Jesus gives his disciples a challenge. He tells them: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you.” However, Jesus does not stop there. He continues: “If someone strikes you on one cheek, offer your other cheek to them as well. If a person takes your cloak, give him your tunic also.”
The ultimate call from Jesus is: “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.” Today Jesus is calling us to examine ourselves and ask: Do I do unto others as I would like them to do unto me?
When Jesus instructs us to love our enemies, he does not mean that this person should become one of my best friends. Jesus understands that forgiving is first a decision. However, it also is a process. The path to forgiveness may take a long time, and understandably so. However, we have to choose to take the first step. No one can force us to take this step; we are the only ones who can make this decision. And in reality, it may take a long time before we are ready and willing to begin the process of forgiveness.
Jesus doesn’t ask for miracles nor does he want “play” forgiveness. He continually invites us not only to free the individual who wounded us, but also to free ourselves from the pain, anger and hurt that binds us. Jesus is patient and yet persistent. He continually invites us and calls us to forgive. Perhaps today we can take one small step in this direction.
1st 1 Samuel 26:7-23. Do not lift your hand against the Lord’s anointed
Psalm (from Psalm 102). Response: The Lord is compassion and love
2nd 1 Corinthians 15:45-49. The first Adam became a living soul; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit
Gospel Luke 6:27-38. Love your enemies
BAPTISM
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.
NEW WEBSITE! We have switched to a new home on the Internet: stedmundcampion.org.uk. You will be switched over automatically, but please update your bookmarks so that you can still find us when the old site goes away. Many thanks to Jonas K and Mike Q for all their efforts.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER Friday 4th March 2pm at St Joseph’s Church. Everyone is welcome. This year England, Wales and Northern Ireland are hosts. This will probably not be our honour for another 100 years.
CHARITY NOMINATIONS Every year the Parish donates 10% of collections to Charity. Please, if you have a Charity close to your heart, nominate them. You can contact the Parish office to do this, and the Charities will be decided at the next PPC Meeting.
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 Please, It is encouraged, from a moral and respectful point of view, to continue wearing face masks during Public Worship. This indeed, is not a legal requirement, and several of our parishioners have an exemption from wearing masks.
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.
WALKING TOGETHER “Synod” simply means “journeying together”. Pope Francis, following on from his invitation in 2013 for us to become “missionary disciples”, has called a Universal Synod which is taking place in every Catholic diocese across the world. The Synod is themed: “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission”. This two-year journey’s (2021-23) goal is for all members of the church to be heard.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR OUR DIOCESE? In our Diocese, we are asked to submit our responses and observations. Eventually, after Diocesan, National and Continental gatherings, the Synod of Bishops will gather in Rome in 2023 to reflect on what has been heard.
The Holy Father is inviting us to listen deeply to one another; to discern what God is saying to the Church, and to enter into a dialogue about how we can journey together into the future. He has also asked us to think about how we can invite those on the margins and those searching for faith to walk with us in communion.
HOW CAN I TAKE PART? We want to hear how you think we can best live out Pope Francis’s vision of a participatory, responsible, evangelising church. You can participate in the first stage of the Synod collectively or individually by providing your feedback to us. We encourage you to pray and discern about the following:
A synodal Church, in announcing the Gospel, “journeys together.” How is this “journeying together” happening today in your local Church? What steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow in our “journeying together”? (PD, 26).
Pope Francis has provided us with a set of Reflection Questions to address, both personally and in group meetings.
You can submit your feedback individually online via email to the parish email address or by writing and leave your submissions in the Suggestion Box found in the church. Please feel free to answer as many or as few questions as you like. You can download the Synodal Questions here.
Your contribution is invaluable and will make a considerable difference to the future of the church in our diocese and across the world.
On 25th February you can join a discussion group in the Parish Centre at St Joseph’s Church at 10:30am; you will be welcomed and have the chance to discuss these questions face to face.
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.
CAFOD LENT FAST DAY It is CAFOD’s 60th anniversary this year and Lent Fast Day will be on Friday 11th March, focusing on preventing malnutrition. The climate crisis is making it harder to find healthy food around the world. Farmers in many places can no longer grow enough food to feed their families and coronavirus has made things much worse for many people. You can make a difference by supporting Lent Fast Day – giving up a meal or a treat and donating the money saved to support CAFOD’s work. Children from the school will be speaking about CAFOD on the weekend 5th/6th March and envelopes and prayer cards will be available. As always, thanks very much in advance for your generosity.
Later this year we will also have a special walk to celebrate CAFOD’s anniversary – more information will be available soon, watch this space!
STAGE 2 CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME The Confirmation will be held at Portsmouth Cathedral on Sunday 8th May at 3pm.
STAGE 2 FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASS Saturday 14th March, 10am at St. Edmund Campion School.
RCIA Session 5 is at 7:15pm on Thursday 17th February at St. Edmund Campion Parish Centre.
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
JOHN PAUL II AWARD This is a faith achievement award for young people between the age of 16 and 18. It is non-competitive, inclusive, flexible and voluntary.
The Award enables participants to take an active part both in the life of their Church and in the life of their community and society. For further details, contact Jonathan on manorcott@outlook.com or 01628 626527.
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 Meets every other Thursday (next is 17th February). Open to everyone, of all ages. A chance to meet up, have a coffee and a chat. We also organise occasional speakers and days out. Please contact Angela for more information.
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.
YOGA CLASSES No yoga class next week. Next class is Tuesday 1st March at 12 noon in the parish centre. For more information contact Rachel at wellhappyyoga@gmail.com or the parish office. Now on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/wellhappyyoga) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/wellhappyyoga/).
YOGA FOR MEN Class at 9am on Saturday 26th February. 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.
TODDLERS GROUP Every Friday from 8:45 to 10:45am in the Parish Centre. Contact Jenny on jennyoliver51@hotmail.com for more information.
PARISH HALL The Parish Hall is available to hire, for parties, celebrations, meetings, training, classes and anything else you can think of. It’s a great community space, and is available for £25 per hour.
BURCHETTS GREEN PARISH ADMINISTRATOR The Parish of Burchetts Green is looking for an efficient and conscientious Parish Administrator to commence as soon as possible. The role will require the individual to work independently and with the Vicar, volunteers, professional bodies, the Diocese and contractors.
Applicants should be competent in the use of Microsoft Office and financial software. Training can be provided. Good communication skills and the ability to deal with sensitive situations are essential.
Hours of work - 20 per week, preferably across 5 mornings, but there is some flexibility for the right person. The parish office is based in the Soltau Centre (behind St James the Less church) in Stubbings.
For further details contact the Parish Office by phone: 01628 820077 or email: office@burchettsgreenparish.org.
To celebrate National Bird Box week we heard from Órlagh and Vincent about the work they are doing to care for God’s creation and in particular how they are making the land around the church more wildlife friendly. You were invited to do the same at home and many of you placed an order for your own homes for bees, birds, hedgehogs and bats. You can still do so by going to www.BNBG.org.uk.
This is part of the Eco-Church scheme we have signed up to which asks us to look at five areas: our church buildings, the land around it, how we include looking after our planet in our worship, supporting other communities impacted by climate change, and making changes in our own lives.
We have other 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.
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.
We thank our mass reps:
6:15pm Saturday: Reena K. 9:30am Sunday: Elvira E-M & Shirley F. 11:15am Sunday: Julie C.
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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