St Joseph's News and events

Added 22nd January 2012:

Parish Council meeting:

Our next meeting is Wednesday 22nd February. If there are any parish pastoral issues you would like raised at the meeting, please let Fr Pat or one of the members know in advance (Pauline Mason, Mike Colbert, Sr Margaret Daly, Brian Robbins, or Mark Healy). Minutes of meetings are posted on the notice board at the back of the church.

Tea & Coffee Rotas:

Are available at the back of the Church for next year. Thank you all very much to all who help in this very sociable activity.

Confirmation Programme 2012:

The third teaching session will be on Wednesday 8th February from 7.30pm until 9.00pm. Would all parents please ensure that all the candidates arrive on time, and are collected on time.

First Communion Programme 2012:

The next class for the First Communion children will be on Saturday, 25th February in the Church Hall from 10.00am until 12 noon. This will be followed by the children making their first Confession beginning at 12.00 noon. There will be a Theme Mass on Sunday 26th February at 11.00am. There will be a meeting for parents on Tuesday 21st February at 8.00pm in the Hall. This meeting should last an hour.

Added 1st January 2012:

Crib Offerings:

All monies given at the Christmas Crib will be given for the aim of providing Christian education in the Holy Land.  A total of £91 – 81p was given on Christmas Day.

The Christmas Collection:

Thank you all for your very generous Christmas Offerings.

Thank You:

To all who help in the parish in any way. Your efforts are very much appreciated by me and many others. Thank you all for your helpful support.

Confirmation Programme 2012:

The second teaching session will be on Wednesday 11th January from 7.30pm until 9.00pm. Would all parents please make sure that all the candidates arrive on time, and are collected on time.

First Communion Programme 2012:

The next class for the First Communion children will be on Saturday, 14th January in the Church Hall from 10.00am until 12 noon. Followed by the 11.00am Mass on Sunday 15th January.

Added 4th December:

ADVENT PENITENTIAL SERVICE:

Will be held here at St. Joseph’s at 8.00pm on Monday 19th December. There will be a number of priests to help with Confessions.
This is the last opportunity for Confession before Christmas.

Special SVP Christmas Collection:

Special SVP Christmas Collection: Will be taken at both Masses on Sunday, 11th December in aid of the SVP in its work of helping needy local families to enjoy some Christmas fayre and to cope with winter fuel bills. Although affluent, Newbury has a deal of ‘hidden poverty' which your generous support can help to alleviate; this year even more so due to the economic climate.

Added 27th November:

Times Of Advent/Christmas Services:

Are available at the entrances to the Church. I will also add them onto the website very soon.

Spirit of Christmas:

A concert of songs, readings and carols with Watership Cantabile will be held in the Church on Thursday 15th December at 8.00pm. Tickets are £5, with refreshments afterwards.

TOGETHER:

A new issue of The Together magazine is available from today (27th Nov)

The New Translation Of The Roman Missal:

The new translation of the Mass will start this Sunday, the 1st Sunday of Advent at the 8.30am Mass. Please remember to collect the laminated response sheets from the back of the Church. Please remember to put them back into the plastic boxes at the end of Mass.

Conformation Programme:

Has already started. The 1st teaching session will be on Wednesday 14th December from 7.30pm until 9.00pm.

Added 13th November:

Cafod Family Fast Day:

An acknowledgement and a letter of thank you has been received from CAFOD for the £612 – 64p that was raised on the Family Fast day recently. Thank you all very much.

Please Pray For:

The repose of the soul of Rosa Harvey, the mother of Monsignor Vincent Harvey, a former parish priest in the parish. She died during the past week. I have written to Monsignor Vincent, expressing our sadness and condolences. The 8.30am Mass on Sunday 27th November will be for the repose of her soul.

Confirmation Preparation 2012:

There will be a meeting for Parents and Candidates at St. Joseph's Church Hall on Wednesday 23rd November at 7.30pm. This is an introductory meeting to explain the Confirmation Programme. On Wednesday 30th November at 7.30pm, there will be ten pin bowling at Thatcham Superbowl. An opportunity for all the candidates to get to know one another. On Wednesday 14th December at 7.30pm, the first preparation session will be held at St. Joseph's Church Hall. All Preparation sessions will be finished by 9.00pm.

Car Parking Restrictions At Edwards Lifesciences:

The car park that we use across the road will be out of action, as a new cable is being installed in the building. West Berkshire will be traffic managing by the 18th November and C&W can gain access the weekend of the 26th November and the 3rd December. They would aim to complete all the works by the 7th January 2012. This delay is due to the Christmas break. If you use that car park, you are reminded that it is at your own risk and Edwards Lifesciences take no liability for loss or damage to property, persons or vehicles.

Added 6th November:

THE NEW TRANSLATION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL:

Has finally arrived, and I am studying and familiarising myself with them. Beginning on Sunday 6th November, I will go through the changes in the new translation with you all, instead of the homily. Please collect a laminated copy of the new translation as you arrive for Mass. They will be by the doors.

A MASS OF THANKSGIVING:

For the Bishop will be celebrated on Saturday 19th November at St. John’s Cathedral, Portsmouth at 11.00am. The parish has been allocated 6 tickets for this Mass. If anyone would like to attend, would they please contact Fr. Pat for a ticket.

Added 16th October:

The New Translation of The Roman Missal:

I am still waiting for the new edition of the Roman Missal. This Mass is supposed to be introduced by the First Sunday of Advent, which is six weeks away. When they do arrive, I will go through the changes in the new translation with you all.

First Communion Programme 2012:

Welcome to the First Communion candidates for their Theme Mass at 11.00am today. The next sessions for the First Communion children will be on Saturday 12th November in the Church Hall from 10.00am until 12 noon.

APF Red Boxes:

It’s the time to empty out the red boxes again! Please bring your box into church. Could you make sure your name is still clear on the label so it can be returned to you please?

Christian Aid Annual Jumble Sale:

Saturday 22nd October 10am – 12noon.  In the URC Hall, Cromwell Place (opposite M & S, Newbury).  Nearly new, book stalls, bric-a-brac and refreshments.  Admission 30p.

Added 3rd October:

CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY:

Is next Friday, 7th October. It is one of two Family Fast days for the catholic Fund for Overseas Development in the year. There are leaflets available at the various entrances to the Church.

1ST COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2012:

The next sessions will be for the 1st Communion Parents will be on Tuesday 11th October at 8.00pm in the Hall. This session will last for one hour, but it is important that all of the 1st Communion children are represented by an adult. The next session for the children will be on Saturday 15th October in the Church Hall from 10.00am until 12 noon.

THE CLERGY DIOCESAN RETREAT:

Will take place at Douai Abbey from Monday evening until Friday lunchtime. I will be attending it. The Retreat Director is Bishop John Crowley, the retired Bishop of Middlesborough. He gave my pre-ordination retreat 35 years ago. Bishop Crowley was baptised here in St. Joseph’s, Newbury.

Added 18th September:

The New Translation Of The Mass:

I have added a page to the website to summarise what we can expect to see with the New Translation of The Mass - click here

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Newbury: Mass for Former Pupils - St Joseph's Church, Newbury, Sunday 16th October 2011 at 11am

The second annual Mass for Former Pupils and Staff of St Joseph's Catholic Primary School will be at    11 a.m. on Sunday 16th October at St. Joseph's Church, Newbury. All former pupils, staff and governors are warmly invited. Refreshments will be served in the Parish Hall after the Mass. We look forward to seeing many of you. 

The New Translation of The Mass – The Mystery of Faith:

For Catholics, a ‘mystery’ is not a puzzle that cannot be solved.  It is a truth that is so deep that we know we’ll never be able to get to the bottom of it; a truth we’ll never completely be able to understand.  One example of this is our belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.  We believe that Christ is truly present but we can’t wholly explain it. The priest shows us the host and then the chalice.  Then he genuflects and says ‘The mystery of faith’. We continue with one of three responses. These are all different from the ones we have been used to and they come directly from the New Testament.  So when the priest says ‘The mystery of faith’ he is inviting us to welcome this Real Presence of Christ.  We then make our response, which we address to Christ.

Added 11th September:

The Bishop's Health

Bishop Crispian Hollis will be having key hole surgery next Monday morning 12th September at the QA Hospital, Portsmouth. He asks for your continued prayers, and he hopes to be back in Bishop's House by next Friday or Saturday.

Canon Zollo Memorial Fund

Thank you to all who have supported this fund over the years. As a result, another £710 – 00p has been sent off to the Handicapped Children’s Pilgrimage Trust to sponsor another handicapped child to go to Lourdes. Thank you all for your generosity.

The New Translation Of The Mass – The Gloria And The Creed:

While some of the words in the Gloria and the Creed will change, others stay the same, so we will have to be careful that we don’t slip into the old texts!  The first lines of the Gloria itself echo the angels’ message to the shepherds, announcing the birth of Christ (Luke 2:14).  Because of these changes, new music is being written so that we will be able to sing the new translation, too.  When it comes to the Creed we will notice the first change immediately - ‘I believe’, not, ‘We believe’.  We have become used to praying the Creed all together as a parish.  However, when we say ‘we believe’ it could suggest that between us all we believe everything being said.  It is not clear that we all believe everything that is being said.  To say ‘I believe’ makes it quite clear that each one of us believes everything we are saying. This new translation should have begun last weekend. But the Altar Missals will not be published until October or maybe November. When I get them, I may start it.

Mass of Healing at St. Francis de Sales

On Sunday 25th September at 3 pm; please note there will be a special Mass with Anointing for the sick and housebound - and those who feel they would like to receive this sacrament or just be present -on Sunday 25th September at 3pm followed by afternoon tea.

Added 28th August:

THE NEW TRANSLATION OF THE MASS – AND WITH YOUR SPIRIT

One of the first things we will notice with the new translation is that, when the priest says ‘The Lord be with you’, we now say ‘And with your spirit’.  This is much closer to the original Latin ‘et cum spirit tuo’, and is found in e.g. German, Italian, French and Spanish.  It is a very biblical response: St Paul concludes four of his letters with a very similar expression e.g. 2 Tim 4:22 ‘The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.’  (see also Galatians 6:18, Philippians 4:23, Philemon 25).  For nearly 2000 years, Christians have been greeting each other, ‘The Lord be with you’, ‘and with your spirit.’  So the new translation, when the Altar Missals will finally arrive, possibly in October or maybe November, will bring unity to this response in all the languages of the world - and with all previous Christian generations.

Added 21st August:

The New Translation of The Roman Missal – Biblical Influences:

As we use the new translation we will perhaps notice more biblical connections than we have been used to.  The texts of the Mass are precious to us, partly because they were inspired by the Bible. These words have come down to us over the centuries, and most of the words we speak at Mass are rooted in the Bible.  When we gather for Mass, we are praying with words that have been given to us by our ancestors, who knew the Bible well and prayed it well.  The new translation of the Missal tries to make the connections between the Bible and the Mass clearer than they are now.
Over the coming weeks we will be looking at some of the revised words we will be saying and hearing at Mass when the Altar Missals finally arrive.

First Communion Programme 2012:

The first session for the children will be on Saturday 24th September in the Church Hall from 10.00am until 12 noon.

Added 15th August:

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Newbury: Mass for Former Pupils - St Joseph's Church, Newbury, Sunday 16th October 2011 at 11am

The second annual Mass for Former Pupils and Staff of St Joseph's Catholic Primary School will be at 11 a.m. on Sunday 16th October at St. Joseph's Church, Newbury. All former pupils, staff and governors are warmly invited. Refreshments will be served in the Parish Hall after the Mass. We look forward to seeing many of you. 

Please Pray For:

The good health of Bishop Crispian Hollis. He has recently been diagnosed with Bowel Cancer.

The New Translation Of The Roman Missal – The Four Presences Of Christ:

The Second Vatican Council (1962-5) reminded us of our ancient faith: Christ is always present in his church, especially in its liturgical celebrations. So, each time we come to Mass we experience the presence of Christ in four different ways:
1] Christ is present in the congregation – the people gathered together;
2] Christ is present in the person of the priest;
3] Christ is present in the Scriptures that we listen to during Mass;
4] Christ is present in the bread and wine when it becomes Christ’s Body and Blood.
The more we are able to understand and join in the Mass, the more we will come to love it. The new translation will help us to do that because the words we will now use will say more clearly what our faith is teaching us.

Added 17th July:

Parish Quiz Night & Grand Draw

Thank you to everybody who supported this venture in any way. It was a very successful night, and enjoyed by everyone. A profit of over £1,000 was realised, so thank you all very much to all who supported this event in any way. A full list of prize winners will be displayed later.

Updated: A VERY SINCERE THANK YOU:

To you all who supported, provided food, attended, helped prepare the hall, did the catering, help with the bar service, who generously gave to the ‘secret collection, sent cards and presents. I thoroughly enjoyed celebrating my 60th birthday and 35th anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood. I was very humbled to receive so much affection and regard. A school friend of mine from my first day at primary school sent a card to me in which he wrote, ‘it must be a good feeling to be in a parish where they are prepared to make that amount of effort for you’. I am blessed by you all. I love this parish dearly. Thank you all so much. P.S. I have applied for the bus pass, it will come through in the next few weeks, and I am still admiring the iPod, and wondering how it works, but I am sure that others will teach me. Fr. Pat.
Photographs are very nearly ready and will be displayed on the website this week.

Added 10th July

A VERY SINCERE THANK YOU:

To you all who supported, provided food, attended, helped prepare the hall, did the catering, help with the bar service, who generously gave to the ‘secret collection, sent cards and presents. I thoroughly enjoyed celebrating my 60th birthday and 35th anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood. I was very humbled to receive so much affection and regard. A school friend of mine from my first day at primary school sent a card to me in which he wrote, ‘it must be a good feeling to be in a parish where they are prepared to make that amount of effort for you’. I am blessed by you all. I love this parish dearly. Thank you all so much. P.S. I have applied for the bus pass, it will come through in the next few weeks, and I am still admiring the iPod, and wondering how it works, but I am sure that others will teach me. Fr. Pat.

First Holy Communion Programme 2012:

There will be a meeting for the new parents on Thursday 14th July at 8.00pm in the Hall

Added: 3rd July

Parish Quiz Night

Will be on Friday 15th July, 7pm for 7.30pm start. Please contact Steve Ardagh-Walter on 07790932545, or e mail him at  sardaghwalter@gmail.com or David Downie on 0788727094, or e mail him at daviddownie@mac.com no later than Monday 11th July if you would like to come and are not already in a team. Tickets cost £8, including fish or chicken or sausage or cheese & onion and chips.   Do please bring your own drinks.   Young people are very welcome and may score highly in some rounds. Proceeds from tickets and the Grand Draw will go to parish funds and the local conference of the St. Vincent de Paul society.

THE NEW TRANSLATION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL

WHAT NEW TRANSLATION? The translation of the Mass which we currently use is going to change from the beginning of September. Over the coming months there will be short articles in this newsletter each week which will help us to understand what these changes are and why they have come about.  There will be opportunities provided for people to learn more about the new translation and become familiar with the changes.  A variety of printed resources will be available, including the new responses for Mass.  The coming of the new translation is a great opportunity for us all to learn more about the Mass and deepen our understanding of the liturgy and its meaning and relevance for us in our lives today. I have ordered the new Altar Missals, but they will not be available until October/November. When they arrive, I will start celebrating this new translation of the Mass. Laminated leaflets will be provided to follow the responses.

Advanced Notice:

There will be no Mass or Confessions on Saturday 16th July.

St. Joseph's Weekly Parish Newsletter

Would you like to have a copy of the weekly newsletter emailed to you each week. If so then please email myself to get added to the group - anne-thompson@stjosephsnewbury.org.uk

Added: 26 June 2011

First Holy Communion Programme:

Congratulations and best wishes to all our young people and their families, who received the Body of Christ for the first time last Sunday. The next and final session for children will be on Saturday 9th July from 10.00am until noon. The final Mass for the children will be celebrated at St. Cassian’s, Kintbury at 1.00pm on Sunday 10th July, followed by a picnic and games.

Older posts:

PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND 2012:
From September 3rd to 13th 2012.
Fly from Heathrow to Tel Aviv. Jerusalem Sept 3-8th Ecce Homo Convent in the heart of the old city. To Galilee September 8-13th Pilgerhaus Tabgha POB 444 Migdal-Tabgha. Pilgrim Accommodation/TwinRooms/H.B throughout. Price £1055 includes Flights, Taxes, All transport in Israel, Accommodation and meals as stated.
Not included, insurance, transfers in the UK and entrance fees to museums.
Most of Jerusalem can only be seen on foot. Visits include:
Jerusalem.  Bethlehem (if we can get in) Kidron Valley, Mount of Olives, Gethsemane, Church of  The Ascension Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Way of
the Cross, Mount Zion, Wailing Wall, Dome of the Rock All walking except Bethlehem. In transit from Jerusalem: The Inn of the Good Samaritan, Jericho, The Galilee Cross the Sea of Galilee by boat, Tiberias, Capernaum, River Jordan, Nazareth, Cana and Mount of Beatitudes. Mostly by Coach.
Deposit of £100 required. Payable to St. Joseph’s Parish Pilgrimage.
Refundable until flights are booked in September 2011 (one year before departure). For further information contact Fr. Tom Grufferty, 134 West Street, Havant, Hants,  P09 1LP Tel. O23 92484520 e-mail t.grufferty@ntlworld.com
www.rchavant.org All Pilgrims should be in good health as there is a good deal of walking especially in Jerusalem.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

The next one is Sunday 12th June. This is an opportunity of children of primary school age, to hear the scripture readings in a manner they can understand. A register will be kept of all children attending, all catechists and all parents/guardians who accompany them. This is in line with Diocesan Safeguarding policies.

West Berkshire Pastoral Area Pastoral Council

The ‘shortened’ summary of the minutes for the P.A.P.C. meeting held on Wednesday 15th December, 2010, are now posted on the Church notice board.

Thank You

To Mike Bricknell who has sorted out all Hall bookings for many years. He is now standing down and I wish to thank him for all his hard work in this task. Bookings for the Hall can now be made through Anne Paice, on 01635 44828, (evenings only).

Canon Zollo Memorial Fund

Mass at 10.00am on Friday 11th February will be offered for the intentions of all the benefactors to the Canon Zollo Memorial Fund.

HAVE DUSTPAN AND BRUSH – WILL CLEAN!

Would you?
St. Joseph’s Church cleaning staff meet every Wednesday at approximately 10.30am.  We have become a very small but always willing band of helpers but really in need of reinforcements.  Father Pat always provides tea/coffee and biscuits.  We occasionally go out to lunch as a group to encourage each other!  All equipment provided. Do please come and join us.

Tea and Coffee Rotas

Are available from the back of the Church. Can I thank all who have volunteered for this important ministry. It is appreciated.

Thank You

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal made on Sunday 14th December raised the record sum of £5,171-75p – the sum helpfully swollen by some exceptional and anonymous donations.  On behalf of those who will benefit, the SVP expresses its sincere thanks to everyone for such a wonderful response to the appeal.  It speaks volumes about the heart and soul of our parish and its abiding concern to support causes that really matter.

Crib Collections During Christmas

Are for Christian communities in the Holy Land.The appeal is sponsored by the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre. Central to the Order's work is helping to meet the many needs of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem which covers Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan and Cyprus. It serves some 72,000 Catholics in 60 parishes. The support of the Order is vital for the parish clergy and the maintenance of the Seminary and the schools. It also supports the building of homes and aiding social projects, support for professional schools and loans for farming and craft work.

The statue of St. Anthony

Has been sent way for repair and refurbishment.

Together Magazine

There is a new issue of the Together magazine available in the Church.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP):

Is asking for help. From time to time two or three times a  year, the SVP have furniture offered them.  They usually know of people in need of such articles. They do not however, have access to suitable transport for items such as beds, tables or wardrobes.  If anyone does possess, or have access to, suitable transport and would be willing to help when the need arises, please contact any SVP member or our Parish Priest.

St. Joseph's Weekly Parish Newsletter

Would you like to have a copy of the weekly newsletter emailed to you each week. If so then please email myself to get added to the group - anne-thompson@stjosephsnewbury.org.uk

Thank You

Staff and pupils at St Joseph’s School would like to extend a huge THANK YOU for your most generous support for our forthcoming trip to the Wintershall estate. We are taking all 30 of our Year 6 pupils to the Catholic retreat in Surrey to see the outdoor performance of ‘The Life of Christ’.  It is our hope that experiencing the daily events of Jesus’ life in this peaceful and refreshing setting will enable them to renew their faith in preparation for the challenges of transition to secondary school in September. Your extremely generous retiring collection has enabled us to make this event possible.  Thank you!  Please look out for news of our trip in the school Faith in Focus newsletter Summer 2 issue.

Newsletter Items

If you have items you wish to be published in this newsletter please email Doreen at doreengrn@yahoo.co.uk by Thursday 7.00pm to ensure it is included in the next publication. 

St Joseph's Race Night

The race night raised around £800 (the actual amount will be confirmed). Many thanks to all who participated and made this event so successful.
Proceeds will be split between Parish Funds and the Canon Zollo Memorial Fund.

St Joseph’s RC Primary School

St Joseph’s RC Primary School invites you to a special Mass on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Friday 11th June at 10 am in St Joseph’s Church. This will be followed by the blessing of the School’s new statue of the Sacred Heart, which will stand in the garden at the front of the school. Refreshments afterwards. All welcome.

PRAYERS FOR REPARATION & ATONEMENT

There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass until 11.00am, as part of the Bishops of England & Wales suggestion for reparation, forgiveness and atonement for the crimes of child sexual abuse, for the four Fridays of May. It will begin next Friday 7th May.

Congratulations

To the 52 young people from the Pastoral Area, who received the sacrament of Confirmation from the Bishop at Douai Abbey last Friday night.

Papal Visit 2010

During the recent Ad Limina Visit, the Holy Father announced his forthcoming trip to the UK.
Sadly there is already opposition headed by the Secular Society of Great Britain to this visit. You are asked to sign the supporting petition as we welcome the Holy Father to our country. 
 www.petitiononline.com/PopeinUK/petition.html

Rotary Charity Walk

The Rotary Charity Walk is planned for the 16th May - this year for a change we thought that we would organise a walk around Newbury town and its environs so it should be great for both the able bodied and for those in wheelchairs and child buggies.  The walk will include a quiz. This is a great opportunity to generate sponsorship for a favourite charity CAFOD, SVP, Christian Aid, St Josephs church or school etc.
If anyone is interested to walk a few miles and generate some funds, please speak to Chris Bartlam at the 11.00 Mass or email ctbartlam@googlemail.com

The retiring collection following CAFOD’s Family Fast Day

Raised £563-00p.  Thank you all very much for your generosity

Mass of the Chrism, St. John’s Cathedral, Portsmouth. Tuesday 30th April 2010 at 11am.

A coach will leave Newbury to celebrate Mass with the Bishop, priests and people of the diocese of Portsmouth. Mass will begin at 11am.
The only pick up point this year is St Francis de Sales Church at 8.45am, single fare £10.00, per family £15.00. It may seem a little early to be leaving but it takes a good 1hr and 15 minutes to get to Portsmouth. We should arrive in time to visit the Discovery Centre Book Shop and to get a seat in the Cathedral. The coach back to Newbury will leave at 3pm. We will need to have names as soon as possible as seats are limited to 29.  Please put your name and phone no. Names will need to be in by Wednesday 24th March latest.

West Berkshire Area Pastoral Council 

Minutes from the most recent meeting are posted on the notice board at the back of the church. Please have a look at the topics being discussed. If there are any pastoral issues you would like raised at the next meeting, let Pauline Mason, your Parish representative have the details.   

The Retiring collection for Haiti

The Retiring collection for Haiti was £1,098 – 26p. Thank you all very much for your very generous response.
A further £250 – 00p was given from the money collected from the tea/coffee group at the end of the 11.00am Sunday Mass. Thank you all for your great generosity.

The Children’s Liturgy Of The Word

The next one will be at the 11.00am Mass on Sunday 28th March, Palm Sunday – the Sunday of the long Gospel Passion reading.

Together magazine Easter 2010

Wanted - articles, notices, photos, adverts for Lent/Eastertide events etc for the next edition. Deadline for contributions is 14th February (to together1@live.co.uk). (Maximum 800 words with single spacing between words, sentences, lines to save editing time.)  

2010 Diocesan Directory

Are available at the back of the Church.

St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) Christmas Appeal – Thank You

To everyone who contributed so very generously to the appeal last Sunday. £606-38 was given. This is very great generosity on all your parts, which will aid the SVP in its work of helping needy local families to enjoy some Christmas fayre and to cope with winter fuel bills. Thank you on all recipients behalf, whom we are sure are very appreciative of your help.

Parish Quiz Night

Thank you to all who supported this venture in any way.  The profit from the Quiz Night and the Raffle amounted to £1201-76p.  Thank you all very much.

There will be photographs on the website soon.

CATHOLIC CHURCH REGULATIONS: SWINE FLU EPIDEMIC

Please click here for an update to the regulations that were put in place for the Swine Flu Epidemic. The restrictions that were put in place have now been relaxed.


St Joseph’s School are collecting Tesco or Sainsburys school vouchers. 

Please help them to obtain free computers, sports equipment and much more by donating the vouchers you have earned.

Canon Zollo Memorial Fund

During the past week I received three post cards from Lourdes, from the children who were sponsored to go on the recent HCPT pilgrimage. They all enjoyed their time. Thank you to all who have contributed to this fund in the past.

St Vincent de Paul Collection – Thank You

To everyone who contributed so very generously to the appeal last Sunday. Because of your wonderful response we will be in a good position to help so many. A thank you letter from  the Newbury St. Vincent De Paul Conference  is displayed on the notice board at the back of  the Church. Thank you once again.

Single/unattached/bereaved Catholics Group

We're a very friendly local group and meet regularly for meals and other activities. Sorry, we're sold out for this month's Murder Mystery evening, but are taking bookings for quiz and dinner at a local hotel in October. For details of this event, or for more information, ring 0118 9475782, or email
readingcatholicfriends@yahoo.co.uk Hope to see you soon!'

Lourdes Pilgrimage

A very successful pilgrimage to Lourdes has been completed. The prayers and intentions of the parish were prayed for each day.
Click here to view some photographs taken on the Pilgrimage.

A Big Thanks

The Pastoral Area Liturgy Advisory Group and the Celebration Planning Group would like to thank and congratulate the many people from our parishes, schools and religious orders whose hard work made such a success of the Area Celebration on Sunday at Douai.  The flowers, the liturgy, the community displays, the drumming workshop and other activities show what can be done with the whole Area working together rather than as separate communities. Thanks also to the 500 or so people who joined in the Together Celebration and enjoyed a picnic lunch and activities in the Abbey grounds followed by Mass celebrated by Bishop Crispian with the Abbot of Douai. As Bishop Crispian said in his homily, we proclaim the Gospel to those who are looking at the Catholic Church from the outside by the way we live and work together among ourselves and in the locality. This is our baptismal responsibility. The Lord was with us on this Celebration Day.  What next for the Area? The Pastoral Area Pastoral Council will have this question on the agenda for their next meeting.

Prayer Cards For Mass

By the various entrances to the Church there are prayer cards with an English translation and the main prayers of the Mass in Polish, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. Hopefully they will be of help. Please return them to the stands at the end of Mass. I am grateful for the help of Fr. Dominic Golding of St. James’s Church, Reading for providing the originals

Welcome To Our Parish Leaflet

Is available from the various entrances to the Church and lists the activities that are happening here. There is also a census page, would you please fill this in and drop it through the Presbytery door.

Change In Car Parking Arrangements

There is a change in car parking in Hawthorn Road (across the road from the Church, behind the Fire & Ambulance Station). This will now become Residents Parking Only from 8.00am until 6.00pm, and that means, we can no longer park there. We do have an obligation to be good neighbours and I would ask everybody to respect that.
Unfortunately there are still some parishioners, who do not have a residents parking sticker who are still parking there illegally. I would ask them to stop doing that.

Launch of St. Joseph's Newbury Website - 18th May 2007

Welcome to our new site, we welcome any constructive criticism to content and look. If you have any suggestions for news or any other content we look forward to hearing from you.
Please email Anne Thompson

St. Joseph's School Newsletter

There is a new parish school newsletter available at all the entrances to the Church.
Alternatively you can download a copy Click Here
If you do not have Adobe Reader installed please click to download software. Please note this is free to download.

Noticeboard

There is a noticeboard on the right hand side of the main door of the church it contains all the service times and intentions for the coming week and it is updated every Friday night.

West Berkshire Community Hospital

Fr. Pat is the Catholic Chaplain and if you know of anyone going into hospital and you would like him to visit, please inform parishpriest@stjosephsnewbury.org.uk