The human side of the gospel today is the huge need of a young couple on the best day of their lives. Jesus hears of their need and the result is the wine for the wedding, but more so, it is the promise of the fullness of God.
We look for the fullness of life in money, food, sex, travel, security, reputation, but the thing is, none last. Only the simplest joys of life really satisfy in the end, like the joy of love, the thrill of friendship, the caring in family and the ways we enjoy the goodness of creation.
A person asked once in the hospice at the end of their life – 'what is happiness?'
'Find happiness now' was his answer -'be satisfied, be grateful, for what you have, for what you have received, for what God has given you.'
There is a fullness of life in being happy with who I am, what I have, and asking God for what God knows I need.
No matter what our age, we can do good for others, we can share the graces of life and the soul can grow. That's what I hope can happen for me as life goes on. In any group of people, some look happy and some look miserable. The happiest are not always the ones who had or are having the easiest life. They are the ones who have found peace with themselves, others and God.
We are called to turn the waters of everyday life into wine. We are called to transform society and, like good wine, bring joy, peace and celebration into the lives of many.
We are called to transform water into wine… sadly, sometimes, we meet people who have the capacity to change wine into water! They lack joy, good news, hope or celebration.
Our faith calls us to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary…
Because of the gift of the fullness of God in 'new wine', we always have a home, here and after – in the heart of our God in Jesus Christ now and for eternity.
1st Isaiah 62:1-5. God has prepared joyful feast for his people
Psalm (from Psalm 95). Response: Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples
2nd 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. The many gifts that come from God’s Spirit are meant for the good of all
Gospel Luke 3:15-16, 21-22. Mary’s intervention at the marriage at Cana evokes Christ’s first miracle
BAPTISMS
MASS VIA YOUTUBE Mass is streamed live on Wednesday (9.30am) and Sunday (11.15am). To join, just click on the YouTube icon on the parish website shortly before Mass starts. Due to demand, this service will continue for the foreseeable future.
FIRST FRIDAY Each First Friday will see a ‘Healing Mass’ being celebrated alternately at St. Joseph’s Church and St. Edmund Campion Church for 2022. We bring together all our needs and especially asking God’s healing spirit upon people and situations in our parish. You are very welcome.
The First Friday of the month is also 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 you, or someone you know would like a visit from a priest, then please contact Fr. Liam or Fr. Ephraim.
FACE COVERINGS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING It is now a legal requirement to wear face masks during Public Worship, unless you have an exemption.
If you wish to continue adhering to social distancing in the Church, then please arrive at least 10 minutes before Mass, and a section in the church will be reserved for you. Please, please respect the distancing in this area so that people can worship in peace and comfort. If you do not arrive before the Mass starts it will not be possible to guarantee a place in this area.
“SHIELDING” for those in our community who continue to join at the Eucharist via YouTube on a regular basis, but for one reason or another, cannot physically come to the Church, and would like to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion, please let Fr. Liam or the parish office know. Fr. Liam will bring the Holy Sacrament to you whilst adhering to social distancing and a safe environment.
SIF FORMS FOR SCHOOL APPLICATION Fr Liam is available by appointment to sign SIF Forms, please remember to bring your stamp cards showing Mass attendance.
SECOND COLLECTION FOR ST JOHNS CATHEDRAL Next weekend we take the annual second collection in support of your Cathedral in Portsmouth. Appeal envelopes are available at all Masses for those who do not have gift aided planned giving envelopes for second collections. This collection is the only support our Cathedral receives from the wider Diocesan family. In response to some of the precautions taken in the previous lockdowns, a ‘Give as you Live’ page was also created at: https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/cathedral-annual-appeal-1. Understandably, we all are aware that these are difficult times for us all, but please give generously to support your cathedral, gift aiding your donation wherever possible.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASSES & SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION CLASSES As you are aware, the First Holy Communion and Confirmation journey is in three stages. Stage One, was simply coming to Mass for the last number of months and participating in the prayers and singing, and being comfortable with the journey of liturgy. At the end of each Mass, the candidates for First Holy Communion and Confirmation received a stamp to show their attendance. This will continue. However, the family/child will need to show their attendance by showing the priest or catechist their Mass Attendance Card. If there is consistency, then the child will be invited into Stage Two of the programme, which are the classes. If not, and there seems no interest in Mass attendance, then the child and family will be asked to postpone the reception of the Sacrament for another year.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION STAGE 2 Children eligible to start Stage Two of the First Holy Communion Programme begin at 4:45pm on Saturday 8th January. Class one is at St. Edmund Campion Church, followed by Mass and official enrolment for First Holy Communion. We continue to pray for them.
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION STAGE 2 With delight, we enter Stage Two of the Confirmation Programme. We have over 55 young candidates who have come forward in their desire to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Registration is from 4:15pm and class starts at 4:45pm sharp on Saturday 15th January, followed by Mass and enrolment at 6:15pm at St. Edmund Campion Church.
RCIA We are blessed with having twelve candidates join the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). These are made up of people from the three church communities of St. Joseph’s, St. Elizabeth’s and St. Edmund Campion. They are all involved with our church community. Some desire to be baptised, others to be received into the church from another church, and some are Catholics who desire to complete their Initiation process by the Sacrament of Confirmation. All we be fully initiated at the Easter Vigil on Saturday 16th April. Classes begin on January 13th. We continue to pray for them.
ST MARY’S SCHOOL It is with great joy we welcome Mrs. Rosemary (Rosie) Akehurst, as our new head teacher to St. Mary’s school. It is a great school and we know she will enjoy her many years to come there. She herself writes: ‘… I am delighted to be joining St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School in January 2022 as Headteacher and I view it as a privilege to be chosen to lead the further development of this wonderful school. As a former pupil of St. Mary’s myself, I have always been aware of the unique culture, Catholic values and ethos which permeates throughout the school. I am excited about being part of this again…’
FIRST FRIDAY ADORATIONS FROM JANUARY TILL SEPTEMBER St Edmund Campion Church Ruby Jubilee Celebrations are taking place in September 2022. In order to prepare for this, we are hosting a novena of 9 first fridays to pray, to meditate, to fast and to give joy for everything to all that our church community has offered us over 40 years of service and the faith and support it has given to our families. If you can come for an hour or 2 hours or even whole evening starting on the first Friday of January (7th) from 7pm until 8am Saturday morning. We would love to start a rota, where a number of people could do this on the first Friday of each month from January through to September in preparation for prayer and our celebration. During this time the church will be open through the night and everyone is welcomed to come and stay with the Lord. Please contact or text Agnieszka on 07871 258181 or email gnieszka@gmail.com.
THE COWSHED The Cowshed is a new charity which provides support to people of all backgrounds in Berkshire experiencing hardship. The aim of The Cowshed is to provide good quality clothes and other essentials to anyone in need. They offer their services to people from all faiths and none.
We would like to ask you to look at their website and donate whatever you can from their list. New Year is a good time to de-clutter and start afresh and perhaps pass on gifts that you have received and will never use. We will be accepting donations this weekend (15th & 16th January 2022). There will be labelled boxes available. Please find more information about The Cowshed on their website: www.thecowshed.org.
PARISH COLLECTION Please continue to support your parish, its activities and outreach programmes by contributing to the weekly collection via the 'baskets' and/or Contactless. It is very positive that a lot of our parishioners, over the course of the pandemic, switched their contribution from cash to Bank Transfer.
NB: If you want to set up a direct debit or standing order (or even make a one-off donation) the account details are:
Account name: St. Edmund Campion Maidenhead
Sort code: 30-93-04
Account number: 00882551
SUSTAINABILITY Please contact Sarah Bowden (bowden.sarah@googlemail.com) to find out more or express your interest in joining the team.
WEDNESDAY BRIDGE CLUB All past bridge players and parishioners who would like to learn the game are invited. Please contact John Lynn for more information.
THURSDAY CLUB Starts on Thursday 20th January and continues every other week thereafter
YOGA CLASSES Next class is on Tuesday 18th January at 12 noon in the parish centre. For more information contact Rachel at wellhappyyoga@gmail.com or the parish office.
YOGA FOR MEN Taster Class on Saturday 22nd January at 9am in the parish centre. All abilities welcome, please come along and try. For more information contact Rachel at wellhappyyoga@gmail.com or the parish office.
COX GREEN LUNCHEON CLUB For more information contact Ruby Doughty on 01628630703 or rubydoughty@yahoo.co.uk.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY If you, or anyone you know, are in need, or would appreciate a friendly chat, in person or over the phone, from one of our number, please call 07749 917134 for further details.
TODDLERS GROUP Calling All Parents with preschool babies & children! Toddler Group meets in the Parish Centre from 8:45 to 10:45am on Fridays. Contact Jenny on jennyoliver51@hotmail.com for more information.
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.
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.
APPOINTMENTS If you wish to speak to Fr Liam or Fr Ephraim in confidence on any matter, please contact either one for an appointment. They are happy to visit your home if so desired, adhering to social distancing guidelines.
HOUSEBOUND If you know of anyone who is sick and/or housebound, please let Sarah (Parish Office), Fr Liam or Fr Ephraim know so that a visit can be arranged.
FOR PRACTICAL PURPOSES, FOR THE COMING MONTHS
Father Ephraim will be the ‘link person’ for pastoral matters concerning the parish of St. Joseph’s and St. Elizabeth’s. He will also be chaplain to St. Mary’s school.
Father Liam will be the ‘link person’ for the parish of St. Edmund Campion and will be chaplain to St. Edmund Campion school.
Fr. Ephraim and Fr. Liam are on call each day and will serve our community as best they can. You can call either of them on their mobile numbers, contact them via email or visit them at St. Joseph’s Presbytery. As we enter a new liturgical year, the four or five weekends of a month will see the same priest celebrating Mass in that particular parish. So, for January, Fr. Liam will preside at weekend Masses at St Joseph’s & St. Elizabeth’s and Fr. Ephraim at St. Edmund Campion. The following month they will swap around.
THE WELCOMING MINISTRY (Mass Rep) is dedicated to helping all parishioners and visitors enhance their worship experience at Mass by making them feel welcome and included in our Eucharistic celebration, helping them connect with our parish, and participating in the numerous ministry opportunities offered at St. Edmund Campion. The Mass Rep is the ‘overseer’ in ensuring that the various ministries during Mass are fulfilled. Further, they are there to help you with any queries.
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.
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