St Mary's & St Columba's Parish, Gosport

15/09/2026

Today, we celebrate the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows.
As we remember her, may her suffering as the Mother of Christ, humble us, and may her strength and love for Her son be an example for all of us.

Catholic tradition remembers seven moments of special sorrow in Mary’s life. These are known as the Seven Sorrows of Mary:

The prophecy of Simeon that a sword would pierce Mary’s soul.
The flight of the Holy Family into Egypt.
The loss of the Child Jesus in Jerusalem.
Mary meeting Jesus on the road to Calvary.
Mary standing beneath the Cross of Jesus.
Mary receiving the body of Jesus after it was taken down from the Cross.
Mary witnessing the burial of Jesus.

These sorrows cover many kinds of human pain: fear, exile, separation, helplessness, death, and grief. Mary has walked roads that many families still walk today.

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.

September 15 - Our Lady of Sorrows - Memorial

11/09/2026

St Mary's is now open to welcome visitors at this year's Gosport Heritage Open Days, with the Mayor of Gosport as our first guest.

Do join us as we share the rich history of our Catholic Church.

Free to enter, no booking needed. See you!

09/09/2026

Gosport Heritage Open Days 2026
September 11 - 20

Doors are opening, history is waiting, and you are invited! St Mary's is thrilled to be part of Gosport Heritage Open Days (GHODs) this year, welcoming neighbours, history buffs, and families into our beautiful building.

Whether you have walked past our doors a hundred times or are visiting the area for the first time, we would love to share our rich local history, unique architecture, and community stories with you.

Our volunteer parishioners are running a series of guided tours throughout the event. You can check out our complete tour schedule attached to this post top find the day and time that works best for you. No booking is required, and entry is completely free. Bring your friends and family and come discover the heritage right on your doorstep. We cannot wait to welcome you.

08/09/2026

Let us continue to pray for Vocations, especially religious Vocations.

05/09/2026

Parish Newsletter - Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time.

03/09/2026

Please pray for the men in formation

This month will see the return to seminary or placements for the men in formation for our Diocese.

Heavenly Father, Lord of the harvest, we place the men in formation into Your loving hands as they return to the seminary and resume their journey of formation.

Bless their studies and grant them perseverance, clarity, and wisdom to absorb what they are taught.

Strengthen their prayer life, keeping their hearts focused on You amidst the demands of academic and community life.

Fill them with courage and peace, protecting them from discouragement, distraction, or loneliness.

Mould their hearts after Your Son, Jesus the Good Shepherd, that they may grow daily in humility, holiness, and a burning zeal for souls.

We also pray for their families, their formators, and their spiritual directors who guide them.

May Our Blessed Mother, Queen of Vocations, and St. Joseph watch over them and keep them safe on their way. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

02/09/2026

30/08/2026

Parish Newsletter - Twenty- Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

28/08/2026

St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) is one of the most influential figures in Christian history, revered as a Doctor of the Church for his profound theological insights. Born in Tagaste (modern-day Algeria) to a devout Christian mother, St. Monica, and a pagan father, Augustine led a restless youth marked by ambition and worldly pursuits.

His journey to faith was a long and tumultuous one, marked by his exploration of various philosophies, including Manichaeism and Neoplatonism. Through the prayers of his mother and the guidance of St. Ambrose, Augustine experienced a powerful conversion, embracing the Catholic faith at the age of 32. He was baptized in 387 and soon after returned to Africa, where he became a priest and later the Bishop of Hippo.

Augustine dedicated his life to combating heresies, strengthening the Church, and writing extensively, producing works such as Confessions and The City of God, which remain cornerstones of Christian theology. He emphasized the importance of grace, the human longing for God, and the transformative power of divine love.

Augustine's teachings and witness continue to inspire believers around the world, making him a beloved patron saint of theologians, philosophers, and seekers of truth. His feast day is celebrated on August 28, the anniversary of his death.

Article source: https://www.staugustinebasile.com/ourpatron
Photo source: Christian Catholic Media