St Birinus Catholic Church
1 Bridge End
Dorchester on Thames
Oxfordshire OX10 7JR
Tel: 01865 340417
Email: stbirinus.dorchesteronthames@rcaob.org.uk
Parish leadership
Fr John Osman MA STL
Father John Osman is Priest in Residence at St Birinus. He has been with us since 1998 having previously been the Catholic Chaplain at the University of Cambridge.
John Murphy, Parish Administrator
John manages many administrative tasks and assists in the liturgical life of the parish. He is also Chair of The Davey Consort CIO.
| Gift Aid & Planned Giving | Judith Pignon |
|---|---|
| Parish Safeguarding Representative | Jane Grenfell |
| St Birinus SVP Conference Chair | John Radice |
| Berinsfield Coordinator | Paul Rogers |
| 200 Club Treasurer | Brendan Thorpe |
| The Davey Consort | thedaveyconsort.co.uk |
Safeguarding
Safeguarding policy covers both children and vulnerable adults. That said, Safeguarding is for everyone as safe communities are a shared responsiblity.
Generally, Safeguarding Policy within the Catholic Church is guided by the independent Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency whom the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales entrust with policy and procedures.
Our Parish Safeguarding Representative is Jane Grenfell. All those who take a role in our parish or those involved with children or vulnerable adults are required to contact Jane before assuming their duties.
Jane is always happy to provide general information about safeguarding and good practice.
If any parishioner is worried about a current situation where children or vulnerable adults could be at risk, or is concerned about matters from the past, they can speak to Jane or directly to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team:
- Jane Grenfell: 07833 915724 — you can leave a message but please clearly state it is a safeguarding matter.
- Diocesan Safeguarding Team: 0121 230 6240
- Emergency number: 07916 516629
There is a poster in the church porch and a small blue booklet with information and contact details. Free CPD - accredited safeguarding e-learning - is available to every member of the Catholic community in England and Wales — please ask Jane for full details.
Archdiocese of Birmingham safeguarding page · Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency
Finance & Gift Aid
St Birinus is part of the Archdiocese of Birmingham. The church is a Grade II* listed building, and this, along with the presbytery and grounds, is expensive to maintain. The parish must be financially self-sufficient: our only source of income is the money given by parishioners.
Gift Aid
If you are a UK taxpayer, Gift Aid increases the value of your giving by 20% at no cost to yourself. The parish Gift Aid and Planned Giving Coordinator, Judith Pignon, keeps a local record of Gift Aid donors and their gifts, and each year the Diocese reclaims the tax on their behalf. Higher-rate taxpayers can themselves reclaim relief above the basic rate. See the HMRC guidance on Gift Aid, or speak to Judith (see contacts above) to set up a Gift Aid declaration.
Special gifts
Gifts intended specifically for the upkeep and improvement of our Grade II* listed building and grounds can be sent to the Parish Secretary, to be paid into a fund set up for that intention.