Holy Family Catholic Primary and Nursery School

Clifton Diocese

Clifton Diocese is the Catholic diocese covering the West of England and includes the City and County of Bristol, the counties of Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset.

Latest news from Clifton Diocese can be found here Latest News | Clifton Diocese

Bishop Bosco's Easter Message 2026

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

A blessed and holy Easter to you all, for Christ is risen. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Once again the Church stands before the empty tomb and hears a voice that has come to us through the centuries with undiminished power: “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” The crucified Lord has been raised from the dead. Jesus Christ, who passed through suffering and death, lives for ever. The stone has been rolled away. The darkness of the grave has given way to glory. And so the light of Easter shines upon the whole world.

This is the source of the Church’s joy, the ground of her confidence, and the hope that does not disappoint. Because the resurrection of Jesus is the decisive act of God in history, and the living truth by which the Church now stands. Christ is alive, and because he lives, no darkness is absolute, no wound is beyond his mercy, no future is closed to grace.

How greatly our world needs to hear that message! There seems to be so much in our common life that troubles the spirit: conflict and uncertainty among nations, anxiety in our communities, and in so many hearts the more hidden burdens of grief, illness, loneliness, disappointment and fear.

Easter speaks into all of this with clear and unshakable simplicity. It proclaims that sin does not have the last word. Suffering does not have the last word. Death itself does not have the last word. The last word belongs to God, and his word is life.

The Gospel accounts of the resurrection are full of tenderness as well as triumph. The first Easter morning begins in grief and bewilderment. Mary Magdalene stands weeping. The disciples are uncertain and afraid. The risen Lord comes to them not with reproach, but with peace. He calls Mary by name. He shows his wounds. He breathes his Spirit upon the Church.

He still comes in that same way, to hearts that are searching, to lives that are burdened, and to communities that need courage for the road ahead.

And so, I wish to say to the whole Diocese of Clifton: be renewed in hope. The risen Christ walks with us. He is present in the proclamation of the Scriptures, in the breaking of the bread, in the communion of his Church, and in the fidelity of ordinary Christian life. He is with us in our parishes and schools, in our homes and chaplaincies, in our service of those in need, and in every act of prayer and love offered in his name.

I give thanks this Easter for the faithfulness of so many across the diocese: our priests and deacons, our religious, our teachers and catechists, our parish volunteers, our chaplains, our school staff, and all whose generosity sustains the Church’s life and mission here. A lot of this service is offered quietly and without recognition, but it is precious before God and bears fruit in ways only fully known to him.

In this holy season, we welcome anew the call of the risen Lord. May we worship God with greater reverence and love. May we know and proclaim the faith with renewed confidence. And may we remain close to the poor, the forgotten and the wounded. The Church is born from the wounds of Christ and lives by his risen life. She belongs to him, and he will never forsake her.

May the joy of the resurrection fill your hearts and homes. May the risen Lord grant peace to our troubled world, consolation to those who mourn, strength to the weary, and fresh courage to all who seek to follow him. Mary, Mother of the Risen Lord, pray for us and accompany us.

And may Almighty God bless you all in this Easter season.

With my affection and prayers,

Rt Revd Bosco MacDonald

Bishop of Clifton

 

Father Obi's 2026 Easter Message

Happy Easter! Indeed, Christ is risen!

  By Fr Nnam Obi

Take a look at the daffodils; they pop up, and we know it is spring already.  In the Gospel of John 20:1-9, we are drawn to the resurrection experience of Mary of Magdala, Peter, and John.  At first, they were worried that the body of Jesus had been taken away. They did not yet realise he had risen. Just as we could easily think that the daffodils were dead and buried in the winter forever. Nature has a way of returning back to life after some setbacks and challenges. We Christians are encouraged to bounce back after all we go through in life by the power of the hope of resurrection.

Our Easter joy is based on God having the final say. We rejoice that death is not the end. We exult that darkness has been overcome by light. The hope of resurrection awakens the faint-hearted. We believe in the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.

Our hope in the resurrection is founded on faith. This faith is based on the trust we have in God, whose endless love has the power to save us. May the hope, joy, and peace of Easter be renewed every moment of our lives. In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

Bishop Bosco issues a statement regarding the War in Iran

Bishop Bosco MacDonald has issued the following statement regarding the War in Iran:   The widening war involving Iran is a grave cause of sorrow and alarm. After the long agony of Ukraine and the appalling suffering in Gaza, the world now faces another conflict whose consequences are unpredictable, and whose cost is already being paid first by ordinary people. Families are displaced, the fearful live in uncertainty, and the vulnerable once again carry the heaviest burden. In these days of Lent, I renew my call to prayer across the Diocese for peace, for restraint, and for the protection of human life. I ask especially for prayers for children, the sick, the elderly, refugees, and all who have no safe place to go, in Iran and throughout the region. I also ask prayer for those serving in our armed forces, that they may be kept safe and act with integrity, and for those working for humanitarian relief, for diplomats, and for political leaders, that they may choose the hard work of dialogue over the terrible ease of escalation. Pope Leo XIV has spoken with urgency, warning of “a tragedy of enormous proportions” and appealing for an end to the “spiral of violence” before it becomes “an irreparable abyss.” He reminded the world that stability and peace are not achieved through threats, nor through the use of weapons that sow destruction and death, but through responsible dialogue. I echo the Holy Father’s appeal with all my heart. Catholic teaching on war does not pretend the world is simple, but it does insist on the protection of the innocent, and on moral boundaries that cannot be crossed, even in times of fear and anger. Whatever arguments are made between governments, civilians must never be treated as instruments, or made to carry the punishment of decisions they did not take. We pray for leaders to have the courage to step back from escalation, for negotiators to find a path that does not humiliate, and for the clamour of weapons to give way to the patient work of dialogue, so that peace, once lost, may be found again. I encourage every parish this week to include a clear intention at Mass for Iran and for all caught up in this war, and to offer a simple act of prayer for peace: a decade of the Rosary, a period of silent adoration, or the Prayer of St Francis. I invite families to do the same at home, especially with children, who often absorb the anxiety of the world more than we realise. May the Lord turn hearts from vengeance to mercy, strengthen those who labour for peace, and bring swift relief to those who suffer. +Bosco Bishop of Clifton

 

 

Father Obi's Christmas and New Year Message 

Christ Comes to Us at Christmas

The journey of Advent gradually comes to an end. It gives way to what we are waiting for in joyful hope - the birth of Christ. Christmas is all about sharing the good news of Christ’s birth. Christ is the heart and soul of this Good News.

St Luke narrates how Mary does not wait for a moment, to visit her kinswoman, Elizabeth, with the Good News she has to share.

Who would you share the gift of Christmas with? Where would you spend it? How would you mark the birth of our saviour this year?

If, in your circumstance, you are not able to visit anyone needing to be visited, and you have no one visiting you, remember, Christ visits you wherever you are. Mary brings him to you. Lift up your spirit then in joyful acknowledgement of the coming of Christ.

Happy Christmas and Happy New Year!

 Bishop Bosco's Christmas Message

Please see Bishop Bosco MacDonald's first Christmas message below: 

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New Bishop Ordained at Clifton Cathedral

 

Bishop Bosco MacDonald was Ordained the Tenth Bishop of Clifton at Clifton Cathedral on Wednesday 8 May 2024.

A packed Cathedral welcomed the new Bishop, along with his family and almost all the Clifton diocesan priests and Deacons, and Bishops from England and Wales.   We congratulate our new Bishop on his appointment and pass on our greatest gratitude to Bishop Declan for all his support over the years.

Holy Family 60th Anniversary Mass

On Wednesday 9th October, Bishop Bosco MacDonald led a Mass i our school to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Holy Family Catholic Primary and Nursery School. This was a wonderful occasion that brought the school community together in Prayer. We would like to give our thanks to all who attended and a special thank you to Bishop Bosco, Father Obi and Father Jeremy. 

 

Holy Family Parish

The local parish church linked to Holy Family School and inspired by the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.  

Holy Family Catholic Church was established in 1969 and is part of the Diocese of Clifton.  

Latest newsletter is available here NEWS | Holy Family RC

 

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION: The date for First Holy Communion 2025 is on Saturday 10th May 2025 at 11:00 am. There will be a meeting for the Catechists, parents and children for First Holy Communion on 14th December 2024 at 10:00 am. Application forms are available on our parish website and in the parish office.

 

 

Father Obi's Easter Message March 2024

Love Has Conquered All Things Through The Exalted Cross

 Lift up your hearts. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God, for it is truly right to do so. Indeed, the Lord is risen. This day was made by the Lord, we rejoice and be glad!

 Easter is the day of all days when Christ has lifted us from all that keeps us down. Just as the tomb cannot keep hold of him, death has no power over him. And we have risen with him.

 As we celebrate this Easter, we celebrate victory of life over death; the victory of light over darkness; above all, love has conquered all things through the sacrifice of the exalted Cross.

 Happy Easter!

 

Father Obi's Advent/Christmas Message - December 2023

 

 Father Obi's Lent/Easter Message - March 2023

 

We Rejoice in the Victory of Easter -  By Fr Nnam Di Obi

We recently had a school mass in Holy Family Church. A class led us in such a beautiful and prayerful mass as other classes do. We reflected on the theme of forgiveness.

Indeed, forgiveness is the key to a good and healthy relationship in our homes, the school, and everywhere in society. Forgiveness stops little hurts from escalating to unnecessary conflicts and wars.

Everyone wants to be forgiven when we make mistakes and hurt others.  It feels good to know we have been forgiven. This gives us the strength and courage to forgive others who also hurt us.

The story of the prodigal son is a moving story of genuine forgiveness and love for someone we may think doesn't deserve it. But we all deserve to be loved and forgiven.

We have been in Lent, making sacrifices to help those in need. It will soon be Easter when we will celebrate and rejoice in God, who liberates us from all that holds us down. At Easter, and indeed every day, Christ invites us to rise above everything that is not good for us and others; we rejoice in the Lord in victory over sin and death.

Happy Easter!

 

Father Obi's Christmas Message - December 2022

What Makes a Lovely Christmas?

It is less than a fortnight to Christmas.  This year has gone so quickly.  And Christmas this year seems to come early.

But children can't wait to celebrate another lovely season of Christmas.

What makes a lovely Christmas?  Some say it is the beautiful winter snow.  Others say it is the food and celebration.  Some say it is about what we give and receive with love and affection.  Others say it is about family and friends getting together.  Oh, we won't forget the lovely Christmas carols and church services.  Indeed, we have so much to look forward to at Christmas.  

But we ought not forget the centre of this celebration.  It is the little baby Jesus born to us.  He reminds us of all the good things that Christmas offers.  Let us celebrate this Christmas with joy as we keep in our thoughts and prayers, all who, for any reason, are not as happy as they should be this Christmas.  Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

Father Obi's Easter Message - April 2022

the beauty of life is in sharing father obis easter message 2022.pdf

 

A very special Christmas and New Year Message from Fr Obi - December 2021

christmas is joyful when it is meaningful fr obi message.pdf

 

A very special Easter message from Fr Obi - April 2021

Dear pupils, staff and parents of Holy Family,

We have been through the journey of Lent this year, which has, at least, reminded us about the suffering many families go through in life, especially this Pandemic. We may have asked a few questions: Where was God when children and their families were starving? Where was he when some families grieved their loved ones?

Others may still ask: Where was God when his only son Jesus suffered and died on the cross? There are no already made answers to these. But we know people suffer more when they have no one to help or comfort them. This shouldn't happen to anyone.

Jesus came to help us carry our little crosses, to teach us how to help others carry theirs. When we do so, we will win the victory of life together as people of hope. In Easter, we celebrate the victory of life over death; the victory of light over darkness; the victory of true love over all things.

Happy Easter!

Fr Nnam Di Obi

Parish Priest

Bishop Declan has recorded his Pastoral Letter for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary time (updated 18th Feb)

Clifton DioceseHoly Family Parish

Holy Family Church now has a Facebook page, which will be used for advertising parish events and news.

You can find it on facebook.com/holyfamilyparishswindon

October 2017 - Holy Family's Diocesan Inspection: OUTSTANDING

We are delighted to share with you Holy Family's Diocesan Inspection report, which has put down in words what we already know - that our school community is OUTSTANDING! The report recognises the excellent teaching and provision within the school and how our pupils embody Gospel values, supported in their mission by all staff and their families. Read the full Letter and Report here.