PARISH NEWSLETTER FOR ST. JOSEPH’S (MAIDENHEAD)
& ST. ELIZABETH’S (COOKHAM)
10th Sunday Ordinary Time, Year B
Who is the family of Jesus?
Jesus seems to disown his family in today’s gospel. Does he dismiss Mary and his family? He knew that he was not going down well with the family, and maybe wanted some distance from them. It is interesting that they came for him, maybe to take him home. But he turns the family table. He expands his notion of the family. Coming from God his Father he proclaims that all around him are family to him – these are his mother, brother and sister. He will later teach them to pray, not My Father, but Our Father.
This is one of the central teachings of Jesus, that we are all brothers and sisters, because of our Father in heaven. This follows on from the debate about good and bad religion of earlier weeks. The best of religion treats us all as brothers and sisters because of God. Our first and last belonging is that we belong to God – we come from God and go to God.
There will often be conflict in Jesus’ family about him. His first family did not take easily to his new family – his disciples. Only at Pentecost around the mother of Jesus would both families unite. His words are words to us today – he looks around at us and sees us as his brothers and sisters. This will make a difference as to how we see each other.
Think of different people and say within yourself,
‘you are my brother, you are my sister’
Make me, Lord, an instrument of peace and of joy among your people.
1st Reading: Exodus 3:9-15 An understanding of sin as part of the human condition; from this condi-tion, Christ calls us to repentance
Ps 129 R/ . With the Lord there is mercy and fulness of redemption
2nd Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:13 to 5:1 —Paul tries to keep the Christians of Corinth on a steady track, by setting out priorities for new Christians.
Acclamation: Alleluia!x2 If anyone loves me they will keep my word, and my Father will love them and we shall come to them. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 3:20-35 The message of Jesus in this Gospel can be hard to understand; Jesus preaches in a very challenging way.
It is with heavy heart, that we wish Fr. Noah farewell and blessings in his new appointment. Noah will take home leave to his beloved country, Uganda, and family in mid-July for two months and once back he will take up his new appointment in Liverpool with Missio and the parishes in the Archdiocese of Liverpool. He has been a blessing in our community of Maidenhead for the last two years and it is sad to see him go, but the people in Liverpool will be blessed to have such a good minister.
Eternal God, whose steadfast love for us is from everlasting to everlasting, we give you thanks for cherished memories and commend one another into your care as we move in new directions. Keep us one in your love forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Babies to Teens
- 9 Jun 9.30am FHC Our children who received the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist are invited to the final session and party. We once again congratulate them on this great year in their faith lives.
- 9 Jun Children’s Liturgy Team hope that families have had a great half term. We look forward to seeing you for the restart of your liturgy sessions during the 11 a.m. Mass All very welcome.
- 2 Jul 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)
- 11- 18 yr olds: Youth St Vincent de Paul (YSVP) group is launching in Sept 2024. https://svp.org.uk/youth-svp; Register/info Hilda 07749 917134.
Events in Church
- 11 Jun 10.30am (after Mass) Talk by Fr Kevin MHM: We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision. Letter of Pope Francis for the Jubilee 2025
- 13 Jun 2pm Rosary https://tinyurl.com/2hz5axvp
- 16 Jun Filipino Mass All are welcome!
- 16 Jun Bake Sale by SVP M’head. St Edmund Campion Parish Centre, after 9.30 & 11.15 Masses. All baked goods contribution greatly appreciated! Get cake for Father’s day! Proceeds will go to SVP M’head
- 22 Jun 10am Tabletop sale £10 a table. Book a table by emailing: [email protected] More info here: https://stjosephsparish.co.uk/the-vision-group/!
- 30 Jun 12-3pm Celebrating 60 years of St Edmund Pri School + St Edmund Campion Parish Fun Day. 11am Feast of Ss Peter & Paul Mass on the field. Activities, games, Raffle, BBQ, Bar, Bouncy Castles & Tombola.
- 14 Jul St Joseph’s Church 140th Anniversary. Tickets on sale @£1 for Grand draw. From Office/ Vision Group!
- 14 Jul 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
- 23-30 Aug Lourdes Pilgrimage Contact Fr Tom: 07908213034 to find out more
- 23 Sep 7.30pm SVP Musical evening. Musicians (instrumentalists /singers) from M’head parishes who want to perform, please get in touch with Peter on 07976 625 813. Tickets @ £8/person will be available from July. Soft drinks and snacks will be available to buy (cash only). BYO wine, beer and glasses.
- Weekly Badminton (Mondays 7.30pm) & Taichi (Weds 5pm) in Hall. All levels welcome! Contact Peter 075477 42578 if attending for first time.
Church Noticeboard
- Bishop’s pastoral letter video: https://youtu.be/YWsC6MPpj6I
- Needed: Volunteers for Sun 8am Hospitality + kids’ corner tidy (contact Office)
- Diocesan Newsletter: This is produced every week and contains news, training opportunities and events from around the diocese and wider Catholic Church. The weekly newsletter is designed to bring you the latest information and events. Sign up: https://tinyurl.com/yck2v4r5
- PREPARE YE THE WAY… to the General Election. Please ensure that all Eligible 16 year olds, and over, have registered to vote in the General Election by 18th June 2024. Also, you will need a valid form of Identification with you on the day. As a Catholic, Christian Community, Pope Francis, Cardinal Vincent Nichols & the Bishops of England & Wales remind us of our Duty and Obligation to uphold our Teaching and Principles by representing our views to the Candidates in our Civic Elections. Further information and briefings will follow
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!
Walks and Talks
- 13 Jun 6-7pm & WELCOMING REFUGEES: A journey to be made together How can we support people seeking asylum and refugees in the UK by Caritas. Sign up for Zoom: https://tinyurl.com/4ccz6ppx
- 15 Jun 8.30am Catholic Miracle Rally with Miracle Healing Service at 7pm. Friends Meeting House, Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ. See www.tinyurl.com/3dwn8rd7
- 23 Jun 11.15am Pilgrimage Mass at Lyford Grange Bus leaves St Edmund church, stopping for carvery lunch and then Mass in Lyford Barn. Returning Maidenhead 7.00pm. £25 (coach + lunch), children free on coach. Queries & coach bookings contact John (tel 07931-292934 or 01628-636668)
Can you help?
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.
There are new arrivals at the local asylum seeker hotel and we need the following: new packs of underwear, socks, summer clothes in medium size for women and men. If you can help please drop any donations to Sacred Heart altar in church. We are also always looking for hosts for homeless refugees. If you would like to talk about what might be involved in hosting please contact us on 07749 917134.
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
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.