Welcome to the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church Oxford

Sacred Heart Church in Blackbird Leys, Oxford is part of the Archdiocese of Birmingham. We hope that you will find our website useful and enjoy searching through the various aspects of life in the parish. Here you will be able to check our weekly newsletter, news and forthcoming parish events, read about how to go about with Sacramental preparation and find out Mass times and other services.

Whatever your reason for visiting us, we pray that God will bless your search and grant you many blessings

Parish Priest : Rev. Canon Harry Curtis

(Also serving Our Lady of Christians, Cowley, 01865 770910)

E-mail : fr.harry.curtis@rcaob.org.uk

Parish Secretary : Reena Bartrip

10:00 am – 1:00 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

Telephone : 01865 455182

E-mail : sacredheart.oxford@rcaob.org.uk

This Parish operates in accordance with Statutory Safeguarding Guidance and the National and Archdioceses policies & procedures at all times. At present, our Parish Safeguarding Representative is Onyi Anyanwu. She can be contacted at: sg.sacredheart.oxford@rcaob.org.uk or alternatively the Diocesan Safeguarding team can be contacted on 0121 230 6240/ safeguarding@rcaob.org.uk if you have any concern. For more details, visit the page Safeguarding.

Sacred Heart Christmas Bazaar. This year our annual parish bazaar will take place on Saturday, 5^th December. Raffle tickets will be on sale after Mass today. Please take some to sell and bring the stubs and money back to Jacqui in good time before the bazaar. Please put the date in your diary, There is a list of raffle prizes in the porch.

There is a Second Collection today for the Johnson Clergy Association (Birmingham) CIO which has supported priests for over 315 years. Priests who are sick, infirm or retired often depend on the support of the Association.  Please help to care for those who have cared for you.  And please pray for the work of the Association.

The annual “Fr Ian Ker Memorial Lecture” will be held at The College in Littlemore today, Sunday, 1^st November, at 4:00 pm. Dr Marie Daouda, Lecturer at Oriel College Oxford, will speak on “Newman as Novelist”. The event takes place on the first anniversary of St. John Henry Newman’s proclamation as a Doctor of the Church. For more information contact the Sisters of The Work: littlemore@newman-friends.org Tel: 01865 779743.

Mass for the Deceased Clergy of North Oxford Deanery.  Every year the clergy of North Oxford celebrate Mass together for their deceased brothers.  You are welcome to join us to pray for your priests.  Tuesday, 10^th November, 12.30 pm, at Corpus Christi, Headington.

Blessing of Graves at Rose Hill next Sunday, 8^th November.  Meet at the cemetery Chapel at 3.00 pm.

November Prayers for the Dead.  Next week there will be memorial slips available to write the names of those for whom you wish to pray during November. 

Parish Memorial Mass for those in the parish who have died, especially those whose funerals have been held here during the past year, this Saturday, 7^th November, 10.00 am. If you would like anyone’s name to be included in this special commemoration, please let me know (in writing). 

Remembrance Sunday.  Next Sunday, 8^th November, will be Remembrance Sunday when we remember and pray for those who have died in wars.  We shall have a short service after Mass to lay a wreath at the foot of the cross and pray for the dead and for peace. 

First Friday. This Friday is the first of the month and we shall say the Novena Prayers to the Sacred Heart before Mass on Thursday evening.

Christmas Craft Classes. Starting next Sunday at Our Lady’s, after the 11.00 am Mass, there will be a series of craft classes to learn how to make your own Christmas decorations.  To book a place in any class, please fill in the sign-up sheet on the table at the back of church.

Tailpiece: A man went to see his parish priest.  “Father,” he said, “I know tomorrow is Sunday, but we’re doing some heavy house-cleaning at home, and my wife wants me to help with the attic and the garage, moving and hauling stuff.  It means I won’t be able to come to Mass.”  “I’m sorry, John,” the priest replied, “But that’s not good enough.  Missing Mass on Sunday is not an option.”  “Thank you, Father,” said John. “I knew I could count on you!”

May God bless you and all those whom you love.

Fr. Harry

For more details please see the Newsletter for the week.