From the Diocese - Easter Offerings: as is customary at Easter, offerings can be made directly to your parish clergy through the plate collection on Easter Sunday Masses,
or via the following link specifically for St Joseph’s, Newbury
Tuesday 26th March: Tuesday of Holy Week Mass at 10.00am.
Wednesday 27th March: Wednesday of Holy Week Mass at 10.00am.
Thursday 28th March: MAUNDY THURSDAY. No 10.00am Mass. 7.30pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper.
Friday 29th March: GOOD FRIDAY. Stations of the Cross at 10.00am. The Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 3.00pm.
Saturday 30th March: HOLY SATURDAY. 10-11.00am Confessions; 11.30am - Polish Service of the Blessing of Bread THE EASTER VIGIL at 8.00pm.
Sunday 31st March: EASTER SUNDAY Masses at 8.30am and 11.00am.
30th/31st March N.B. Please remember that the clocks go forward one hour tonight!
AND A FINAL THOUGHT: Suffering is the soil in which compassion and empathy grow
If you would like to receive a copy of this newsletter by email each week, please contact the parish office. office@stjosephsnewbury.org.uk
NEW SOCIAL INITIATIVE!! Following a suggestion by volunteers, tea and coffee will now also be served in the hall after the 08.30am Mass! Thanks to all those are prepared to help facilitate this.
All are encouraged to take this opportunity to forge new contacts and friendships with fellow worshippers, and all are very welcome.
8.30am Mass: Baby and toddler group in the parish hall after this Mass, alongside the tea and coffee gathering. This is a great opportunity for young families to connect, and for little ones to get to know each other. All are welcome! If interested, please come along (perhaps with a couple of toys you don’t mind the little ones sharing).
For more details, please contact Katie at katie.dyson@gmail.com
Tuesday 26th March: 11.00am: The Chrism Mass at St John’s Cathedral, Portsmouth. The Chrism Mass is one of the principal expressions of the fullness of the bishop’s priesthood and signifies the closeness of the priests with him.
At this Mass, the Oil of the Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick are blessed, the Sacred Chrism is consecrated for use during the coming year.
Wednesday 27th March: 12.30-2pm: The church will be open for an hour and a half on Wednesday afternoon for quiet prayer and reflection.
All are welcome to come along at any time whilst the church is open.
Wednesday 27th March:7.15pm - Bible Study with Fr Peter Codd at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Hungerford. All are welcome.
28th -30th March: THE EASTER TRIDUUM - The three big liturgies on these days are effectively one single Act of Worship over Maundy 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 Maundy Thursday Mass at 7.30pm, Liturgy of Good Friday at 3.00pm, and the Holy Saturday Vigil starting at 8.00pm.
Lenten Priority: ‘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.
MARCH – MONTH OF ST JOSEPH:
Looking to his feast on Tuesday, 19th March, we reflect on his unique role e.g. Matt 1:18-25 “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do.” What must have gone through his mind? Imagine the prayers he must have offered to God, and then the resolution to act. A prayer to St Joseph: Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage, and defend us from every evil.
Amen.
TEACHING POINT The Church uses veils on crosses and statues in 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.
‘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 talk last Sunday 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.
IT EXPERIENCE, IDEAS. OR EXPERTISE?
If you feel you can contribute your knowledge to help the parish update its digital profile and website, or simply have ideas about new initiatives,
please speak to Father Michael! Email Fr. Michael
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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