Author: Betty Sam Mathew

The late Pope Francis invites us to be “Pilgrims of Hope” this Jubilee YearThis Jubilee Year, we are invited to come together as “pilgrims of hope”—establishing and renewing right relationships with God, our brothers and sisters, and the planet God has gifted to us.The Jubilee Mass on the 26th of October will be prepared by the Women in Faith group. The Jubilee Mass on the 23rd of November will be prepared by the Men in our community.

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, for he has done great things for me.”The Women in Faith usually gather on the 3rd Friday of each month at 19:30. To explore your faith with other like-minded women over a shared supper, please reach out to us at info@esrccb.org.Upcoming dates: 24.10.2025, 21.11.2025

Here we nourish both body and soul, while building a sense of community.Here we practice generosity, hospitality and fellowship. Each person brings their distinctive personality, ethnicity, dishes, traditions, interests and gifts. The diversity of the food reflects the diversity of people within the Church. If you started out as a stranger, by the time a meal is over you will have dined with friends. 

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”The support group OeSA (Ecumenical pastoral care for Asylum Seekers) would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to all who generously donated clothing, shoes and backpacks for asylum seekers in Basel. Your kindness and willingness to share is already making a difference. The items are now being distributed to families with children and individuals in need, helping them prepare for the colder months ahead.If you were unable to bring your donations during the two official collection Sundays, please don’t worry. A private collection can still be arranged. Simply contact us over our website email (info@esrccb.org) and we will be happy to organize a time that works for you.Thanks again for spreading some of your warmth this winter! Your support is truly appreciated.

"Money Matters"Your council ­Have you ever wondered why the church buildings in Switzerland are so well maintained? Do you ever ask yourself who provides the accommodation and meals for the Priests in Switzerland? And is it not reassuring that at Mass each week there are always sufficient Hosts for Communion, or Candles for the Altar, or Vestments for the Priests and Altar Servers to wear?And for us at the ESRCCB we have a professional pianist accompanying our Choir each week, without which we may not have music at Mass! We are likely all familiar with the English saying “Money makes the world go round” and for us Catholics and our Church money too plays an important role. As some attendees at Mass have asked about our collections we just wanted to share with you how the Church and some of our activities are financed in Switzerland (similar in Germany and France). If you are a registered member of the church (only if you register with the Roman Catholic Church in your Canton and not if you register with the ESRCCB) you will pay a minimal % of your taxable income as Church Tax. This income is used to finance the Church and our Priests and ensure sufficient materials for Mass each week.For us at the ESRCCB we have our weekly collections after Mass. These funds are primarily used to pay for the pianist who accompanies the Choir, drinks and snacks for our Social events and other sundry items such as Website fees, Hymn Books etc. Special collections as part of the Bishops Appeal go directly to the relevant organisation for whom the collection was intended. It is an individual choice to pay church tax or contribute to the weekly collection which in the end also determines what the Church can offer you in return.In the words of St Francis of Assisi – “it is in giving that we receive”!