ST. JOSEPH’S PARISH, NEWBURY
Sunday 11th January: THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD, feast, Year A.
PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO RECORDING OF THE 08:30 MASS ON 11TH JANUARY.
The Baptism of the Lord is the great event celebrated by the Eastern Churches on the feast of Epiphany because it is the occasion of the first public revelation of all the Three Persons in the Holy Trinity, and the official revelation of Jesus as the Son of God to the world by God the Father. Hence, it is described by all four Gospels.
It marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.
Masses at 8.30am and 11.00am.
From Fr Michael – ‘Thank you!’ – I would like to express my profound thanks to everyone who has been so very kind and generous to me over the Christmas period. Your greetings, cards, gifts, and Christmas offerings have been truly overwhelming this year, and I am so grateful to everyone – not least all those who gave of their time and talents to enhance our church and its liturgies, and to support me.
Please accept my apologies for not being able to thank everyone personally!
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.
Tuesday 13th January: 7.30pm Meeting of the Parish Finance Committee in the Parish Hall.
Wednesday 14th January: 10.00am Mass today is a REQUIEM MASS for Jean O’Neill RIP.
Open Church 12.30pm – 2pm. The church will be open for quiet prayer and reflection.
All are welcome at any time while the church is open.
Thursday 15th January: 10.00am Mass – We will be joined by the Year 6 children from St Joseph’s School
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 are particularly welcome at present. For more information speak with Fr Michael or Elizabeth Matias after Mass.
IT Email issues: Issues continue with emailing those parishioners who have email addresses ending with: yahoo.co.uk; aol.com; me.com; sky.com; mac.com; and some icloud addresses. Messages are notified as ‘undeliverable’
. The diocesan IT department are trying to resolve issue, but it appears that some issues may also lie with your email provider.
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:
