Sunday 27th April: 2nd SUNDAY OF EASTER (DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY) - YEAR C.
Masses at 8.30am and 11.00am.
Following the death of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, Bishop Philip has written a Pastoral Letter which will be read out at Masses this Sunday
We join with Bishop Philip and the diocese in mourning the death of Pope Francis and give thanks for his life of great service
Monday 28th April: St George, Patron of England, Solemnity (transferred). No Mass today.
Tuesday 29th April: St Catherine of Siena, Religious & Doctor of the Church – Patron of Europe
Mass at 10.00am.
Wednesday 30th April: Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Easter.
Mass at 10.00am.
Thursday 1st May: Thursday of the 2nd Week of Easter, or, St Joseph the Worker
Mass at 10.00am.
Friday 2nd May: St Athanasius, Bishop & Doctor of the Church N.B. No 10.00am Mass today – 11.00am Requiem Mass for Alan Hobbs RIP.
Saturday 3rd May: Ss Philip & James, Apostles, feast.
Mass at 10.00am.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions follow 10.00am Mass.
AND A FINAL THOUGHT:
The joyful news that Christ is risen does not change the contemporary world; still before us lie work, discipline, sacrifice.
The fact of Easter, however, is what gives us the spiritual power to do the work, accept the discipline, and make the sacrifice.
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!
Sunday 27th April: 2nd SUNDAY OF EASTER – ‘DIVINE MERCY’ SUNDAY. 3pm Divine Mercy Service at Our Lady of Lourdes, Hungerford, for the Pastoral Area, with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament,
the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and opportunity for Confession with priests from our parishes.
All Welcome.
Wednesday 30th April: 12.30 – 2pm: The church is open on Wednesday afternoon for quiet prayer and reflection.
All are welcome at any time whilst the church is open.
Thursday 1st May: 4pm Reception into the church of the body of Alan Hobbs.
All are welcome to attend this brief rite.
Friday 2nd May: No 10.00am Mass or recitation of the Holy Rosary today.
11.00am Requiem Mass for Alan Hobbs RIP.
REFURBISHMENT OF THE PARISH HALL: The building works are scheduled to start on 6th May. Please be aware that the number of parking spaces at Church will
be reduced until the work is completed in the autumn. At weekends and on Holy Days younger members of the congregation and those with teenage children are asked to park in neighbouring streets and nearby car parks, leaving the reduced parking spaces at Church for older parishioners, the disabled and families with young children.
NEW ROLE FOR FR MICHAEL: Bishop Philip has announced the appointment of Fr Michael as the new ‘Episcopal Vicar for Religious’ for Portsmouth diocese.
This role involves liaison on behalf of the bishop with members of all Religious Orders in the diocese, especially where they undertake pastoral activity for the diocese.
ST JOSEPH’S PARISH HALL: The hall is often available for your bookings for social events, classes, or activities. Reasonable hire rates.
Please contact Anne Paice to book on email: annepaice62@yahoo.co.uk
TEACHING POINT:
The General Instruction on the Roman Missal: “A genuflection, made by bending the right knee to the ground, signifies adoration, and therefore it is reserved for the Most Blessed Sacrament, as well as for the Holy Cross from the solemn adoration during the liturgical celebration on Good Friday until the beginning of the Easter Vigil … All who pass before the Most Blessed Sacrament genuflect, unless they are moving in procession” (No. 274).
When we enter church, we enter God’s house. Genuflecting before the tabernacle acknowledges God as our host, and expresses thanks for the invitation that draws us into communion with his Son.
‘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:
