PARISH NEWSLETTER FOR ST. JOSEPH’S (MAIDENHEAD)
& ST. ELIZABETH’S (COOKHAM)
11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
In the gospel, Jesus is moved with deep compassion for those who suffer. He responds by sending out the twelve with a bold task: cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons.
Being offered these readings challenges us to recognize that knowing we are ‘beloved’ comes first—before any efforts of mission, ministry, or service. If we don’t start with knowing our beloved-ness through and through, motivations get muddy. Rather than ministry being a freely given gift, our efforts can be driven by a need to prove our goodness and worthiness, to win praise and admiration. When we don’t keep at our centre the truth that we are God’s precious possession, our attempts to care can devolve into attempts to control. And this is a recipe for fatigue, resentment, and conflict.
Part of ongoing conversion as disciples of Jesus, sent out as labourers for the harvest, is growing in freedom.
- Freedom to say “yes” to an invitation to service when we discern that we are called to share our gifts generously.
- Freedom to say “no” to an invitation to service when it’s not the right time or season for us to serve in that particular way.
- Freedom to serve joyfully – whether those we serve respond with gratitude or indifference, appreciation, or annoyance.
- Freedom to serve peacefully – whether others applaud us or ignore us.
- Freedom to know we are precious just as we are -that while we are called to do great things, our identity as God’s beloved is never in question.
- Freedom that comes from knowing we are ‘beloved’ comes first, and all our actions overflow from that truth that can never, ever change.
“Remember how much God loves you.”
Readings:
First Reading: Exodus 19:2-6 I will count you a kingdom of priests, a consecrated nation.
Psalm: 99:2-3.5. R/ We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Second reading: The letter of St Paul to the Romans 5:6-11 Now that we have been reconciled by the death of his Son, surely we may count on being saved by the life of his Son.
Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice, says the Lord, I know them and they follow me. Alleluia.
Gospel: Matthew 9:36-10:8 – He summoned his twelve disciples and sent them out.
Father’s Day Prayer
On Fathers’ Day we celebrate a special relationship. Whether you see your dad a lot, or if you have lots of memories of a dad you no longer see, or if you’re thinking about someone who is like a dad to you, there are lots of ways to bless and remember the fatherly people in our lives. And in our community, we pray for all the Dads, father figures, and men who inspire others, especially the younger generation…
God our Father, in your wisdom and love you made all things.
Bless those fathers who have taken upon themselves the responsibility of parenting.
Bless those who have lost a spouse to death, or separation or divorce, who are parenting their children alone.
Strengthen them by your love so that they may become the loving caring persons they are meant to be.
Gracious God bless all father figures with such love and faithfulness that children flourish and grow in uprightness and joy.
Bless those who long to be fathers and bless those for whom this day is difficult.
We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
URGENTLY NEEDED: We are looking for 4 volunteers to run the tea/coffee service after the 11am Sunday mass, once every 4-6 weeks. Training will be provided!
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
Sunday 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:
- 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 before the walk and is very special as it is also Shauna’s farewell party before leaving the parish and moving to Ireland.
- 30th July. After the 9.15am Mass at St. Elizabeth’s, to walk to St. Edmund Campion church. Hospitality from 12.15pm onwards.
- 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 of the walk 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!
Dates for your Diary
Table Top Sale on Sunday, 18th June after 11am Mass
Come find a treasure and get some light refreshments at the Table Top Sale! All proceeds will go to supporting our Parish in its valuable work. Thank you. St Joseph’s Vision Group.
UCM meeting, Tuesday June 20th 7.30pm. Location update: 15 MANOR LANE, to see the film “Our Lady of Walsingham.”
Living Word End Times by Cor et Lumen Christi, Saturday 24th June at 9.30am, Chertsey KT16 8BZ. – Establish a biblical understanding of the End Times. Register https://coretlumenchristi.churchsuite.com/events/idekzdsb.
Children’s Choir Next Meeting is Sunday 25th June at 10.30am. Sign up here: https://stjosephsparish.co.uk/music-2/
Talk: HSBC FRAUD AWARENESS and DIGITAL BANKING talk on 25th June after 11am Mass
Baptismal Course:
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. It is held at St Joseph’s the first Tuesday of the month at 7pm. The next meetings are: Tuesday 4th July, Tues 5th September
MILL HILL MISSIONARY FUNDRAISING BBQ In light of last year’s highly successful BBQ, we have decided to have another one this summer. It will be held at Colby Gardens, Maidenhead on Friday 28th July from 6.00 pm. Tickets will be available for sale this coming weekend after each mass. The cost of each ticket is £25 and includes a 3 course meal, with meat from the BBQ. Vegetarian options will also be provided. Please bring. your own drinks. All proceeds will go to our new mission in Chhattisgarh , North India. Please call Millie on 07957594646 for ticket sales or for further information.
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.
Save the Date: Retreat on 5th August with Dr Judith Thomas & Fr Kevin Hughes MHM. St Katherine’s Retreat House, Henley-on-Thames
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 – We currently have some exciting opportunities across the Diocese for an Estate Manager, IT Manager, Choral Director, and Parish Administrators. See here
Other information and links
Missio If you have a Red Box which is ready to be emptied, please bring it in over the coming weeks.
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