The catholic churches within the Forest of Dean and Newent Parishes are all served by Fr. Barnabas Page, our Parish Priest. 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: Richard Coward, Noel Riossi.

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

Our Lady of Lourdes

Our Lady of Lourdes, Ross Road, Newent, Glos, GL18 1BG. [ Map » ]

Pastoral Council Members: Mary Francis

Parish Mission

Some of our parishioners are sick or 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 and are live-streamed. 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 (Live-streamed), Wednesday and Thursday. The Friday Talk will continue on-line. You can watch these Services by clicking on the appropriate Vimeo link.

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
At Coleford: forestrcchurches@cliftondiocese.com
At Newent: newent.ourladyoflourdes@cliftondiocese.com

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

www.childline.org.uk – a helpline for children 0800 1111

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. Contact Fiona Mills 0758 717 2279 or 01594 516175 for the Forest of Dean.

Coleford Parish Office Details

Telephone: 01594 833173

Address: St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 4 High Nash, Coleford, Gloucestershire. GL16 8HN.

Email:

Newent Parish Office Details

Telephone: 01531 821647

Address: Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Ross Road, Newent, Gloucestershire GL18 1BG

Forest of Dean RC Churches

Mass Times

All Live and Recorded videos can be accessed via our Vimeo Channel.

How to Access: please use this link for all Live or Recorded videos: https://vimeo.com/forestrcchurch, then click on the ‘videos’ box. The latest video will be displayed first but previous videos can also be accessed here. All Masses, Services and Friday talks can also be found on this link. This link will remain the same every week, therefore a different weekly link will no longer be needed.

Saturday 21st May, Vigil Mass Sixth Sunday of Easter will be live-streamed at 6pm from St. Joseph's, Lydney.
Mid-week Mass on Tuesday 24th May will be live-streamed at 10am from St. Margaret Mary's, Coleford.
There is a Friday Talk this week on 20th May from 9am.

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 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!

It is no longer necessary to book for Masses and Services and it is no longer necessary to wear a face covering at Mass or Services. However, please be sensitive to any other parishioner sitting near you who may want to continue to socially distance. Also please DO NOT attend Mass if you have any symptoms of COVID. Thank you!

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Saturday 21st May - Vigil Mass - Coleford 6pm - live-streamed
Sunday 22nd May - Mass - Cinderford 9am
Sunday 22nd May - Mass - Newent 11am

Mid-week Masses

Tuesday 24th May - Mass - Coleford - 10am - live-streamed. Adoration in the Church until 12 Noon
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
- Wednesday 25th May - Mass - Newent - 12noon
- Thursday 26th May - Mass - Lydney - 10am - live-streamed
- Thursday 26th May - Mass - Cinderford - 7.30pm

Seventh Sunday of Easter

28th May - Vigil Mass - Lydney 6pm - live-streamed
29th May - Mass - Cinderford 9am
29th May - Mass - Newent 11am

Masses & Services live links:

Live-streamed Saturday Vigil Masses are live-streamed at every Saturday at 6pm. This link will take you directly to the live-streamed Saturday Vigil Mass: Live Vigil Mass.

The Mid-week Mass at St. Margaret Mary, Coleford is live-streamed every Tuesday at 10am. This link will take you directly to the live-streamed Tuesday Mid-week Mass: Live Mid-week Mass.

Recent Masses, Services and Talks already recorded:

Vigil Mass for Sixth Sunday of Easter 21st May can be found here
Friday Talk 20th May can be found here
Mid-week Mass 17th May can be found here

On-line Masses elsewhere:

Masses & Services 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

Hospital Chaplain - Julian Dowle - if you or anyone you know is admitted to hospital and would like a visit from our Hospital Chaplain, please contact Julian Dowle on 01989 721215 or email Julian Thank you!

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 - Sixth Sunday of Easter - 22nd May

Printer Friendy version of Church News

The Ascension

Next Thursday is the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord when Christ after his Resurrection returned to the Father in Heaven. Traditionally The Ascension marks the beginning of the nine days of Novena to the Holy Spirit in preparation for Pentecost on Sunday 5th June. The Ascension had to happen first before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Church.

Am I remembering correctly that in the Primary school we had a day off for the Feast? The memory can play tricks after all those years. If we were at school, the Church was next door, so we would have all trouped in for Mass. But I can only visualise us being in Church, last lesson on a Tuesday afternoon, for Benediction. We were taught that our Prayers ascended to Heaven. That God transformed our human offerings.

Certainly we seek God’s help that somehow despite Ukraine, the cost of living, and what is happening in our family, we may find a way of living with our circumstances.

This Sunday Christ says in the Gospel: ‘Peace I bequeath to You, My own peace I give to You, a peace the world cannot give, this is my Gift to you’.

Bless you all, Barnabas

FOREST OF DEAN PARISH NEWS

Tea/Coffee/Cake after Mass at St Margaret Mary, Coleford - everyone is welcome to join our community for refreshments after the Vigil Masses on Saturdays.

Forest of Dean Parish Choir - we hope to form a church choir led by Katrina Sliacka to sing at the Vigil Masses in the Forest Parish. This will initially commence at St Joseph’s in Lydney. If you are interested in joining this choir please contact Peter Chisholm in the first instance: email Peter or phone 07483 817046.

Jubilee Celebrations - Teddy Trail at St Mary’s Church, Lydney on Friday 3rd June from 12pm-4pm and Saturday 4th June 11am-4pm. Take the trail to find the hidden teddies. Arrive at any time. No entry fees. All ages are welcome. For more information contact Jane Penny on 07856 679387 orcfmlydney@gmail.com A Churches Together in Lydney Event. If you would like to volunteer, even an hour of your time on either day, please do not hesitate to contact Jane. Thank you.

Used Postage Stamps for Charity - Please continue to donate used postage stamps for this Charity. The box for receipt of the stamps is situated in the entrance to St. Margaret Mary’s, Coleford.

Friday Lunch Club returns to the Forest of Dean Church Hall - Our next lunch will be on Friday May 27th. We welcome new diners. We are a very friendly bunch and everyone seems to enjoy themselves. The cost for a 3 course meal plus tea or coffee and mints will be £8.00. The diners start to arrive at about 11.15am for tea or coffee, and we serve lunch at approximately 12.00 noon. If anyone would like to join our happy group, please ring me, Helen Molyneux on 01291 625013 or Dot Lord on 01594 560054. We would love to hear from you.

FOREST OF DEAN PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL (PPC) MATTERS - The Minutes of PPC Meeting 20th April 2022 - the Minutes of the latest PPC Meeting can be found here: PPC Minutes 20th April 2022

Role of the PPC - what the PPC does can be found here: PPC Role If you are interested in standing as a representative on the PPC, please also let us know.

PPC Constitution - the Constitution of the PPC can be found here: Constitution

NEWENT PARISH NEWS

Newent Red Box 2021: Thank You! In 2021 Our Lady of Lourdes raised £2,375.20 through our Red Boxes and donations to Missio and the Mill Hill Missionaries. Thank you! Our missionary community here at Our Lady of Lourdes is part of a worldwide network of people supporting missionaries through prayer and financial assistance. The founder of this network (APF/Missio), Pauline Jaricot, is beatified on 22 May this year. This remarkable lay woman's life was marked by intense suffering and great trust in God. Pauline's life helps us to see how every prayer, however short, and every contribution, however small, is valued by God and can transform the world for the better. Thank you for being part of Pauline's legacy. Visit Missio website to find out more about Pauline, and how your support of Missio changes lives for the better.

Taize Evening Prayer - Taize evening prayer will resume at Our Lady of Lourdes in Newent, on Sunday 29th May at 6pm. Taize prayer involves quiet, reflective music, a scripture reading and silent prayer. The evening prayer will last around forty minutes and will conclude with refreshments and fellowship. It is suitable for Catholics and non-Catholics alike and is inclusive of people whose first language is not English. Come along and bring a friend. If you'd like more information, please contact Martin Mason by email: Martin.

PCC Minutes - The Minutes of the meeting held on 22nd March can be found here: Newent PPC Minutes.

Confirmation Course - Our Lady of Lourdes, Newent - the Group continues to meet on Tuesdays 4.30-6.00pm. For more information, please contact: Suzannah, mobile 07984357751

OTHER NEWS

Forest of Dean and Newent Parish Synod Report - thank you to everyone who contributed their time and valued insights into this report. Our parish report has now been incorporated into the full Diocesan report. Bishop Declan will present each parish with the Clifton Synod report at the Cathedral on June 22nd at 7pm, you will have seen this advertised in previous newsletters. A copy of the full Forest of Dean and Newent Parish report as forwarded to Clifton Diocese Synod Team can be found here: Synod Report, as is a short summary Summary capturing the main points. If you would like a printed copy of either the summary or the full report please contact Sam at the Parish Office on 01594 833173.

Returning to Mass at Pentecost - please read this document: Returning to Mass at Pentecost from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. This is the bread come down from heaven (John 6:58)

Readers and Eucharistic Ministers - If you were unable to join the successful day of reflection at Prinknash Abbey please find below links to the guidelines for both of these ministries. It is important that every Minister of the Word and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion is aware of the guidelines and reads them. If you are unable to access the guidelines online please get in touch and arrange for a printed version by contacting Sam at the parish office Tel 01594 833173.

Guidelines for Lay Ministers of the Word

Guidelines for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Children's Liturgy - here is a link Children's Liturgy to the Sunday Gospels and reflection aimed at children - although it can be enjoyed by all the family. Each new Sunday Gospel is posted on Saturday afternoons. This Sunday is the Sixth Sunday of Easter.

Noah's Camp - For more information visit their website Noah's Camp or phone: 07961346343. 10% EarlyBird Discount available until the end of May! Bookings are now open online Use Code EARLYBIRD22 for discount. Please use this link to obtain your tickets: Click For Tickets

A Mass to celebrate Marriage at Clifton Cathedral - Join Bishop Declan for Mass in the Cathedral as we celebrate the gift that is Marriage on Saturday 2nd July at 12 noon. All are welcome. If you are celebrating a significant anniversary this year,
newly married, or looking forward to marriage in 2022, then please inform Samantha (Fr Barnabas’ Personal Assistant) by email at Sam at Coleford or Sam at Newent or phone 01594 833173. This will enable her to inform the Diocese so that a personal invitation can be sent out.

Synod Evening Liturgy - 22 June - Bishop Declan invites every parish to an evening liturgy at the Cathedral on June 22nd at 7pm when he will present Clifton’s Synod report to each parish. Please book for this event via this link: Synod Evening

Church Hall

Our Church Hall is located next to St. Margaret Mary Church in Coleford is now available for hire. Please contact the Parish Office in the first instance.

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.

Lunch Club - next lunchis on Friday 27th May and will be held every last Friday of the Month thereafter. 3 Course meal followed by tea/coffee.
Hard of Hearing - Fourth Monday of the month - 10 - 12.
Pilates - Tuesdays 1 - 2pm. Please contact the office for dates.
Tai Chi - Tuesday 2 - 3pm. Please contact the office for dates.
West Dean Wind Band - 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 7.00 - 9.00pm. www.westdeanwindband.uk
Faith Group - every 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.
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.

CLIFTON DIOCESE (a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales under number 10462076. A registered charity number 1170168. Registered Office: St Ambrose North Road Leigh Woods Bristol BS8 3PW)