Welcome to our parish website.
PARISH GROUPS
We have numerous parish groups assisting our parish of St Teresa's. As well as Fr Tom the Parish Priest we also have a deacon, Deacon Tom Douglas.
Deacon Tom works full time for Bristol North Health Care Trust. If you know you are going into Southmead Hospital or Frenchay, let him know and you will receive a visit from the Hospital Chaplaincy Team.
Parish groups cover and help with all aspects of parish life, listed below are the groups. To find out more about them and the work that they do, talk to Fr. Tom or Deacon Tom, they will help you talk to the person responsible for each group.
Parish Pastoral Council: We exist to serve the needs of our Parish. The Parish Pastoral Council will endevour to ensure that all members of our parish and local community receive the pastoral care that they are due. We meet every six weeks and consider areas of parish development. Members of the Parish Pastoral Council represent the diverse nature of our parish, but are always seeking new members so that we are fully representative of the parish. Fr. Tom and Deacon Tom are joined on this body by Romeo Maddalena, Anne Minihane, Teresa Harris, Paul Thomas, Christine Beatty, Christine Walter, Colin Spurrell, Stephen Spurrell. We have a policy of a rolling chair and minute taker. Please find minutes of our meeting below. If there is anything you wish to be discussed at our meetings, please let a member of the Council know.
2010_01_Pastoral_Council_Minutes.doc
THE ABC Group: This group is newly formed every October; It is made up of those in the local community who wish to know more about Catholicism. They are people who were never baptised and are enquiring about this sacrament. They are baptised Christians who wish to be more united with Catholicism. They are baptised Catholics who for whatever reason missed out on celebrating their First Holy Communion or were never confirmed. Please keep them in your prayers as they approach the great Easter Triduum. If you wish to know more, then please contact Fr. Tom
on 0117 9833938 or tom.finnegan@cliftondiocese.com
For more information regarding the times and dates of further meetings, please open the file below. Thank you.
CHILDREN'S LITURGY: Three out of every four weeks the children of our parish gather on the Sanctuary of the Church at the beginning of the 10am Mass. They are then sent by Fr. Tom to explore the Liturgy of the Word and learn how to live it in their lives. The adult catechists help them learn more about the Gospel of the Day and through appropriate mediums, the children learn about their faith. They return to the Church during the offertory procession and then share what they have done with the whole congregation after Holy Communion. The children remain in the Church for one out of every four weeks where they sing in the Children's Chior and learn the prayers that they miss when going to Children's Liturgy.
Chidren's Chior: Every four weeks, children of the parish lead the congregation in song. Those able to play a musical instrument also show their talents and gifts.
LITURGY & WORSHIP: At the heart of our faith is the Liturgy and how we celebrate this is important to us. The Liturgy and Worship group meet regularly to plan important occasions in the Liturgical Year, such as Advent and Lent. In their planning they strive to adhere to the wishes of the Church and ensure that the way we worship at St. Teresa's is reverent and inclusive.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL: Following the example of Blessed Frederick Azaman. The St. Vincent de Paul Society are there to visit the sick, housebound and respond to any social need in the Parish. Working with the Parish Priest, they ensure that the most needy in the Parish are cared for and prayed for.
CAFOD GROUP - Within St Teresa's parish we have a strong CAFOD group. Through raising awareness and supporting the worldwide work of CAFOD, the group ensure that the Parish is aware of the needs of the developing world.
PARISH FINANCE GROUP: This small group meet regularly with Fr. Tom to monitor Parish finances. They assist Fr. Tom in determining the correct usage of Parish finances and to encourage such initiatives as the 200 Club, Development Fund, Gift Aid and the weekly collections. They consider the fabrics of the Parish buildings and consider where best to invest the monies so generously given by the Parish community.
LEGION OF MARY : The Legion meet every Tuesday evening after the 7pm Mass. they are a vital link between the parish and those who are sick or housebound, or recently bereaved they are a valueable resource in assisting the parish priest, they also carry out a census of the parish through their visits and at the request of the parish priest.
CHIOR: Our Choir gather together most Sunday mornings to help with the singing during the 10am Mass. Through contemporary and traditional music they help the congregation worship and pray. They will always welcome new members of any ability.
ALTAR SERVERS: We have both boys and girls serving on the altar, as well as a group of dedicated older people who assist at all our liturgies. They help the priest or deacon in the worship of our parish.
Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Communion: These people assist the Priest and Deacons with the distribution of Holy Communion at all the Masses, they are also a vital link between the sick and housebound and those in nursing homes when they take Holy communion to them normally on a weekly basis, some of the ministers also assist in taking communion to those in hospital.
Parish Minibus: Our Parish Minibus, pick people up for the 8.15am & 10am Sunday Morning Masses. If you need a lift to Mass, let Fr. Tom know and arrangements can be made to pick you up! If anyone wishes to help drive the minibus, (clean driving license and under 70) please let Fr. Tom know.
Piety shop staff: We have a well stocked shop selling all types of religious items the shop is open after all weekend services.
History of the Parish: The Land for St Teresa's was purchased in 1926 for £600! At the time , the Catholic Community of North Bristol was in the care of the Friars Minor of St. Bonaventure's Bishopston. A Presbytery and temporary church were built in 1927 and St Teresa of Lisieux, who was canonised in 1925, was chosen as patron, one of the first parishes in the world to claim the name of the 'Little Flower'. The Parish Priests of St. Teresa's are as follows 1925-27 Fr. John Hayes, 1927-1941, Fr. Joseph Renehan, 1941-1945, Fr. James Rea, 1945-1971 Fr. Denis Lucey, 1971-1985, Fr. Timothy Barry, 1985-1987, Mgr. McMillan, 1987-1999, Fr. Patrick O'Donovan, 1999-2004, Fr. John Blacker, 2004- Present, Fr. Tom Finnegan After the Second World War, the population of North Bristol had grown to such an extent that it was deemed necessary to build a bigger Church. Two properties were bought next to the Presbytery and the site was developed for a new Roman Basilica style Church to be built. The Church was completed in 1961. The interior has seen different changes over the years, but now is close to its original design. 
St Teresa's is a warm friendly church with lots of activities, and young families over the years we have been blessed with many dedicated Priests and laypeople. The Church is situated on the busy A38, one of Bristol's main road artery. Within the Grounds there is a Memorial Garden to past parishioners, and an Orchard, which was purchased from a neighbour in 1969. The Church has a large car park. Next to the Presbytery, there is the old Church. This building is now used as a community hall and is used by a variety of groups throughout the week. Contact Fr. Tom on 0117 9833938 for hiring details. At the rear of the Church we have a very comfortable parish social centre which is used for functions. It has a good well stocked bar open each evening 7pm-11pm, skittle alley and hall. It can be hired out for a variety of functions. Call 0117 9690834 for details of hire. Please take time out to look at our website. Please feel free to call into Church. It is open each day from 6.30am till 6.00pm and we have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every weekday for 25 minutes before each weekday service. We would love to see you. God Bless
If there is any area of Parish activities where you could help? We are always looking for more people to assist in the work of building Gods Kingdom here in Filton. Can you help?
