St Augustine's Aldershot - Reaching Out News


Harvest Festival As usual Our Harvest Festival was an opportunity to offer thanks to God for all his blessings and remember those who may be less fortunate than ourselves. After Mass we all sat down to an excellent lunch, which along with a special collection amongst church members raised a magnificent Ł895. This has been given to ‘The Vine' drop-in in Aldershot town centre, which gives a much needed helping hand to some members of our community. It was a joy to take part in the Harvest celebration at Belle Vue School, all their gifts have also been passed on to ‘The Vine' where they have been put to good use. Our monthly charity coffee mornings continue to allow us to support various charities. Our September coffee morning raised Ł100 for Cabrini Children's Society based in London and in October we raised Ł125 for SSAFA, supporting service men and women and their families and in November Ł100 was donated towards 'Mission Direct' supporting the work of mission in some of our inner city parishes. The Autumn Jumble Sale raised over Ł400 for church funds and our October Quiz Night raised Ł635, money we need to pay our share to the Diocese, central funds; this year Ł45,000 to stay in business as far as they are concerned. We are desperately trying to find all that sum by the end of December whilst receiving the news that we face a 10% increase next year - not really fair as we are just about the poorest parish in Guildford Diocese. A big, big thank you to all those who support our work through their continued generosity whether it be buying raffle tickets and all those pots of jam and marmalade, or those who give regular amounts of cash - God bless each one of you.

Deux Chat Nativity will take place in church on Thursday, December 15th at about 10.00am! Belle Vue School's Christingle service will take place on Friday, December 16th at 2.00pm, please fill those candles and help the children raise money for the work of the Children's Society. The Christmas coffee Morning, this year in aid of the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, will take place on Wednesday December 21st at 10.00am. There will be a bumper prize game of bingo - big money - and a few festive treats! All welcome. there will also be the usual monthly 'Charity' coffee mornings on Wednesdays, January 18th and February 22nd 10.00am- 11.00am. ‘Coffee Break' is proving to be just as popular as the charity coffee mornings and will continue throughout 2011; the next one is on December 7th and then Wednesdays, January 5th and February 9^th. Following the success of last year's Tea Dance, there will be another on Saturday, February 18th, starting at 3.30pm, a scrumptious tea and dancing too! Tickets at Ł6 each, available in the New Year. Back after a break, by popular request, BURNS NIGHT is here again and will be celebrated on Saturday, January 21st 7.00pm - 11.00pm and will include traditional fare and, I am told, a 'live' piper; tickets available now at Ł10 each. Church Hall The Kitchen floor has been sorted and we now have a grant application with the SITA trust which supports local community projects. If we are successful, we can then go on to tackle the floor in the main hall; the final decision will be made on December 18th - yes or no - please pray for us or just keep your fingers crossed!
Weddings, Banns, Christenings etc by arrangement with the Vicar 01252 320840 Hon assistant Father John Harvey 01252 622793 You can sponsor an issue of this Newsletter for Ł30