Newsletter 389 5th November 2023

PARISH NEWSLETTER FOR ST. JOSEPH’S (MAIDENHEAD)
& ST. ELIZABETH’S (COOKHAM)

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

We often hear it being said: practice what you preach; walk the talk; be authentic and true to yourself; know thyself, and such.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is denouncing the Pharisees and correcting their religous teaching and its insufficiency. It is common in our everyday life to witness how human beings relate to each other, be it at home, in the workplace or in the social arena. We may prefer to hide our true selves so that no one really knows who we are. In this way, we can prove ourselves to be better and superior. Jesus denounces this kind of dichotomous nature of leaders, not only at that time but also in our own time. Jesus recommends that we all work towards building the Kingdom of God by serving one another in humility and in simplicity. And by doing so, will earn us respect instead of seeking to be respected.

The question is, who is my real self?

1st ReadingMalachi 1:14-2:2.8-10

Psalm: Ps 95:1, 3-5, 7-10 R/ Keep my soul in peace before you, Lord  

2nd Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9.13

Acclamation: Speak, Lord, your servant is listening; You have the message of eternal life

Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12

Announcements:

November: Month of Holy Souls You are invited to present names of deceased family & friends who died in the last 12 months in the envelops provided,  and Masses will be offered for them throughout the month. We will visit and pray at the graves of loved ones on Sunday 12th Nov at Braywick (3pm) and Cookham (4pm).

Children’s Liturgy  5 Nov The Team hope that the children and their families have a wonderful half term. We look forward to seeing you all again after the break.
Artist’s folder needed!  The Children’s Liturgy folder of card for posters etc disappeared in Summer ☹ We would appreciate if you can contribute any large stiff coloured card and/or large A2 or A3 carry folder that you no longer use? Contact Tricia 01628 627265 or triciaweeksmail @gmail.com for further details

From Teresa Brass: It’s now a year since my brain surgery, and I feel much better. Your prayers & God’s Grace helped me when I was in Hospital. Thank you”

Care4Calais emergency fund aid refugees who are facing homelessness and destitution. Volunteers are plugging gaps: issuing emergency cash, providing food, paying costs, sourcing emergency accommodation, etc. Every penny donated goes directly to benefit those most in need. £10 buys warm gloves & hat, £20 buys a warm coat, £60 covers a night’s B&B – every penny helps! Select gift aid if you are eligible. If you can’t donate please share the link for us. https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/fundraising/refugee-emergency-homelessness-fund

Confirmation meeting at St Edmund’s 11 Nov 1645h

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!

Christmas Shoppe is open!

Come get advent calendars, suncatchers, candles and more!

Christmas Choir practise Every Tues from 7 Nov 7.15-9.15pm. Do you enjoy singing or can play a musical instrument? Rehearsals for Christmas have started and we welcome new voices and musicians to join us this season and also for Sun 11am Mass. Please talk to Joanna or Claire or let the office know! 

26th Nov: after 11 am Mass. Vision Group Stocking Filler Sunday. Please bring on that day (or leave in office 22-24th Nov): small items suitable for presents, Christmas decorations: bunting, table decorations, crackers, small Christmas puddings etc. And bring your money to purchase items. Soups will be on sale also.

Grand Christmas Draw Sun 26 Nov Tickets @£1 ea or £5 per book of 5, on sale after Sunday Masses: Prizes include Christmas Hamper, Beauty Package, Wine etc. The Draw is in aid of our Advent Parish Project and the selected Charities will be announced on the weekend of 11/12 November

UCM Raffle: From Nov – early Dec, UCM members will be selling raffle tickets after each Mass – Tickets at £1 a ticket or £5 a strip. Prizes include Christmas Hamper, whisky, cheese, biscuits and chutney. Proceeds will go towards charitable donations for the planting of trees, in line with Pope Francis’ message.

CAFOD World Gifts  –  https://worldgifts.cafod.org.uk

Dates for your Diary

10am-3.30pm IRD conference:  St Bede’s Church https://shorturl.at/mvFOY

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

will be holding their Remembrance Church Parade at the 9:30 Mass at St Edmund Campion. This will be followed by a cake sale in aid of WORK.

 

meets on 2nd Sun of each month at St Edmund Campion Hall. If you are bereaved and would find it helpful to talk or share with others who are also grieving, join us over a cup tea and cake .

Open Day for new parents

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.

Food and drinks after. All are welcome!  

Please bring on that day (or leave in the office 22-24th Nov): small items suitable for presents, Christmas decorations: bunting, table decorations, crackers, small Christmas puddings etc. And bring your money to purchase items. Soups will be on sale also.

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

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

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.

by Fr Kevin Hughes mhm. 18 Nov 7pm St Mark’s Windsor 20th Nov 10am St Edmund Campion, 7pm St Thomas Moore Twyford

 

The Diocese in partnership with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales is hosting an online seminar on Tuesday 21st November, at 6 pm for Catholics wishing to bring people closer to Christ led by Evangelist Sherry Weddell. Tickets are £10 per person from

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/engaging-the[1]disengaged-how-to-accompany-non-religious[1]persons-tickets-646139539757

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.

 

Are you a budding journalist? Or someone with some time to spare?
We are looking to relaunch the biannual Parish Magazine. 
Please contact the Parish office for more details!

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

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.