PARISH NOTICES for the week beginning
14th/15th December 2024 - 3rd Sunday of Advent, Year C

This mid-point of Advent alerts us to issues of justice and equality. The prophet John has been asked, as a sort of trick by people, who exploited others with tax bills, and soldiers who often used their brute force on others, how they should repent. His words were tough but quite ordinary – don’t overcharge, share your surplus with the needy and don’t exploit people. It is another, but more figurative way, of stating the basic demands of ‘Love one another’.

Christmas can bring out the best in us to care for the needy. We are surrounded by charities looking for aid. We know that Jesus hears the cries of the poor, and he joins every carol-singing group trying to help. Christmas also asks us to consider our honesty and integrity, for we know that many are poor, at home and abroad, because of the greed of others. Christmas is a reminder and a challenge that all can live with the dignity we have come to regard as human rights – education, safety, shelter, food, water, employment, freedom. The Christ child who was born poor represents all the poor of the world, especially children. As he was born ordinary, he represents that God meets, greets and helps us in the ordinary aspects of life.  The one who is to come is the one who will live and love according to these truths of human dignity and equality.

Come, Lord Jesus, child of the earth, child of God.

Come into our world of joy and sorrow. Stay with us always,

now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Readings
  First Reading     Zephaniah 3:14-18 Jerusalem rejoices because salvation is near and God himself will protect his people
  Responsorial Psalm     Isaiah 12:2-6 R/: Shout aloud and sing praise, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel
  Second Reading     Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord, be free of anxiety and live in a spirit of prayer and thanksgiving
  Gospel     Luke 3:10-18 John the Baptist urges various groups of people to works of justice and charity

 

Mass Intentions
  Friday 13th December     10am   Sean & Fidelma Gallagher   Thanksgiving
  Friday 13th     10am   Matt, Sarah & Noah   Thanksgiving
  Saturday 14th     6:15pm   Zeah & Zanah   Birthday wishes
  Saturday 14th     6:15pm   Vinny Foley   RIP AN
  Sunday 15th     9:30am   Maria-Luisa Shippey   RIP AN
  Sunday 15th     9:30am   Rohan de Mel   RIP
  Sunday 15th     11:15am   Rohan de Mel   RIP
  Tuesday 17th     9:30am   Iris & David Davies   RIP AN
  Wednesday 18th     9:30am   Janina Jarosz   Birthday Remembrance
  Wednesday 18th     9:30am   Noel Kirby   RIP AN
  Friday 20th      10am   Mohammed Joseph   Thanksgiving
  Friday 20th     10am   Kathleen Bonnar   Thanksgiving

HOUSE BLESSING: House blessings (also known as house healings, house clearings, house cleansings and space clearing) are rites intended to protect the inhabitants of a house or apartment. It is also there asking God’s protection and blessing upon each member of the family. In Christianity, house blessing is an ancient tradition dating back to the early days, that is usually performed by a priest who sprinkles holy water and blessed salt as he walks through every room of the house, accompanied by the occupants of the house, whilst praying for the occupants. If you would like your home/apartment/room blessed, then please contact one of the priests and a time and date can be arranged. The blessing ritual takes about 20 minutes, and it is lovely if all occupants of the home are present.

ARE YOU NEW TO OUR PARISH? Thank you for your interest in our parish. Whether you're just visiting us for a brief time, looking for a new parish home, returning to the practice of your Catholic faith or are interested in finding out more about the Catholic Church, we are happy to answer your questions, listen to your comments and help you in any way that we can. We are a parish of the Diocese of Portsmouth, and are a very vibrant community, made up of ‘old’ Maidenhead families and relative “newcomers” from all walks of life. We hope that you find our Catholic parish a caring community that is loving, welcoming and supportive of all. Our mission is to grow in the image of Christ through the Holy Spirit, to be formed by the Word and our prayer, to use our gifts to welcome those who are here and reach out to those who are not. We invite you to join us as partners in the mission. Together, let us get to know Christ better and to make Him better known. May God Bless you wherever you are and thank you for exploring our website and newsletter. Please stop by the parish office to introduce yourself! We would love to meet you.

FIRST FRIDAY: The First Friday of the month is 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 indeed, you or someone you know would like a visit from a priest, then please contact Fr. Liam, Fr. Ephraim or Fr. Tom.

FIRST FRIDAY HEALING MASS These special Masses will take place on:

WHAT IS A HEALING MASS?

Healing Masses are opportunities to directly seek physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual healing. These Masses include a homily that is focused on healing, prayers of the faithful that are directly asking God to heal us, and prayers after communion that are prayed by the Priest to help facilitate greater healing in our lives.

The Mass is the most powerful way that we can seek healing as Christians. Jesus is present in the Mass through the Scriptures, through giving Himself to us in His Body and His Blood, and through our worship of Him. He is the one who heals us. The Mass helps to facilitate the healing that Jesus wants to give to all of us.

BAPTISMAL COURSE The Baptismal Course is available for all Parents whose child is being Baptised at either St Joseph’s, St Elizabeth’s or St Edmund Campion. The course is a 90 minute preparation and guidance. It is held at St Joseph’s the first Tuesday of the month at 7pm. The next meetings are:

DIOCESAN NEWSLETTER: The Diocesan Mailing is produced every week and contains news, training opportunities and events from around the diocese and wider Catholic Church. The weekly newsletter is designed to bring you the latest information and events, straight to your email inbox. We try to keep it short and sweet (though, occasionally we can't help but get carried away with a great story or a brilliant opportunity). Click or go to the following site to sign up: www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

PARISH RECONCILIATION SERVICES FOR ADVENT: Advent is a wonderful time to celebrate the reconciling love and the healing graces our Lord offers us. Advent begins of the evening of Saturday 30th November, 1st Sunday of Advent. Reconciliation is what God does. Receiving it and celebrating it is what we do. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a natural way to celebrate God’s forgiveness and love. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the wonderful opportunity to grow closer to God—Advent before the celebration of Christmas and Lent before the celebration of Easter. Please try and attend and participate in one of the following Services.

House Masses/Blessings: Father Liam is more than happy to celebrate a House Mass or a House Blessing for any family or group of families who would like it. If you are interested, then please email Father Liam or telephone the Parish Office.

Contact: If you wish to speak to Father Liam in confidence on any matter, please contact him for an appointment. He is always happy to visit your home if so desired. Email: lcummins@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk Telephone: 07776580596

Hospital: If you are going into hospital or know or someone that is, please inform the hospital chaplain on arrival. Please also let Father Liam know so that arrangements can be made for a visit. Please note that under the Data Protection Act, hospital staff cannot disclose patient information. We rely on Parishioners to keep us in the loop.

Housebound: If you know of anyone who is sick and/or housebound please let Ruth (Parish Office) or Father Liam know so that a visit can be arranged.

CHRISTMAS COMMUNITY CHOIR - REHEARSAL DATES: If you enjoy singing and would like to take part in a choir at the Christmas Eve carol service, please join us! We will get together in the church on Sunday 15th December to learn the Sussex Carol. All ages and abilities welcome, but please make sure children are accompanied. Please let Suzy know at swilliams30034@gmail.com if you have any questions.

CHRISTMAS SERVICES:

Christmas Eve, Tuesday 24th December: No 9:30am Mass  4pm & 6pm – Children’s Mass; 8pm – Carol Service; 9pm – Vigil Mass

Christmas Day, Wednesday 25th December: 9:30am & 11:15am

Thursday 26th December & Friday 27th December: 10 am Mass

TRANSPORT TO MASS We are aware that some parishioners are having difficulty in finding transport for weekend Mass. If those parishioners could identify which Masses they would prefer to attend, then an effort will be made to organise a lift. Likewise, if you can offer a lift to fellow parishioners, who live locally to you, then we can match the needs on a register that will be held in the Parish Office. Any queries, please contact John Lynn 07931 292934

MASS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS will be in the Parish Centre on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday mornings. Friday morning and weekend Masses will be in the church.

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: CDP MAIDENHEAD ST EDMUND CAMPION

Sort code: 30-93-04

Account number: 00882551

SIF FORMS FOR SCHOOL ADMISSIONS Fr Liam will be available to sign SIF forms on the following dates:

CHRISTMAS STARS Once again we will be doing our Christmas Stars. Last year there were 76 stars which raised over £700, and also decorated the altar walls beautifully! To briefly explain for those unfamiliar with the stars, the idea is that, instead of sending Christmas cards to all your friends in the parish, you just write a message on a star, (available in the porch from the beginning of December) decorate it if you wish, and put it on the wall around the altar. Hopefully we can have a wonderful display of bright stars again. Then, think of the money you have saved on cards and stamps, and time and effort writing and delivering them, and give a donation to charity. There will be a box for your donation in the porch or via the contactless machine (select Christmas Stars option) , or you can give it to Barbara McWalter at 11.15 Mass or to Ruth in the office. The charity this year will be St Vincent de Paul (SVP) Maidenhead. Thank you in advance for your usual generosity for this very worthy cause.

LEGO CHRISTMAS STORY TRAIL Over the next few weekends look out for the "Lego Christmas Story Trail" posters. Scan the QR code, click, point and watch! There will be 5 story posters for you to find between now and Christmas! Can you scan and watch them all?

BAKE SALE – DECEMBER 14th and 15th Paula and a group of teenagers from our parish are organising a bake sale to raise funds for the maintenance of our church. If you would like to participate by means of cake donations please bring them to the parish centre before mass. If you can help serve the cakes please either join me at the parish centre after mass or message Paula paula@barbenza.com. To keep everyone safe please make sure you highlight ingredients that can tigger an allergic reaction (wheat and other cereals containing gluten, milk, egg, soya, sesame, nuts of any kind). Thanks for your help.

CAFOD THANKS Thank you for the generous donations for the Harvest Family Fast Day. £829 was raised for CAFOD.

 

 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

 

YOGA CLASSES Tuesday 11am – 11:45am. Classes will resume in January. Everyone is welcome. For moreinformation contact Rachel: wellhappyyoga@gmail.com or the parish office.

LOSS AND BEREAVEMENT GROUP The next meeting will be Sunday 12th January 2025

TODDLER GROUP Every Friday in termtime, 8:45am-10:45am in the Parish Centre.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

GIFT AID: If you have a standing order or direct debit donation to the Parish and gift aid your donation, please complete a new Gift Aid form. These will need to be completed for all existing Gift Aid Declarations. New Direct Debit and Gift Aid forms are available in the church porch and in the drawers outside the Parish Office. Please return all completed forms to the Parish Office. Thank you to everyone who has completed a form over the last few months.

DONA CONTACTLESS PAYMENTS are now available in the church porch. You can Gift Aid your donation to the church and Second Collections. You only need to put your details in once and all future donations using the same card will be Gift Aided. Donations, Repository, Candles, Mass Intentions can all be paid for using the machine– just select the option on the screen.

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, Altwood Road. Carolyn or Ruth 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 available on the website and in the church porch.

THURSDAY GROUP are looking for a new person to organise/run the sessions. These take place every 2 weeks. Please let the office know if you are interested.

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY LITURGY 9:30am Mass Children from the age of 4 can attend. Please put your child’s name on the register as you go into the church.

CONFIRMATION (2024) CERTIFICATES are ready for collection from the Parish Office.

GOSPEL POWER 2025 is available to purchase - £6 in the Repository box, to the Parish office or via the contactless machine.

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS: 20th December to 6th January 2025 (Inset Day).  Children return on Tuesday 7th January.

MAIDENHEAD DISTRICT EXPOLORERS are holding 2 Christmas Craft and Activity Days on 14th and 21st December from 10 am tp 5pm. This for children aged 6 - 10. Cost is £25 per child per day (there will be different crafts on each day, just in case you want to send your child to both days!). Treat your child to a fun filled day and treat yourself to some precious time in the run up to Christmas! Spaces are limited, so book now to avoid disappointment! Contact: liz@19thmaidenheadscouts.org.uk 

VOLUNTEERS: From Sunday 8th December 2024, subscribers to the Update Service will be emailed 30 days before their renewal date to ask if they wish to stay subscribed. Renewal dates are based on original joining dates. DBS advises volunteers to check that the email address attached to their subscription is linked to the individual who is subscribed. The renewal email will ask volunteers to access their Update Service Account and confirm that they wish to continue with the service. For those who confirm, this request will be repeated annually. If no confirmation is made, their volunteer subscription will automatically be cancelled. Volunteers who do not renew their subscription will not be able to keep their DBS certificate(s) up to date and organisations will not be able to check them. They will need to reapply for a DBS if they need one in the future. If you are a volunteer that is subscribed to the update service, please check that the correct email address is linked to the subscription service.   

REPOSITORY Please see our repository for cards & Mass cards for all occasions. Cash payments in the box on the wall or via the Dona contactless machine (minimum £1 payments).

RED BOXES It’s time to empty your red boxes. Please bring yours to the church and give to Lousie Jennings or Barbara McWalter at 11:15am Mass or hand them into the Parish Office. There are a number of boxes for collection in the church porch. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

PARISH COMMUNICATION We have reduced our newsletter to one two-sided A4 sheet. In order to make sure you are receiving up to date communications, please consider signing up to receive information by email. Parishioner registration forms are available in the church porch and in the drawers outside the Parish Office – please complete one and return it to the Parish office.

SCHOOL PLAYGROUND The Reception area playground is not for use at the weekends. Please make sure that children are not entering this area before or after weekend Masses. The staff prepare the area on Friday afternoon so that it is ready for learning on Monday morning. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

FOOD IN THE CHURCH The church is cleaned every Friday afternoon. Recently there appears to be a lot of food debris on the Church floor after weekend Masses. If you or your child needs to eat during Mass, can we request that you please use the Parish Centre. Thank you for your cooperation.

FOODSHARE Are you an NHS, Emergency services or a Blue Light worker. Foodshare is now operating a shop, so if you're struggling to make ends meet, for a cost of £10 per visit you can "buy" a trolley of food. Call 01628 262711 for fast and fuss free support.

VACANCIES - For job vacancies in the Diocese please see Diocese website https://www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk/

SUSTAINABILITY

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, Fr Ephraim, Fr Tom or Fr Noah 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 Ruth (Parish Office), Fr Liam or Fr Ephraim know so that a visit can be arranged.

FOR PRACTICAL PURPOSES, FOR THE COMING MONTHS

Father Ephraim and Fr Noah are the ‘link people’ for pastoral matters concerning the parish of St. Joseph’s and St. Elizabeth’s. They are also chaplains 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, Fr. Noah 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.

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 11:15am Sunday: Julie C.

School News

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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