Today’s readings are about renewal and new things: The New Jerusalem, a new Heaven with a new earth, and a new commandment.
We will also be joined this Sunday by visiting priest, Fr.Aloysius Alex of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad, India, who is visiting his cousin Peter Philip and his wife in our parish for the occasion of their wedding anniversary.
Welcome, Fr Aloysius.
Click here to view the Pastoral Letter from the Bishop regarding our new Pope
Tea and coffee will be served in the church after 8.30am and 11.00am Masses.
All welcome.
If you would like to join the rota for tea/coffee preparation, please sign up on the sheet in the hall or let Fr Michael know.
Monday 19th May: DEDICATION OF THE CATHEDRAL OF ST JOHN, PORTSMOUTH, feast. No Mass today.
Tuesday 20th May: Tuesday of the 5th Week of Easter
Mass at 10.00am.
Wednesday 21st May: Wednesday of the 5th Week of Easter
Mass at 10.00am.
Thursday 22nd May: Thursday of the 5th Week of Easter
Mass at 10.00am.
Friday 23rd May: Friday of the 5th Week of Easter
Mass at 10.00am.
Saturday 24th May: Saturday of the 5th Week of Easter. Mass at 10.00am.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions follow 10.00am Mass.
A PRAYER FOR POPE LEO:
Lord of life, love and hope, we thank you for the election of our new Pope. Watch over, protect and bless Pope Leo XIV.
We pray that, led by the Holy Spirit, his faithful witness will be a beacon of hope in our fragile and often divided world.
May the joy of the Gospel inspire him with compassionate understanding so that, together, we can be peacemakers and life-givers.
May Pope Leo XIV be a good and courageous shepherd, concerned for “the least, the last and the lost” of “every tribe and tongue and people and nation”.
Guide him to be a leader after your own heart, which is more loving than we can possibly imagine.
We ask you, Lord, to surround our new Pope with people of pastoral wisdom as he adjusts to his new role.
Fill him with confidence in the power of prayer. Help us to help him. Amen.
AND A FINAL THOUGHT:
The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who stand by watching them without saying or doing anything to contradict their words and actions.
If you would like to receive a copy of this newsletter by email each week, please contact the parish office. office@stjosephsnewbury.org.uk
IT Expertise? As we need to modernise our parish web-site, Fr Michael welcomes hearing from anyone with knowledge of web-building, web-development,
or a wish to further develop their skills in this area
with the help of someone more experienced.
All ages welcome!
REFURBISHMENT OF THE PARISH HALL: The building works are well underway. Since parking spaces are now fewer, please allow priority for older parishioners, the disabled and families with young children.
N.B. If attempting to park in Hawthorn Road, opposite the church, you may be subject to parking fines (please check parking signage carefully).
Wednesday 21st May: 12.30 – 2pm: The church is open on Wednesday afternoon for quiet prayer and reflection. All are welcome at any time whilst the church is open.
TEACHING POINT:
The General Instruction on the Roman Missal: “A genuflection, made by bending the right knee to the ground, signifies adoration, and therefore it is reserved for the Most Blessed Sacrament, as well as for the Holy Cross from the solemn adoration during the liturgical celebration on Good Friday until the beginning of the Easter Vigil … All who pass before the Most Blessed Sacrament genuflect, unless they are moving in procession” (No. 274).
When we enter church, we enter God’s house. Genuflecting before the tabernacle acknowledges God as our host, and expresses thanks for the invitation that draws us into communion with his Son.
‘The Six Holy Habits’: Bishop Philip recommends the following to us all:
1) Spend at least 5 minutes a day in prayer;
2) Attend Mass every Sunday;
3) Keep Friday as a Day of Penance;
4) Pay a fortnightly visit to the Blessed Sacrament;
5) Go to Confession once a month;
6) Join a small group for prayer, formation, and fellowship.
‘YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES’ A version of the Diocese of Portsmouth’s 10-year mission plan, called You will be my Witnesses is now available.
Phil Hobb’s outlined four ways you can donate to the parish, plus an easy way to boost your donation:
(i) Standing Orders;
(ii) Contactless giving on one of the two Digital Collection Pads in church;
iii) Planned Giving envelopes (boxes for the new tax year for those already donating via this method are available to collect from the sacristy); and
(iv) donations by cash in the collection plate.
To start donating by either Standing Order or Planned Giving envelopes, please ask Fr Michael or Phil Hobbs for the relevant form to complete.
If you are a UK taxpayer, the Gift Aid scheme allows us to claim back the tax you have already paid on your donation.
To do this, we need your permission, your name and address – that’s all – please ask Fr Michael or Phil Hobbs for a Gift Aid declaration form.
Your generosity is very much appreciated.
By clicking the link below it is now possible to make a secure direct donation to the parish via the website in addition to
using the ‘Touch Giving Digital Collection Plates’ in the church on Sundays.
St. Joseph's Parish feedback following consultation on the Diocesan draft 10 Year Plan - Click Here to View
Link for our Parish School - St Joseph's Catholic Primary School and Nursery - Click here
Now Accepting Contactless Donations
You will find our new DIGITAL COLLECTION PLATE, contactless terminal in the church. Just use your contactless debit/credit card or smart phone/ device to make a donation.
Simply choose the amount you wish to donate and hold your card onto the reader.
Contactless donations are simple to administer, secure and convenient.
Your Diocese: To keep up to date with the news of the Diocese of Portsmouth and the Bishop please follow on:
