Sunday 12th October: TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME.
(I AM AWAY THIS WEEKEND SO THE 08:30 MASS WILL NOT BE RECORDED)
Masses at 8.30am and 11.00am.
Today’s readings focus on the gratitude God expects from us. Today’s Gospel story of The Forgetful Lepers presents a
God Who desires gratitude from us for the many blessings we receive from Him, and who feels pain at our ingratitude..
(The 08:30 Mass is always available to view on our You Tube Channel - follow the link below)
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).
N.B. This Sunday is the fourth of four when, annually, we are obliged to take a ‘Mass Count’ of attendees as required by the
diocese to feed into national statistics which are then submitted to the Vatican.
Wednesday 15th October: 12.30pm – 2pm: The church will be open for quiet prayer and reflection.
All are welcome at any time whilst the church is open.
Wednesday 15th October: 7pm – 8.30pm: Choir Rehearsal in church.
Newcomers are welcome to come along and see – without commitment – if they would like to join
All welcome!
Thursday 16th October: 10.30am Grand/Mothers’ Prayers every Thursday at
Newbury Grove Care Home, 370 London Rd, Newbury RG14 2QH to pray for the needs of our children and grandchildren, and for a strengthening of faith.
New attendees always welcome. For more information speak with Fr Michael or Elizabeth Matias after Mass.
Saturday 18th Oct: 7.30pm CANTEMUS CHOIR CONCERT at St Joseph’s Church.
The programme includes ‘Five Days that Changed the World’ by Bob Chilcot, John Rutter’s ‘Requiem’, and lighter pieces including ‘Blue Moon’; ‘In the Mood’; and ‘Scarborough Fair/Sound of Silence’.
Tickets £10 on the door. Interval Refreshments. Proceeds to St Joseph’s Church.
OCTOBER – Month of the Rosary
October is designated as the "Month of the Rosary" because we celebrate the Feast of ‘Our Lady of the Rosary’ on 7th October.
Pope Leo XIV is inviting the faithful to join in praying the Rosary every day during October to invoke God’s gift of peace in war-torn lands “I invite everyone, each day of the coming month, to pray the Rosary for peace—personally, in the family, and in community.”
NEW DIOCESE OF PORTSMOUTH WEBSITE! Our diocese has this week launched its new website. Please go to –https://portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
Did you know?
Cremation – Did you know? The Instruction of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: Ad resurgendum cum Christo - regarding the burial of the deceased and the conservation of the ashes in the case of cremation, states:
1. When, for legitimate motives, cremation of the body has been chosen, the ashes of the faithful must be laid to rest in a sacred place, that is, in a cemetery or, in certain cases, in a church or an area, which has been set aside for this purpose, and so dedicated by the competent ecclesial authority.
2. In order that every appearance of pantheism, naturalism or nihilism be avoided, it is not permitted to scatter the ashes of the faithful departed in the air, on land, at sea or in some other way, nor may they be preserved in mementos,
pieces of jewellery or other objects.
‘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:
