The central theme today explores how death, and the hope of our resurrection, challenges us to be alive to spiritual hope.
Jesus challenges us, so that he may raise us up at our death to inherit eternal life with him.
Masses at 8.30am and 11.00am.
Following 11.00am Mass: New Parish Hall Celebration Shared Lunch.
We will enjoy a shared lunch together in our newly refurbished hall to celebrate its completion.
All welcome!
Tuesday 24th March 7.30pm: LENT PENITENTIAL SERVICE in St Joseph’s Church for the parishes in the Pastoral Area.
This is your opportunity to make your confession before Easter.
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 23rd March: Monday of the 5th Week of Lent
No Mass today.
Tuesday 24th March: Tuesday of the 5th Week of Lent
Mass at 10.00am.
7.30pm: LENT PENITENTIAL SERVICE in St Joseph’s Church for the parishes in the Pastoral Area
Wednesday 25th March: THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD
Mass at 10.00am.
Thursday 26th March: Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent
Mass at 10.00am.
Friday 27th March: Friday of the 5th Week of Lent
Mass at 10.00am.
Saturday 28th March: Saturday of the 5th Week of Lent.
Mass at 10.00am followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions
. AND A FINAL THOUGHT: …
A smile is a curve that sets most things straight
If you would like to receive a copy of this newsletter by email each week, please contact the parish office. office@stjosephsnewbury.org.uk
Tuesday 24th March: 12noon – 2pm: Palm Cross Making Workshops in St Joseph’s Hall from 12noon – 2pm (also Thursday 26th 11am – 1pm).
If you are interested in learning how to make crosses from palms, please come along. All welcome.
Wednesday 25th March: (ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD) 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 26th March: 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.
Thursday 26th March 2.00pm Rededication of the Grave of Georgiana Douglas, buried in Newtown Road Cemetery, Newbury, on 26th March 1926.
She left the money to build St Joseph’s Church, and lies alongside her brother.
The Friends of Newtown Road Cemetery have recently funded the restoration of her grave, and at 2.00pm Fr Michael will dedicate the restored grave on the 100th anniversary of the day of her burial.
The Friends welcome you to refreshments in the Cemetery Chapel afterwards where they can share what they have discovered about Georgiana.
The Cemetery is situated in Newtown Road at RG14 7BT.
Friday 27th March: 10.30am Stations of the Cross will follow 10.00am Mass today.
Sunday 22nd March: New Parish Hall Celebration Shared Lunch. Following 11.00am Mass this Sunday we will enjoy a shared lunch together in our newly refurbished hall to celebrate its completion.
Please bring drinks (tea & coffee provided) and a savoury dish to share (list of ingredients attached – for allergy clarity). There will then be a ‘buffet’ for all to enjoy. 8.30am Mass attendees please inform Anne Robertson of your proposed contribution dish, and 11.00am Mass attendees please inform either Maureen Smith or Marian Shaw.
For dessert, cakes, scones with jam and cream will be provided and a small donation asked.
Tuesday 24th March: 7.30pm: LENT PENITENTIAL SERVICE in St Joseph’s Church for the parishes in the Pastoral Area.
This is your opportunity to make your Confession before Easter.
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
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:
