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.
Assisted Suicide Bill. On Friday, 11th September the House of Commons will debate and vote on a Bill to legalise assisted suicide. We believe this is wrong for many reasons. Please contact your MP, urging him/her to attend the debate and vote against the Bill.
News for Young Parishioners. On Saturday, 26th September, the Kenelm Youth Trust will be taking part in a Pilgrimage Walk from St Michael’s Church in Penn, Wolverhampton, to St Francis of Assisi Church, Shelfield, Walsall. The Walk is around a 12-mile route between two diocesan shrines for the Jubilee of St Francis of Assisi. All are welcome to join, whether a young adult, a youth group or a family, we would love to welcome you. Please let Joyce know if you are interested.
Parish Day Out to Millett’s Farm: this Thursday. The coach is now about full. Thank you to those who have signed up. If you find you can’t come with us, please let me know so that I can offer your place to someone else. The coach will leave from Sacred Heart at 10.00 am (10.30 am from Our Lady’s), and leave to come back at 4.00 pm. £15 for adults, £5 for children under eleven years old. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult). If you have questions or need to change your arrangements, please email Geraldine (olhoc.oxford@rcaob.org.uk).
Annual Diocesan Novena to pray for the Canonisation of Blessed Dominic Barberi, 18th August, until his feast day on 26th August. Blessed Dominic arrived in the Archdiocese from Italy in February, 1842. He was known for holiness of life and for his love for the poor. He received many people into the Catholic Church, the most famous being St John Henry Newman in October 1845.
Kenelm Youth Trust. With A-Level Results Day fast approaching, many young people will be considering their next steps and thinking about what the future holds. If you are among them, remember it is not too late for those aged 18-25 to apply to join the Kenelm Youth Trust Mission Team this year. Whether you are thinking about deferring university, taking a gap year, reconsidering your options after results day, or simply looking for an unforgettable year before moving on to university or employment, joining the Diocesan Mission Team could be the perfect opportunity. If you are looking for a year that will inspire, challenge and equip you for the future, the KYT would love to hear from you. They are still accepting applications for this year, so get in touch as soon as possible. Contact Hannah Smith: hannah.smith@kenelmyouthtrust.org.uk 01538 703224.
The Season of Creation 2026: “Make Living Water Flow”. Each year from 1st September to 4th October, the Christian family unites for this worldwide celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home. This year, the theme for the Season is “Living Water”, from Ezekiel 47:1-12, which portrays God’s life-giving water flowing from the temple of God. The river grows deeper and deeper, restoring barren land, reviving waters, and sustaining flourishing ecosystems.
The Summer holidays are here. Whatever your plans may be, I hope you have a restful time and safe journeys. Whilst away, don’t forget to find the nearest Catholic church for Sunday Mass – just because you are on holiday doesn’t mean the obligation to attend Mass is on holiday as well.
Tailpiece: One day a zoo-keeper was passing the monkey enclosure when to his surprise he noticed that the gorilla was sitting there, reading. In fact, he was studying two books — the Bible, and Darwin’s ‘Origin of Species’. Amazed, the zoo-keeper blurted out: “What on earth are you doing, reading those books”? The gorilla put down the books, looked at him over his reading glasses, and spoke. “It’s simple,” he said. “I am trying to answer the question, am I my brother’s keeper or my keeper’s brother.”
May God bless you and all those whom you love.
Fr. Harry
For more details please see the Newsletter for the week.
Sacred Heart Oxford 