Sunday 14th September: THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
Masses at 8.30am and 11.00am.
The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross helps us appreciate better the importance of the symbol and reality of Christ’s sacrificial love,
namely, the cross in the daily life of every Christian.
This feast is also celebrated to memorialize the first installation of the remnants of the true
cross of Jesus in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Mount Calvary.
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 15th September: Our Lady of Sorrows No Mass today
Tuesday 16th September: Ss Cornelius, Pope, & Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs
Mass at 10.00am.
Wednesday 17th September: Feria of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time
Mass at 10.00am.
Thursday 18th September: Feria of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time
Mass at 10.00am.
Friday 19th September: Feria of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time
Mass at 10.00am.
Saturday 20th September: St Andrew Kim Taegon, Priest, St Paul Chong Hasang & Companions, Martyrs
Mass at 10.00am
followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions.
AND A FINAL THOUGHT: …The person who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd.
The person who walks alone is likely to find themselves in places no one has been before.
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!
REFURBISHMENT OF THE PARISH HALL: The building works are well underway. Since parking spaces are now fewer, please allow priority for older parishioners, the disabled and families with young children.
N.B. If attempting to park in Hawthorn Road, opposite the church, you may be subject to parking fines (please check parking signage carefully).
Wednesday 17th September: 10.00am Mass – we will be joined by Year 5 children from St Joseph’s School.
Wednesday 17th September
12 noon – 1pm: Prayers for Unity in the Church at St Joseph’s as part of Newbury Prayer Week marked by CTNA, the Churches Together in Newbury Area.
See poster in church for the times and venues of other prayers across the Newbury churches this week.
All are welcome.
1pm – 2pm: The church will then remain open for quiet prayer and reflection.
All are welcome at any time whilst the church is open.
7pm – 8.30pm Choir Rehearsal in the church. Newcomers are welcome to come along and see – without commitment – if they would like to join.
All welcome!
300 Club Lottery 2025/2026: Thank you to everyone who has already bought tickets for the Lottery
Your tickets are available to collect from the back of church
September: Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary
. By custom, September is the month of meditation on the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady. Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows became a devotion in the 14th century, revealed to St. Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373), and consists in praying seven Hail Mary’s while meditating on the Seven Sorrows of Mary which are:
1. The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34-35);
2.
The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-21);
3. The Loss of Jesus for 3 Days (Luke 2:41-50);
4. The Carrying of the Cross (John 19:17);
5.
The Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:18-30);
6. Jesus Taken Down from the Cross (John 19:39-40);
7. Jesus Laid in the Tomb (John 19:39-42).
NEW DIOCESE OF PORTSMOUTH WEBSITE! Our diocese has this week launched its new website. Please go to –https://portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
Sunday 7th September: 23rd Sunday – Year C. The Canonisation to Sainthood by Pope Leo takes place this morning in Rome for Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (patron of Youth for our diocese). Carlo was born in 1991 in London and died in 2006 from leukaemia at age 15, A passionate web developer and evangelist, he created a popular website cataloguing Eucharistic miracles from around the world. Pier Giorgio Frassati, born in 1901 in Turin, Italy, died at 24 from polio contracted while caring for the poor. An avid mountain climber and activist, he is beloved for his dynamic blend of spiritual fervour and social commitment.
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:
