PARISH NEWSLETTER FOR ST. JOSEPH’S (MAIDENHEAD)
& ST. ELIZABETH’S (COOKHAM)
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Readings:
1st Reading: Jeremiah 20:7-9
Psalm: Ps 62:2-6,8-9 R./: For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord my God.
2nd Reading: Romans 12:1-2
Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our mind, so that we can see what hope his call holds for us, Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 16:21-27
URGENTLY NEEDED
Contact the Parish office if you would like to sign up for (Training provided!):
– altar servers (see more here)
– readers for Sat 6.30pm and Sun 8.00am mass
– 1 volunteer to help with altar linen, 4x/year
– children’s liturgy helpers
– flowers
Thank you:
Mill Hill MISSIONARIES’ BBQ
We would like to thank everyone who attended the above event last Friday. It was great to see so many people there enjoying themselves. We managed to raise £1,785 (after expenses) for Lurgi mission in India.
This month…
The Children’s Liturgy Team hope that all the children and their families have had a wonderful summer break. We look forward to seeing you for the new term which starts on Sunday 10th September during the 11 a.m. Mass. All children from about 3 years old (and their parents) are very welcome to come and celebrate and have fun.
CHILDREN’S LITURGISTS – Please pick up your new rotas from the top drawer of the filing cabinet in the kitchen lobby/. Do contact Tricia Weeks ([email protected] or 01628 627265 ) for more details – or offers of help!
Announcements:
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!
Tickets on sale for 6th Oct SVP musical evening fundraiser – look for Siobhan (07816 445416) and Jean-Marc! See more under Dates for your Diary. £7 each
Mother’s Prayers and Zoom Rosary will start from 4th September
The Charles Davis Trust is awarding supermarket vouchers to any persons over the age of 70, who are resident in the Old Borough of Maidenhead and whose savings do not exceed £23,250. Please apply or apply on their behalf via forms left at church entrances
Prayer for the Children
Dear God,
As they start nursery or school for the first time – give them joy in new experiences.
As they move to new classes – give them confidence in growing friendships.
As they move to new schools – give them strength in their growing independence.
And for all the teachers, assistants, helpers, carers and volunteers of St. Edmund Campion school and St. Mary’s school, who teach and nurture our children and young people, we ask for your blessing, your joy, your wisdom and your patience as they re-charge their batteries over the summer break, ready for the new term! We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen
Dates for your Diary
The theme this year is, “A Mighty River” – “Let Justice and Peace Flow”. Weekly events that will celebrate God’s Creation and for us to Care for Our Common Home.
See also Courses & Talks
24th Sept Please bring along your home-made produce, preserves, plants and promises to sell and exchange. You can reserve your table nearer the date but, in the meantime, please plan your participation.
See website and forms in the church.
Food and drinks after. All are welcome!
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 are available now at £7 per person.
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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.
PILGRIMAGES/ WALKS/ RETREATS
- 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:
By the Divine Mercy Apostolate, London. St John Fisher Rc Church, 80 Imperial Close, North Harrow, HA2 7LW from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm led by the Marian Fathers. The Retreat will include teachings on the Message of Mercy, Stations of the Cross, Holy Mass, Hour of Mercy with Adoration and Benediction and Veneration of the Image of Merciful Jesus. All Welcome. Please call Millie on 07957594646 for more information
£699.00 per person sharing. Price includes flights (LHR-NOC-LHR), all transfers, 4 nights’ in Knock House Hotel with full board. All entertainment and excursions included. Day trips to Westport, Ballintubber Abbey, Croagh Patrick, Fr. Peyton Centre & National Museum. Single supplement £150.00. Contact Patricia 01268 762 278 or Natali 07740 175557 or email [email protected]
Courses & Talks
This year, we are going to offer the course both online and in-person. Many people find it difficult to secure childcare, or prefer to meet others whilst in the comfort of their own home, so by offering an online version, we hope you will give it a try. If meeting in-person is your preference, that is still a great option too.
Start dates are as follows:
Monday, 18 September, Alpha Online, 19:30 – 21:00
Tuesday, 19 September, Alpha In-Person at St Edwards Parish Centre, 19:00 – 21:00.
Alpha is a 10-week course that explores life’s big questions, in an open, non-judgmental and safe place. We’ll be discussing questions like: Is there more to life than this? Does God exist? Why did Jesus have to die? and, why is there so much suffering in the world? Millions of people have already tried Alpha in over 100 countries and languages around the world – so why not you? Perhaps you have a friend or family member who has fallen away from the faith during the pandemic, doesn’t feel as connected to the church as they once did, or maybe has never truly answered life’s big questions for themselves – please invite them, we’d love to host them too! If you have questions about joining, inviting others, or joining our team of volunteers, please email Ryan Greig at: [email protected]
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
“Laudato Si” Encyclical Letter by Pope Francis (2015) was a bid to help humanity to love the earth, to glimpse its sacredness and to be moved by its plight. ” (Austen Ivereigh)
With news headlines full of disastrous, soaring temperatures world wide, how do we now view Creation? What mental shift has corrupted our relationship with the living world? What issues need to be addressed if we are to move forward? How are science and religion reaching out to each other in concern?
Dr. Judith Thomas will be presenting this Talk as follows:
Saturday 2nd September at 10.00 am at St. Edward’s Parish Centre, Windsor
Monday 4th September at 10.00 am at St. Edmund Campion Church, Maidenhead (after 9.30 am Mass)
Wednesday 6th September at 6.30 pm St. Joseph’s Parish Centre, Maidenhead
All welcome. The Talk lasts for 1 hour and there is no charge – just come along, listen, be encouraged and inspired!
The Monthly Talks presented either by Fr. Kevin Hughes MHM or Dr. Judith Thomas started last November and the 8 Talks to date have covered the following topics:
Advent
Christmas
The Gospel of Matthew
Lent
Eastertide
The Holy Spirit
Mary
Love the Stranger
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.
Philippe Mougin CAFOD’s Emergency Response Leader will talk about our work in Pakistan after last years floods. St Bedes Church hall Popley Way, Basingstoke RG24 9DX. Please book by emailing Jo Lewry [email protected]
Sara Moreno from CAFOD’s Partner SIEMBRA from Colombia will speak about her work with human and environmental rights defenders. St Michael & All Angels Church hall , Dunsbury Way , Leigh Park PO9 5BD (lunch is provided). Please book by emailing Jo Lewry [email protected]
6-week Zoom course following the Ignatian Way of prayer. It is an ideal opportunity for those who desire to deepen their prayer life and attend from home. It is free of charge and only 20 participants for each course. See An Introduction to Ways of Praying (epiphanygroup.org.uk)
Our Parishioners
is running the Windsor Women’s 10k on 23rd Sept 2023 in support of Uganda Hands for Hope Charity. If you would like to support, please see: https://www.globalgiving.org/fundraisers/46580/
together with her best friend, Caron, are doing a fundraising road rally trip driving from Cape Town to Zambia to raise funds for a home for people with profound physical and learning disabilities in South Africa. Claire’s mum Helen and her Dad Carl used to take all the catholic residents to church every Sunday and Helen eventually ran the home for 14 years whilst living in SA. There are 84 residents (a number of whom are HIV orphans), many of whom have been abandoned as a result of their profound disabilities and they desperately need funds not just for basic necessities but for disability equipment (many of the residents are sitting in wheelchairs without wheels). Any support would be greatly appreciated and the funds will go directly to the parents association to ensure all money is spent directly on meeting the residents needs.
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 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.
St Mary’s is looking for a Pastoral Support Assistant. We are looking for a caring and compassionate person, who has experience of working with SEND, SEMH and vulnerable children.
All vacancies posted 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
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.