Clifton Diocese

15/06/2026

Bishop Bosco marked our Permanent Diaconate Vocations Sunday with a renewed call for men to consider becoming deacons

Parishioners across our diocese were being encouraged to reflect on the role of service in the Church last weekend, as Bishop Bosco marked our Permanent Diaconate Vocations Sunday with a renewed call for men to consider becoming deacons.

Drawing on the Sunday’s Gospel, in which Jesus speaks of a plentiful harvest but a shortage of labourers, Bishop Bosco highlights the ongoing need for faithful men to step forward in service to their communities. He notes that the message remains just as relevant today, as many people continue to search for hope, guidance, and support in their lives.

To coincide with our Permanent Diaconate Vocations Sunday, Bishop Bosco has also released a video message in which he personally invites men to consider the diaconate. In the video, he speaks directly about the need for servant leaders in today’s Church and encourages viewers to be open to where God may be calling them.

He also urges all parishioners to pray for vocations to the permanent diaconate, asking that those called will have the courage to respond and that parish communities will continue to grow as places of faith, service, and hope.

More detail about Vocations can be found here: Vocations | Clifton Diocese

07/06/2026

As Volunteers' Week comes to a close, today we Celebrate Pauline from St PAtrick's Parish in Bristol.

"This week we give thanks for the many volunteers across the Diocese of Clifton whose generosity, faith, and quiet service sustain so much of the life of the Church.

In every parish and school, volunteers are often the hidden strength behind what others simply see “happening.” The church opened and cleaned, the flowers arranged, the tea poured, children prepared for the sacraments, the sick visited, the accounts checked, the welcome offered...

None of this happens by magic. It happens because people give their time, their gifts, and something of their heart.

St Peter reminds us: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10).
That is exactly what our volunteers do, often behind the scenes, week after week. Your service strengthens our parishes, supports the vulnerable, encourages our schools, and helps reveal the face of Christ in our communities.

To all our volunteers, thank you. Your faithful service is deeply appreciated and remembered in prayer."

Rt Revd Bosco MacDonald, Bishop of Clifton.

https://volunteersweek.org/
https://cliftondiocese.com/

06/06/2026

Volunteers' Week! Today we Celebrate Mary from St Nick's Parish in Bristol.

"This week we give thanks for the many volunteers across the Diocese of Clifton whose generosity, faith, and quiet service sustain so much of the life of the Church.

In every parish and school, volunteers are often the hidden strength behind what others simply see “happening.” The church opened and cleaned, the flowers arranged, the tea poured, children prepared for the sacraments, the sick visited, the accounts checked, the welcome offered...

None of this happens by magic. It happens because people give their time, their gifts, and something of their heart.

St Peter reminds us: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10).
That is exactly what our volunteers do, often behind the scenes, week after week. Your service strengthens our parishes, supports the vulnerable, encourages our schools, and helps reveal the face of Christ in our communities.

To all our volunteers, thank you. Your faithful service is deeply appreciated and remembered in prayer."

Rt Revd Bosco MacDonald, Bishop of Clifton.

https://volunteersweek.org/
https://cliftondiocese.com/

05/06/2026

Volunteers' Week! Today we Celebrate Martha from St George's Parish in Taunton Vale Catholics

"This week we give thanks for the many volunteers across the Diocese of Clifton whose generosity, faith, and quiet service sustain so much of the life of the Church.

In every parish and school, volunteers are often the hidden strength behind what others simply see “happening.” The church opened and cleaned, the flowers arranged, the tea poured, children prepared for the sacraments, the sick visited, the accounts checked, the welcome offered...

None of this happens by magic. It happens because people give their time, their gifts, and something of their heart.

St Peter reminds us: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10).
That is exactly what our volunteers do, often behind the scenes, week after week. Your service strengthens our parishes, supports the vulnerable, encourages our schools, and helps reveal the face of Christ in our communities.

To all our volunteers, thank you. Your faithful service is deeply appreciated and remembered in prayer."

Rt Revd Bosco MacDonald, Bishop of Clifton.

https://volunteersweek.org/
https://cliftondiocese.com/

04/06/2026

Volunteers' Week! Today we Celebrate Angela from St Bonaventure's Parish, Bristol.

"This week we give thanks for the many volunteers across the Diocese of Clifton whose generosity, faith, and quiet service sustain so much of the life of the Church.

In every parish and school, volunteers are often the hidden strength behind what others simply see “happening.” The church opened and cleaned, the flowers arranged, the tea poured, children prepared for the sacraments, the sick visited, the accounts checked, the welcome offered...

None of this happens by magic. It happens because people give their time, their gifts, and something of their heart.

St Peter reminds us: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10).

That is exactly what our volunteers do, often behind the scenes, week after week. Your service strengthens our parishes, supports the vulnerable, encourages our schools, and helps reveal the face of Christ in our communities.

To all our volunteers, thank you. Your faithful service is deeply appreciated and remembered in prayer."

Rt Revd Bosco MacDonald, Bishop of Clifton.

https://volunteersweek.org/
https://cliftondiocese.com/

03/06/2026

Volunteers' Week! Today we Celebrate Christine from the Immaculate Conception Parish, Clevedon.

"This week we give thanks for the many volunteers across the Diocese of Clifton whose generosity, faith, and quiet service sustain so much of the life of the Church.

In every parish and school, volunteers are often the hidden strength behind what others simply see “happening.” The church opened and cleaned, the flowers arranged, the tea poured, children prepared for the sacraments, the sick visited, the accounts checked, the welcome offered...

None of this happens by magic. It happens because people give their time, their gifts, and something of their heart.

St Peter reminds us: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10).
That is exactly what our volunteers do, often behind the scenes, week after week. Your service strengthens our parishes, supports the vulnerable, encourages our schools, and helps reveal the face of Christ in our communities.

To all our volunteers, thank you. Your faithful service is deeply appreciated and remembered in prayer."
Rt Revd Bosco MacDonald, Bishop of Clifton.
https://volunteersweek.org/
https://cliftondiocese.com/

02/06/2026

Volunteers' Week! Today we Celebrate Alexia from our Lady and St Alphege Parish, Bath!

"This week we give thanks for the many volunteers across the Diocese of Clifton whose generosity, faith, and quiet service sustain so much of the life of the Church.

In every parish and school, volunteers are often the hidden strength behind what others simply see “happening.” The church opened and cleaned, the flowers arranged, the tea poured, children prepared for the sacraments, the sick visited, the accounts checked, the welcome offered...

None of this happens by magic. It happens because people give their time, their gifts, and something of their heart.

St Peter reminds us: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10).
That is exactly what our volunteers do, often behind the scenes, week after week. Your service strengthens our parishes, supports the vulnerable, encourages our schools, and helps reveal the face of Christ in our communities.

To all our volunteers, thank you. Your faithful service is deeply appreciated and remembered in prayer."

Rt Revd Bosco MacDonald, Bishop of Clifton.
https://volunteersweek.org/
https://cliftondiocese.com/

01/06/2026

Volunteers' Week! Today we Celebrate Sandy from our Salisbury Parish!

"This week we give thanks for the many volunteers across the Diocese of Clifton whose generosity, faith, and quiet service sustain so much of the life of the Church.

In every parish and school, volunteers are often the hidden strength behind what others simply see “happening.” The church opened and cleaned, the flowers arranged, the tea poured, children prepared for the sacraments, the sick visited, the accounts checked, the welcome offered...

None of this happens by magic. It happens because people give their time, their gifts, and something of their heart.

St Peter reminds us: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10).

That is exactly what our volunteers do, often behind the scenes, week after week. Your service strengthens our parishes, supports the vulnerable, encourages our schools, and helps reveal the face of Christ in our communities.

To all our volunteers, thank you. Your faithful service is deeply appreciated and remembered in prayer."

Rt Revd Bosco MacDonald, Bishop of Clifton.

https://volunteersweek.org/
https://cliftondiocese.com/

01/06/2026

https://cliftondiocese.com/events/

Fire From Heaven – Celebrating Pentecost 2026, Clifton Cathedral May 23 @ 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Clifton Cathedral Clifton Cathedral, Clifton Park, Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom Join us for a special day and night at Clifton Cathedral celebrating Pentecost. We start at 11am on Saturday 23rd May for...

03/04/2026

Bishop Bosco warmly invites you to join him on Saturday 4 July for our Diocesan Day at Downside School & Abbey to celebrate the ‘Joy of Love’ with Patti Boulaye OBE.

We will have Patti as our keynote speaker for our adult programme throughout the day, as well as a children’s & young people’s programme.

Children and Teen-Age Jubilee Programme - A full programme of activities will be run by experienced group leaders for our children and young people ranging in age from 3-17. More details to follow.

Programme for the Day - Arrivals and refreshments from 10am. Our programme of prayer and talks will commence at 10.30am. The day will finish around 4.30pm (after 3.30pm Mass).

Refreshments - In addition to coffee and tea breaks, a free hot lunch will be provided - this will be by booking only (a lunch box is provided for the children). There will be a maximum of 400 tickets for this including children.

Mass - Our Jubilee Celebration of Mass will take place in the Abbey Church at 3.30pm. Principal Celebrant Bishop Bosco MacDonald.

Booking - If you would like to join us for the day, booking through Eventbrite is required. Please register via this link: https://joyoflove.eventbrite.co.uk for your free ticket.

For the purpose of catering to the right numbers & to meet our safeguarding requirements, booking through Eventbrite is essential. If you have difficulty accessing Eventbrite, please contact our office (email: [email protected]) and we will help you with this. The closing date for tickets is 24 June unless we are fully booked beforehand.

All are most welcome; we look forward to seeing you!