This last Sunday of Easter offers us a prayerful pause between the great feasts of Ascension and Pentecost.
There is a spirit of anticipation and encouragement throughout the liturgy. Jesus prays to the Father for himself, his disciples, and all believers.
Masses at 8.30am and 11.00am
PLEASE NOTE THERE WILL NOT BE A RECORDED MASS ON 17TH MAY ONLY.
Wednesday 20th May: Year 4 join us for 10.00am Mass. Thursday 21st May: 10.30am Grand/Mothers’ Prayers every Thursday
at Newbury Grove Care Home, 370 London Rd, Newbury RG14 2QH.
For more information, speak with Fr Michael or Elizabeth Matias after Mass.
Thursday 21st May: Year 6 children join us for 10.00am Mass today.
Thursday 21st May:11.00am-2pm Free NHS Health Checks for those aged 30-74 years available in St Joseph’s Parish Hall
offered by ‘Solutions for Health’ i.e. checks for blood pressure, diabetes, heart and kidney disease etc. and personalised lifestyle advice offered. Referrals to your GP if required. Open Church: Many thanks to Rosie Byrne for kindly arranging and supervising the weekly Open Church sessions over the past few years.
If you would like to volunteer to take over this important role, please speak to Fr Michael. For the time being, there will be no Open Church sessions on Wednesdays.
CENTENARY of St Joseph’s Church 2027: Next year will see the centenary of the building of our parish church in 1927! Clearly, we wish to mark this milestone with events, celebrations and initiatives next year.
Thoughts and ideas are encouraged, and it is hoped to then form a Centenary Committee to plan our celebrations. Please share your interest and ideas with Fr Michael and the Parish Office!
St Joseph’s Hall: If you are interested in hiring St Joseph’s Hall for an occasion or a class, please contact the parish office to enquire about availability, and to book.
A provisional cost of £25 per hour has been set at present, subject to confirming the new heating and utility costs following the hall’s major refurbishment.
Office Tel: 01635 40167; E-mail office@stjosephsnewbury.org.uk
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
MAY – Mary’s Month: May is known traditionally among Catholics as ‘Mary’s Month,’ a specific month of the year when devotions are made in honour of the Blessed Mother. In ancient Greece and Rome, the month of May was dedicated to pagan goddesses connected to fertility and springtime. This, combined with other rituals commemorating the new season of Spring, led many to view May as a month of life and motherhood. In some parts of the early Church, there was a major feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrated on the 15th May, but it was not until the eighteenth century that the month of May received a particular association with Our Lady. In 1945, Pope Pius XII classed May as a Marian month when he established the feast of the Queenship of Mary on 31st May. After Vatican II, this feast was moved to 22nd August, but 31st May became instead the Feast of the Visitation of Mary.
This May, let us frequently call on the help of Mary’s prayers, especially by attending Mass and by reciting the Rosary.
‘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:
