We undertake a number of activities from the Parish House. If you would like to help us in our work please make a donation by contacting the Parish House or by using the PayPal button at the bottom of this page. Thank you.
The St. Vincent de Paul Society meet weekly. They visit the housebound and other vulnerable people in the area. Funded by them, food parcels are available from the Parish House door. This service is for people in the area but the callers [we note their names and addresses] do seem to come from all over Preston! We also have an arrangement with a local newsagent to re-charge gas or electricity cards after appropriate authorisation from the Parish House. A small fund is kept [maximum £50] to be used at my discretion for small donations [usually £5] to be given towards travel costs, disposable nappies, etc.
The parish actively supports the work of the Foxton Youth and Community Centre which provides a wide range of support and activities for the local community but, especially, for people who are deprived, vulnerable or not able to cope. The parish is represented on the Board of Trustees of the Centre which is a Church of England initiative. We support, particularly, the Avencare Project which is a community development and family support project. Founded jointly by St. Augustine’s and St. James’ Church of England, it has now become part of the Foxton Centre organisation whilst maintaining its own identity as a particular project. Members of the parish volunteer to help with the twice-weekly lunches for homeless people. Avencare holds a weekly meeting, here in the Parish House, for parents and carers, – the All-Year-Round Group. Avencare is in the process of developing its work with the elderly.
There is a Union of Catholic Mothers [about 15 active members]. Their activity is mainly spiritual and social, although they do raise funds to support the work of Father Henry Aruna, a priest in Sierra Leone. The parish, itself, is funding the seminary education of James Brima, a student for the priesthood in Sierra Leone. The parish is also supporting the work of Brother Simon, S.J., who provides training in building and agricultural skills for boys in Zimbabwe. This year, Agnes Lyons, one of our sisters from the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary community in the parish, is working in Zimbabwe and we are also supporting her work there.
Tea or coffee and sandwiches are usually available for callers at the door, many of whom are homeless. This service is mainly provided by parish volunteers who staff the parish office Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but it can make great demands on those of us who live here!
One member of the parish works in the prison making refreshments for visitors.
The One World Group raises awareness of and support for a variety of issues – Human Rights, Pro-Life, CAFOD, etc. The Preston branch of Amnesty International holds its monthly meetings in the Parish House. Every two months [at least], there is a Fairtrade stall at all the weekend Masses. A small selection of fair-trade foods are always available at the Parish House.
St. Augustine’s Music Group meets every Tuesday in term-time from 7.30 to 9 p.m. Numbers vary but there’s usually about 20 of them. They are extremely competent and sing a wide variety of good liturgical music – from plainsong to polyphony through to contemporary composers, including many quality works by our musical director, Peter Cobb.