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 : Fr. 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.

Holy Communion under Both Kinds.  Before COVID, there was the custom here at Sacred Heart for people to have the opportunity at Mass to receive the Precious Blood from the Chalice as well as the Body of the Lord at Holy Communion.  I think it is now possible to reintroduce this as an experiment (if it proves that no one wants it we can go back).  From the first Sunday in July there will be one person (the priest) giving out the Body of Christ at the front of the church in the centre, and there will be two Eucharistic Ministers, one each side with a Chalice.  If you wish to receive from the Chalice after you have received the Host, move to one of the Eucharistic Ministers.  He or she will offer the Chalice to you with the words, “The Blood of Christ”.  You reply, “Amen”, take the Chalice and carefully take a sip.  Then give the Chalice back to the Minister and return to your place in the church.

Garden Party At Newman’s College on Saturday, 4^th July 3.00-5.00 pm to support the mission of the Sisters of The Work at Newman’s College. Enjoy an afternoon in the beautiful garden with a cup of tea, homemade cakes, ice cream, various stalls and live music played by a string quartet. There will be guided tours. For more information please contact the Sisters on 01865 779743 or littlemore@newman-friends.org.

Sacred Heart Parish Day.  Saturday, 11^th July.  This looks like being a great day, with games and stalls.  There are also some incredible prizes to be won in the raffle, and raffle tickets are on sale at the back of church as you leave today.

Fr John Hancock, a former parish priest here will be celebrating his 80^th Birthday this Tuesday (30^th June). If any of you would like to send him a card, his address is: Fr John Hancock, Footherley Hall, Footherley Lane, Shenstone, Lichfield WS14 0HG.

Ordinations.  Please pray for Deacon Jonathan Henry from St. Anthony’s Parish in Headington, who will be ordained a priest in St. Chad’s Cathedral this Saturday, 4^th July, and also for Deacon Jithin Titto who will be ordained on 6^th July and for Deacon Tenny Antony who will be ordained on 10^th July.  May God bless them all.

MARCH4LIFE 2026 We are invited to take part in a peaceful, joyful march in London on Saturday 5^th September – celebrating life and challenging abortion. Two months ago, abortion in the home, up to birth, was decriminalised. Around 1,000 unborn babies are legally killed every day in our country. Join one of the few ways we can peacefully challenge this.

“WeBelieve” Festival at Oscott College, Birmingham. From Friday, 24^th to Monday, 27^th July: An unmissable opportunity to discover the traditions and charisms that flow through the Church, to grow in authentic community, and to encounter the transforming love of God. For more: http://www.webelievefestival.com.

Vocations to the Priesthood.  Each Deanery in the Archdiocese is given a month to pray especially intensely for Vocations to the Priesthood.  JULY IS OUR MONTH.  Please make it your special intention.

Diocesan Prayer for Vocations

Heavenly Father, we ask you to send labourers into your harvest.  Inspire, in the hearts of your people, vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life.  Bless our families with a spirit of generosity, so that those whom you call have the courage to give themselves to your Church in faith.  Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Tailpiece: A man said to the priest after Mass one Sunday, “Your sermon today reminded me of the mercy of God.”  The priest was flattered and couldn’t resist ‘fishing’ for more compliments, so he asked the man to explain further.  But his joy came to an abrupt end when the man replied, “Well, it passes all understanding, and it endures forever.”

May God bless you and all those whom you love.

Fr. Harry

For more details please see the Newsletter for the week.