St. Edmund Campion Church

Readings

	First Reading		Neh 8:2-6, 8-10		Ezra the Scribe set out to re-establish the Jewish Laws, to bring his people back to the religion of Moses.
	Responsorial Psalm		Psalm 18:8-10, 15		R./: Your words, Lord, are spirit and life.
	Second Reading		1 Cor 12:12-30		As the body is one though made of many parts so the Church forms many individuals into a living unity in Christ.
	Gospel		Lk 1:1-4, 4:14-21		In the Nazareth synagogue Jesus cites Isaiah: He will bring freedom to the poor and the oppressed.

 

Mass Intentions

	Saturday 25th January			6:15pm		Margaret O'Donnell		RIP
	Sunday 26th			9:30am		Stanislaw & Alicja Wisniewski		RIP
	Sunday 26th			11:15am		Jerry & Mary Connor		RIP AN
	Thursday 30th			9:30am		Claire & Eunis		RIP AN
	Sunday 2nd February			9:30am		Noel & Shivanthi Fernando		RIP
	Sunday 2nd			11:15am		Kenny McInnes		RIP

 

Baptism:

Saturday 1st February

Michael

Son of Kamil & Mariola

 

Funeral:

Wednesday 29th January

Beryl Bowie

RIP. May her soul rest in peace.

 

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:

• Friday 7^th February 10am at St. Joseph’s; 7pm at St. Edmund Campion Church; 10am St Thomas More, Twyford

• Friday 7^th March 10am at St. Joseph’s; 7pm at St. Edmund Campion Church; 10am St Thomas More, Twyford

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:

• Tuesday 4^th February 2025
• Tuesday 4^th March 2025

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

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.

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.

SECOND COLLECTION this weekend for St John’s Cathedral Portsmouth. https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/campaign/st-johns-cathedral-second-collection-2025  You can also donate via the contactless Dona machine or by cash donation.

SAVE THE DATE 29^th March evening for a very special meal.  This meal is an opportunity to learn more about our own faith through understanding the Seder Meal which was eaten at our Lord’s Last Supper.  It will be an informative, fun and celebratory event.  It will take place after the vigil Mass in the hall at St Joseph’s church.  Further information and ticketing details will be available soon”

VISION GROUP Dry January: Many of us give up drinking for the month of January after the excesses of Christmas and the New Year. Following last year’s successful raffle, we are collecting any bottles that have not been drunk, together with unwanted Christmas gifts including Chocolates, to be raffled off or auctioned. All money raised will go towards renovations in the church. Please drop off in the large box outside the Parish office or in the Church porch. Collecting will be done by the Parish Vison Group. The raffle will take place weekend 8^th & 9^th February 2025.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION The next class for First Holy Communion is on Saturday 25^thJanuary at 4.30pm in St Edmund Campion School

HOLY FAMILY FINANCE COMMITTEE Thursday 30^th January at 7pm This is the very first Finance meeting of our new parish of “Holy Family, Maidenhead and Twyford”. We wish this group every blessing in this new venture.

FOUNDATION GOVERNOR VACANCY ST EDMUND CAMPION PRIMARY SCHOOL Please see noticeboard for more information or contact Julia Evans (Chair of Governors) via the school office at school@st-edmund.org.uk or 01628 620183.

Widows and orphans of Rural Africa (W.O.R.K.) This weekend we welcome Mary-Jane Butler MBE to our parish, and who will speak at all Masses, giving thanks to the community of St. Edmund Campion for our staunch support of our charity over the last seven years www.work-kenya.org

FIRE MARSHAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We are looking for 9 people minimum to be trained as Fire Marshalls for the Parish, 3 for each weekend Mass. Ideally we would have a rota so holidays etc are covered. There will be fire extinguisher/marshal training 25^th March 10:45am in St Joseph’s Church car park. Please email the office/let Ruth know if you can volunteer for this role. Refreshments provided. If you would like lunch, please reserve with the office via email office@stedmundcampion.org.uk

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR HOSPITALITY SATURDAY EVENINGS 6:15pm MASS Saturday evening Hospitality are looking for volunteers to co-ordinate the rota and also volunteers to join the rota. If interested, please contact the Parish office.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED SUNDAY 11:15am MASS PREPARATION Please contact Andy: andy.shearer@btopenworld.com or phone 07730630876 for more information or if you would like to join the rota. Full training will be given.

SVP MAIDENHEAD are in need of adult and children bicycles for the asylum seekers. If you upgraded any bikes over Christmas, please consider donating your old bike to us. For more information, please contact the Parish Office. We are still collecting clothes, toys and toiletries. Please check the SVP noticeboard for meeting dates and other updates.

EASTER LITURGY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED We're looking for a new person to lead the Easter Sacristan Group. This involves preparing all the Easter services in the period from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday and liaising with the Liturgy Group. The current lead Kathy is handing over now due to family commitments. Please contact Kathy on 07935937875 if you are interested. A full handover will be provided and the existing 3 group members will continue to assist. Thank you

TOYS DONATION St Edmund Campion Toddler Group are looking for gently used, good quality toys, suitable for 0-4 year old. Age-appropriate toys for toddlers, such as Duplo, Duplo boards, magnet tiles, wooden puzzles, shape sorters; Dolls and doll accessories doll pushchair and highchairs, baby dolls, Barbies, Dolls house and doll house furniture; Larger play items - easel with magnet board for letters/numbers, activity tables, indoor slide, train track accessories (bridge, station etc), Car garage, foam mats and baby play mat; Pretend play items -play kitchen, play food and kitchen accessories, doctors kits, tool kits, tea set, good quality dress up clothes (nurse, doctor, builder etc); Board books for young children - books with felt flaps and textured pages; Art and craft supplies that are non-toxic and safe for little hands, sticker books, kids scissors, coloured card, paper, unused pens and pencils; Storage boxes with lids

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

YOGA CLASSES Tuesday 11am – 11:45am The next Yoga class will be Tuesday 4^th  February 11am. Everyone is welcome. No charge for the class, just a small donation to charity if able. For more information contact Rachel: wellhappyyoga@gmail.com or the parish office.

PREPARING TOGETHER MARRIAGE COURSE 8^th FEBRUARY 2025 Corpus Christi Church, Wokingham, RG40 2HE www.marriagecare.org.uk

LENTEN PROJECT CONCERT SATURDAY 22^nd MARCH 7:30pm in the school hall, performed by musicians from the 9.30 music group. Please put the date in your diary, more details shortly.

CAFOD meeting on Saturday 22^nd February from 10:30am to 1pm at Christ the King Church Hall Reading RG2 8NR. If you wish to attend, email Jo jlewry@cafod.org.uk 

SCHOOLS PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION For Catholic students aged 16 -18.If you are interested in competing in the Schools Public Speaking Competition organised by the Catenians, due to take place in Langley on 24^th February, please contact Jonathan Holder: manorcott@outlook.com by 31^st January for further details. Parental permission required.

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.

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.

CAFOD School Volunteers needed Do you enjoy working with children and young people? Could you help to inspire and empower children and young people in your local Catholic schools by delivering an assembly or a workshop? Supported by CAFOD with training and all resources provided please consider the role of CAFOD school volunteer. For more information contact Jo Lewry jlewry@cafod.org.uk or phone 07710 094447

MARRIAGE CARE: Volunteers needed! Marriage Care is looking to recruit volunteers to help present their Marriage Preparation courses in the local area (a couple of Saturdays in the year). Full training and support are given. To find out more, visit www.marriagecare.org.uk or contact Sue Cooper on 07939495774 or sue.cooper@marriagecare.org

God’s invitation to relationship An Introduction to Ways of Praying A short prayer course on Zoom to support people into a deeper prayer life through tutor’s input, guided prayer experience & sharing. A six-week course online Tuesdays 7.00pm – 8.30/9pm 25^th Feb - 1^st April 2025. No charge. Enquiries and applications Email: waysofpraying@epiphanygroup.org.uk

Child Bereavement UK’s family-friendly Snowdrop Walk at West Wycombe Park on Sunday 2^nd February. Enjoy a walk in beautiful surroundings before planting a snowdrop in memory of someone important, if you wish. Children can enjoy a treasure hunt with a small prize for each child at the end, and you can complete your walk with hot food, cakes and refreshments at West Wycombe Village Hall, where further children’s activities will take place. For more information, to purchase tickets or to sign up to volunteer at the event, please visit: Snowdrop Walk in Buckinghamshire | Child Bereavement UK Early bird discounted prices available.

VOLUNTEERS: From Sunday 8^th 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/

JOB ADVERTS:

· PARISH ADMINISTRATOR The Church of the Good Shepherd, Cox Green Part-time 10 hours per week. A fulfilling and varied opportunity to ensure smooth management of our Church Office, supporting our Vicar and wider church leadership team, and being our first point of contact. Office experience and computer skills essential. Full job description/person specification and application form can be found at www.chogs.org.uk/parishadmin We welcome all applications by Tuesday 28^th January 2025 Email: goodshepherd.coxgreen@gmail.com Tel. 01628 622139

· YOUTH SUPPORT WORKER Emerge Surrey and Berkshire Team Youth Support Worker Wexham Park 10 hours per week / £13.50 per hour. Minimum 1 evening a week in hospital, supplemented by follow-up work in the local community and some admin tasks Email recruitment@emergeadvocacy.com for an initial conversation  Closing Date - 07/2/25

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.

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.