ST. JOSEPH’S PARISH, NEWBURY
2nd SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS - YEAR A
This is the second Sunday of the 12 days of Christmas.
Today’s Gospel text from John Chapter 1 focuses on the mystery of the incarnation in which “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
” We are to listen to God’s voice and follow where he leads. Like the servant, like Paul, and like John, we are sent to share hope with others.
Masses at 8.30am and 11.00am.
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:
From Fr Michael – ‘Thank you!’ – I would like to express my profound thanks to everyone who has been so very kind and generous to me over the Christmas period. Your greetings, cards, gifts, and Christmas offerings have been truly overwhelming this year, and I am so grateful to everyone – not least all those who gave of their time and talents to enhance our church and its liturgies, and to support me.
Please accept my apologies for not being able to thank everyone personally!
There is a Pastoral Letter from Bishop Philip this week - click 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.
(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 5th January: Monday of Christmastide before Epiphany No Mass today
Tuesday 6th January: THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD (Holy Day of Obligation), solemnity
Masses at 10.00am and 7.30pm
Wednesday 7th January: Wednesday of Christmastide after Epiphany
Mass at 10.00am
Thursday 8th January: Thursday of Christmastide after Epiphany
Mass at 10.00am
Friday 9th January: Friday of Christmastide after Epiphany
Mass at 10.00am
Saturday 10th January: Saturday of Christmastide after Epiphany
Mass at 10.00am followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions
. AND A FINAL THOUGHT: …
The New Year is a blank page, waiting for us to write our story. With each day, we have the chance to turn the page towards a brighter, bolder chapter.
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).
CRIB COLLECTION 2025.
Offerings at the crib this year will go to ‘The Friends of the Holy Land’.
This charity will support Christians in Israel and Gaza in these very testing times when they have suffered greatly. Tuesday 6th January: THE SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY (Holy Day of Obligation) Masses at 10am and 7.30pm.
In the Western Church, the Feast of the Epiphany celebrates Jesus’ first appearance to the Gentiles, represented by the Magi, while in the Eastern Church, the Epiphany event is celebrated in the commemoration of the Baptism of Christ when the Father and the Holy Spirit gave combined testimony to Jesus’ identity as Son of God. Later, in the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus revealed himself as the promised Messiah, and at Cana Jesus revealed his Divinity by transforming water into wine.
The Church celebrates all these ‘epiphany’ events on this Feast of Epiphany.
Wednesday 7th January: 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 8th January: 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 10th January: 10.00am – 12 noon: First Holy Communion Program Children’s Learning Session & Celebration of their first Sacrament of Reconciliation
in St Joseph’s Hall and Church followed by a celebration lunch from 12 noon – 1pm.
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:
