PARISH NEWSLETTER FOR ST. JOSEPH’S (MAIDENHEAD)
& ST. ELIZABETH’S (COOKHAM)
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Our word matters greatly in our relationships, whether in our family or at work or among our friends or with God. When we do not have our word, then we have nothing because we cannot be trusted with even the smallest responsibility. We become unreliable, like the second son in the gospel parable about the father asking his two sons to work in his vineyard. The father depended on him. He assumed that he could easily fool his father. His word was meaningless, and he lacked sincerity.
Dependability is a desirable character trait for all genuine Christians. Otherwise, people are wasting their time with us. God depends on each one of us to help him achieve his plan for the salvation of all people, just as the father in the gospel parable depended on his two sons.
The parable teaches us that it was the first son, who initially said ‘No’ but then thought better of it, who actually did what the father requested. That son had undergone conversion. He had the honesty and the humility to realise his mistake and to change his decision. He became reliable.
Are we people of our word? How do we speak to our loved ones, to our friends, to our colleagues at work, to God? In what ways does our sincerity manifest itself? It would be good to be people of our word. Let us decide to be honest and humble enough to undergo conversion every day and to change our wrong decisions.
Link to form: Stewardship Month 2023
From now to 8 Oct, Mass count will be taken during the Liturgy of each Mass. This is to comply with statistics needed for the Diocese.
Readings:
1st Reading: Ezekiel 18:25-28.
Psalm: Ps 144:2-3, 8-9, 17-18 R./ Remember your mercies, O Lord
2nd Reading: Philippians 2:1-11
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 21:28-32
Announcements:
Baptisms:
8th: Sienna, d/o Daniele & Sarah
21st: Henry, s/o Linda & Philip
Weddings this month:
21st: Amy & Scott
Funerals in October:
2nd: Giuseppe Gabriele Aronica
12th : Pauline Neal
19th : Patrick Gorrigan
The families welcome your support. See mass intentions.
A memorial garden is being created in loving memory of Carl O’Donovan. Work starts on Saturday and will be maintained by Carl’s family. We want parishioners to enjoy the use of the garden to remember and pray for their loved ones throughout the year. Thank you!
Vases for Flowers: Kindly check your cupboards for medium/large spare vases as we are running low for our altars!
19th Maidenhead Scout Group (St Joseph’s and St Edmund Campion)
Our Squirrel Drey has now been running successfully for 2 terms so we are now in the position to take on a few more Squirrels! If you, or your family/ friends have a child aged 4 or 5 who you think would enjoy the fun of Scouting, do contact [email protected] for more information. We are also happy to add younger children to our waiting list.
Can you help? A young lady needs a room near the station as she is studying in London. Do you need a Maths/Piano tutor? Please contact Cecilia 01628 676559
Registration Open:
FHC (closing date 2 Oct) Find out more here
Confirmation (closing date 4 Nov) : Find out more here
See also forms at the church entrances
Christmas Shoppe at the repository will be open mid Oct! Come prepare for advent!
Advent & Christmas: We need volunteers to help with the Advent and Christmas programmes. Contact the office!
Thank you for putting up with the disabled toilet being out of service. Repairs will be completed by 6th Oct.
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
As we approach the Feast of St Francis of Assisi (4th October) please make a Pledge this weekend, and every weekend, to make another small change in your Lifestyle that will benefit God’s Creation, Our Common Home! Pray daily for Justice for our Brothers and Sisters in need and for Peace in the war-torn areas around the world. “Let Justice and Peace Flow”!”
See website and forms in the church.
7.30pm 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 now 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
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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.
Dr Nasha’s mobile medical clinic gets life-saving help to where it’s needed most, fast. See the Harvest Appeal video 2023: https://youtu.be/NJr5jOvp1hU. Donations can be submitted via: https://cafod.org.uk/give/appeals/harvest-appeal
Everyone experiences grief in their own way. As well as experiencing feelings of overwhelming sadness, it is perfectly natural to feel lost, confused, isolated and even angry. Or you may feel numb and emotionless as you try to grasp what has happened. You may feel regret for things you did or did not say or feel somehow to blame. Sadly, bereavement is something that we will all experience at some point in our lives, but we can support one another.
Every second Sunday of the month there is a Bereavement Support meeting at St. Edmund Campion Centre at 2.30pm. You are very welcome to come along to join us for tea, coffee and cakes.
Food and drinks after. All are welcome!
Concert in aid of SVP and the Widows and Orphans of Rural Kenya. St. Edmund Campion Church. Tickets @ £12 includes a glass of wine /soft drink, ½ price for 12-18 years old, free for children under 12. Tickets available from https://rmvc.net/october/ or from John Carr. Both charities are close to the hearts of the St. Edmund Campion parish community.
See website and forms in the church.
7.30pm: Clare’s Court School – OPERA NIGHT in aid of the Church in Need Charity. 4 professional opera singers will perform a mixture of Arias and songs from Musicals at the 34th Annual evening organised by the Catenians. Tickets £25 pp with ‘early bird’ price of £22.50pp before end of September. Tickets available from Jonathan Holder via [email protected] or ring 07740 430599
At St Bede’s Church, Popley Way, Basingstoke RG24 9DX
RSVP by 7th Nov: [email protected] or call 02392 00759
PILGRIMAGES/ WALKS/ RETREATS
£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]
During the weekend, Young Catholic Adults and the Traditional English Association of Catholic History will be organising a pilgrimage to York and will visit the shrine of St. Margaret Clitherow, York Oratory, the Bar Convent and St. Mary’s Abbey.
This event is aimed at Young Catholic Adults and Catholics interested in history.
For details of how to book onto this free weekend and for more info see:- https://bookwhen.com/youngcatholicadults-yorkpilgrimage2023.
The Divine Mercy Apostolate, London, is hosting a Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock, Co Mayo from November 9 to 14 to Pray for the HolySouls. It will by the Marian Fathers. Package includes: Return flights by Aer Lingus from Heathrow Airport, half board, 5 nights, accommodation in en suite twin rooms, hand-luggage (10 kgs), all transfers and Airport Development fee. The Retreat will include daily Mass and Hour of Mercy and retreats at Glendalough and Kylemore Abbey. Cost £800. All Welcome. Please call Millie on 07957594646 for more information
Courses & Talks
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.
Online course – sign up via links
4th Oct: Introduction to the Sacred Scriptures https://tinyurl.com/bdeva9t4
11th Oct Theology of the Liturgy of the Word https://tinyurl.com/s9thupb9
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)
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.
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.