PARISH NEWSLETTER FOR ST. JOSEPH’S (MAIDENHEAD)
& ST. ELIZABETH’S (COOKHAM)
34th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
“YOU DID UNTO ME”
In celebrating the “Solemnity of Christ, the King of the Universe,” we acknowledge that Christ is in charge of our lives. His Kingship is of service as he chose to serve, and not to be served. His kingdom is of truth, life, holiness, grace, justice, love and peace. He shares with us his kingship in baptism. As members of his kingdom, we have the responsibility to care for each other, the homeless, the refugees, the poor, the addicts, the wounded and the afflicted. Today’s gospel calls us to go out of our own walls and boundaries and, attend to the needs of our world that is torn apart by wars and greed, and crying for peace. The call to selfless love is greater than ever from what we are witnessing around us. We are called to action.
Once a priest was in conversation with Mother St. Teresa, seeking to understand her spirituality motivates her in her mission for the poor, her simple answer was the quote from the words of Jesus, “You did unto me.”
The question is, “Am I going to do it for Christ?”
1st Reading: Ezekiel 34: 11-12, 15-17
Psalm: 22: 1-3, 5, 6 R/ The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want
2nd Reading: Corinthians 15: 20-26, 28
Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessings on the coming kingdom of our father David! Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46
Read about our 10-year mission plan! See https://stjosephsparish.co.uk/our-faith-journey/you-will-be-my-witnesses-our-10-year-mission-plan/
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. On 25th Nov we will pray for all buried in Cookham & Bray – please send in names of loved ones in those cemeteries
Wed 6 Dec 11am HELP! Volunteers needed to help decorate a 4-5” Christmas Tree Festival @ St Luke’s (in support of Number 22 (a Maidenhead & Windsor Youth Counselling Service) The tree will then move to the Parish Centre! Contact the office for more info
Children’s Liturgy 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
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
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!
PT Youth worker needed. Contact Fr Ephraim/ office
See timetable here: Christmas 2023 – St Joseph’s Parish Maidenhead (stjosephsparish.co.uk)
Advent Project 2023 will support SVP Maidenhead; Fr Ephraim’s – SA Children’s Drop-in Centre; & Fr Noah’s – St Jude’s Youth Centre in Bamenda. Support us via:
² 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.
² 26th Nov: after 11 am Mass. Vision Group Stocking Filler Sunday. Do come by to buy presents, decorations, food, etc
² Soups lunches in the Parish Centre
² 2nd Collections at Sunday Masses.
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!
25th Nov: 1-4pm St Mary’s Winter Fair – Tombolas, Games, Shops, Elf Academy, Food & Drink and more! FOSM will be selling raffle ticket at 11am mass on Sunday. Please support our children!
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.
Christmas Flower Prayer Cards: please contact Joan Boland or the Parish office for prayer cards dedicated to loved ones and special intentions no later than 10 Dec Donations will go towards flowers for Christmas
Advent Parish Reconciliation Services: Advent is a wonderful time to celebrate the reconciling love and the healing graces our Lord offers us. We have services on: 9 Dec 10am St. Edward’s Windsor; 13 Dec 6.30pm – St. Thomas More Twyford; 16 Dec 10am St Edmund Campion’s; 20 Dec 6.30pm St Joseph’s
17th Dec: 3pm Pilipino Traditional Christmas Mass – Simbang Gabi (Misa de Gallo). See here for more
CAFOD World Gifts – https://worldgifts.cafod.org.uk
Reminder: As we do not put up flower arrangements during the season of Advent & Lent, kindly refrain from leaving flowers at the altars over this season. Thank you
Dates for your Diary
Do keep an eye out for individual events coming in Spring’24 in order to ensure we recognise the sacrifices our worshipping communities continue to make
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
See https://coretlumenchristi.churchsuite.com/events/gcoc4rcs
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 .
“It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness”
As violence affects many parts of the world, people of goodwill of all faiths and none are invited to take part in a short vigil to demonstrate solidarity across our diverse community, and our shared wish for peace on earth. The vigil will take place at St Joseph’s Parish Centre from 7:30pm – 9pm, and will include an opportunity for silent reflection – you are invited to come along for as much time as you wish or can spare. If you would like to be involved in organising the event, there are lots of opportunities to get involved in publicity, liaising with community groups, set up on the day, artwork and readings: please contact Suzy on [email protected].
PILGRIMAGES/ WALKS/ RETREATS
£899.00 pps. Price includes flight, 10kg hold luggage, 5 nights’ in 4* Castlecourt Hotel, Westport with Dinner, Bed & Breakfast. Lunch on three days. All entertainment, excursions and transport included. Visit Knock, Galway City, Kylemore Abbey, Croagh Patrick & Ashford Castle. Single supplement on Enquiry. Contact Patricia or Natali on 01268 762 278 or 07740 175557 or email [email protected].
Courses & Talks
with Fr Bernie.
Zoom: ID 82806901794 Password 312990 or: https://tinyurl.com/2hz5axvp
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.
For Lower Sixth/Year 12. Do you want to help build a Christian society? The programme offers stimulating and high-quality intellectual content, spiritual nourishment, personal development, inter-personal skills, team-building, with expert academics and professionals. Bursaries available as needed. See more at www.christianleadershipformation.com
Divine Renovation will be holding the Catholic Parish Summit next June 12th – 14th in Harrogate. The Summit, entitled ‘Where is your parish going?’ will feature Archbishop Mark O’Toole, Sr Miriam James Heidland, and Fr James Mallon, among others. Come along to see what’s behind a growing movement of parishes coming to new life and learn how your parish can do it too. Save your spot today at catholicparishsummit.com and be part of this impactful gathering of parish leaders.
Plus!: Use the Diocese of Portsmouth’s exclusive promo code 25OFFCPS ˟ to save on your ticket before they sell out.
˟ This code will provide 25% off basic tickets and is available until 1stDecember. Please also note the young adults code to promote for anyone under 30: YA@CPS
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.