Our 40th Anniversary
2010 marked 40 years since the construction of the church of St John Bosco in Western Avenue. Today, the church serves about 500 Catholic homes in Woodley, Sonning and parts of Earley. Over 400 attend Mass weekly. It is part of the Diocese of Portsmouth, under the guidance of Bishop Crispian Hollis, and belongs to the Loddon Valley Pastoral Area.
This was a busy year for us with many events planned throughout 2010 to mark our Anniversary.
This was a busy year for us with many events planned throughout 2010 to mark our Anniversary.
Children get Crafty at our Children's Party
As we came to the end of our liturgical year on Sunday with our celebration of the feast of Christ the King, so we draw near to the end of what has been an action packed year of celebrations to mark our 40th anniversary year.
On Sunday afternoon we celebrated one of the final events organised for this year, our Children’s Craft Party. The church centre was bursting at the seams and alight with the sound of children having fun as they joined in with all the festive activities. Tables were laid out with a wide range of things for them to make. There was cake decorating, making snowmen, painting Christmas decorations and tealight holders, colouring in advent calendars and Christmas booklets. Fr Chris gave the children a special blessing and enjoyed a spot of painting himself.
The children had a wonderful afternoon and left laden down with all their handiwork, a piece of chocolate cake that was made especially for the occasion, and a lovely handmade gift bag. The party was a huge success and something which we all hope will now become an annual event.
On Sunday afternoon we celebrated one of the final events organised for this year, our Children’s Craft Party. The church centre was bursting at the seams and alight with the sound of children having fun as they joined in with all the festive activities. Tables were laid out with a wide range of things for them to make. There was cake decorating, making snowmen, painting Christmas decorations and tealight holders, colouring in advent calendars and Christmas booklets. Fr Chris gave the children a special blessing and enjoyed a spot of painting himself.
The children had a wonderful afternoon and left laden down with all their handiwork, a piece of chocolate cake that was made especially for the occasion, and a lovely handmade gift bag. The party was a huge success and something which we all hope will now become an annual event.
 The globe being given to Fr Chris during the offertory procession. |
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40th Anniversary Tree Planting ceremony
Our 40th Anniversary celebrations continued on Sunday 3rd October with a special tree planting ceremony at which the Mayor of Woodley was guest of honour. The persistent rain did not dampen the celebrations as the Mayor officially dug the first soil over the newly planted tree. The little rowan tree was decorated with red ribbons and special prayers, written by children from St Dominic Savio school were tied to its branches. Fr Chris then blessed the tree. After the blessing everyone went into the church centre to enjoy a warm drink and a piece of anniversary cake cut by the Mayor.
Altar Servers Bowling and Laserquest outing
On Saturday 25th September our Altar Servers were treated to an afternoon of bowling and laserquest to thank them for their hard work throughout this year. The afternoon began with an hour of bowling where they split into three teams and competed against each other to try and bowl the most skittles over.It was really fun and there were some brilliant bowling skills displayed and even a few strikes. This was followed by a game of laserquest which everyone really enjoyed. After all the activity we were all ready for a sit down and something to eat.
To see more photos click here to go to our Altar Servers page.
Romania Link visit to Cluj - Napoca 2010
At the beginning of September our Romania Group once again visited Romania taking with them an amazing £7500 raised over the past year through their tireless fundraising efforts and through the generosity of St John Bosco parishoners.
As usual they visited the orphanage run by the Sisters of the Congregation of the Mother of God and met the 9 abandoned, innocent children in their care. They spent time with the workers who run the Project to Feed the Poor and visited and helped some of the very poorest families with food and clothing and other practical items such as a fridge for one family with a disabled child. They also put their skills to good use helping repair some of the very poor homes in which so many families live.
To find out more about their visit and see some of the many photographs
please click here to visit our Romania Group webpage.
As usual they visited the orphanage run by the Sisters of the Congregation of the Mother of God and met the 9 abandoned, innocent children in their care. They spent time with the workers who run the Project to Feed the Poor and visited and helped some of the very poorest families with food and clothing and other practical items such as a fridge for one family with a disabled child. They also put their skills to good use helping repair some of the very poor homes in which so many families live.
To find out more about their visit and see some of the many photographs
please click here to visit our Romania Group webpage.
Fr Chris' 5th Anniversary at St John Bosco
Parishoners joined with Fr Chris after Mass on Friday 17th September to celebrate his 5th Anniversary at St John Bosco. There was a tasty chocolate cake with 5 candles which Fr Chris cut for everyone to enjoy with their tea and coffee.
Fr Carmel celebrates Mass with us during August
 | Fr Carmel has been with us at St John Bosco throughout the month of August and has now returned to Malta. It has been lovely to have him here to celebrate Mass with us and we would like to thank him for everything and wish him well as he settles back in to his own parish in Malta
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St Dominic's Mums and Daughters take part in Race for Life
On Saturday 17th July a group of mums and daughters from St Dominic Savio school donned their pink clothing and running shoes to take part in the Race for Life. The race took place in Prospect Park in Reading and all money raised goes to Cancer Research.
 Mums and Daughters gather outside the church before the race |  Charlotte, Caitriona, Eleanor,Lillie and Marianna at the finish |
Act on Poverty Letters to the Prime Minister
Fr Chris and parishioner Mary Dodd, posting their cards urging the Prime Minister to Act on Poverty, through the ‘letterbox of No.10’. Theirs and other parishioners’ cards will be sent to CAFOD to forward to the real No.10. The postcard urges the PM to push for a fair climate change deal at the UN and honour his commitment to spend 0.7 percent of national income on aid for the poorest by 2013 and ensure that businesses are accountable to people in poor countries affected by their operations. CAFOD is hoping that at least 10,000 cards will be submitted.
Living Our Faith pledges raise £141,829.00
St John Bosco has risen magnificently to the challenge posed by Bishop Crispian in the "Living Our Faith" initiative to raise money for the training of priests. At the close of the campaign at the end of June, it had raised £141, 829.00 in pledges of money. This comfortably exceeded its goal of £85,000, meaning that £66,700 of this will go towards refurbishments in the church building itself. In all, the Diocese has raised over £12.2 million in pledges from over 5,000 families - a handsome achievement to coincide with the Papal visit to the UK in September. Praising everyone's efforts, Bishop Crispian wrote "Together we have accomplished much, and secured significant funding for critical areas, such as vocations, seminarians, formation of the laity and local parish projects. A heartfelt "thank you" to those who have donated and those reflecting on their participation."
Ye-ha! 40th Anniversary Barn Dance goes with a Swing
It was a warm sunny evening for our 40th Anniversary Barn Dance . The school field was transformed into a scene from the Wild West with a huge marquee decorated with red white and blue streamers and balloons, a hog roasting on a spit, and a rodeo bull. People came dressed for the occassion in checked shirts and cowboy hats and boots and began the evening with a wonderful feast of food including burgers and hot dogs and the roast hog with various side salads followed by delicious cakes and gateaux. The children (and Fr Chris!) had fun on the rodeo bull and there was a competition to see who could stay on the longest which was won by Gabriella. Soon the live "Pitchfork Band" started playing and people took their partners by the hand to join in the dancing and the "do se doing". It was a fantastic, fun packed evening enjoyed by everyone who came along.
Wintershall Pigrimage ~ The Life of Christ Jesus preaching
On July 2nd a group of parishoners and Fr Chris travelled to Wintershall, near Guildford to see the play "The Life of Christ" which was written and adapted from the Holy Bible. The play takes place in Israel, about 2000 years ago, centred on Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Galiliee. It follows the childhood, ministry, and passion of Jesus Christ on earth, His death, resurrection and ascension. The audience were drawn into each scene so that it was easy to imagine that we were actually there and the whole day was a very moving and memorable experience.
|  Jesus enters Jerusalem |
 The Last Supper  Jesus suffers on the cross  Mary weeps over the body of her son |  The Chief Priest looks on as Jesus is crucified  The risen Lord |
Children Celebrate their First Holy Communion
On Saturday 19th June, our children who have been preparing since last September, received their First Holy Communion. It was wonderful to see so many family, friends and relatives joining them to celebrate with them and offer their encouragement and support as they received Christ's Body and Blood for the first time. On the following day the children wore their Communion clothes to Mass and there was a special Communion breakfast held for them in the school hall where all our Worshiping Community were invited along to join in the celebrations and congratulate the children. |
Photographs and video courtesy of Posterity Video Productions www.posterityvideo.com
DVDs of this Year's First Holy Communion Ceremony can be purchased from Posterity Videos at a cost of £15.00.
Please contact Martin on 0118 9618624 to place an order.
DVDs of this Year's First Holy Communion Ceremony can be purchased from Posterity Videos at a cost of £15.00.
Please contact Martin on 0118 9618624 to place an order.
Woodley Churches join together for Praise in the Park
Following Mass on Sunday 6th June, Fr Chris and a number of parishoners walked across Woodford Park to join the "Praise in the Park" organised by Woodley Churches Together. The hour long service was a celebration of singing, readings and prayer and it was lovely to see all churches unite in their worship and love of God.
St John Bosco help at Woodley Churches Together Carnival Stall
On Saturday 5th June, volunteers from St John Bosco took their turn at helping at the Woodley Churches Together refreshment tent at Woodley Carnival. It was a warm sunny afternoon and the volunteers were kept busy serving soft drinks, tea, coffee and cream teas.
Relics of St Edmund Campion venerated on Trinity Sunday
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Creation Walk
On Saturday, 29th May, 16 parishioners of St John Bosco and Christchurch braved the rain to take part in a Creation Walk in Highwood. The prayers, readings and reflections focused on God's gift of creation and man's responsibility to care for and develop this gift as co-creator and not as exploiter. The walk and prayers, etc. were enjoyed by everyone and we hope to repeat the event next year. Grateful thanks to CAFOD for providing the resource for the Creation Walk. Copies are available for anyone interested; please contact Rita Belletty through the Church Office.
One of our parishoners wrote a poem especially for the Creation Walk. Click Here to read the poem.
One of our parishoners wrote a poem especially for the Creation Walk. Click Here to read the poem.
Pentecost Family Picnic
It was a beautiful sunny day for the Pentecost family picnic held in the church centre gardens after the Sunday Pentecost Mass on 23rd May. Families and friends, dressed in red for Pentecost, gathered together to enjoy their picnics and each others company. Children played lawn dominoes and football while adults sat and chatted and basked in the lovely sunshine. It was a wonderful afternoon enjoyed by everyone.
"Big Tidy Up" Children Presented with Certificates
The four children who took part in the "Big Tidy Up" litterpick in March were presented with a special certificate at Mass on Sunday 16th May . The certificate was to thank them for their participation and for all their help in tidying up the area surrounding the church and school.
St George honoured with a Special Ceremony
The Mayor of Woodley was among the guests of honour on 23 April at a special ceremony at St Dominic Savio School to celebrate the feast day of St George, the patron saint of England. The newly installed playground equipment was officially blessed by Fr Chris, and an official thanks made to the grandparents of one of the children for winning and donating £10,000 to its construction costs. The morning started in the church with a Mass for the whole school, and was followed by a feast of scones, jam and cream in a church centre decorated in red and white St George's Day flags.
Churches Together celebrate 40th Anniversary of St John Bosco
On Sunday 18th April members of Churches Together in Woodley were invited to join us at St John Bosco, together with representatives from our larger parish - St Thomas More, Our Lady of Peace and Christ the King - for a short Ecumenical service to celebrate our 40th Anniversary. Clergy were allowed to relax as lay members devised a liturgy of prayers, hymns and a short talk.
It was a lovely sunny afternoon and after the service everyone present enjoyed cream teas on the church centre lawn.
Record Number of Easter Initiations
The John Bosco Easter Vigil Mass this year was marked by what must have been a record number of RCIA initiations. No less than nine people were received into the Catholic church, with two of them also receiving the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Communion. The service started at 8 pm with the lighting of the paschal flame in the outside forecourt, followed by the candle-lit procession into the church symbolising the return of the risen Lord. The readings and homily were followed by the initiation ceremony and then Communion. In his Easter address, Fr Chris spoke of the unimaginable joy awaiting us in heaven, and emphasised the overriding message that the only purpose of our life here on earth is to prepare for the next one.
Easter and Holy Week 2010
 Palm Sunday  Good Friday - Veneration of the Cross  Easter Vigil -  Easter Vigil - Confirmation  RCIA candidates and sponsors  RCIA Candidates Baptised and Received into the Church at the Easter Vigil |  Holy Thursday - Washing of the Feet  Good Friday - Walk of Witness  Easter Vigil - Baptism   Easter Vigil - Receiving First Holy Communion  Celebration cakes  Easter Sunday Mass |
Big Tidy Up - Litterpick 2010
On Sunday March 21st after 10am Mass a team of about 20 volunteers from St John Bosco helped tidy up Woodley. They collected 11 bags of litter and 13 bags of recyclable materials from the paths and pavements surrounding the church and school. The team ranged in age from a boy aged 3 to a lady who is uncertain of her age!
St Patrick's Day celebrated in style
On Saturday 13 March - a few days before the famous day itself - the people of St John Bosco celebrated St Patrick's Day with all the style and energy you would expect at an Irish evening. A church centre was dressed in green and decorated with shamrocks and other images of the Emerald Isle. Bowls of steaming Irish stew and traditional dishes were ferried from the kitchen to the packed benches. And, when there was a chance to breathe, there were karaoke Irish songs for everyone to sing, and a performance of Irish dancing by Daisy Gibbs. A raffle was held during the evening, with the money raised going to pay for the 40th anniversary barn dance on Saturday, 3 July.
Lenten Calendar
Fr Chris Celebrates his 10th Anniversary of Ordination
The simple message of "love" was the theme of a special Mass on 13 February to celebrate ten years since Fr Chris Whelan was ordained priest. The entire community joined listened to him talk of his love for each and every one of us, and his acknowledgement of our love for him through the work we do for the church. The Saturday Mass was then followed by an enormous party in the St Dominic Savio school hall. Flanked by his mother and brother, Fr Chris moved through a sea of affection - as gifts were presented, tributes paid and a special poem read out. Keith Chappell read out messages from Bishop Crispian and fellow priests in the diocese, and a huge card was signed by everyone present. The community had prepared mountains of food - including a special anniversary cake, which was cut and distributed with great ceremony. It was a memorable event - uniquely special for Fr Chris, but also strong evidence of how a close-knit community works together for someone they love.
40th Anniversary celebrated on Feast Day of St John Bosco
The feast day of our patron saint John Bosco, 31 January, was chosen as the day to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the completion of the church. In a church bedecked with floral displays, the Vicar-General Monsignor, Tom McGrath, celebrated a special Mass to a packed congregation. In his homily, he recounted his personal memories of the former parish priests who had built the church and shaped the community around it. Evidence of this achievement was later given tangible form at the Offertory, when representatives from all the church groups presented objects symbolising the work to which they were committed. Soon, the altar was covered by the colourful collection, and stood out as a powerful, consolidated image of church community life today.
After Mass, a large reception was held in the school hall, where each group manned a stall containing more information. As the choir sang, and the people mingled throughout the room, Mgr McGrath cut the special 40th anniversary birthday cake, to mark a key date in the history of our church.
After Mass, a large reception was held in the school hall, where each group manned a stall containing more information. As the choir sang, and the people mingled throughout the room, Mgr McGrath cut the special 40th anniversary birthday cake, to mark a key date in the history of our church.
