by climate change are listened to at ‘COP26’, the climate talks in Glasgow from 1st - 12th November.  
To find out more and to support this action please visit CAFOD Petition for Climate Emergency.

Parishes Picnic at Beechenhurst - To celebrate life as a parish in the Forest of Dean/Newent a picnic has been arranged for Saturday 3rd July at 12 noon at Beechenhurst.  We will meet up on the grassed area in front of the cafe at the far end nearest the exit.  With an alternative date of Saturday 10th July if it has to be postponed due to the weather! Please note the new arrangements due to Government guidelines still being in place.  Please bring your OWN picnic, no sharing of food will be allowed.  The boules fun competition will still be allowed to go ahead.  Ensure hands are sanitised pleased before playing.   Please bring your own chairs, blankets to sit on. Parking charges which apply on these dates in Beechenhurst are: for cars up to 2 hours £3, up to 4 hours £5 and all day £7.  Where possible consider sharing lifts. There will be a boules fun competition for everyone to join in; adults and children.

Summer Fete - Our Summer Fete will be held at St Joseph’s, Lydney on Saturday 11th of September from 11am to 2pm. Please put the date in your diary or calendar. 
There will be raffle tickets to buy and sell beforehand. Nearer the time we will be taking in donations of good quality bric-a-brac (no clothes), books, DVDs, toys, fresh produce, plants. This will also be a great opportunity for us to socialise again after a challenging year; the refreshments are always first class!

Day for Life - there will be a second collection this weekend for Day for Life.  The gift of life in all its beauty and fragility now faces a profound challenge through attempts to legalise ‘assisted suicide.’   This day, inaugurated by St. John Paul II, presents an opportunity to pray for the gift of life from conception to natural death, to raise awareness of the precious gift of life, and to support the work of protecting life in its most vulnerable stages through the annual collection. This assists pro-life organisations who raise awareness, engage in parliamentary work and pastoral outreach. For more information please visit Day for Life.

Inspired! 
Today we have launched our Forest Churches' project to create a more sustainable, stronger and more active Catholic community across the Forest of Dean. 
Be inspired!  Join in, have your say and help to build a positive new future for our community and for generations to come. Download our introductory leaflet Be Inspired!  Please it would be helpful if as many as possible were to fill in the Inspired! form. The church has made the mistake before of double guessing what people think!  Thank you!

Trussell Tea Party - to celebrate our release from COVID restrictions, Our Lady of Lourdes in Newent is planning a Trussell Tea Party on the afternoon of Saturday 24th July in the church garden.  Please make a note of this and we look forward to seeing you all.  The Trussell Trust is about 30 years old and was founded to support charities that provide food for the hungry in our own land.  The Trust supplies a Trussell Tea Party Pack with a wealth of ideas to make the party fun whether you're eight or eighty! More details a little nearer the date.

Church Hall

Our Church Hall is located next to St. Margaret Mary Church in Coleford is currently not available for hire because of the Covid-19 situation.

Address: St. Margaret Mary's, 4 High Nash, Coleford, Gloucestershire. GL16 8HN. Get Directions »

When the Covid-19 situation allows, our Church Hall is used for various groups. Below are some of the regular activities. To find out more about any of these activities, please contact our Office.

  • Hard of Hearing - Fourth Monday of the month - 10 - 12.
  • FoodBank - Every Monday 2 - 4pm & Every Thursday 9am - 11am.
  • Pilates - Tuesdays 1 - 2pm. Please contact the office for dates.
  • Tai Chi - Tuesday 2 - 3pm. Please contact the office for dates.
  • Busy Bees Parent & Toddler Group - Tuesdays during term time 9.30 - 11am. Snacks provided. Activities for the Children.
  • West Dean Wind Band - 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 7.00 - 9.00pm. www.westdeanwindband.uk
  • Faith Group - 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 7.30 - 8.30pm with tea & coffee from 7pm.
  • Young @ Heart Group - Thursdays 2 - 4pm.
  • Yoga - Thursday 7 - 8.30pm.
  • Gloucestershire Wildlife Group - Once a month on a Friday from 7-10pm. Contact the Parish Office for dates.
  • Lunch Club - Held every last Friday of the Month. 3 Course meal followed by tea/coffee.
  • Coffee Morning - Third Saturday of the month 10 - 12 noon. No Coffee Morning in Dec, Jan or Feb.

To download the hall booking form click here

To view regular bookings please click here

Links

Below are several links that we think might be of interest to you. Clicking on the logos will open the link in a new browser tab.

The Catholic Diocese covering the Counties of Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, North Somerset and Bath, the City and County of Bristol and North East Somerset.

The Catholic Church is the largest Christian denomination in the world. It has more than one billion members worldwide and around five million of these live in England. There are 22 dioceses in England and Wales seeking ways to help all the people of God grow closer to Christ.

The school's mission is to provide a rigorous and broad education within the context of a Christian environment. An understanding of the Roman Catholic faith, in line with the Gospel message, underpins the whole work of the school.

CAFOD is the official Catholic aid agency for England and Wales. In more than 40 countries across the world, we bring hope, compassion and solidarity to poor communities, standing side by side with them to end poverty and injustice.

Celebrating Family: Blessed, Broken, Living Love, is the overarching theme of a range of pastoral initiatives developed by the Bishops following the Listening 2004 conversations.

The UK's premier campaigning and charitable organisation affirming and defending human dignity, and the right to life of every member of the human family, from conception to natural death.

SPUC represents a voice for the unborn. SPUC promotes awareness of the humanity of the unborn child to encourage more widespread recognition of the obligation to defend those with no means to defend themselves.

Marriage Care helps couples and individuals to build and sustain strong, fulfilling healthy relationships, as well as providing counselling support in times of relationship difficulty. Our vision is a society in which all adults can build and sustain strong, fulfilling, healthy relationships.

We exist to save lives and transform the futures of some of the most disadvantaged children and young people in the UK by supporting vulnerable pregnant mothers and young families through difficult times, offering them the help they need to turn their lives around.

We are a Christian organisation that seeks to put the hope of Christ at the heart of our nation. We aim to empower Christians to speak out with a strong voice in the media, in law and in government.

Gloucester Cathedral sits in the heart of the city of Gloucester, acting as the centre for the areas' Anglicans and the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Gloucester.

Mid-Wyedean Churches: the Church of England serving Coleford, Broadwell, Staunton, Clearwell, Newland, and Redbrook and surrounding areas.

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