‘BISHOP ALAN LISTENS’ RESEARCH REPORT

Webmaster • March 22, 2024

Understanding why Catholics in the Diocese of Brentwood no longer come to Church.


Last summer Bishop Alan invited Catholics who no longer regularly come to Church to get in touch so that he could seriously listen to their stories and experiences and begin to understand why so many Catholics no longer feel as though they belong in the Church.


This report presents a moving and challenging insight into how our Church and the covid-19 pandemic have contributed to a movement away from a regular practice of faith for many Catholics and offers our Church a rich repository of wisdom that might enhance and inform our ongoing journey of renewal in the diocese.


Thank you to all those who so generously and thoughtfully participated in this research. Please share this link/report with those whom you know have participated in this research.


Go to the home page of https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/ to see the responses of hundreds of Catholics across our diocese and hear what Bishop Alan heard.

May - Children's colouring book

By Webmaster • May 1, 2026
View the May bulletin here

Red Box 2025: Thank You!

By Webmaster • April 24, 2026
In 2025 St Augustine’s Parish raised £3326.53 through our Red Boxes and donations to Missio and the Mill Hill Missionaries. Thank You! Our missionary community here at St Augustines is part of a worldwide network of people supporting missionaries overseas through prayer and financial assistance. Communities around the world who are being supported by missionaries like the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, who feature on this years Red Box Thank You poster, rely on your support so they can continue to flourish. Visit missio.org.uk to find out more.

April- Children's colouring book

By Webmaster • April 7, 2026
View the April bulletin here

MANDATUM [Washing of the feet]

By Webmaster • March 27, 2026
Maundy Thursday, 2nd April at 7.30pm. We need twelve volunteers (women & men) for this important ceremony. Please sign up on the list at the back of the church.

FIRST COMMUNION PREPARATION

By Webmaster • March 20, 2026
Wednesday, 29th April – Do this in memory of me - Children only in the Meeting Room 5.15 – 6.30pm. Sunday, 3rd May – 11.00am – Mass in the church [arrive in church by 10.45am].

GIFT AID ENVELOPES 2026/27

By Webmaster • March 20, 2026
These are available at the back of the church in alphabetical order by surname. If for any reason you no longer require envelopes [i.e. because you are now using the new Dona terminals and using the gift function] please hand them to me and they will be cancelled for next year. However, the boxes do have envelopes for the occasional special collections. Joining the scheme costs nothing as the parish simply claims back from the Inland Revenue the tax you pay on what you already give in the collection. If you would like to join the scheme please have a word with me after Mass.

Good Friday Walk of Witness

By Webmaster • March 20, 2026
Good Friday meet at the magistrates’ court at 9.30am and walk to the square for the service.

Recollection For Women

By Webmaster • March 6, 2026
New location, new time. St Thersa's Church on Saturday, 21 st March, 12.30 to 2pm . The Recollection comprises of a priest led meditation, examination of conscience, rosary, opportunity for confession, spiritual reading, 2 nd meditation followed by benediction. Tea/coffee and biscuits after the Recollection. St Theresa's Church, Brook Road, Newbury Park, IG2 7JA

YOUTH HALL UPDATE

By Webmaster • March 6, 2026
Phase one of the repairs has now been completed. The tenders have gone out for phase two and the same company has been retained to finish the job. It has taken a long time to reach this stage but we are in the hands of the loss adjustor and the insurance company and cannot interfere in the process.

March- Children's colouring book

By Webmaster • February 27, 2026
View the March bulletin here