PARISH NEWSLETTER FOR ST. JOSEPH’S (MAIDENHEAD)
& ST. ELIZABETH’S (COOKHAM)
Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year B
The One Commandment – Only One
This gospel is like a vision statement or a mission statement from Jesus. About finding joy in listening to Jesus, how to live the good life in love one another, how to love oneself in the love of God, and in directing our lives to bear fruit that will generate love.
It is so central that it is read at many really important moments of a Christian life. It is one of the most popular readings at a wedding, linking the love of God and human love at such a special time.
Jesus’ love was to lay down his life. in a specific way. Our love lays down our life often in small, unforgotten ways.
*Hours spend with a sick child or parent
*Years caring for someone ill
*Leaving home on missionary assignments
*Giving up something for the children
*Working for peace/justice for the needy
The message is a big challenge in simple ways for most of us.
Isn’t it a joy to know that the most enjoyable mystery of life – love, is the only commandment of God? This shows us that God is on our side: His commandment is to do what we want most to do and experience – to love and be loved. Even when the love costs us something.
Recall a time when you felt you were really loving someone.
Become aware that you were then very near to God.
Thank you, Lord, for love given and received in my life.
1st Reading: Acts 10: 25-26, 34-35, 44-48
Psalm 97 R/ The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations
2nd Reading: 1 John 4:7-10
Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! Jesus said: ‘If anyone loves me, they will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we shall come to them.’ Alleluia!
Gospel: John 15:9-17
What's happening in Church:
BABIES TO TEENS PROGRAMMES
11 May 4.30pm Confirmation session St Ed Pri
11 May 11am FHC (Rehearsal 9 May)
7 May 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!!
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QUENCH pop-up bookshop at St Edmund’s after all masses on 27- 28 Apr.
CHURCH EVENTS
7 May 10.30am Road to Priesthood in Parish Centre. Talk by Francis Ezeani after 10am Mass. Also 4 May 10am in St Edward’s Windsor; 6 May 10am St Edmund Campion; and 13 May 7pm St Thomas Moore Twyford
9 May 6pm Journeying together through Holy Scripture with Fr Bernie https://tinyurl.com/2hz5axvp
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
19 May Filipino Mass All are welcome!
22 Jun 10am Table top sale Save the date!
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
Thank you St Mary’s School for helping raise £514.80 for the Congo sea ambulance boat!
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)
A copy of the latest update on our 10-year Mission is available at entrances/ online and on notice boards!
Tea/coffee after
- 1st Sundays 8am Mass, starting 5 May
- 11am Mass. Please help put tables and chairs back after use!
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
- 6 May Preparing Together Marriage Course at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 2HE.
- See www.marriagecare.org.uk for more info and to book
- 10 May 8pm Concert: Stockholm South Band of The Salvation Army St. Mary’s Church in M’head. Get tickets from Salvation Army Hall on Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30-12:30pm, at the door on the night ( (if available) or online www.ticketsource.co.uk/maidenhead-salvation-army
- 22-26 Jul Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage (sans Fr Tom). https://tinyurl.com/yc68zkcu
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.