St. Edmund Campion Church

Readings

	First Reading		1 Isa 55:1-3	The LORD invites everyone to come and receive food and drink without cost, promising life and renewal of the everlasting covenant.
	Responsorial Psalm		145	The Lord is kind, merciful, and just, providing for all and close to those who sincerely call on him. He satisfies every need.
	Second Reading		Rom 8: 35, 37-39	Nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ, not even life’s greatest challenges or spiritual forces.
	Gospel		Matt 14: 13-21	Jesus withdrew to a remote place, where crowds followed him. Despite the disciples’ concerns, Jesus miraculously fed over five thousand men with just five loaves and two fish.

 

Mass Intentions

August
Sat	1st	11:00   17:30 18:15	Parish pilgrimage: Francis of Assisi Confessions Mass
Sun	2nd	9:30     11:15	Mass (MI: Stanislawa Suwala, Tadeusz Suwala, Alicja Wiszniewska, Stanislaw Wiszniewska) Mass
Mon	3rd	9:30	Mass (MI: Joao Rodrigues, Richard Phelan)
Tue	4th	9:30	Mass (MI: Andy Scaife)
Wed	5th	9:30 19:00	Mass Presentation on Pope Leo’s Encyclical Letter @SJ
Thurs	6th	9:30	Mass
Fri	7th	10:00 10:45 19:00	Healing Mass @SJ & @STM Presentation on Pope Leo’s Encyclical Letter @STM Healing Mass @SEC
Sat	8th	17:30 18:15	Confessions Mass
Sun	9th	9:30     11:15	Mass (MI: Stanislawa Suwala, Tadeusz Suwala, Alicja Wiszniewska, Stanislaw Wiszniewska) Mass
Mon	10th	9:30	Mass
Tue	11th	9:30	Mass
Wed	12th	9:30 19:00	Mass Presentation on Pope Leo’s Encyclical Letter @SJ
Thurs	13th	9:30	Mass
Fri	14th	10:00 10:45	Mass Presentation on Pope Leo’s Encyclical Letter @STM
Sat	15th	17:30 18:15	Confessions Mass
Sun	16th	9:30 11:15	Mass Mass
Mon	17th	9:30	Mass
Tue	18th	9:30	Mass
Wed	19th	9:30	Mass
Thurs	20th	9:30	Mass (MI: Manny Resende)
Fri	21st	10:00	Mass (MI: Janina Jarosz)
Sat	22nd	17:30 18:15	Confessions Mass (MI: Armanda Lopes)
Sun	23rd	9:30   11:15	Mass (MI: Charissa Dias, Jane Creedon) Mass
Mon	24th	9:30	Mass
Tue	25th	9:30	Mass
Wed	26th	9:30	Mass
Thurs	27th	9:30	Mass
Fri	28th	10:00	Mass
Sat	29th	17:30 18:15	Confessions Mass
Sun	30th	9:30 11:15	Mass Mass
Mon	31st	9:30	Mass

 

Funeral

HOUSE BLESSING: House blessings (also known as house healings, house clearings, house cleansings and space clearing) are rites intended to protect the inhabitants of a house or apartment. It is also there asking God’s protection and blessing upon each member of the family. In Christianity, house blessing is an ancient tradition dating back to the early days, that is usually performed by a priest who sprinkles holy water and blessed salt as he walks through every room of the house, accompanied by the occupants of the house, whilst praying for the occupants. If you would like your home/apartment/room blessed, then please contact one of the priests and a time and date can be arranged. The blessing ritual takes about 20 minutes, and it is lovely if all occupants of the home are present.

ARE YOU NEW TO OUR PARISH? Thank you for your interest in our parish. Whether you're just visiting us for a brief time, looking for a new parish home, returning to the practice of your Catholic faith or are interested in finding out more about the Catholic Church, we are happy to answer your questions, listen to your comments and help you in any way that we can. We are a parish of the Diocese of Portsmouth, and are a very vibrant community, made up of ‘old’ Maidenhead families and relative “newcomers” from all walks of life. We hope that you find our Catholic parish a caring community that is loving, welcoming and supportive of all. Our mission is to grow in the image of Christ through the Holy Spirit, to be formed by the Word and our prayer, to use our gifts to welcome those who are here and reach out to those who are not. We invite you to join us as partners in the mission. Together, let us get to know Christ better and to make Him better known. May God Bless you wherever you are and thank you for exploring our website and newsletter. Please stop by the parish office to introduce yourself! We would love to meet you.

FIRST FRIDAY: The First Friday of the month is traditionally a time when a priest visits a home to anoint anyone who is house bound, with holy oil, and to administer the sacrament of Holy Communion. The parish has several people on this list. If indeed, you or someone you know would like a visit from a priest, then please contact Fr. Vuni or Fr Elvis.

FIRST FRIDAY HEALING MASS These special Masses will take place on:

• Friday 7^th August 10am at St. Joseph’s; 7pm at St. Edmund Campion Church; 10am St Thomas More, Twyford

WHAT IS A HEALING MASS?

Healing Masses are opportunities to directly seek physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual healing. These Masses include a homily that is focused on healing, prayers of the faithful that are directly asking God to heal us, and prayers after communion that are prayed by the Priest to help facilitate greater healing in our lives.

The Mass is the most powerful way that we can seek healing as Christians. Jesus is present in the Mass through the Scriptures, through giving Himself to us in His Body and His Blood, and through our worship of Him. He is the one who heals us. The Mass helps to facilitate the healing that Jesus wants to give to all of us.

BAPTISMAL COURSE The Baptismal Course is available for all Parents whose child is being Baptised at either St Joseph’s, St Elizabeth’s or St Edmund Campion. The course is a 90 minute preparation and guidance. It is held at St Joseph’s the first Sunday of the month at 7pm. The next meeting is:

• Sunday 7^th September 2026
• Please make sure that if you are looking at baptising your child, 1) register yourself and the child on the HFP website 2) Download and fill out the baptism form onilne, 3) email office@stedmundcampion.org.uk to let us know that this has been done, 4) We'll arrange a meeting with a priest to find a date for the baptism and finally 5) attend the baptism classes with Norma.

DIOCESAN NEWSLETTER: The Diocesan Mailing is produced every week and contains news, training opportunities and events from around the diocese and wider Catholic Church. The weekly newsletter is designed to bring you the latest information and events, straight to your email inbox. We try to keep it short and sweet (though, occasionally we can't help but get carried away with a great story or a brilliant opportunity). Click or go to the following site to sign up: www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

House Masses/Blessings: Father Vuni or Father Elvis are more than happy to celebrate a House Mass or a House Blessing for any family or group of families who would like it. If you are interested, then please email Father Vuni or telephone the Parish Office.

Contact: If you wish to speak to Father Vuni in confidence on any matter, please contact him for an appointment. He is always happy to visit your home if so desired. Email: tvuni@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk Telephone: 07888627223

Hospital: If you are going into hospital or know or someone that is, please inform the hospital chaplain on arrival. Please also let Father Vuni know so that arrangements can be made for a visit. Please note that under the Data Protection Act, hospital staff cannot disclose patient information. We rely on Parishioners to keep us in the loop.

Housebound: If you know of anyone who is sick and/or housebound please let Carina (Parish Office) or Father Vuni know so that a visit can be arranged.

FIRST FRIDAY: The First Friday of the month is traditionally a time when a priest visits a home to anoint anyone who is house bound, with holy oil, and to administer the sacrament of Holy Communion. The parish has several people on this list. If indeed, you or someone you know would like a visit from a priest, then please contact Father Vuni or Father Elvis.

MASS INTENTIONS: There is a long and venerable tradition in the Catholic Church that the faithful ask their priests to celebrate Holy Mass for particular, specified intentions. An individual may ask a priest to offer a Mass for several reasons: for example, in thanksgiving, for the intentions of another person (such as on a birthday, good health, peace in family life), or as is most common, for the repose of the soul of someone who has died or on their anniversary. This custom, which was well-understood in generations past, is increasingly being forgotten. Since the practice is of immense spiritual benefit to both the living and the dead, and because it also helps to support your clergy and parish, we would encourage you to request that Masses be offered for your intentions. Please contact Ruth in the Parish Office, if you wish to have a Mass celebrated for your intentions. Pope Paul VI said, “The Mass is the most perfect form of prayer!” It has immense power and countless miracles and conversions have occurred throughout the centuries by offering Masses for a specific intention or person. Mass intentions are a great treasure of the Church and have a spiritual weight that is incalculable.

 

Eucharistic Adoration:

We all have busy and demanding lives and sometimes we just need a moment to gather our thoughts and take a moment to just be. The church is encouraging all its parishioners to take 10 minutes, 20 minutes or even 30 minutes to sit in church before mass to do just that. To simply rest in God’s presence and consider these common activities:

*  Meditative Prayer: View the time as a conversation with a close friend. Tell God about your struggles or simply sit quietly and listen to what He might be telling you.

*  Scripture Reading: Bring a Bible and slowly read a passage (like the Gospels), meditating on how the words apply to your life.

*  Pray the Rosary: Reflecting on the mysteries of the Rosary is a highly effective way to focus your mind on Jesus.

*  Journaling: Write down your personal prayers, thoughts, or feelings in a notebook to reflect on later.

*  Spiritual Reading: Bring a book authored by a saint (e.g., The Diary of St. Faustina) or read through a devotional essay.

*  The Liturgy of the Hours: Pray the Psalms or other ancient liturgical prayers of the Church.

This is the act of praying and worshipping Jesus Christ, who is believed to be truly and substantially present in the consecrated Eucharist. It involves sitting or kneeling in silent reverence before the Host.

 

 

WORKS OF MERCY: CLOTHE THE NAKED

As we continue to “Clothe the Naked” with our Prayers and support, this month, we begin to focus on “Shelter the Homeless” during August. The Salvation Army, Sue Brett Foundation, SVP Maidenhead, Food Share and our own Parish Volunteers provide vital, loving care to those who are Homeless in our community. Our donations, as always, are essential for the help that they provide.

Looking further ahead, to September, our CWM will be dedicated to “Care for the Environment”. We heed the call of the late Pope Francis, and of Pope Leo, to “Care for Our Common Home” during the Season of Creation, between 1 Sept (World Day of Prayer for Creation) and 4 Oct (St Francis of Assisi 800th Anniversary). During this Season, we hope to have several activities and events that will enable us to engage more closely with our environment and to be more effective Stewards of God’s Creation.                Have a Blessed summer!

 

Sept – May 2027 Praying the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises Fortnightly Mondays 1.30-3.30pm in person at St Katharine’s Parmoor. Group and 1-1 spiritual direction. For more info/ application form, email oxfordsen@btinternet.com

 

17 Sep 7pm International Staff Songsters of The Salvation Army Concert Salvation Army Hall in Maidenhead (East Road, SL6 1PJ). Tickets: www.ticketsource.com/maidenhead-salvation-army

 

The School for Synodality exists to support the Church’s synodal journey of openness to the Holy Spirit through listening, sharing, and discernment. In partnership with dioceses, religious congregations, parishes, communities, and individuals, we create resources, workshops, and opportunities to reflect together, as well as speaking, writing and offering formation on synodality.

CLOSURE NOTICE

OFFICE: We will close for the summer holidays on the 31^st July until the end of August. Please approach the priest for Mass Intentions or information.

Parish Priest: Fr Vuni

(phone): 07888 627223 (email): Tvuni@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

 

PLEASE NOTE: we have a new email address:

admin@holyfamilyparish.org.uk

PARISHIONER REGISTRATION

Adult HFP Mhead Twyford Parishioner Registration Form

Child HFP Mhead Twyford Child Registration Form

 

WELCOME A very warm welcome to all parishioners and visitors who join us, whether in our Churches of St. Joseph’s, St. Elizabeth’s, St. Edmund Campion, St. Thomas More or via the live-stream. If you are new to the area, please register as a member of our Parish New Parishioners - The Holy Family Parish. The parish offices are situated at St. Joseph’s Church, Cookham Road and St. Edmund Campion, Altwood Road. The parish office details are available on the website and in the church porch.

 

GIFT AID If you are a UK taxpayer, please consider signing up for Gift Aid. If you have not completed a form in the last 12-18 months, we will no longer be able to claim gift aid on your donations. Please make sure you complete the form in the link below ASAP or use the QR code attached. You can get paper copies in the church porch. Please return completed forms to the office and please email the office if you complete the online form. Thank you for your ongoing support and generosity.

Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth - Gift Aid Declaration Form

 

CAN YOU HELP?

We are excited about the future of our church and the opportunity to grow into an even more welcoming, vibrant community. As we open our doors wider, we’re looking for passionate volunteers who want to make a real difference. Whether it’s through hospitality after mass, setting up mass as a representative, an alter server or reader, every act of service, big or small, helps create a space where people feel inspired. There are also groups that would love the extra support, such as the Liturgy Group, and the Vision Group who work so hard and would appreciate all the helping hands that are available.  

Please contact the parish office or Fr. Vuni/Fr. Elvis if you would like to be a part of our volunteers and sacristans.

 

SACRISTANS - We have had a couple of our Sacristans step back from their role after many years in this ministry. We especially need a volunteer to help on Friday mornings, to prepare for 10am Mass and First Friday 7pm Mass. Please speak to one of our priests, or let Carina know if this is a role you can help with.

ALTER SERVERS & READERS - Our parish is always growing and it has been lovely to see so many children help in the church. If any child would like to part of a mass as an alter server or a reader, please email Carina (office) or speak to Fr. Vuni.

 

CELEBRATE festival, one of the UK's leading Catholic family events, returns to Worth School in West Sussex from 15–19 August 2026 and tickets are now available.

The Festival expects to welcome around 1,000 attendees for five days of worship, teaching and community with the theme ‘Let There Be Light’.

Now in its 32^nd year, CELEBRATE brings together an intergenerational audience of Catholic families, young adults and communities from across the UK for an annual summer gathering combining keynote talks, sacramental liturgy, children and youth programmes, and communal worship in the grounds of the historic Benedictine Abbey at Worth.  You can find out more about the programme for the event at https://www.celebratefestival.org/.  

The Festival is run by CELEBRATE Trust (Charity No. 1195730), a Catholic ministry supporting families and communities to live authentic Christian lives in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Tickets are available now, with an instalment plan allowing families to pay 50% now and 50% on 1 July at no extra cost and - for a limited time - camping spaces are available at 25% off.  Family tickets start from £380, giving you great value for the whole family, with no hidden fees for each child place. Individual tickets start from £95 (young adult).

 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

 

• *New* Sewing circle in SJ Hall. Bring your projects (alteration, pattern cutting, etc) and learn from each other. Free 1^st session on   5 May 10-12pm .

• YOGA CLASSES TUESDAY: Classes are starting again. The next class will be after the summer holidays. For more information contact Rachel: wellhappyyoga@gmail.com or the parish office. (No yoga – 18^th August)

• TODDLER GROUP Every Friday in termtime, 8:45am-10:45am in the Parish Centre.

• CHILDREN’S SUNDAY LITURGY - 9:30am Mass Children from the age of 4 can attend. Please put your child’s name on the register as you go into the church.

• THURSDAYS ZOOM www.tinyurl.com/2hz5axvp 2pm Rosary; 6pm Journey together through Holy scriptures

• INTERESTED IN PRACTICAL ART? Join U3A untutored Art Group. Bring your art materials and join in the fun every first & third Tuesdays 2-4pm in SJ Hall. Contact Peter 01628 674097 for more info
• AGE UK has a series of support clubs/events in the community for older people. https://www.ageuk.org.uk/berkshire/activities-and-events/whats-on---windsor--maidenhead/ or see the church noticeboard for posters
• Throughout 2026 we would like to celebrate the variety of nationalities within our parish through prayer. If you are willing to use your gift of language, from an advisory, spoken or written perspective and get involved with our different tongues programme please contact Deb Woodward on deborah@deborahodea.com
• MISSALS We have a small number of daily missals and weekday missals available. Daily missals - £70; Weekday - £55. Please contact the office if you would like to purchase one.
• LEGION OF MARY GROUP Fridays 6pm in St Joseph's Church

• Union of Catholic Mothers (UCM) 1^st & 3^rd Tuesdays 2.30 – 4.30pm in St Joseph’s, St Elizabeth’s Room

• RED BOX HOLDERS: We will be emptying the boxes from the beginning of June. Please give your box to either Louise Jennings or Barbara McWalter at 11:15 mass or leave them at the parish office.

• Talkin’ Tables by the Catenians

  Every second Thur of the month starting 14 May 10.30-11.30am The Bardo Lounge, High Street, Maidenhead, SL6 1QJ. Everyone is welcome. Let us build our community one table at a time — come along, buy your own refreshments, and enjoy relaxed conversation with fellow parishioners.

GIFT AID: If you have a standing order or direct debit donation to the Parish and gift aid your donation, please complete a new Gift Aid form. These will need to be completed for all existing Gift Aid Declarations. New Direct Debit and Gift Aid forms are available in the church porch and in the drawers outside the Parish Office. Please return all completed forms to the Parish Office. Thank you to everyone who has completed a form over the last few months.

ATTN - CONTACTLESS MACHINES: Please re-register for Gift Aid the new machines are on a different platform. All previous donations made on the new machines can then be backdated for Gift Aid
 Thank you!

DONA CONTACTLESS PAYMENTS - Available in the church porch. You can Gift Aid your donation to the church and Second Collections. You only need to put your details in once and all future donations using the same card will be Gift Aided. Donations, Repository, Candles, Mass Intentions can all be paid for using the machine– just select the option on the screen.

 

REPOSITORY Please see our repository for cards & mass cards for all occasions. Cash payments in the box on the wall or via the Dona contactless machine (minimum £1 payments).

SCHOOL PLAYGROUND The Reception area playground is not for use at the weekends. Please make sure that children are not entering this area before or after weekend Masses. The staff prepare the area on Friday afternoon so that it is ready for learning on Monday morning. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

FOODSHARE Are you an NHS, Emergency services or a Blue Light worker. Foodshare is now operating a shop, so if you're struggling to make ends meet, for a cost of £10 per visit you can "buy" a trolley of food. Call 01628 262711 for fast and fuss free support.

VACANCIES - For job vacancies in the Diocese please see Diocese website https://www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk/

SUSTAINABILITY

We have activities planned for later this year and would be happy to hear from you if you would like to get involved or have an idea of your own. Please contact Sarah Bowden (bowden.sarah@googlemail.com). 

LIBRARY We have a parish library located in the foyer of the Parish Centre. One bookcase is dedicated to Theology/Religious books, another bookcase to Fiction/Non-Fiction and a third smaller bookcase to children's Bibles/Bible stories etc. Please feel free to borrow/swap. Please ensure that this is kept neat and tidy for everyone to enjoy. 

If you would like to donate, we can only accept books that are in excellent and clean condition. Thank you and enjoy.

FOODSHARE We are a collection point for Foodshare. Our collection area is just inside the porch doors, but if you leave food outside, out of hours (in a bag or other covering) the building is regularly checked. Foodshare are currently really in need of tinned vegetables and tinned meat, amongst all the regular donations.

School News

ADMISSION INTO ST EDMUND CAMPION SCHOOL AND NURSERY is based on Mass attendance for some categories. In our parish, we have an attendance card available from the table in the church lobby. Every time you come to Sunday Mass please get your card stamped. For information on the current Admissions Policy see the school's website, www.st-edmund.org.uk.