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.
The Prime Minister has announced a further Lockdown for at least six weeks. However, Public Worship in our churches is still allowed. Due to the current Covid stituation, to minimise travel and contact with each other, the Saturday Vigil Masses at Coleford and Lydney are suspended until further notice. We will continue with the mid-week and Sunday Masses and Service schedule: Masses on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. For those parishioners that are 'shielding' we will will 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

: 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!

Weekend Mass - Second Sunday of Lent
Sunday 28th Feb: Mass at Cinderford 9am - phone Fiona 01594 516175
Sunday 28th Feb: Mass at Newent 11am - phone Mary 01531 822156

Mid-week Mass
Tuesday 2nd March: Mass at Coleford 10am - phone Beverley 01594 861345
Private Prayer in the church after Mass.
Wednesday 3rd March: Mass at Newent 12noon - phone Mary 01531 822156
Thursday 4th March: Mass at Lydney 10am - Dot&Brian 01594 560054

Weekend Mass - Third Sunday of Lent
Sunday 7th March: Mass at Cinderford 9am - phone Fiona 01594 516175
Sunday 7th March: Mass at Newent 11am - phone Mary 01531 822156

Recorded Masses and Talks

Friday Talk 26th February can be found here
Mid-week Mass 24th February can be found here
Mass for First Sunday of Lent can be found here

Daily Mass from Clifton Cathedral can be found here

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

Printer Friendly Version of Church News

Second Sunday of Lent (Year B)
21st February 2021

Sunday Mass available from 3pm       )    
Wednesday Mass available from 9am )
Friday Talk available from 9am           )        

Green Shoots
At last we’ve seen some warmer weather.  I’ve spotted my first lamb and you know spring is on its way when the birds are still singing after dark.  There are also some green shoots within the Parish.  I have been encouraged how many people are in contact with each other especially when reaching out to those who are in isolation.  And although it only involves a few of you, I am also encouraged by the Zoom Groups taking place.  Both the Lectio Divina on a Friday looking at the following Sunday’s Gospel and the Lenten Groups following the Diocesan Course.  Getting Catholics to reflect on Gospel passages and to share their thoughts is surely a way of helping one another to grow in our faith.
I’ve had my first jab as many of you have and was impressed by how organised the whole thing was.  Please God we are making progress.  Some people have expressed hesitation about the vaccine and these views also need to be respected.  Some of my hesitation is worry about the poorer countries in our world.  How will they manage?  Family Fast Day this Friday is a chance for us to be mindful of our brothers and sisters in other parts of our world.  Here at home the virus has unfortunately highlighted the inequalities in our society.  Jesus said ‘the poor will be with us always’ but he also said ‘Blessed are the poor in Spirit’.  Hopefully this both includes those who are actually poor plus those who, recognising they are poor in Spirit, are able to reach out in empathy to their brothers and sisters.
This week in the Diocesan Lent Course our own Fr. Tom Finnegan from Cinderford is giving the talk.  It is worth a look. Go to Fr. Tom Finnegan Talk
and scroll down to the short video.

Bless you all, 

Barnabas.

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.

CAFOD Lent Fast Day is Friday 26th February - ‘Oh, come to the water all you who are thirsty’ Isaiah 55:1
The coronavirus pandemic has shown how important it is to have access to clean, safe water. During these challenging times, your donation to CAFOD’s Lent Appeal is needed more than ever. For information and to donate online please go to  CAFOD Lent Appeal. Envelopes for donations will be available in all Churches from this Sunday. Please act to end water poverty this Lent.

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 Second Sunday of Lent – Year B.  This week we are looking at number 16 in the series.

Lent Reflections  –  Clifton Diocese has prepared a series of weekly online Lent reflections entitled ‘Dare to Dream’.  The third reflection is available on the Clifton Diocese website: Dare to Dream from 20th February.  
As we are unable to meet physically this year our parish is offering the opportunity to join either a weekly Zoom meeting or an emailing discussion group to share our thoughts and ideas on these reflections with others from our parish. To join one of these groups please contact:
- for Mondays 2pm Zoom group -  Fiona on 01594 516175 or email Fiona (Beginning Monday 1st March)
- for Saturdays 10.30am Zoom group - Mary on 01531 822156 or email Mary (Beginning Saturday 27th February)
- for the emailing group contact Chris
Everybody is welcome, you can join at any time during Lent, as and when you can, but please register your interest to receive the joining link.

Lydney World Day of Prayer: this year it will be held at the Lydney Christian Fellowship (LCF) in Swan Road on Friday, 5th March at 10.30am  (social distancing measures are in place).  Everybody is welcome.  The service will be live streamed via ‘You Tube’.  Join at 10.20am by opening ‘You Tube’ search for ‘Lydney Christian Fellowship’ and click on the ‘LIVE’ link which will connect you.  Or click here Lydney World Day of Prayer to open link.  Booklets are available at LCF and also at St Joseph’s.

Job opportunity for an Activity, Faith and Leadership Development Programme Leader.  This is a full time role, based in the Forest of Dean.  £30-35k.  Deadline 10 March 2021. Explore this opportunity at Gloucester Anglican Church

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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