Sunday 26th October: THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Masses at 8.30am and 11.00am.
True humility and repentance for our sins must be the hallmark of our prayers. However, the central focus of today’s parable is not on prayer itself, but rather on the evil of pride, the need for true humility,
and the role of God’s grace in our salvation.
Saturday 25th October: N.B. The clocks go back 1 hour overnight. You can be extra early for Mass on Sunday!
(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 27th October: Feria of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time No Mass today.
Tuesday 28th October: Ss SIMON & JUDE, apostles, feast
Mass at 10.00am.
Wednesday 29th October: Feria of 30th Week in Ordinary Time
Mass at 10.00am.
Thursday 30th October: Feria of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time
Mass at 10.00am.
Friday 31st October: Feria of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time
Mass at 10.00am.
Saturday 1st November: Our Lady on Saturday, or Feria of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time
Mass at 10.00am followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions.
AND A FINAL THOUGHT: …
Imagination is said to be more important than knowledge, for knowledge is limited, but imagination encircles the world.
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 29th October: 12.30pm – 2pm: The church will be open for quiet prayer and reflection.
All are welcome at any time whilst the church is open
Thursday 30th October: 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 because, owing to illness, numbers from our Church are down and help is needed to assist the very frail ladies from the Care Home to take part in our brief worship.
For more information speak with Fr Michael or Elizabeth Matias after Mass.
Saturday 1st November: 12 noon: An additional Mass will be celebrated for the Lithuanian Community in the local area.
N.B. The Feast of All Saints is moved to 2nd November.
Sunday 2nd November: THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS. BAMENDA SUNDAY. On the first Sunday of November we celebrate the link between our diocese and the archdiocese of Bamenda in Cameroon.
There will be a second collection for Bamenda at Masses on 2nd November or donations can be made on-line at portsmouthdiocese.org.uk/bamenda/donate/
OCTOBER – Month of the Rosary
October is designated as the "Month of the Rosary" because we celebrate the Feast of ‘Our Lady of the Rosary’ on 7th October.
Pope Leo XIV is inviting the faithful to join in praying the Rosary every day during October to invoke God’s gift of peace in war-torn lands “I invite everyone, each day of the coming month, to pray the Rosary for peace—personally, in the family, and in community.”
November – Month of the Holy Souls: As November's time of remembrance of our dead is imminent,
envelopes are available in church in which to place names of deceased parents, relatives, friends and all for whom you wish to pray. Their names will be placed on the altar and Holy Mass will be offered for them during the month of November. In front of the altar, you can complete names of the deceased to be placed in special envelopes.
Return envelopes to the church or presbytery with your Mass offering.
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:
