PARISH NEWSLETTER FOR ST. JOSEPH’S (MAIDENHEAD)
& ST. ELIZABETH’S (COOKHAM)
2nd Sunday of Advent, Year B
This time of the year the Church wears purple, and we remind ourselves that Jesus is near, that life can be different and that we can change our lives. The gospel from John the Baptist encourages a change in our lives. We would look on ourselves and regret what we should regret – our sins, our meanness, our minor faults and failings, our injustices and hurt of others. In his time the people would immerse themselves in the river and be forgiven. We can immerse ourselves in the healing and forgiving love of God in many ways, including the sacrament of reconciliation (penance, confession). We can immerse ourselves in the mood of waiting for Christmas and take this on the spiritual level and well as the ordinary.
All of the weeks of Advent can be a preparation for the way of the Lord, which we will hear of during the readings of the coming year. This is a time of joyful waiting, knowing we cannot be let down. The purple of Advent is not the purple of mourning but of joyful anticipation – like when we dress in the football team’s colours early in the morning to look forward to a match. If we take time for the spiritual preparation with some prayer, sacraments (maybe go to Mass once or twice a week, or daily for Advent), and if we help our neighbour a bit more, then nothing of all the preparations can be just secular. Everything of this month can remind us of God… trees, lights, carols, Santa hats, cards, gift-buying – big reminders that God is near.
Last week we lit the candle of HOPE – sometimes called the Prophet’s candle; this week we now light the Candle of Love, sometimes called the Bethlehem Candle.
We prepare the way of the Lord with HOPE, LOVE, JOY, PEACE and FAITH.
Give us this day our daily bread and daily truth, Lord God.
2nd Sunday of Advent: LOVE
1st Reading: Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11
Psalm: 84: 9-14 R/ Let us see, O Lord, your mercy and give us your saving help
2nd Reading: Peter 3: 8-14
Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! ! Prepare a way for the Lord and make his paths straight, and all mankind shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 1: 1-8
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:
Memorials/Funerals:
6th : Marie Paz Shaw
21st: Salvatore Savoca
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.
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
From Caritas Portsmouth re COP28 30 Nov – 12 Dec. In Laudate Deum, Pope Francis describes how some of the big changes we need to happen to slow the rate of climate change must come from the actions of governments. Let us pray for the leaders, that they listen to those already affected by climate change and have courage to act. Links to prayer resources: https://caritasportsmouth.org.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 Soups lunches in the Parish Centre ² 2nd Collections at Sunday Masses.
See timetable here: Christmas 2023 – St Joseph’s Parish Maidenhead (stjosephsparish.co.uk)
10 Dec 6pm Carol Service followed by mince pies and mulled wine. All are welcome to join!
Christmas Shoppe is open!
Come get gifts, cards, 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!
10 Dec after 11am Mass UCM Raffle::Win two Christmas Hampers! There is still time to buy tickets. The money will go towards the buying of trees to improve the environment
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 11am CHRISTINGLE will be celebrated during the Children’s Liturgy session in the Main Hall. Please come and help with Christingle making in the Hall before Mass at 10 a.m. – all are welcome!
17th Dec: 3pm Pilipino Traditional Christmas Mass – Simbang Gabi (Misa de Gallo). See here for more
24 Dec 5.30pm Children’s Nativity Mass: Come and help us tell the amazing Christmas story by dressing up as angels, shepherds, kings, donkeys etc. If you are short of tinsel, crowns or tea towels, there will be costumes available. Quick rehearsal in Main Hall before mass at 5 p.m. There are sign up forms in Church or email [email protected] or 07753 840611 / 01628 623707
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
Come support St Joseph’s CAFOD World gifts tree!
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
This will the last session for this year.
Sessions will resume back on Thursday the 11th of January 2024 at 6pm. Sessions will be held every Thursday thereafter unless notified.
by Dr Judith Thomas. Advent is a time of Preparation for celebrating the birth of Christ
St Edmund Campion
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.
6-week introduction to ways of praying. Online, see http://www.epiphanygroup.org.uk/training-courses/introduction-to-ways-of-praying/
Virtual event. Call or text: 07887 296983 / 07973 380443 Email: [email protected]
Website: www.retrouvaille.org.uk
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
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.