Jesus spent time lighting the fire so he could cook breakfast on the seashore. This reminds me of my mother getting the fire ready in the old days so we could make toast with red embers on the long toasting fork, and it was a beautiful ritual.
This is Jesus, the risen Jesus.
No big apparitions in the sky, but just the simple act in the dawn of cooking bread and fish.
The meal was for tired disciples. Often in the gospel stories Jesus talked about people preparing meals and serving them. He seemed to say a lot through meals and at meals. He allowed a woman dry his feet with her hair at a meal.
In cooking for people love is active. A mother might count up sometime how many meals she has cooked, and call them hours of love. This too is the mission and identity of Jesus.
After death and resurrection comes the Spirit of love - Love given, love received and love shared.
The breakfast meal will end with questions about love. Anything real about the resurrection always ends in being sent by God on the mission of Jesus. He gives little instruction about the mission nor even what it may entail. But it entails being led by God. Life for Jesus is life with Jesus and with the grace of God. We are never alone.
This is the company and the friendship at the source of the life of the soul, and which keeps our unique personality alive. This love comes in prayer and in love and in our loving service of others. This is mission with and for the risen Jesus Christ.
Risen Lord, increase my faith, hope and love.
READINGS
1st Reading: Acts 5:27-32, 40-41. The apostles were put on trial for preaching the Gospel
Responsorial Pslam (29): I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me
2nd Reading: Revelation 5:11-14. The throne of the Lamb, a vision of Christ crucified and the risen
Gospel: John 21:1-19. The risen Jesus appears on the shore of Lake Tiberias, and confirms Peter as chief pastor
CHILDREN’S LITURGY Anyone who’s child attends Children’s Liturgy at 9:30am Sunday Mass. Please put your child’s name on the register as you go into the church. It’s so we have an accurate list of first and surnames for safeguarding of those attending.
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.
CLOSER TO CHRIST CAMPAIGN A letter from Bishop Philip will be read out at all Masses over the weekend of April 30th/May 1st. This letter will be inserted into the newsletter this week and is also available on the parish website.
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 Sarah 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.
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.
SACRISTANS From all of us, members of the St. Edmund Campion community, we would like to acknowledge the dedication and service that our Sacristans offer our community, who on a daily basis, ensure that our Church is clean and the sanctuary is prepared for each liturgical function. This team of dedicated sacristans has being involved in this very important ministry for many years. To Cynthia Bowen, Reena Kolassery, James Aiden, Ann Griggs, Angela de Souza, Moira McGovern and Beryl Bouchier we say a big Thank you!
The Sacristans’ team is always open to welcome new volunteers who may be interested in helping out in the logistical preparations for the various Services that go on in the Church. If you would like to know more, please contact a member of the team.
FACE COVERINGS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING It is encouraged, from a moral and respectful point of view, to continue wearing face masks during Public Worship. This 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.
Thank you: Fr. Liam and Father Ephraim write:
‘We would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest appreciation and thanks for the kindness you have shown to us during this special time of Easter. Your cards, notes, letters and gifts have been so kind and generous, yet let us assure you that, your prayers are most highly valued and needed. You are a truly remarkable community. You have taught us so much about what it means to be a vibrant and generous church community.
It was wonderful to see our churches in the parishes filled with parishioners and visitors over the Easter Triduum and Easter Sunday morning. For quite a number, this was the time to return to the regular worship, gathered in community each week. You are welcome back. While many of us are physically back at church, we realise some have chosen to stay away for a while longer. Please know that we certainly understand the desire to stay safe, and the live streaming services will continue to be offered.
We wish you plenty of Resurrection Greetings!
God bless you all,
Father Liam and Father Ephraim.
LENTEN APPEAL for W.O.R.K. and THAMES VALLEY HOSPICE Now that this project is drawing to a close please will parishioners return the jamjars with their donations. These can be in the form of
Any queries please contact John Lynn on 07931 292934. Many thanks.
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.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION AND CONFIRMATION We offer sincere congratulations to all our children and youth who will make their First Holy Communion and Confirmation during the month of May. We have 68 children for First Holy Communion and 61 youth for the Sacrament of Confirmation. What a blessing! We thank their catechists and parents for guiding them to this wonderful and sacred occasion. May each of you be blessed with God’s abundance and love.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION This liturgy is being held for all candidates preparing for Confirmation and their parents/guardians. It is on Saturday 30th April at 4.30pm. Please try and arrive by 4.15pm.
CONFIRMATION Session 8 takes place at St. Edmund Campion parish at 4:45pm, followed by Mass at 6:15pm.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 4:45pm, 30th April at St. Edmund Campion school. 9:45am 1st May at St. Joseph’s Parish Centre.
NOURISHING OUR SPIRITS A Seminar for Women on Saturday 14th May 2022, 9:30am to 12:30pm at St. Edward's Parish Centre, Windsor. No matter at what season in life we are, or at what stage we are on our faith journey, what tools do we need in our spiritual tool kit to lead a dynamic and energised life filled with the Spirit? How do we nourish and energise our inner chapels? This will be explored in the Seminar (no discussion groups or note taking - just listening) by Dr. Judith Thomas. So come and listen, be energised - all free of charge. Registration is required by emailing Margaret Tackney, Seminar Administrator at margarettackney@yahoo.co.uk. This is the same Seminar presented at St. Joseph's, Maidenhead on 12th March, so if you missed that date, simply register for 14th May.
CAFOD ANNIVERSARY WALK St Edmund Campion and St Joseph’s parishes will be holding a joint walk on Saturday 18th June to celebrate CAFOD’s 60th anniversary. We will begin with Mass at 10am at St Joseph’s and do the circular walk from Maidenhead to Cookham, along the river and coming back through the fields (same walk we did in 2012 for the 50th anniversary). The walk is approx. 6.5 miles. Bring a packed lunch, refreshments will be available at St Joseph’s at the end of the walk. Please put the date in your diaries! To register please email maidenheadcafodwalk@gmail.com.
SUNDAY LUNCH On 8th May between 12:30pm and 3pm, a special Sunday meal (of delicious Curry) is being held in the Parish Centre. This lunch is being hosted in memory of our dear ones who have died in recent years. All proceeds will go to our Lenten project, of helping W.O.R.K. and Thames Hospice. This is the last opportunity to contribute to this. Tickets are £10 each and a lovely afternoon is guaranteed.
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.
PILGRIMAGES A pilgrimage is a journey that has religious or spiritual significance. The journey is usually taken to an important religious place.
The Hospitalité is very spacious and can accommodate all pilgrims, especially those who are sick, disabled or elderly. It also includes a full catering and medical staff.
Fr. Liam (St. Edmund Campion Parish) will be the Spiritual Director for this pilgrimage and has been going to Banneux since 1996. If you are interested and you would like more information or to reserve a place before June 30th, please contact the pilgrimage director Lisa Pirie on 07500 288384 (banneuxndgb@gmail.com) or Father Liam, on 07776 580596 (lcummins@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk). Also, Google 'Our Lady's Shrine, Banneux', for history and more detail.
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.
POLLING DAY On Thursday 5th May the Parish Centre will be in use all day as a polling station.
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 12th May). 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 is an international voluntary organization in the Catholic Church, founded in 1833 for the sanctification of its members by personal service of the poor, the migrant, the refugee, the lonely and the vulnerable.
This wonderful organisation of prayer, empowerment and solidarity is revamping itself in the Maidenhead area and will be known as ‘SVP Maidenhead’. Meetings will be held between St. Edmund Campion, St. Joseph's & St. Elizabeth's.
Ruth Dean has been a very vital light in guiding this organisation over many years and the ‘baton’ has now been handed over to Jean-Marc Hall. It's first meeting under his stewardship will be held on Monday 4th April at 7:30pm at St. Edmund Campion Centre. Each monthly meeting will alternate with St. Joseph's Centre.
All are welcome and, yes we can make a difference!.
YOGA CLASSES Classes every Tuesday in the parish centre at noon. Contact Rachel wellhappyyoga@gmail.com, and look on Facebook or Instagram.
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.
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.
FOUNDATION GOVERNORS REQUEST St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Maidenhead part of the Frassati Catholic Academy Trust, is looking for 3 new Foundation Governors. The positions are open to any practicing Catholics who will form part of the Local Governing Body which holds strategic responsibility for the school. You will be expected to attend approximately 12 regular meetings per year. No experience of education or governance is required as training will be provided. All applications are welcome, however applicants with legal, finance or HR backgrounds would be extremely helpful, though this is not an essential requirement. Please contact the Chair of Governors, Marius Hopley at: gov.mariushopley@stmarys-maidenhead.org.uk.
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