Today is called Gaudete Sunday because today’s Mass begins with the opening antiphon: “Gaudete in Domino semper,” i.e., “Rejoice in the Lord always.” So, to express our joy at the coming of Jesus as our Saviour into our hearts and lives, we light the rose candle in the Advent wreath, and the priest wears a rose-coloured vestment.
There is a Pastoral Letter from Bishop Philip today about vocations to the priesthood which can also be found here
Those wishing to respond to the bishop’s invitation to meet at 3pm on the afternoon of Sunday 4th January 2026 in Portsmouth are asked to scan the QR code found on this newsletter with their mobile camera.
(ADVENT & CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES ACROSS OUR PASTORAL AREA)
Tuesday 16th December: PASTORAL AREA PENITENTIAL SERVICE 7.30pm at St Joseph’s Church.
Your opportunity to make your Confession before Christmas with a variety of priests present to hear them.
(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 15th December: Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent No Mass today
Tuesday 16th December: Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent
Mass at 10.00am.
Wednesday 17th December: Liturgy of the 17th December, ‘O Wisdom’
Mass at 10.00am
Thursday 18th December: Liturgy of the 18th December, ‘O Adonai’.
Mass at 10.00am
Friday 19th December: Liturgy of the 19th December, ‘O Root of Jesse’.
Mass at 10.00am
Saturday 20th December: Liturgy of the 20th December, ‘O Key of David’.
Mass at 10.00am followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions.
AND A FINAL THOUGHT: …
AND A FINAL THOUGHT: “It is the beautiful act of Advent to awaken the memories of good in each of us, and thus to open the doors of hope.” Pope Benedict XVI
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).
Tuesday 16th December: PASTORAL AREA PENITENTIAL SERVICE 7.30pm at St Joseph’s Church.
Your opportunity to make your Confession before Christmas with a variety of priests present to hear them.
Wednesday 17th December: 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.as usual on Wednesday next week.
Thursday 18th December: 10.30am Grand/Mothers’ Prayers every Thursday at Newbury Grove Care Home, 370 London Rd, Newbury RG14 2QH
to pray for the needs of our children and grandchildren, and for a strengthening of faith.
New attendees are particularly welcome at present. For more information speak with Fr Michael or Elizabeth Matias after Mass.
Saturday 20th December: 12 noon – An additional Mass will be celebrated at St Joseph’s for the Lithuanian Community in the local area. All are welcome.
PARISH AUDIT: St Joseph’s Parish underwent an audit on 26th November instigated by the diocese – but conducted by an external auditor. This is standard practise for parishes every few years. I am happy to report that the audit went very well – thanks to the hard work of our Parish Treasurer, Teresa Brown, who did a great deal of work in preparing for the audit inspection. On behalf of the whole parish, I wish to thank Teresa for all the voluntary work she does throughout the year, and in ensuring our success at the audit. My thanks, too, to Tracey Goodall who oversees our parish Gift Aid – a vital source of extra parish income – and Phil Hobbs, Chair of our Parish Finance Committee.
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES
24th December – 6.30pm Children’s Christmas Vigil Mass with the Music Group
11.00pm Christmas Night Mass (Starting with carols at 10.30pm).
25th December – Christmas Day Masses at 08.30am and 11.00am.
26th December (St Stephen’s Day) Mass at 12 noon.
Parish Christmas Collection 2025: As an alternative to donating via the ‘plate’ collection at the Christmas Masses,
the following link can also be used to make the traditional Christmas clergy offering:
NEW REFURBISHED PARISH HALL: With work almost concluded, our car park’s full capacity has been reclaimed with scaffolding and the temporary toilet cabin now removed.
This Sunday at least one toilet should be available in the hall for use. Your patience and forbearance since the project began in May are appreciated. It is hoped that the hall will be available for use from new year!
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:
