Weather permitting, Masses will commence outside the church with the blessing of palms. What we commemorate and relive during this week is not just Jesus’ dying and rising, but our own dying and rising in Jesus, which will result in our healing, reconciliation, and redemption.
Attentive participation in the Holy Week liturgies will deepen our relationship with God, increase our faith, and strengthen our lives as disciples of Jesus.
Masses at 8.30am and 11.00am
From the Diocese – Easter Offerings: As is customary at Easter, offerings can be made directly to your parish clergy through the plate,
or card pad collection at Easter Sunday Masses, or via the following link specifically for Saint Joseph's, Newbury -
Click here for the Families of Faith newsletter for April
Fr Padraig Faughnan’s Funeral: His Requiem Mass will be at 11.00am on Wednesday 15th April at St Joseph’s.
His body will be received into the church at 4.30pm the previous afternoon – all welcome for the short rite of reception.
The Funeral Directors have set up an on-line ‘Tribute Page’ of photographs. If you have good photos of Fr Pat, please forward them to - peter@wbfd.co.uk
(The 08:30 Mass is always available to view on our You Tube Channel - follow the link below)
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 30th March: Monday of Holy Week No Mass today
Tuesday 31st March: Tuesday of Holy Week. No Mass today due to the Chrism Mass (Portsmouth).
There is a 10.00am Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Thatcham, today.
Wednesday 1st April: Wednesday of Holy Week
Mass at 10.00am
Thursday 2nd April: HOLY THURSDAY Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7.30pm (i.e. no 10.00am)
followed by watching at the Altar of Repose until 10.00pm.
Friday 3rd April: GOOD FRIDAY
10.00am Stations of The Cross; 10.30am-11.00am Confessions 3pm the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion
Saturday 4th April: HOLY SATURDAY
11.30am Service of the Blessing of Easter Food 8.00pm THE EASTER VIGIL
Sunday 5th April - Lords Resurrection Masses at 8.30am and 11.00am.
. AND A FINAL THOUGHT: …
In the stillness of Holy Week, let your heart awaken to the whispers of grace.
If you would like to receive a copy of this newsletter by email each week, please contact the parish office. office@stjosephsnewbury.org.uk
Bishop’s Statement on Decriminalisation of Abortion: Last week, the House of Lords backed legislation to decriminalise abortions up to birth.
The current legal limit of 24 weeks will remain for doctor-induced abortions, but it will soon be legal for mothers themselves to abort their unborn child at any moment up to full term. When first legalised in 1967, abortions in England and Wales were few, yet by the end of the 1990s, almost 175,000 a year were taking place. Today there are over 300,000 a year – one in every three babies conceived. Abortion has been normalised. As Catholics, we know that every human being has been created and willed by God.
We must calmly but insistently work to protect the unborn child in the womb and to protect women from abortion.
We must continue to witness to the truth about human life and campaign to change people’s hearts and minds. Bishop Philip’s full statement can be found here
Tuesday 31st March: N.B. No 10.00am Mass today at St Joseph’s. There is a 10.00am Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Thatcham, today.
Tuesday 31st March 11.00am THE CHRISM MASS at St John’s Cathedral, Portsmouth.
This Mass is one of the principal expressions of the fullness of the bishop’s priesthood and signifies the closeness of priests and deacons with him.
At this Mass, the Oil of Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick are blessed, and the Sacred Chrism is consecrated for use during the coming year. All are welcome.
Wednesday 1st April: 10.00am Mass. 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.
2nd – 4th April: THE EASTER TRIDUUM - The three big liturgies on these days are effectively one single Act of Worship over Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Vigil on
Holy Saturday where catechumens and candidates are received into full communion with the Catholic Church.
We are encouraged, if possible, to attend the whole act of worship – the Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:30pm, Liturgy of Good Friday at 3:00pm, and the Holy Saturday Vigil starting at 8:00pm.
Thursday 2nd April: 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.
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
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
TEACHING POINT: The Church uses veils on crosses and statues during the final two weeks of the season of Lent to draw attention to the fact that something very beautiful is hidden from view, but not permanently.
The unveiling before the Easter Vigil is a great reminder that we live in a ‘veiled’ world, in exile from our true home. It is only through our own death that the veil is lifted and we are finally able to see the true beauty of everything.
‘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.
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