Sunday 21st December: FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Year A.
St. Joseph’s loving, responsive obedience to God is modelled for us in Matthew’s Gospel.
This obedience is the central theme of today’s readings, with special emphasis on the Virgin Birth of Jesus.
Masses at 8.30am and 11.00am.
Parish Christmas Collection 2025: As an alternative to donating via the ‘plate’ collection at the Christmas Masses,
the following link can also be used to make the traditional Christmas clergy offering:
There is a Pastoral Letter from Bishop Philip about vocations to the priesthood which can also be found here
Those wishing to respond to the bishop’s invitation to meet at 3pm on the afternoon of Sunday 4th January 2026 in Portsmouth are asked to scan the QR code found on this newsletter with their mobile camera.
Tea and coffee will be served in the church after the 8.30am & 11am Masses
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 22nd December: Liturgy of 22nd December No Mass today.
Tuesday 23rd December: Liturgy of 23rd December
Mass at 10.00am.
Wednesday 24th December: CHRISTMAS EVE. No Mass at 10.00am.
THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD: Children’s Christmas Vigil Mass at 6.30pm.
Christmas Night Mass at 11.00pm - (Starting with carols at 10.30pm).
Thursday 25th December: CHRISTMAS DAY.
Masses at 8.30am and 11.00am.
Friday 26th December: ST STEPHEN, the First Martyr, feast
.NB Mass at 12 noon.
Saturday 27th December: ST JOHN, Apostle, Evangelist, feast.
Mass at 10.00am followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions.
AND A FINAL THOUGHT: …
“No love that in a family dwells, no carolling in frosty air, nor all the steeple-shaking bells can with this single Truth compare
That God was man in Palestine and lives today in Bread and Wine.”
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).
CRIB COLLECTION 2025.
Offerings at the crib this year will go to ‘The Friends of the Holy Land’.
This charity will support Christians in Israel and Gaza in these very testing times when they have suffered greatly. CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES
24th December – 6.30pm Children’s Christmas Vigil Mass with the Music Group
11.00pm Christmas Night Mass (Starting with carols at 10.30pm).
25th December – Christmas Day Masses at 08.30am and 11.00am.
26th December (St Stephen’s Day) Mass at 12 noon.
NEW REFURBISHED PARISH HALL: With work almost concluded, our car park’s full capacity has been reclaimed with scaffolding and the temporary toilet cabin now removed.
This Sunday at least one toilet should be available in the hall for use. Your patience and forbearance since the project began in May are appreciated. It is hoped that the hall will be available for use from new year!
NEURODIVERSITY AND OUR FAITH RESEARCH: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales and Birmingham Newman University are conducting research into Neurodiversity and our Faith. They would like to hear from any adult neurodivergent Catholics or caregivers of neurodivergent Catholics as their experiences will help the Conference become more inclusive and responsive to their needs.
To find out more and to complete the short surveys,
please visit: www.godwhospeaks.uk/neurodivergent-catholic-surveys
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:
