PARISH NEWSLETTER FOR ST. JOSEPH’S (MAIDENHEAD)
& ST. ELIZABETH’S (COOKHAM)
3rd Sunday of Lent, Year B
Jesus gets angry in the Temple (John 2:13-25)
Jesus is seen here in a towering rage. Yet, there was nothing new about the buying and the selling that was taking place in the Temple. It had been going on for generations. His anger reminds us that anger as an emotion is not wrong in and of itself. Because practices are long-established does not mean they should continue to be tolerated. There are things we really should get angry about, such as injustice and inequality in our country and our world. How might I express righteous indignation?
I imagine myself visiting the Temple when Jesus enters. I am accustomed to the moneychangers, and to the hucksters who convenience worshippers by selling cattle, sheep and doves for the ritual sacrifices. The fury of Jesus startles and upsets me, makes me think. Surely, these guys are making an honest few bob?
But this is the house of God. When money creeps in, it tends to take over. Is there any of the Christian sacraments untouched by commercialism? Baptism parties, First Holy Communion, money and extravagant costs for dresses and suits, Confirmation parties, wedding feasts at exotic hotels…They are meant to be the touch of God at key moments in our lives; but can God get a hearing amid the clatter of coins and extravagances?
Jesus signed his death warrant when he cast commerce out of the temple. He stood up for the truth about God and about religion and the poor, as the business people of the temple were exploiting the poor with high prices.
Lent gives us new insights into how Jesus lived his life, always within the shadow of his death. Even this scene at the start of the gospel has us remembering that this would lead him to death and to glory. The glory of God here is Jesus fully alive to the exploitation of the poor, the mistreatment of the house of God, and fully alive to the faith that was beginning to grow in his disciples.
Our prayer today might remember all who suffer and are endangered in their commitment to justice and right religion.
Attende refrain Hear us O Lord, have mercy upon us: for we have sinn’d against thee
1st Reading: Exodus 20: 1-17
Psalm: Psalm 116 R/: You have the message of eternal life, O Lord.
2nd Reading: First Corinthians 1: 22-25
Acclamation: Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory! I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord, whoever believes in me will never die.
Gospel: John 2: 13-25
Communion Antiphon: The sparrow even finds a home, the swallow finds a nest wherein to place her young, near to your altars, Lord of hosts, my King, my God! How happy they who dwell in your house! For ever they are praising you.
Gentle reminders:
- We are missing a whole stack of Order of Mass cards. Please return them as soon as possible!
- If you have double parked, please move your car immediately after Mass and come back for coffee! Thank you!
VACANCIES
WANTED: Part Time Youth Ministry Worker / Coordinator
to join our team and help us achieve future growth in the parish in the spirit of ‘Let us Dream’. See noticeboard or stjosephsparish.co.uk/newsletter/ for more info
St Mary’s School Business and Finance Officer Term time + 3 weeks (37 hrs/week) pro rata £35,838 – £44,232 www.stmarys-maidenh ead.org.uk/vacancies
Others www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk/about-us/other/jobs/Portsmouth
What's happening in Church:
March Madness Sale: Catholic Herald / Magnificat £4 instead of £5! Whilst stock lasts. Pay via Dona or leave money in the candle box. Save now!!!!
10-18 Mar Novena to St Joseph After Mass: 10am Mon-Sat & 11am Sun. In church and Zoom 6pm millhillmissionaries.co.uk/novena/
10 Mar, 2.30-5pm, Bereavement Support Group St Edmund Campion Hall. Come for a cup tea and cake to talk or share with others who are also grieving
17 Mar, Filipino Mass All are welcome!
Magazine We need writers, contributors, photographers for our upcoming Parish Magazine. Please contact the office if you’re interested in helping or advertising!
BABY AND CHILDREN PROGRAMMES
3 Mar Children Liturgy meeting after 11am Mass
2 Mar 4.30pm Confirmation session at St Edmund Campion Primary School
5 Mar Baptismal Course at St Joseph’s. Parents: if your child is being baptised in M’head. Please meet one of the parish priests before attending.
10 Mar 9.30am FHC in the Parish Hall
We have a new 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!
LENT
- Lenten Project: The three “Pillars of Lent” are Prayer, Fasting and Alms Giving. This year, the chosen Charity for our Parish Lenten Project is the “Basankusu Missionary Charity” in The Congo. We at St Joseph’s and St Elizabeth’s will be helping to provide a Fast River Ambulance. To raise funds for the
Project through Soup Lunches on Sundays, Raffles, a Quiz Night on 15 March and 2nd Collections after weekend Masses. In addition, any other individual Alms Giving for the River Ambulance will be appreciated by Father Philip. Donations to CDP Maidenhead St Josephs Church Ac 00882667 / 30-93-04. Please include your name and “+Lent” as reference, to earmark your contribution. Other projects: - 15 Mar Quiz night 7:00pm Tickets on sale at only £10 per person will include a glass of wine, cheese and biscuits. A selection of Wine and Beer will be available for cash purchase on the night. Boost your chances of winning the Star Prize by forming a Team of up to 6 members. Get your tickets early, to avoid disappointment, from Trisha Ray, Ros Granger, Bel Flynn or The Parish Office
- 17 Mar Bake Sale After 11am mass. Bake one, bring one, buy one!Please contact Teresa Osborne 07947 020393 / Margaret Curran 07548 215260 about how you can donate!
- Every Tues 7.30pm Choir Practice in Church. Lend us your voice and talent! We welcome new voices and musicians to join us this season and also for Sun 11am Mass. Please talk to Joanna or Claire.
- Reconciliation services: 9 Mar 11am St Edmund Campion 14 Mar 7pm St Thomas More 16 Mar 11am St Edward’s 20 Mar 7pm Joseph’s
- 23 Mar Lent Reflection Day led by Barbara Priest, an oblate of Douai at Douai Abbey. £15. Optional £10 Please email [email protected] in interested to organise carpool/lift.
- Stations of the Cross W: Every Friday after 10am Mass in St Joseph’s and every Wed 7pm in St Elizabeth’s. Kindly DO NOT remove the Stations of the Cross books left in the church for this service.
- Please be reminded we will not have flowers at the altars during Lent.
- Check newsletter for regular updates
Dates for your Diary
- Now to 24 Mar: 40 Days for Life Lent Vigil: We seek to reach women in pregnancy crises, offer them
- 2 Mar 10am 2024 Day of Recollection led by Fr Liam Cummins at Corpus Christi Church. £10/person includes lunch and refreshments. Parking at St Teresa’s Catholic Academy, Easthampstead Road
- 2 Mar Safeguarding Training at St Edmund Campion. Training is mandatory for anyone working with children (10.00am-12pm) or Adults at Risk 1-3pm. Email [email protected] to book a place
- alternatives to abortion, and spiritual and practical support. If you would like to take part in the 40DFL, email Livia Tossici-Bolt (Bournemouth 40DFL coordinator) [email protected]
- 5 Mar 12:30-1pm Caritas Online Networking Lunch: LiveSimply Award Hosted by Jo Lewry from CAFOD – Live more simply, sustainably and in solidarity with the poor. Register: https://bit.ly/49gvDwG
- 7 Mar 2pm Rosary (No Bible study) Zoom: ID 82806901794 Password 312990 or: https://tinyurl.com/2hz5axvp
- 9 Mar 11am Divine Mercy Lenten Retreat led by the Marian Fathers, in St Michael & St George Aldershot GU11 2BY. Contact Millie 07957594646 for more information.
- 16 Mar Bishop Philip’s Symposium 2024 on medical and social ethics entitled ‘What does it mean to be Human? In Winchester. Tickets at £20 can be purchased from: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/what-does-it-mean-to-be-human-medical-ethics-and-social-care-today-tickets-773097012977
- Holy Week & Easter 2024 Walking Pilgrimage (104 miles over 7 days) to Walsingham, Norfolk. More info/ sign up here: https://pilgrimcross.org.uk/event/oxford-leg-24/ or call Marguerite on 07505 368 218. Join us to deepen your faith, find fellowship with friends or just to take some time to think.
Can you help?
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
3 hours per week on to include youth club session on Thursday evenings and prep beforehand.
For details please contact Ros Webb on 07500766947.
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
PILGRIMAGES/ WALKS/ RETREATS
£899.00 pps. Price includes flight, 10kg hold luggage, 5 nights’ in 4* Castlecourt Hotel, Westport with Dinner, Bed & Breakfast. Lunch on three days. All entertainment, excursions and transport included. Visit Knock, Galway City, Kylemore Abbey, Croagh Patrick & Ashford Castle. Single supplement on Enquiry. Contact Patricia or Natali on 01268 762 278 or 07740 175557 or email [email protected].
Holy Week & Easter 2024 Walking Pilgrimage (104 miles over 7 days) to Walsingham, Norfolk. More info/ sign up here: https://pilgrimcross.org.uk/event/oxford-leg-24/ or call Marguerite on 07505 368 218. Join us to deepen your faith, find fellowship with friends or just to take some time to think.
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
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.