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.

Pentecost.  Next Sunday, 24^th May is the great Feast of Pentecost when the Coming of the Holy Spirit reversed the curse of Babel and made all peoples able to understand the message of the Gospel.  I am hoping that we can reflect that in our 9.00 am Mass by praying together in different languages.  We shall also have a “Bring and Share” breakfast/lunch after Mass in the hall.  Please bring some food to share from your native land so that we can enjoy the unity that God creates from our diversity.

Food Hygiene Regulations: With regard to the above notice, we must make sure that we are complying with Food Hygiene Regulations. The following information from the Diocese is offered with regard to parish events and gatherings. ‘To make sure that we keep everyone safe we ask that everyone preparing food at home or bringing food: avoids preparing or bringing any dishes including nuts or nut oils; brings a list of all the ingredients included in the dish to the event; cleans all their work surfaces before beginning preparation; washes their hands before starting preparation and regularly during preparation; stores all food prepared in advance in a clean, covered container, and in the fridge where appropriate, before bringing to the event; where food is to be reheated in the church building for serving, one of the team will oversee the heating to make sure the dish reaches the correct temperature. We will not be able to reheat any dish containing rice or fish.’

Pentecost Prayer & Praise in Oxford City Centre this Saturday, 23^rd May, from 12.30 – 2.00 pm.  For the songs and more details please contact Eva on evasmithson1112@gmail.com  Everyone is welcome! 

Cowley Salesian Cooperators warmly invite you to celebrate Holy Mass with them this Saturday, 23^rd May, at 12.00 noon in Our Lady’s church for the 150^th Salesian Cooperators’ anniversary.  Please join us with an open heart to commemorate the dream and work that continues today because of St. John Bosco. There will be light refreshments after Mass in the Mornese Centre at Elmthorpe Convent.  You can leave cars in Our Lady’s church car park.

Sacred Heart Youth Group.  There will be the annual outing for young people to the Malvern hills on Sunday, 21^st June.  Please speak to Joyce for more information.

Sacred Heart Parish Day.  Saturday, 11^th July.  Further details to follow, but raffle tickets are on sale at the back of church as you leave today.

Pray in May.  This May, our parish is invited to join Mary’s Meals UK in their annual Pray in May campaign, For resources or information go to: https://www.marysmeals.org.uk/get-involved/churches-and-prayers/pray-in-may-resources

Second Collections.  Today there is a second collection for Catholic Communications.

Safeguarding Training for Volunteers.  Do you volunteer to do anything at Sacred Heart Church (thank you, if you do)?  If so, do you know your responsibilities in keeping people safe?  Whatever your role, it is essential that you get some training, please.  There is FREE training available online.  You can get it on the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency website at training.catholicsafeguarding.org.uk.  Please speak to Onyi, our parish safeguarding rep, if you want more info.

Trip to Birmingham.  I shall be “installed” as a Canon at St. Chad’s Cathedral during the 12.15 pm Mass on Tuesday, 2^nd June.  If you would like to come with me for the service at St. Chad’s and then have a few hours in Birmingham, there will be a coach going from Oxford to St. Chad’s and back on the day.  The cost will be £10 per person.  It will leave here at 8.30 am and return to Oxford at about 6.00 pm.  The cost will be £10 per person.  Please sign the list in the church porch.  Thank you.

Tailpiece: A mother was with her daughter as she said her prayers before going to bed.  The daughter prayed and prayed, and her voice got quieter and quieter.  Finally, she said “Amen”.  Her mother said, “Darling, I couldn’t hear a word you said.”  “That’s alright, Mummy,” came the reply.  “I wasn’t talking to you.”

May God bless you and all those whom you love.

Fr. Harry

For more details please see the Newsletter for the week.