HRH QUEEN ELIZABETH II The Catholic community of Maidenhead extends it’s heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth: a beloved Monarch and a woman of deep personal faith.
At this sad time, we keep her family, our nation and the Commonwealth in our thoughts, as we each mourn and remember Her Majesty in our own way.
Almighty God,
You are the author and sustainer of all human life;
grant that your servant, Elizabeth our Queen,
whom you granted a long and happy reign as Monarch of these lands
may be forgiven her sins and rewarded with that eternal life
promised to all those born again
in the water of baptism and power of your Spirit.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit
God, forever and ever, Amen
Eternal Rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her; may she rest in peace. Amen.
Prayer for the King
O God, to whom every human power is subject,
Grant to your servant His Majesty the King, Charles III,
wisdom in the exercise of his high office,
so that, always revering to you and striving to please you,
he may constantly secure and preserve
for the people entrusted to his care
the freedom that comes from unity and peace.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit
God, forever and ever,
Amen
The gospel is the story of a man looking after himself and his family when he was losing a job.
He let some debtors off the interest on a bill owed to his master so that they would look after him later.
Jesus doesn’t recommend dishonesty but recommends that we be as concerned for goodness as he was for dishonesty. The children of the world are clever – could we be as enthusiastic?
The parable is a Jesus’ gentle humorous way saying that we have to deal with life as it is, and it would be great that we would be as passionate in the cause of good as your man was in looking after himself!
Jesus used this situation to teach us a lesson about money and God; he uses many situations to widen our view of God who is total love, total mercy, and total forgiveness.
Let’s leave judgment to him and widen the compassion of our hearts.
The message as well is to use money in the service of God, ‘tainted though it is’.
We know how our wealth and prosperity can lead to greed or corruption, or to improving the lives of others. As with all we have, all is gift and to be used for the common good.
Pope Francis said:
‘if investments in banks drop a little,
it’s a tragedy!
But if people are starving, if they have nothing to eat, if they are not healthy,
it does not matter!
This is our crisis today,
Lord, may your kingdom come.
READIINGS
1st. Amos 8:4-7. God is concerned for justice and fair play.
Responsorial: Psalm 112:1-2, 4-8 R./: Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
2nd. 1 Timothy 2:1-8. We pray for everyone, including public officials, hoping that all will be saved.
Gospel: Luke 16:1-13. You cannot serve God and wealth.
BAPTISMS Saturday 24th Lucas Levins, son of Kieran and Louise.
Benjamin (Ben) Wyllie, son of Jenny and Craig.
Sunday 25th Victoria, daughter of Sergio and Carmela.
FUNERALS
We continue to pray for the repose of the souls of Edgar de Sousa RIP and Fr. Kevin Jones RIP. Also we continue to pray for the repose of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Edgar’s funeral mass will take place on 22nd September (Thursday) at 11am followed by burial at Braywick Cemetery.
Fr Kevin Jones’ funeral Mass will take place on 1st October (Saturday) at 11am. Following Mass his body will lay in repose at Sandhurst Catholic Church for two days. Amen
Eternal rest grant unto him, 0 Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday 17th September Mr Desmond Leavy RIP
Sunday 18th September Monica Fitzgerald RIP
Monday 19th September Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her funeral.
Tuesday 20th September Stephen Hayes SI and Mary Bieniek (RIP) SI on what would have been her 100th Birthday
Wednesday 21st September Edgar De Sousa RIP
Thursday 22nd September Ann and Pat O’Connor SI
Sunday 25th September Catherine Curran RIP
Overwhelmed by Climate Change? Not sure what you can do?
The problems that we face in the world can at times seem insurmountable; droughts, floods, food shortages and the energy crisis dominate the news each day. But we hope you will agree with Pope Francis when he says “Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home. … Truly, much can be done!”
Starting on the evening of the 4th of October and running weekly until the 22nd of November (excluding half-term), we will be facilitating seven group discussion sessions that will equip you with greater awareness of the climate impacts of everyday activities, and the ability and motivation to reduce emissions on an individual and community basis. Each week will cover a different topic and you will be able to attend as many sessions as you want. If you attend all seven sessions then you will be eligible to apply for Carbon Literacy Accreditation (https://carbonliteracy.com/). To find out more and register to attend please contact Sarah Bowden or Eric Brutnall (bowden.sarah@googlemail.com, ericbrutnall@gmail.com).
RUBY JUBILEE RUBY JUBILEE CELEBRATION September 2022
Out of respect for the Queen the Parish will be postponing the planned Jubilee celebrations in the Parish. More information will be shared as soon as it is available. A huge thanks to all those involved in the organisation of both the Folk Group Concert and the Jubilee. Apologies to all who are looking forward to the lovely plans.
CHILDREN’S SUNDAY LITURGY The Children’s Liturgy will recommence on 11th September during the 9.30am Mass. It is for children over the age of 4 years.
Ware asking you, as a member of our community and over 18 years of age, to consider the possibility of being a catechist/helper during ‘Sunday School’. For more information, please contact Tricia Opalko on patricia.opalko@st-edmund.org.uk
MOTHER’S PRAYER GROUP The first Mothers’ Prayer Group began three years ago in St. Edmund Campion Church. You are warmly invited to attend, as and when you can. The meetings are held every Friday from 8.50am to 9.45, at the Church, and if you can, stay on for Mass at 10am. Tea/Coffee and chat afterwards!
Meetings begin with a relaxed welcome and greeting. Prayer follows, primarily for our children, Godchildren, children of the parish and children of Maidenhead. The peace it brings is tangible.
If you are interested in joining this group or finding out more, then please contact Noris on 07714990696, or Nancy on 07708094409. Or indeed, just turn up any Friday morning!
SCHOOL MASS The Mass asking for God’s blessing for our school children will take place on Thursday 5th September at 9.30am. The pupils from school will attend.
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 or via the live-stream. If you are new to the area, please register as a member of our Parishes. The parish offices are situated at St. Joseph’s Church, Cookham Road and St. Edmund Campion, Atwood Road.
Shauna or Sarah can send you a soft copy of the registration form if you so wish, or pick up a hard copy at the church. The parish office details are elsewhere on this newsletter.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME: 2022 – 2023 For those families wishing to enrol their children (who are in Year 4 at school or above) for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, applications forms will be available from the beginning of September on the parish website, church table and from the parish office. Please fill in form and return to the Parish Office (not the school) before the 20th September 2022.
Prayer Service and Introduction for Reconciliation and First Holy Communion will take place at St. Edmund Campion Church at 5pm, on Saturday the 24th September, followed by the Vigil Mass. For those applying at St. Joseph’s a similar meeting will be held at 9.45am on Sunday the 25th September, followed by Mass at 11am.
The programme is a ‘3-step-programme’.
Step 1: 14 weekends from initial meeting in September to end of December. The candidate is required to attend at least 10 weekend Masses with family members. This step is called: ‘Come And See’. (John 1: 39-41). An invitation from Jesus.
Step 2: ‘Sat at the feet of Jesus’. (Luke 10:38-42). 10 input/teaching classes between January and April. This will be done on alternative Saturdays/Sundays. Each input will comprise of 80 minutes. Candidates are expected to attend Mass every weekend during this period.
Step 3: ‘Jesus sent them out’. (Luke 10:1). During May, the candidates will do a missionary assignment in the Church and Community.
May 2023 will see the Sacraments being bestowed upon the candidates.
ALPHA COURSE St. Edwards & St. Mark’s parish in Windsor is offering the Alpha Course beginning 20th September from 19:00. After a huge response in 2019, we had to put the programme on hold due to the pandemic, so now we are very excited to be offering Alpha again, in person each week, in the St. Edward's Parish Centre.
Alpha is a 10-week course that explores life’s big questions, in an open, non-judgmental and safe place. We’ll be discussing questions like: Is there more to life than this? Does God exist? Why did Jesus have to die? And, why is there so much suffering in the world?
Millions of people have already tried Alpha in over 100 countries and languages around the world - so why not you? Perhaps you have a friend or family member who has fallen away from the faith during the pandemic, doesn't feel as connected to the church as they once did, or maybe has never truly answered life's big questions for themselves -- please invite them, we'd love to host them too!
To RSVP, please follow this link: https://forms.gle/QYmhMUHvz8jk2JBu7
If you have questions about joining, inviting others, or joining our team of volunteers, please email Ryan Greig at: alphawindsor316@gmail.com
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS (RCIA) We are all on a journey of faith, which is unique and personal, and yet a journey that we know is greatly enriched when we are able to come together and share with others.
Maybe you are a non-Catholic Christian accompanying your family to Church and now feel drawn to become part of this community of faith. Maybe your “roots” are in another religion, or in none. Maybe you are a Baptised Catholic but never received, as a young person, the Sacrament of Confirmation.
This programme is widely used in many parishes throughout the Diocese. RCIA is both a learning and teaching programme that aims to help those who would like to know more about the Christian faith from a catholic perspective and might be thinking about becoming a Catholic.
To be a full member of the Catholic Church you need to complete the process of Christian Initiation, which is when you have been Baptised, Confirmed and have made your First Holy Communion. The RCIA Programme will begin with the completion of the ten-step programme of the Alpha course run at Windsor.
MISSIO Magazine. Please pick up a copy of the Autumn edition of the Red Box magazine Mission Today, now available in the Church Porch.’
RUBY JUBILEE RUBY JUBILEE CELEBRATION September 2022
Out of respect for the Queen the Parish will be postponing the planned Jubilee celebrations in the Parish. More information will be shared as soon as it is available. A huge thanks to all those involved in the organisation of both the Folk Group Concert and the Jubilee. Apologies to all who are looking forward to the lovely plans.
HOSPITALITY I'm appealing for 2 people to help with "tea & biscuit hospitality" after 9.30am mass. You'll be on the rota approx every 8 weeks and it's a great opportunity to meet lots of people in your parish community. You are normally done by 11am and everything will be explained upfront. If you have any questions or can offer your services pls email Karen dkryder897@aol.com
CHILDREN’S SUNDAY LITURGY We’re asking you, as a member of our community and over 18 years of age, to consider the possibility of being a catechist/helper during ‘Sunday School’. For more information, please contact Tricia Opalko on patricia.opalko@st-edmund.org.uk
MOTHER’S PRAYER GROUPThe first Mothers’ Prayer Group began three years ago in St. Edmund Campion Church. You are warmly invited to attend, as and when you can. The meetings are held every Friday from 8.50am to 9.45, at the Church, and if you can, stay on for Mass at 10am. Tea/Coffee and chat afterwards!
Meetings begin with a relaxed welcome and greeting. Prayer follows, primarily for our children, Godchildren, children of the parish and children of Maidenhead. The peace it brings is tangible.
If you are interested in joining this group or finding out more, then please contact Noris on 07714990696, or Nancy on 07708094409. Or indeed, just turn up any Friday morning!
CAFOD HARVEST FAST DAY is on Friday 7 October and children from the school will be speaking at the Masses on 1-2 October. Millions of families in northern Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan are facing a food crisis that could be the worst in living memory. Your donations can help CAFOD’s local experts to provide emergency food supplies to families in the worst affected countries in East Africa and support communities around the world working hard to put food on the table. Thank you in advance for your generosity this harvest – envelopes will be available and the collection will be taken on 8-9 October. For more information visit cafod.org.uk/fastday
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME: 2022 – 2023 For those families wishing to enrol their children (who are in Year 4 at school or above) for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, applications forms will be available from the beginning of September on the parish website, church table and from the parish office. Please fill in form and return to the Parish Office (not the school) before the 20th September 2022.
Prayer Service and Introduction for Reconciliation and First Holy Communion will take place at St. Edmund Campion Church at 5pm, on Saturday the 24th September, followed by the Vigil Mass at 18.15. For those applying at St. Joseph’s a similar meeting will be held at 9.45am on Sunday the 25th September, followed by Mass at 11am.
The programme is a ‘3-step-programme’.
Step 1: 14 weekends from initial meeting in September to end of December. The candidate is required to attend at least 10 weekend Masses with family members. This step is called: ‘Come And See’. (John 1: 39-41). An invitation from Jesus.
Step 2: ‘Sat at the feet of Jesus’. (Luke 10:38-42). 10 input/teaching classes between January and April. This will be done on alternative Saturdays/Sundays. Each input will comprise of 80 minutes. Candidates are expected to attend Mass every weekend during this period.
Step 3: ‘Jesus sent them out’. (Luke 10:1). During May, the candidates will do a missionary assignment in the Church and Community.
May 2023 will see the Sacraments being bestowed upon the candidates.
ALPHA COURSE St. Edwards & St. Mark’s parish in Windsor is offering the Alpha Course beginning 20th September from 19:00. After a huge response in 2019, we had to put the programme on hold due to the pandemic, so now we are very excited to be offering Alpha again, in person each week, in the St. Edward's Parish Centre.
Alpha is a 10-week course that explores life’s big questions, in an open, non-judgmental and safe place. We’ll be discussing questions like: Is there more to life than this? Does God exist? Why did Jesus have to die? And, why is there so much suffering in the world?
Millions of people have already tried Alpha in over 100 countries and languages around the world - so why not you? Perhaps you have a friend or family member who has fallen away from the faith during the pandemic, doesn't feel as connected to the church as they once did, or maybe has never truly answered life's big questions for themselves -- please invite them, we'd love to host them too!
To RSVP, please follow this link: https://forms.gle/QYmhMUHvz8jk2JBu7
If you have questions about joining, inviting others, or joining our team of volunteers, please email Ryan Greig at: alphawindsor316@gmail.com
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
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS (RCIA) We are all on a journey of faith, which is unique and personal, and yet a journey that we know is greatly enriched when we are able to come together and share with others.
Maybe you are a non-Catholic Christian accompanying your family to Church and now feel drawn to become part of this community of faith. Maybe your “roots” are in another religion, or in none. Maybe you are a Baptised Catholic but never received, as a young person, the Sacrament of Confirmation.
This programme is widely used in many parishes throughout the Diocese. RCIA is both a learning and teaching programme that aims to help those who would like to know more about the Christian faith from a catholic perspective and might be thinking about becoming a Catholic.
To be a full member of the Catholic Church you need to complete the process of Christian Initiation, which is when you have been Baptised, Confirmed and have made your First Holy Communion. The RCIA Programme will begin with the completion of the ten-step programme of the Alpha course run at Windsor.
CLOSER TO CHRIST CAMPAIGN Please see the attached update. There are copies printed in the Church too.
CAFOD Join us to find out more about CAFOD’s World Food Crisis Appeal On Saturday 10th September there is an online meeting from 10:30 am to 12:30pm at which Catherine Ogolla CAFOD’s Country Representative for Kenya and Uganda will give an update on the desperate situation in East Africa . On Saturday 17th September there is a CAFOD meeting at St Bede’s church hall from 10:30am to 12 noon to hear from Ibrahim Njuguna CAFOD’s Surge Country Representative for Africa about the World Food Crisis and the difficulties facing communities in East Africa . Please book your place for either meeting by contacting Jo Lewry on portsmouth@cafod.org.uk or call 07710 094447
FIRST FRIDAY ADORATION FROM JANUARY TILL SEPTEMBER 7pm to 7am. St Edmund Campion Church, 7th October. Please contact or text Agnieszka on 07871258181 or email gnieszka@gmail.com
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
CHILDREN’S SUNDAY LITURGY Children from the age of 4 can attend. Please put your child’s name on the register as you go into the church for Safeguarding purposes. Restarts 10th September.
YOGA CLASSES Yoga Tuesday 27th September at 11.45am. Classes are free but if possible, a donation for charity will be appreciated. Come to all the classes, come to some, try a class...you’ll be welcome! Yoga mats will be available. Bring your own if you have one. Mat cleaning spray and wipes will be available. No class 20th September and 11th October. ( Sorry about this :)) Contact Rachel at wellhappyyoga@gmail.com or the parish office.).
TODDLERS GROUP Every Termtime Friday 8.45-10.45 in the Parish Centre.
HAPPY MIND WORKSHOP 'It's Back!! Sally’s My Organised Morning, Happy Mind workshop. Getting back into the swing of things often takes time so there's no better way to do it than to join me on Tuesday 20th in the evening at St Edmund Campion Parish Centre, Maidenhead at 8:00-9:00pm. For just £10 each, we will discuss how to set up the morning rhythms that allow you to have a positive start to your day. Sign up at www.sallyparsoninteriors.com/events
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.
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.
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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