John 17:20.. ‘ Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: ‘Holy Father, I pray not only for these, but for those also who through their words will believe in me. May they be one’.
Jesus is praying for me! I am one of those who believe through the word handed on over the years, person to person in an unbroken chain. I take my place in that honourable line and ask that I may pass on the word in all its truth, remembering that it comes from Jesus.
Jesus makes God known by the perfect love he shows for his fragile disciples. The disciples are to be recognized as sent by Jesus by the love they have for one another.
There are over 300 references to love in the New Testament. Love is God’s greatest gift to us. By our mutual love we reveal God’s love to the world. Pagans said to one another: in the time of the Early Church: ‘See how these Christians love one another!’ They were impressed by this mystery and at least some came to believe in Jesus.
That Jesus was and is the Son of God is the underlying theme in the Gospel of St John. In turn, Jesus calls us to one-ness with each other and with God.
Many of us live life from the outside in rather than from the inside out. Does the life that I lead reflect my innermost truth, that I am the focus of intense divine loving?
READINGS
1st. Acts 7:55-60. The stoning of Stephen.
Responsorial Psalm. Psalm 96:1-9. The Lord is king, most high above all the earth.
2nd. Apocalypse 22:12-20. Come Lord Jesus.
Gospel. John 17:20-26. Father, may they be completely one.
MASS INTENTIONS Monday 30th May 09.30 Tara Theogarajan RIP AN
Wednesday 1st June 09.30 Ray Dean RIP AN (8 Years)
Thursday 2nd June 09.30 Cornelius Hayes RIP AN (5 years)
Sunday 5th 11.15 Rosalie Harmes RIP AN
BAPTISMS Saturday 28th May Ava Marie, daughter of Rachael and Stanley.
QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE On 6th February, Her Majesty The Queen became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee (2-3 June), marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth.
In 1952, she requested: “Pray that God may give me wisdom and strength to carry out the solemn promises I shall be making and that I may faithfully serve Him and you, all the days of my life’.
As we approach the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, let us continue to pray for wisdom and strength for Her Majesty, giving thanks for her life of witness and service; and pray and use the blessing from Numbers 6:24-26.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
MISSIO. MASS OF CELEBRATION To follow on from our Red Box appeal, the Parish is invited to join the Mill Hill Missionaries for Mass on Tuesday 7th June at 6pm to celebrate the Beatification and Legacy of Pauline Jaricot, one of Missio’s founders. Fr Tony Chantry MHM, National Director of Missio, will be joined by the Diocesan Director and Missio volunteers from across the diocese for the evening. Refreshments will be provided after Mass. All are welcome.
To Find out more about Pauline Jaricot and the work of Missio and why 2022 is a special year, please follow this link. https://missio.org.uk/pauline-resources/
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.
MAIDENHEAD ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY (SVP) are helping to support 240 adult and 80 children asylum seekers in our area. They arrive with very little and are not allowed to work. If you would like to help, then the list below contains the things that would be most useful. If you would like to donate any items from the list please can you bring them into Sarah in the office anytime over the next two weeks or phone 07749 917134
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. Please do contact Fr Liam if you are interested in learning more about this campaign.
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.
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.
FINANCE MEETING 7.30pm Thursday 2nd June.
ADORATION 3rd June, 7pm. for the Ruby Jubilee of St. Edmund Campion Church
FEAST OF PENTECOST 5th June Happy birthday to the Catholic Church! Happy birthday to you, who are the body of the Church!
We're all familiar with our own birthdays, and we celebrate them because they mark the day of the year in which we entered into this life. But did you know you have a second birthday?
Because you are part of the body of the Church, Pentecost is the Church's birthday, and yours as well. And like any birthday, it's a cause for celebration.
The word Pentecost is Greek and it means "50th day." Fifty days after Easter Sunday, we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and their followers, and the beginning of their Earthly ministry to make disciples of all nations.
So come and celebrate in our Church on this day with family and friends. Welcome and Happy Birthday!
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION We congratulate the children who will receive their 1st Holy Communion on the coming Saturdays of May. We pray that the Lord will keep them faithful to him in the years ahead and to be glad to receive him in the Blessed Sacrament.
Likewise, we thank our wonderful group of catechists who gave up their Saturdays to instruct them; many of them with young families and other commitments, but who said ‘YES, I believe in them’. That is a wonderful gift. To the parents who got involved as well, and all others (you!) who helped them be prepared for the sacrament.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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. Note: There is no class on Tuesday 1st June.
COX GREEN LUNCHEON CLUB For more information contact Ruby Doughty on 01628630703 or rubydoughty@yahoo.co.uk.
TODDLERS GROUP Every Friday in term-time 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.
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