PARISH NEWSLETTER FOR ST. JOSEPH’S (MAIDENHEAD)
& ST. ELIZABETH’S (COOKHAM)
Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year B
Just days ago, at the Ascension, we heard the messengers chide the apostles for standing and looking up as Jesus ascended into the heavens. They seemed to be implying – there is still work to be done – look around you.
The first reading indicates they did just that. They refilled their ranks and got on with the mission Jesus began. Through our baptism, we are called to be that replenishment in our time, to look around our world and to act.
The psalm reminds us to appreciate the blessings of each day so that prayer becomes the bedrock of a solid commitment to act.
The second reading reminds us why we act- out of love- and how to act- lovingly. The Gospel missions us to continue the great love story, to embrace the cosmic dimension of God’s love for all.
So, what do we see as we look around?
Do we see what Jesus and the apostles saw in their time?
Do we see those in pain, grieving?
Do we see what is in danger of being destroyed – Earth, the dignity of its inhabitants?
Do we see those who have been left out, ignored, forgotten?
Do we see those imprisoned in mind and body, those different from us?
Are we ready to embrace the marginalized, include the forgotten and disenfranchised?
Are we willing to speak the truth, as Jesus did, that God’s love is all encompassing? Will we take action?
As we live out our baptism, the continuation of Jesus’ mission, may we live in ways that God’s love is truly manifest in us and through us.
May God’s love ease the discomfort we may feel of stepping into those different spaces so that we can joyfully share God’s loving presence.
1st Reading: Acts 1:15-26
Psalm 102 R/ The Lord has set his sway in heaven.
2nd Reading: 1 John 4:11-16
Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord; I will come back to you, and your hearts will be full of joy. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 17:11-19
14 Jul 2024: St Joseph’s Church will be celebrating our 140th Anniversary. Save the date!
What's happening in Church:
BABIES TO TEENS PROGRAMMES
- 11 May 4.30pm Confirmation session St Ed Pri
- 11 May 11am FHC
- 4 Jun Baptismal Course at St Joseph’s. For parents whose child is being baptised in M’head. Please meet one of the parish priests before attending.
- Fridays 8.45-10:45am Baby & Toddler Group in St Edmund Parish Centre (term time only)
Buy your FHC & Confirmation gifts from the Repository now!!
CHURCH EVENTS
- 12 May 2.30-5pm, Bereavement Support Group St Edmund Campion Hall. Come for a cup tea & cake to talk or share with others who are also grieving
- 16 May 6pm Journeying together through Holy Scripture with Fr Bernie https://tinyurl.com/2hz5axvp
- 19 May Filipino Mass All are welcome!
- 22 Jun 10am Tabletop sale £10 a table. Book a table by emailing: [email protected] More info here: https://stjosephsparish.co.uk/the-vision-group/!
- 23-30 Aug Lourdes Pilgrimage Contact Fr Tom: 07908213034 to find out more
- Weekly Badminton (Mondays 7.30pm) & Taichi (Weds 5pm) in Hall. All levels welcome! See https://v2.hallmaster.co.uk/Diary/ViewWeeklyDiary/11832 / Or contact Peter 075477 42578
CHURCH NOTICEBOARD
- 2nd Coll: World Communications Day theme of Pope Francis’ message for World Communications Day 2024: Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart: Towards a Fully Human Communication – how we can remain fully human and guide this cultural transformation to serve a good purpose? To support and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ worldwide, donate via our machines or https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/campaign/world-communications-day-second-collection-2024 Full message: cbcew.org.uk/wcd24-papal-message/
- Thank you to those who have returned the talents challenge envelopes. The Vision Group looks forward to receiving the rest of your gifts by Pentecost Sunday (19 May). Ambulance collection amounts will be updated next week!
- Sabbatical: From 11 May until beginning of July, Fr. Ephriam will be following a sabbatical course and studies in Scotland. We wish him well and during those weeks that he is away, those in St. Joseph’s can contact Fr. Liam or Fr. Noah.
Magazine We need writers, contributors, photographers for our upcoming Parish Magazine. Please contact the office if you’re interested in helping or advertising!
We have a TWO contactless machine that will accept Gift Aid! You only have to input your details ONCE and ALL future donations with the same card will be Gift-Aided!
To reduce repeating information in the printed newsletter, we have printed hand-bag/ wallet-friendly information packs and placed them at the entrance/exits of the church. Please keep this with you for future reference. Thank you for helping us save the environment by reducing paper waste!
Dates for your Diary
- 21 May 7pm Online Dementia Friends Information Session by Caritas Portsmouth. For anyone interested in supporting people with Dementia in their parishes, community or family. Everyone welcome. Please register at https://tinyurl.com/4ysur27w
- 15 Jun 8.30am Catholic Miracle Rally with Miracle Healing Service at 7pm. Friends Meeting House, Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ. See www.tinyurl.com/3dwn8rd7
Can you help?
Millions of families in Sudan face extreme hunger after being forced to flee their homes amid conflict. Support CAFOD partners on distributing food packages, emergency cash payments, rebuilding water pipelines. Donate £10- text CAFODSUDAN to 70450 or online via cafod.org.uk/sudanappeal
Marriage Care is a Catholic organisation specialising in relationship support. We are looking for Marriage Preparation Course Facilitators to prepare couples for the Sacrament of Marriage (full training is provided for this role), Qualified Relationship Counsellors to support couples in distress and Trustees to provide governance and strategic direction for the organisation. For more information please visit: www.marriagecare.org.uk or email: [email protected]
partnered with market-leading solicitors and will-writing providers to offer a basic simple or mirror Will for free. In-person, online or by phone. There is no obligation to leave our Parish a gift in your Wills. https://www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk/support-our-work/make-your-free-will/
Inspire and empower children & young people in your local Catholic schools by delivering an assembly or a workshop. CAFOD will provide training and all resources. Contact Jo Lewry [email protected] or phone 07710 094447 for more info.
If you want to donate directly to SVP for helping refugees who are facing homelessness & destitution, you can do so via CDP Maidenhead St Josephs Church Ac 00882667 / 30-93-04. Please include your full name and “+SVP” so we can earmark your contribution.
A steering group of religious and other groups are trying to establish three new initiatives under the auspices of the Brett Foundation. One is temporary hosting for refugees through a Gift-a-Room scheme. The second is a temporary Winter homeless shelter for all rough sleepers.The third is a Drop-in Centre to provide basic support for all people living on the streets, such as food and shower facilities. We are asking for any or all of:-
*Offers of a room for a refugee for up to two months – references will be taken for both host and refugee and a mentor provided to help both with any issues
* Volunteers to help with the homeless shelter for all rough sleepers for a variety of tasks, such as cooking, cleaning up, welcoming people and/or occasional overnight stays either once a week or once a month
* Volunteers at the Drop-in Centre for all rough sleepers for tasks such as making teas/coffees and making guests feel welcome either once a week or once a month.
We have created the following material to explain the schemes on The Brett Foundation website: there is a full page devoted to each of the streams, as well as an introductory page with links to each of the streams: https://www.brettfoundation.charity/homeless-project
This is a link directly to the Gift-a-Room scheme: https://www.brettfoundation.charity/homeless-project/gift-a-room-scheme
If you have any questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate call us on 07749 917134
appeal for volunteers. Would you enjoy meeting and helping all kinds of people on Saturday and pay-day Friday nights? Come try a taster session around Maidenhead town centre with a small friendly group. Contact: [email protected] or see facebook.com/maidenheadstreetangels
RESOURCES
Sunday Missal Early bird offer: 20% off until 31st May. £19.95 https://www.rpbooks.co.uk/your-new-sunday-missal-esv
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 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.
Vacancies: We currently have some exciting opportunities across the Diocese for an Estate Manager, IT Manager, Choral Director, and Parish Administrators.
All vacancies posted here.
Other information and links
Rosary Group via Zoom every Thursday at 2pm (See here for joining instructions) ►
Last session for December will be on Thursday the 14th of December at 2pm
Rosary will resume on Thursday the 11th January 2024 at 2pm
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
We would like to get the newsletter distributed on time and are grateful for understanding in the deadline for submissions of announcements and mass intentions. Please send all contributions no later than Thursday 10am.