New Parish Priest for St Joseph’s from 1st November: As announced at Masses last Sunday, upon Fr Michael’s departure for St Peter’s Parish, Winchester,
Fr Jamie McGrath will be arriving as new parish priest for St Joseph’s on 1st November upon leaving Abingdon.
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 14th September: THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS, feast No Mass today
Tuesday 15th September: Our Lady of Sorrows, memorial Mass at 10:00am
Wednesday 16th September: Ss Cornelius, Pope, & Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs, memorial Mass at 10.00am
Thursday 17th September: Feria of 24th Week in Ordinary Time, or St Hildegard of Bingen, Religious, Doctor of the Church, optional memorial Mass at 10.00am
Friday 18th September: Feria of 24th Week in Ordinary Time Mass at 10.00am
Saturday 19th September: Our Lady on Saturday, or St Januarius, Bishop, Martyr, optional memorial
Mass at 10.00am followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions.
AND A FINAL THOUGHT: …
The measure of a life is not what you consume, but what you contribute. Spend less time owning, consuming, taking. Spend more time giving, creating, making.
If you would like to receive a copy of this newsletter by email each week, please contact the parish office. office@stjosephsnewbury.org.uk
New St Joseph’s Parish Administrator & Hall Manager: Rachel Coutinho has now begun her role and can be contacted by email
rcoutinho@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk and through the parish email address. Welcome!
Thursday 17th September: 10.30am Mothers/Grandmothers' Prayers will resume as from today at Newbury Grove Care Home, 370 London Road, Newbury, RG14 2QH
to pray for the needs of our children and grandchildren, many of whom have lapsed from the faith.
New attendees welcome. For more information speak to Elizabeth Matias or Fr Michael.
77th Anniversary of the Consecration of St Joseph's Church on 13th September 1949!
Our readings today concern forgiving those who wound us and being reconciled with them.
All remind us of the path to forgiveness, mercy, and reconciliation and challenge us to walk the Way to Life.
Monday 14th September: 7.30pm Meeting for Parents and Candidates who have enrolled in the Confirmation Preparation Programme 2026-27.
This will be held in St Joseph's Parish Hall.
Wednesday 16th September: 7:30pm RCIA – Journey in Faith.
The second session will be held in St Francis de Sales’ Parish Hall for those enrolled on the RCIA programme 2026-27.
Friday 18th September: 2.30pm Film Matinée in St Joseph's Hall, Film TBC. All Welcome!
Sycamore Course: Those recently received into the Church, and Catholics wishing to learn more about their faith are welcome to join Sycamore - a course crafted by Bishop Elect Stephen Wang.
The first meeting will be on Tuesday 22nd September at 7.30pm in the parish hall at St Francis de Sales', Wash Common.
It would help with planning to notify the parish office. washcommon@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk.
Meetings will be generally fortnightly on Tuesday's. Further details to follow.
Film and Supper Night – Friday 25th September: A chilli-con-carne and baked potato supper will accompany a showing of the recent film, 'Conclave' at 7pm in St Joseph's Hall.
Tickets will be sold for the supper (£15).
Limited availability of about 40 - available shortly. Names to Marion Shaw.
‘Repair Café’ – Sunday 27th September: 2.00pm – 4:30pm Methodist Church Hall, Northbrook Street. Repair Café has saved over 2000 items from waste processing,
continuing to reduce waste in West Berkshire and helping many also to save money and revive well-loved items. Bring your items for repair!
Date for your diary - Saturday 10 October 2026: A Concert by the Cantemus Choir will take place in St Joseph's Church at 7.30pm. Varied programme to be announced.
A previously very successful concert by the choir took place in 2025, which helped raise funds for the parish.
Nearer the date, please consider volunteering your assistance on the evening to help sell tickets on the door, and to serve refreshments!
RCIA PROGRAMME 2026-27: Are you interested in exploring the Catholic faith? The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program begins on Wednesday 9th September at 7.30 pm in the St Francis de Sales’ Parish Hall, Wash Common. This joint Pastoral Area journey of prayer, learning and spiritual growth. It is open to unbaptised adults, Christians from other traditions, baptised Catholics who missed their First Communion or Confirmation, or anyone simply curious to learn more. To find out more or register, please speak to Fr Michael or email Francis Connolly at fjcon@btinternet.com.
CENTENARY of St Joseph’s Church 2027: Next year is the centenary of the building of our parish church in 1927! We wish to mark this milestone with events, celebrations and initiatives next year. Thoughts and ideas are invited, and it is hoped to form a Centenary Committee to plan our celebrations
. Please share your interest and ideas with Fr Michael and the Parish Office! 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. 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
‘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:
