Keeping People Connected
ST. LUKE & ST. TERESA CATHOLIC CHURCH
WINCANTON
CLIFTON DIOCESE
An open and friendly community in Wincanton.
MESSAGE FROM THE PARISH PRIEST
Welcome!
This is the website of the Catholic Parish of St. Luke and St. Teresa,
South Street, Wincanton, Somerset BA9 9DH.
Our Parish Vision: To be a Catholic Community that is committed to serving the Lord and meeting the pastoral needs of all People of the Parish, including the non-practicing.
Parish Mission Statement: St. Luke and St. Teresa Catholic Parish is a lively, friendly & welcoming Community of Christ that strives to be caring, serving all parishioners and listening to all. Parish Motto: St. Luke and St. Teresa Parish is United in love and Service.
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES:
DECEMBER 24th 5:30pm Family Mass (Wincanton) & 8pm Christmas Eve Mass (Somerton).
10:30pm Carols & 11:00pm Vigil Mass (Wincanton).
December 25th 9:00am Mass (Somerton) & 11:00am Mass (St. Luke & St. Teresa Wincanton). All welcome!
MASS TIMES - Weekdays in Advent: Monday & Friday 11.30am. First Saturday of the Month - Mass 10 am & Adoration, Reconciliation & Benediction 10.30 - 11.30 am (Wincanton).
Weekend Mass in Advent: Saturday 5.30pm & Sunday 11.00am (Wincanton).
The Parish Priest is available and can be contacted via email or phone. We cover Mere, Cary, Bruton and Somerton. Contact us if you need our services. If you would like to contact us or leave a message, please do and we will get back to you: wincanton.sslukeandteresa@cliftondiocese.com, Tel: 01963 34408
DONATIONS: We appreciate and thank all donating to support our parish and the Lukan Fund. Please can you donate directly to: SS Luke & Teresa Wincanton - SC 521003, Acc. 66287359. God bless you.
DIOCESE SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT: In Clifton Diocese we are deeply committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all those entrusted to our care, especially the most vulnerable among us. The Church’s mission is to bring the light of Christ to the world, and we must be vigilant in protecting those who are at risk of harm. The sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults is a grave sin that deeply offends our Lord and causes immense harm to victims. As the shepherd of this diocese, I take this responsibility very seriously and I am determined to do everything in my power to prevent such abuses from occurring and to respond swiftly and compassionately when they do.
To this end, we have implemented robust safeguarding policies and procedures throughout the diocese. It is the responsibility of everyone within the Diocese of Clifton to ensure our parishes and institutions are safe places, especially for those who are vulnerable. We have a zero tolerance to abuse, harm and any behaviour that falls short of appropriate safeguarding practices as expressed in National Policies from the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency.
We are also committed to fostering a culture of transparency and accountability within the Church in all our activities. Responding to those who come forward to report having suffered harm is a vital part of our mission and the Diocese is committed to being a welcoming and safe Church that is truly a beacon of light and hope for all. We strive to support survivors and those who have been harmed by the Church, and we wish to work with survivors to improve standards further. We will listen and learn from every survivor/victim we work with. May the grace of God strengthen us in this vital mission. Bishop Bosco MacDonald, May 2024
The Diocesan safeguarding team supports the ministry of the Church by providing a professional and robust support around the protection of children, young people and adults at risk, to ensure that worshipping communities are safe places where all have a positive experience of the Church in which they feel loved, accepted and safe. All issues will be dealt with in a sensitive and caring manner, in the strictest of confidence. The dedicated safeguarding team work closely with other agencies including the Police, Probation, Social Services and comply with the standards that are set by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA). The CSSA has been set up as a professional standards body with regulatory powers which exist to regulate all Catholic Churches.
Our Parish Safeguarding Representative is Angela Froud – PSR.wincanton.sslukeandteresa@cliftondiocese.com
The safeguarding office is located at Alexander House, 160 Pennywell Road, Bristol, BS5 0TX. 0117 954 0993
Their website is : www.cliftondiocese.com/safeguarding and has a great deal of information and contact details. Clifton Diocese Safeguarding Coordinator: Janice Pearson 07887 990 385 Janice.pearson@cliftondiocese.com
General enquiries: 0117 954 0993. Email: safeguarding@cliftondiocese.com
Pastoral Services in our Parish: We care, should you need any of our services please contact us. Our parish community is safe and friendly. We enjoy full and active participation at Mass and other liturgical celebrations. We host joyful and healthy parish events, bringing parishioners and friends together. There are wonderful spiritual, pastoral and social services, delivered through dynamic pastoral leadership and collaborative teamwork of the Parish Priest and the People of the Parish:
We respect individual differences and diversity. We promote dignity and equality of all people of God.
Our membership, communication and services are adapted to accommodate all parishioners and friends of the parish. Services and activities extend from Wincanton to Mere, Castle Cary and Bruton Communities. We work with Clifton Diocese, other Churches to promote healthy community life, pastoral & spiritual wellbeing of all.
REV. FR. FRANCIS EYO, MSP
PARISH PRIEST
The Parish is a major point of reference for the Christian people, even for the non-practicing. It is the most important locus in which the Christian community is formed and expressed.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
At over 2,000 years old, the Catholic Church is the oldest institution in the Western hemisphere and has over a billion members across the world. Here at St. Luke & St. Teresa Catholic Parish, we warmly welcome all sincere seekers of truth, regardless of belief or religion. You can be sure of a listening ear to any questions you may have about our faith. If you are thinking about becoming Catholic, the first step is to simply visit the parish or join one of our Masses so you can experience what it’s like. Take time to pray and ask God how you can discover and strengthen your faith. Talk to a priest to discuss your thoughts and they can answer any questions you may have.
THE JOY AND BLESSING OF COMMITMENT TO THE CATHOLIC FAITH
The Church is our worldwide family, and all are welcome, we respect individual differences and diversity. Our membership formation and communication are adapted to accommodate all.
If you wish to become a Catholic, you will be admitted as a Catechumen and begin a formal learning period about the Catholic faith, the authentic Teachings of Christ, Relationship with Christ and people, the Sacraments and how to build solid life of Prayer and active faith. This is called the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adult (RCIA). The program is tailored to suit your needs and time.
Children and younger people can be received into the Church at the request of the parents who are committed to bring them up in the practice of the faith.
It is a joy to be received into this universal family of the Church and we enjoy special blessing promised by the Lord (John 3:16 -17)
Contact: St. Luke & St. Teresa Catholic Church in Wincanton if you have any questions. We can also tell you about upcoming events, some of which we mention in our blog.
BAPTISM AND RECEPTION CEREMONY
This is an occasion of great joy and celebration as we welcome a new member. This process is taken at your own pace – there is no need to rush as you need to be sure that this is a path that will take you to a deeper relationship and understanding with God. Baptism is necessary for our spiritual wellbeing and salvation. We are re-born in the Holy Spirit and made children of God (John 3:5).
Get in touch today, we are here to help.
wincanton.sslukeandteresa@cliftondiocese.com
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH?
Visit St. Luke & St. Teresa Catholic Church in Wincanton for more information about us.
MERE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY: CATHOLIC MASS IN MERE ONCE MORE
Fr Francis celebrated the first Mass in Mere at St. Michael's on Friday 27 October 2023. It was a great joy that many parishioners attended the Mass, including some of St Michael’s congregation, on a lovely sunny day. We were warmly welcome by Kit Stallard, one of St Michael’s church wardens, and Ann Dethick who also provided tea and coffee after Mass. Also, Fr Francis celebrated the second Mass on Friday 1 December 2023 and more Masses are now being celebrated on monthly basis - 3rd Tuesday of the Month at 10.30 am. The celebration of the Mass is very helpful in building the community and maintaining the Catholic presence the collaboration with the Churches in Mere. You are welcome to join us whenever you are in Mere!
May the Lord bless and keep us in His love. Amen.
Thank you beloved Parishioners, Families and Friends for your faith and commitment.
DO JOIN US AT MASS THIS WEEK AND BE ASSURED OF OUR PRAYERS
01963 34408
