PARISH NEWSLETTER FOR ST. JOSEPH’S (MAIDENHEAD)
& ST. ELIZABETH’S (COOKHAM)
Corpus Christi, Year A
The feast today highlights the central place of the Eucharist in Christian life, our faith that God becomes present in a real way in ordinary bread and wine – food for the journey of life in the bread, energy and joy for the journey of life in the wine, and the wine of the coming of the Lord. Bread and wine were very much part of the ordinary food of the people of his time, and also of their religious life. People would remember the bread in the desert and the wine of the coming of the Lord. Each time we come to Mass, we take part in a real way in the death and resurrection of the Lord, The sacrifice of Christ on the cross and his resurrection is ‘made present’ among us. It is a place and time of grace. So our Eucharist today is not just to commemorate something that happened many years ago. It is our commitment to Christ in his people, and our faith in his real presence among us in the Eucharist and in each other. Jesus asks us to share the bread and cup, to proclaim this ‘mystery of faith’ for all time. We proclaim today that the Jesus of the tabernacle is the Jesus within all of us. Let’s be amazed that within each of us, God dwells in Jesus Christ.
Recall moments when receiving communion
gave you strength in your life.
Lord, I believe in your presence in the Eucharist.
Strengthen my belief
Charlotte & Virginie have put together a lovely display on the Feast of Corpus Christi. Do take a look to learn more about this special day!
Readings:
1st Reading: Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16 — Contains Moses’ reminder of how God sustained his people in the desert with the gift of manna.
Responsorial Psalm: R/ O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!
2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 — Paul reminds us that in sharing the bread of life at Mass, we become one body.
Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! I am the living bread which has come down from heaven, says the Lord. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 6:51-58 – My fresh is real food and my blood is real drink.
We want to congratulate Fr Tom on his 54th anniversary of his ordination!!
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
This programme is widely used in many parishes throughout the Diocese. RCIA is both a learning and teaching programme that aims to help those who would like to know more about the Christian faith from a catholic perspective and might be
thinking about becoming a Catholic. To be a full member of the Catholic Church you need to complete the process of Christian Initiation, which is when you have been Baptised, Confirmed and made your First Holy Communion.
The RCIA Programme will begin with the completion of the ten-step programme of the Alpha course run at Windsor. (Sept-Nov 2023). RCIA (Jan – April 2024). Talk to one of our priests. More information is online and on leaflets found at the entrance of the church. See also: here
PILGRIMAGES/ WALKS
Lyford Grange Mass: Sunday June 25th. A coach has been organised to take parishioners of St Joseph’s Parish and St Edmund Campion Parish to the Lyford Grange Mass. As usual it will leave at 11.30am from outside Altwood School and travel to Lyford, stopping for a carvery lunch on the way. We expect to be home at 6.45pm. Signup sheets are on the church noticeboard. Any problems getting to Altwood school or other enquiries please contact John Lynn 07931292934
Pilgrim Walks: The Vision Groups of St Edmund Campion and St Joseph’s are offering opportunities for all in the Maidenhead area to meet those who pray in the various churches of St. Edmund Campion, St Joseph’s or St. Elizabeth’s.
The first of these encounters will take place on Sunday 9th July with a walk from St Joseph’s Church after the 11am Mass. There will be an opportunity to meet over refreshment and for those of you who would like to, to join us for a walk to St Elizabeth’s.
Refreshments on 9th will be very special as it is also Shauna’s farewell party before leaving the parish and moving to Ireland.
The second walk is 30th July. After the 9.15am Mass at St. Elizabeth’s, to walk to St. Edmund Campion church. Hospitality from 12.15am onwards.
The third walk is 3rd September. After the 11.15am Mass at St. Edmund Campion Church, walk to St. Joseph’s. You are welcome to attend Mass in your own church or join in the Mass of the hosting Community. Details can be obtained from Carolyn Foster: [email protected]
Calling Youth pilgrims! Portsmouth Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 17-21st July 2023
Join us for the time of your life! We are especially looking for young people aged 16+ who would be able to dedicate their participation in the pilgrimage to supporting some of our less agile pilgrims. Our support team each year assists some of our pilgrims by pushing wheelchairs, extending a supporting hand, assisting at mealtimes by carrying plates to tables from the buffet once the pilgrim has chosen their meal, and by extending the ministry of welcome to all our pilgrims. No assistance with personal care is required at any time. We can assure you a good time is had by all who participate. The pilgrimage is a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in your faith whilst serving others and enjoying the social aspects of a holiday. Those who have joined us in the past have said that they found the experience inspiring, their faith deepen and the ability to be in a place of peace awesome. Our pilgrimage will cost Youth Pilgrims £699, begin on the 17th July at Bournemouth airport from where we will fly direct to Tarbes Lourdes and end back at Bournemouth on the 21st July. On the 24th of June at Milner Hall, Winchester Hall we will be holding a familiarisation day for youth pilgrims followed by a pre-pilgrimage gathering for all pilgrims. For more information, email [email protected] or call 07780 221686.
Nurse needed. Are you a nurse? Would you be available to travel to Lourdes for the 17-21st July 2023 if so, we would love to hear from you. We need a nurse to support our pilgrim team during our Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes this year. For further details contact Canon PJ Smith our pilgrimage director by emailing [email protected]
PILGRIMAGE to Our Lady’s Shrine, Banneux, Belgium 90th anniversary of the Apparitions, 70th Anniversary of ‘Pilgrimage GB’) and for the Feast of the Assumption, 11th-16th August 2023. A coach will leave from St. Edmund Campion Church, Maidenhead SL6 4PY.
Accommodation and full board (including travel and excursions): staying at the Hospitalité is £420. (Single room supplement +£100). The Hospitalité is very spacious and can accommodate all pilgrims, especially those who are sick, disabled or elderly. It also includes a full catering and medical staff. (There is a hotel next door for £650 sharing and single room supplement +£200). Fr. Liam Cummins (St. Edmund Campion Parish) will be the Spiritual Director for this pilgrimage and has been going to Banneux since 1996.
If you are interested and you would like more information or to reserve a place before June 30th, please contact Lisa Pirie, pilgrimage director, on 07500288384; [email protected] or Father Liam, on 07776580596 (email him on [email protected] ).
The GB pilgrimage has been going for 70 years and it looks like this will be the last official trip from England, so get on board!
Children Ministries/ Groups:
Children’s Liturgy: We welcome all the children back after the half term break on Sunday 11th June during the 11 a.m. Mass
Children’s Choir – Next Meeting is Sunday 11th June at 10.30am. See more here.
19th Maidenhead (St Joseph & St Edmund Campion) Scout Group currently have a few spaces in Beavers for boys or girls aged 6 – 7 1/2. Find out more and contact information here.
Dates for your Diary
Safeguarding Course on Saturday 17th June in St Edmund Campion School. See events page.
1000-1200h for Child Protection
1300-1500h for working with vulnerable Adults.
To book a place on this course please email [email protected]
St Joseph’s Vision Group: Table Top Sale
On Sunday, 18th June there will be a Table Top Sale in St Joseph’s Parish Centre, after 11am Mass. “Buy” a table, for only £10, to sell your no-longer-used household, craft or garden items. See how much money you can make! (At this sale, no foodstuffs or clothes to be sold, thank you.)
Book your table from Trisha Ray, [email protected] Light refreshments will be on sale, too! Shoppers – bring your money and your bags! All proceeds will go to supporting our Parish in its valuable work. Thank you.
Talk: HSBC FRAUD AWARENESS and DIGITAL BANKING talk on 25th June after 11am Mass
Baptismal Course:
The Baptismal Course is available for all Parents whose child is being Baptised at either St Joseph’s, St Elizabeth’s or St Edmund Campion. The course is a 90-minute preparation and guidance, held at St Joseph’s the first Tuesday of the month at 7pm. See also events
First Friday Healing Mass
Each First Friday will see a ‘Healing Mass’ being celebrated alternatively at St. Joseph’s Church and St. Edmund Campion Church for 2023. We bring together all our needs and especially asking God’s healing spirit upon people and situations in our parish. You are very welcome. Sacrament of Reconciliation and Anointing with Holy Oil will be available.
7th July 10am and 7.30pm Mass celebrated in St Joseph’s Church.
4th August 10am and 7pm Mass celebrated at St. Edmund Campion.
SVP Friday 6th October 2023 Musical Evening Fundraiser
SVP Maidenhead will be holding a musical
evening on Friday 6th October from 7.30pm at St Edmund Campion. Proceeds from the evening will be split equally between the local branch of Care4Calais, a volunteer-run asylum seeker charity and SVP Maidenhead – to help sustain and expand the support given by SVP to those in need, including local people who are lonely, sick, housebound or just struggling to cope.
Tickets will be £7 per person and available from July.
This is a cash only event and drinks and snacks will be available to buy from a Donations Bar
In the meantime, we would love to hear from anyone who would like to take part, whether you’re a singer or if you play an instrument, solo or part of a group – this informal event is about getting local people involved and giving those who are interested a chance to perform while raising funds for a worthwhile cause.
For event planning, interested musicians (instrumentalists or singers) who get in touch will have a place reserved in the programme and we’ll need to do this on a first come first served basis until we have a full programme (likely to be around one hour each half plus interval).
If you would like to take part, please contact Peter (St Edmund Campion) on 07976 625 813 or Siobhan (St Joseph’s) on 07816 445 416. Thank you for your support.
RESOURCES
Magnificat: This is one of the best publications around for following scripture readings for daily Mass and every Sunday. There are also many interesting articles to help you in your spiritual life. If you would like a copy please get in touch with Shauna in the Parish Office to arrange. We can leave in the sacristy or post out to you. The Magnificat is only £5 per month.
Day by Day: Available in the church at all times. Please leave the £1 in the candle box.
Library: We have a parish library located in the corridor of the Parish Centre. This is dedicated to Theology/Religious books. Please feel free to borrow/swap.
St Joseph’s Church Repository: is open after 11am every Sunday. We have lots of cards, candles, rosary beads, statues and many more religious gifts on sale. If a Sunday does not suit to visit, then please phone the office on 01628 783988 and we can arrange a time that best suits.
Deceased:
Giuseppe Vullo, RIP, Funeral Service will take place on Friday 16th June at 11.30am in St. Joseph’s Church.
Eternal rest grant unto them, 0 Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May their souls and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Vacancies – Portsmouth For all job descriptions and how to apply, please see the website or contact: [email protected]
Other information & links
Missio If you have a Red Box which is ready to be emptied, please bring it in over the coming weeks. It is hoped that we can send Missio a cheque by the end of May with all your contributions. Thank you.
If you’re away from your church or the Diocese, you can still keep in contact with all the latest news from the Bishop or the Diocese via: E- News (subscription service available)
Twitter @PortsmouthRC
Facebook @PortsmouthRC @StJoMaidenhead
Are You New To Our Parish?
Thank you for your interest in our parish. Whether you’re just visiting us for a brief time, looking for a new parish home, returning to the practice of your Catholic faith or are interested in finding out more about the Catholic Church, we are happy to answer your questions, listen to your comments and help you in any way that we can. We are a parish of the Diocese of Portsmouth, and are a very vibrant community, made up of ‘old’ Maidenhead families and relative “newcomers” from all walks of life.
We hope that you find our Catholic parish a caring community that is loving, welcoming and supportive of all. Our mission is to grow in the image of Christ through the Holy Spirit, to be formed by the Word and our prayer, to use our gifts to welcome those who are here and reach out to those who are not. We invite you to join us as partners in the mission. Together, let us get to know Christ better and to make Him better known. May God Bless you wherever you are and thank you for exploring our website and newsletter. Please stop by the parish office to introduce yourself! We would love to meet you.
Code: SI: Special Intention, RIP: Rest in Peace, A: Anniversary, FM: Foundation