PARISH NEWSLETTER FOR ST. JOSEPH’S (MAIDENHEAD)
& ST. ELIZABETH’S (COOKHAM)
4th Sunday of Lent, Year B
The fourth Sunday of Lent is sometimes called Laetare Sunday. Laetare is a Latin word that means “rejoice”. It is the hope of Easter just around the corner. We are on the way, but not there yet. The 2nd reading (Ephesians 2:4-10) is always true – we are always God’s work of art – he sees from the inside out.
In our day-to-day struggle just to get on with the business of living it is unlikely that we go around with the image of ourselves as ‘God’s work of art’. There are many forces at work both within us and outside us which tend to pull us down and to leave us with negative feelings about ourselves and those around us. By contrast, at the heart of the gospel message is the wonderful assertion that we are the handiwork of a God who does not make mistakes. This is the God who so loved the world that he gave his only Son not to bully us into obedience or to threaten us with hellfire but to bring us to life in its fullness. This is terrific news indeed, so let us take steps to ensure that other messages do not drown it out.
We live on amazing grace, and the graced light is Christ.
How big is your God – how loving is your God?
Look at the crucifix and say – this much!
Love brings us together and continually makes a work of art of us.
We are God’s work of art. Thanks be to God!
Look on the world – its business, goodness and evil, and let God’s love for the world become your love.
Lord, by your cross and resurrection, you have set us free; you are the Saviour of the world and …
Attende refrain
Hear us O Lord, have mercy upon us: for we have sinn’d against thee
1st Reading: Second Chronicles 36: 14-16, 19-23
Psalm: Psalms 136: 1-6 R/! R/: O let my tongue cleave to my mouth if I remember you not
2nd Reading: Ephesians 2: 4-10
Acclamation: Glory and Praise to you O Christ! God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son; everyone who believes in him has eternal life.
Gospel: John 3: 14-21
Communion Antiphon: To Jerusalem, that binds them together in unity, the tribes of the Lord go up to give him praise.
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:
Mar Magnificat: The publishers have given us some extra books for samples. Please take one if you will use it. Do consider subscribing or let the office know if you want a regular supply!
From this weekend, we are receiving the body & blood of Christ but intinction (dipping) is strongly discouraged
Order of Mass – in the new hymnbooks, pg 4-10
2nd Collection for the Clergy Assistance Fund
10-18 Mar Novena to St Joseph 6pm In church and Zoom (millhillmissionaries.co.uk/novena/) + after mass (see Mass times)
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
10 Mar 9.30am FHC in the Parish Hall
16 Mar 4.00pm Confirmation session at St Edmund Campion Primary School
23 Mar 11am FHC reconciliation session in Church
2 Apr 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.
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: This year, our Parish Lenten Project supports Basankusu Missionary Charity in The Congo by raising funds to provide a Fast River Ambulance. 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. 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 email [email protected]
- 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.
Dates for your Diary
- 7 Mar 2pm Rosary (No Bible study) Zoom: ID 82806901794 Password 312990 or: https://tinyurl.com/2hz5axvp
- 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.
- 6 April 10- 4:30pm Preparation for Divine Mercy Sunday Retreat at Aylesford Priory, Aylesford, Kent on. All welcome. Call Millie on 07957594646 for more information. Coaches from Ealing Broadway and Victoria
- 19 Apr 7.30pm Bingo Night at St Joseph’s Hall. Tickets on sale from 17 Mar, at £5 per person. Please bring cash for the bar & raffle. Contact Siobhan 07816445416 for more info. Proceeds to Maidenhead SVP.
- 20 Apr Resurrection in Art & Poetry workshop led by Fr Oliver Holt. Contact [email protected]
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
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.