PARISH NEWSLETTER FOR ST. JOSEPH’S (MAIDENHEAD)
& ST. ELIZABETH’S (COOKHAM)
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
© Look to the Heart ©
There is a big problem with this story of those invited to the wedding feast. In a good story Jesus always raises a question. It seems a bit unfair to be thrown out, having been brought in at the last minute, because you had no garment. However, the garment means you want to be there and to take on the values of the feast. The garment is the desire of the heart to be a follower in name and deed.
God invites all but expects us to come with a good heart. Often, we see people around Mass who seem not to respect it. They may not come often, but God looks to the desires of the heart. Maybe the non-churchy parents who want their child baptised know deep down that their love for the child brings them to baptism. Is that not a good reason? Or maybe the young people who come to Mass because they have exams coming up and need all the help they can get?
While Jesus is totally the inviting one, he wants us to remain with him. The heart that follows is the heart that wants to love, and that desire is the wedding garment.
The man knew in his heart that he should not be there. Jesus sees into the heart. What we look for is the sincerity in what brings us to God and that can be different for everybody. Religion is firstly of the heart, and then practice. We never know what’s in the heart of our people who sometimes come in faith. You never can tell! Let God be the judge of that!
Recall a time you felt invited by God to help a neighbour.
Offer that thanks to God now.
Lord, make my heart compassionate like yours.
Thank you for taking part in Stewardship month. We’ll be in touch soon!
Readings:
1st Reading: Isaiah 25:6-10
Psalm: Ps79:9.12-16.19-20 R./ The vineyard of the Lord is the House of Israel
2nd Reading: Philippians 4:6-9
Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! I chose you from the world to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last, says the Lord. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14
Announcements:
Baptisms:
8th: Sienna, d/o Daniele & Sarah
21st: Henry, s/o Linda & Philip
22nd: Iris d/o Diego & Jennifer
Weddings this month:
21st: Amy & Scott
Funerals in October:
2nd: Giuseppe Gabriele Aronica
12th : Pauline Neal
12th : Josephine Marie Brown
19th : Patrick Gorrigan
27th: Klaus Hohenauer (Greenacres Jordans 11am)
The families welcome your support. See mass intentions.
2nd Collection: 22nd Oct World Mission Sunday (Missio)
World Mission Sunday this year is on 22 October. On this day the whole Church unites through prayer for its missionary activity, and by collecting funds to support Catholic communities across the world experiencing situations of poverty and turmoil.
The theme chosen by the Holy Father is: ‘Hearts on fire, feet on the move’ (based on Luke 24). In his message for World Mission Sunday, Pope Francis encourages us all to set hearts ablaze with God’s love and compassion for ‘everyone has the right to receive the Gospel and we as Christ’s followers have the duty to proclaim it without excluding anyone.’
Donations and prayers on this day have a direct impact on Catholic communities overseas where the Church is too young, too small, or too poor to flourish without help from the rest of the Church. Donations help build the Church, support vocations, and enable missionaries to carry out their mission in often dangerous and remote places. Thank you for your ongoing support of Missio through prayer and charity. Please encourage your parish to do all they can to celebrate this day in solidarity with the whole Church. For more information about World Mission Sunday, please visit https://missio.org.uk/world-mission-sunday-2023/
Does your child like to sing? Is he/she Y3 or older? If so, come join the fortnightly Children’s Choir! Next practice session is on 22nd Oct 10.30am. Meet in the front pews of church. Sign up here.
Parents who want to help will need DBS clearance – please contact [email protected]
Registration for Confirmation closes on 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!
Reminder to book 2024 mass intentions. Pop into the office!
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
Food and drinks after. All are welcome!
Cor et Lumen Christi Catholic Miracle Rally https://tinyurl.com/ynnzz5ak
Meet in Church
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
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.
At St Bede’s Church, Popley Way, Basingstoke RG24 9DX
RSVP by 7th Nov: [email protected] or call 02392 00759
We have come around to that time of the year when we advertise for the above event. It will take place on Friday 1st December starting at 7.30 pm. Tickets will be available from next week at £25 each. This will include the cost of a 3 course meal, a live performance of a Filipino Band (The SoulMates Family) and of course the company of Mill Hill Missionaries! All proceeds will go to support our new mission in Cambodia, which has an outreach to the floating village. If you would like to reserve or buy tickets, please contact Millie on 07957594646
Fr Brian Oswald MHM
PILGRIMAGES/ WALKS/ RETREATS
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
A 1-hour talk by Kevin Hughes mhm
St Edward’s Church
Non-residential retreat in Winchester. Contact Aba 07387 645 211
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)
IRD conference
St Bede’s Church https://shorturl.at/mvFOY
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.
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.